How to choose a coffee maker or coffee machine for your home

Modern technologies dictate a new way of life - in order to enjoy a cup of your favorite coffee in the morning, you don't have to stand at the stove. It is enough to buy a coffee maker or a coffee machine. The result of the operation of these devices is the same - the owners will have a cup of aromatic coffee in their hands. However, there is a fundamental difference in the functionality of a coffee machine and a coffee maker, which must be taken into account when buying.

What is the difference between a coffee maker and a coffee machine

Automation of the entire cooking process is the fundamental difference between a coffee machine and a coffee maker. She does everything herself - grinds the coffee beans, measures out the required amount of water and whips the froth (if necessary). The work of a coffee maker is not complete without human intervention - water and ground coffee must be poured into the appropriate tanks. The machine just needs to combine all the ingredients into a single drink.

How to choose a coffee maker or coffee machine for your home

There are hundreds of different models of coffee makers and coffee machines on the market today. The main task of the buyer is to choose not a fashionable novelty, but a product that ideally matches all the tasks set. When going to the store, you need to focus on several main points:

1. Purpose of the purchase. Ordinary coffee, cappuccino or latte - all these drinks have different preparation technologies. If the buyer is firmly convinced that he does not want to experiment, he can take a device with a set of only basic functions.
2. Control type. Automatic models minimize human intervention - you just need to substitute a cup and wait a few minutes for your drink. Semi-automatic machines will not work without their owner - the grain must be loaded into the tank, filled with water, etc.
3. Allocated space. The further choice directly depends on how much space is allotted for a coffee machine or coffee maker. Devices with less functionality are usually small in size. Some kitchen monsters, on the other hand, take up almost half of the countertop.
4. Price policy. You should not take frankly cheap models with a huge set of functions - most often they are of poor quality and will not last too long. If the purchase budget is not too large, you can take a more modest offer, but from a reliable manufacturer.
5. Heating element type. Models with a boiler heat the entire water tank at once and show high performance. There is also a significant "but": scale forms on the surface inside the tank, so they will have to be cleaned regularly. An alternative for home use is models with a thermoblock, where only the required amount of water is heated to make coffee. The device has a low percentage of energy consumption, so it is perfect for home use.
6. Performance. This parameter is measured in the number of servings emitted per day. For home use, a medium-capacity machine is suitable - up to 50 cups of coffee a day. For production, you will have to look for something more powerful.

You should not immediately dwell on only one model - you need to select several suitable ones and compare them with each other, study the reviews. When the choice becomes obvious, you can make a purchase.

The design and principle of operation of the coffee maker

The principle of operation of different coffee makers is significantly different: in some, ground grains are simply poured with water, in others, the liquid is supplied under high pressure.

The main elements of the coffee maker:

• water tank;
• filter for coffee, so that the sediment from the ground beans does not fall into the cup;
• a heating element.

In the design of more advanced models, pumps for supplying water under pressure or devices for frother for cappuccino can be installed.

The most common types of coffee makers in different price ranges:

1. French press. One of the most budget-friendly coffee maker options that does not require constant access to the electrical network. It consists of a transparent container, a metal piston with a strainer and a sealed lid. It is enough to put ground coffee on the bottom of the tank, pour boiling water over it and close it tightly. After 5-7 minutes, the drink is ready to drink - you need to lower the piston (the sediment will remain at the bottom and will not fall into the cup) and pour the contents into the cup.
2. The Turk is of an electric type. An analogue of the classic version, which works from an outlet and looks like an electric kettle without a lid. Water is poured inside and coffee is poured. The drink is brought to a boil and then gently poured into a cup.
3. Drip. In a suitable container, the water is brought to the boiling point and dripped into a container with ground coffee. Under the influence of high temperatures, the grains give all the aromatic properties to the drink, which gradually flows down into a special flask. In such a machine, you can prepare only one type of coffee - Americano.
4. Carob. This coffee maker usually prepares steamed espresso. The water for its preparation boils in a hermetically sealed vessel and generates a steam cloud. As soon as it reaches the required volume, the valve opens and hot air enters the horn with tamped coffee.
5. Geyser. The principle of their operation is very simple - water and ground coffee are in different compartments. The boiled liquid passes through the crushed grains and flows into the container for collecting the drink. The coffee turns out to be rich and with an exceptional aroma.

The principle of operation and design of the coffee machine

A fully automated process - why not a coffee lover's dream? However, such a purchase is not always justified. A coffee machine is expensive, and the scope of its functions is not always fully utilized. Either grains or capsules can be used to prepare the drink. All other actions will take place automatically. Typically, water can be heated in the range of 80 to 120 degrees.

You do not need to choose anything on your own - the coffee machine will adjust the mode to the specified type of drink. The devices can have touch or button control, which will allow the user to dictate their desires: the volume of the drink, its type and even the serving temperature. The most fashionable models have a cup warming function.

The main structural element of the coffee machine is a container with water with an electric water heater. The number of heating elements may vary, depending on the capacity of the unit. If we consider geyser devices, then the drink will be prepared under the influence of steam, which moves to the tank with coffee using a special pump. It is not possible to regulate the degree of frying in all models. In addition, when buying, it is important to consider that repairing a coffee machine in the event of a breakdown is not a cheap procedure.

What are they

By classification, coffee machines are similar to coffee makers - drip, carob and geyser. The only difference is that you can put grains there, and not ground coffee - the machine will cope with this task on its own.

Types of coffee machines that have not yet been discussed:

1. Capsule. Special capsules with crushed coffee beans (sometimes with flavored additives) are inserted into the machine, pierced and doused with boiling water under pressure. The advantage of such a device is the high speed of obtaining the result. Aromatic coffee can be obtained in just 30 seconds.
2. Automatic. Here, the participation of a person is not required in anything - the machine will boil water on its own (some industrial units carry out its own intake from the system), grind the coffee and prepare a drink. If capsules are used, they will be thrown into a special container.

Manufacturers rating

When deciding to purchase an expensive coffee machine, not the last attention should be paid to the manufacturer. You should not blindly trust advertising - it is important to familiarize yourself with the assortment well and choose the best device from a reliable developer. The most popular in the production of coffee machines are:

DeLonghi

This brand is iconic, as it established its first production more than 100 years ago. The first coffee machine was born in 1990, was a resounding success, which prompted the owners to create a new direction. DeLonghi offers models for different wallets - from the most expensive to quite affordable in terms of cost. A distinctive feature of any model is the ability to create your own recipe.

Philips

The company is engaged in the production of not only coffee machines of the same name, but also owns the Saeco trademark. Both brands are successful in this field - they are distinguished by high-quality assembly, structures that can be easily disassembled for cleaning. At the same time, there are budget models in the Saeco arsenal, which cannot be said for the Philips range.

Siemens

The lines of this brand are the choice of professionals and real baristas. The first cup of coffee came out of the Siemens coffee machine back in 1911. For home use, such units are rarely purchased - the high cost and increased power affect. Despite their performance, these coffee machines have a low noise level.

Bosch

Specializing in almost all household appliances, this manufacturer manages to produce very high quality coffee machines. Here you can choose not only devices that are classic in their types, but also built-in models that will decorate any home or office. Bosch is a time-tested brand, so all of its offers are distinguished by high build quality, a wide range of functionality and high-quality materials for execution.

Krups

One of the most well-known German manufacturers, which specializes only in the production of coffee machines. The history of this company begins in 1846, but the first coffee maker saw the light as early as 1961. The most famous development is the Dolce Gusto capsule machine, which is loved by customers from all over the world. Both expensive and cheap models can be found in the Krups arsenal.

Any, even the most eminent and successful manufacturer, you can find several unsuccessful models.In order not to get on one of them, it is advisable to carefully study the reviews of other buyers in advance.

What kind of coffee to use (for coffee machines and coffee makers)

Choosing the perfect grains will not work - everyone has their own preferences. Three factors affect the taste of coffee - the variety, the degree of roasting and grinding.

Coffee can be classified according to these criteria as follows:

Variety

Three factors affect the taste of coffee - the variety, the roast and the degree of grind. The preparation of a drink in different types of coffee makers has its own characteristics that must be considered when choosing.

The plantations mainly cultivate two types of coffee trees - Coffea arabica and Coffea robusta. Arabica gives coffee an oily texture, rich aroma, sourness and sweetness. Robusta brings bitterness, but thickens the drink and saturates it with caffeine. These varieties are characterized by a pronounced invigorating effect.

Arabica accounts for 70% of world production, and you can find many monos of this type on sale. Robusta is added to the mixture to increase the strength, give a thick consistency and get a fluffy foam. Blends (blends) presented on store shelves, as a rule, contain up to 20% robusta. Manufacturers indicate information about the composition on the packaging, so when choosing, you can partially predict the final taste of the drink.

Roasting

During heat treatment, the chemical composition of the grains changes, up to 30% of new compounds are formed in them, which affect the taste. The amount of organic acids decreases, substances appear that give the coffee chocolate, caramel and nutty shades. A low roast gives herbaceous and acidic tones, and a strong roast makes the coffee oily and introduces characteristic bitter notes.

Roast selection:

• weak - weak morning coffee with milk;
• middle - Americano;
• strong - espresso, ristretto.

The universal roast for most coffee makers is medium.

You can experiment with heavily fried grains in a carob apparatus and in a Turk - with this method of preparation, the taste will open up brighter.

Grinding

The grind of the coffee maker is one of the decisive factors in the final taste of the coffee. During the heat treatment, the substances contained in the beans are extracted: caffeine, essential oils and organic compounds. The smaller the particles, the faster this process is.

The choice of grind depends on the preparation method:

1. medium-coarse - drip coffee makers;
2. middle - horn and geyser models, French press;
3. thin and ultra-thin - Turk.

A correctly set grind is especially important for the quality of espresso, which is prepared in coffee makers with a holder (carob).

Video: which coffee maker to choose for the home