What is better for your home – a coffee maker or a coffee machine?

Popularity of coffee

About half a century ago, coffee was considered a drink for the elite of society. But in the 19th century it had already become widespread and attracted new consumers. Coffee sales have even been compared to oil trading: it has filled almost the entire global trading business.

In order for people to enjoy coffee, they came up with different ways to promote it. If at first you had to brew it and spend a lot of time on it, instant coffee was invented to make it easier and introduce it to the masses. However, for those who prefer the naturalness of the drink, home coffee makers were invented. But the manufacturers didn’t stop there - now you can enjoy aromatic coffee prepared with a coffee machine at home.

Why do you need a coffee machine?

A true coffee lover always carefully chooses his favorite drink. If you consider yourself one, then you understand perfectly well the difference in the tastes of coffee prepared in a coffee maker, a Turk and a coffee machine. This question is not very clear to novice connoisseurs. He explains it simply.

The required amount of ground beans is poured into the pot or coffee maker, water is added, then the coffee is simply brewed using a drip system. In coffee machines, boiling water is passed through a “tablet” of dry coffee under high pressure. The process allows you to extract the most aromatic notes from Arabica beans. In addition, household coffee machines are equipped with an automatic preparation function, and this saves you time.

Types of coffee machines

The coffee machine is capable of preparing different types of coffee, which makes it superior to a regular coffee maker. There are several varieties of it:

1. Rozhkovaya : prepares a drink from ready-made ground coffee, without a coffee grinder mode and strength adjustment.
2. Capsule : prepares a drink from separately purchased capsules of different types of coffee, so it is easy to care for.
3. Espresso processor : a combination of a carob grinder and a coffee grinder, prepares bean or ground coffee.
4. Automatic : fully automatic mode, prepares beans and ground coffee in different modes: from espresso to cappuccino.

Any coffee machine requires maintenance: some types require more maintenance, others less. Before purchasing it, you need to think about what functions the owner needs in it and what not, so as not to overpay for something that will not be used.

Types of coffee machines

The machines that prepare coffee are classified into several types. Coffee machines can be capsule or drip, automatic, or semi-automatic. There are even premium devices that are controlled via an application on a smartphone.

Capsule coffee machines

They are gaining more and more popularity among consumers. To get a flavorful drink, insert a special coffee capsule into the special compartment and press the start button. The machine will brew the coffee itself and turn off. Prepackaged capsules with different types of coffee are available in any supermarket. A characteristic disadvantage of ready-made “tablets” is the price, which is several times higher than the cost of packaged Arabica beans.

Drip coffee makers

This option is one of the most budget-friendly. However, in a drip coffee maker you can only prepare filtered coffee, which tastes similar to Americano. If you are a fan of this drink, you can safely buy the device. The principle of operation is simple: the liquid passes through poured, rather than pressed, ground coffee.

The machine is called a drip machine because water is supplied to the coffee powder by drops of condensation formed during the heating process. Flowing through the ground beans, the water is saturated with coffee aroma and taste and flows into the flask.

Filter (drip) coffee makers with built-in coffee grinder

The most delicious drink comes from freshly ground coffee, which is why some drip coffee makers are equipped with a built-in coffee grinder. Otherwise, the operating principle is no different from a conventional drip-type machine.

Carob espresso coffee makers (semi-automatic)

The principle of a carob coffee maker is reminiscent of the process of brewing coffee in a professional machine. Fill the special horn - holder - with the required amount of ground beans (about 10 g), insert into the brewing group and press the start button. The device will pour water under pressure through the coffee “tablet”, and at the exit you will receive ready-made espresso (approximately 30 ml).

The drink is suitable for drinking in its pure form (strong espresso) or making coffee with milk (latte, cappuccino). If you just want a black Americano, don’t stop pouring the water until the cup is full. More expensive devices are equipped with a cappuccino maker for frothing milk. The disadvantage of semi-automatic carob coffee machines is that brewing a quality drink requires at least some coffee making skills.

Geyser coffee makers

The principle of operation of the device is that water does not flow down in drops, but rises to the top in clouds of steam. At the bottom of the structure there is a reservoir, then a container with ground coffee and a bowl are installed where the finished drink falls. The water heats up and, as it evaporates, brews the Arabica coffee. Geyser coffee makers come in two types: for an electric network or a gas stove. A coffee maker that does not require electricity is convenient to take with you to the country house or on a trip.

Automatic coffee machines for home

They operate in fully automatic mode. Brewing coffee in a coffee machine does not require any professional skills. You only need to occasionally add water, add coffee and clean the machine. The machine can prepare classic espresso and a variety of coffee drinks with added milk.

Espresso combine

Combines the characteristics of a coffee grinder and a carob coffee machine. To prepare the drink, pour coffee beans into the container and press the start button. The machine itself will grind the beans into the required amount of coffee powder, form a tablet and pour water through it. The end result is freshly ground Arabica coffee.

pods

The nature of their operation is reminiscent of capsule devices. Instead of capsules, sachets of pressed coffee - pods - are placed in the machine. You can adjust the strength of the drink with the amount of water. You cannot prepare other coffee drinks in the machine.

Premium coffee machines

Models in the premium line are equipped not only with a huge number of programs, but also with an automatic cleaning function and remote control from a phone or tablet. Here you can set your preferred coffee strength and bean grind coarseness. The machine will froth the milk in the cappuccino and add it to the drink without your participation. All you have to do is enjoy the aromatic drink.

Advantages of a coffee machine

This technique has its advantages over conventional methods of preparing coffee:

• Prepares a drink from natural grains . Coffee machines with built-in coffee grinders brew bean coffee, which differs in taste from instant or prepared in a regular coffee maker or Turkish coffee maker. In many of its types, you can set the drink strength mode.
• Coffee machines can be equipped with different drink preparation modes : cappuccino, latte or espresso. To enjoy your favorite type of coffee, its owner will no longer need to make a special trip to a coffee shop.
• Ease of use . Despite the fact that there are semi-automatic coffee machines, they are not difficult to operate. In many cases, it is enough to pour in the right amount of beans or ground coffee to enjoy an invigorating drink every morning.
• Typically, coffee machines do not need to be washed daily . Many devices have a special indicator that will indicate the need for cleaning. The coffee machine can not be washed for about 4 days.
• The built-in coffee grinder eliminates the need to waste time separately grinding coffee and allows you to drink the drink immediately from freshly ground coffee . This will preserve the flavor more and save you some money, since the beans are cheaper than ready-ground coffee. Some coffee machines can also set the grind mode: coarse or fine.
• More advanced coffee machines can prepare several types of coffee , which is convenient for a large company or guests in the house.
• The coffee machine will be convenient for those who do not have a lot of time to prepare good coffee. Just turn it on and the drink will be ready in a couple of minutes.

Some coffee machines from well-known brands sometimes even include functions such as an “alarm clock,” which not only alerts its owner, but also immediately prepares a cup of invigorating coffee. Some have heated cups to prevent the drink from pouring into a cold one. However, for all the sophisticated functions you will need to pay a considerable amount.

Pros and cons of coffee machines

The devices have a number of significant advantages:

• creating a drink with ideal taste properties;
• simple controls that even a child can handle;
• It only takes a few minutes to prepare coffee;
• grain grinding function with the ability to adjust the degree of grinding;
• the ability to select the desired strength of the drink;
• heating water to the desired temperature. Many experts believe that the best coffee is prepared at temperatures no higher than 97 degrees;
• automatic calculation of ideal proportions of grains and water;
• function of whipping milk into a fluffy, delicate foam;
• warming cups;
• self-cleaning system from contaminants.

The main disadvantage of modern coffee machines can be considered their high cost. An excellent device, durable, with a competent set of functions will cost about $500. Cheaper options are unlikely to provide your family with the ideal drink. We must not forget about other disadvantages: noise, large dimensions.

Minuses

The acquisition of this modern technology does not come without its drawbacks:

• The main disadvantage is the high cost of the coffee machine . Even the simplest one will cost 2 times more than a coffee maker.
• Although a home coffee machine is quite compact, it still takes up a lot of space . Especially multifunctional. Therefore, you need to think about the possibility of placing it in the kitchen.
• Quite noisy equipment. Especially when grinding coffee.
• Despite the simplicity of preparing the drink, you must first read the operating instructions for the coffee machine . Incorrectly configured operation of the equipment will spoil the drink or even break.
• Although the coffee machine does not require daily cleaning, when preparing drinks with milk, the cappuccino maker should be washed every day so that bacteria and unpleasant odors do not accumulate there.
• Use only bottled water to reduce the formation of scale, which can lead to equipment breakdown.
• Cheaper coffee machine options only brew one serving, whereas a coffee maker, for example, can brew 2 or 3 at a time.
• More complex models are sometimes difficult to clean well at home. A coffee machine, in principle, needs a large set of cleaning products and items so that it does not break down ahead of time and prepares high-quality coffee.
• Due to the complexity of the design, the coffee machine needs to replace parts . For example, a built-in coffee grinder may have dull millstones over time. They need periodic replacement.

Pros and cons of a coffee maker

The advantages of the devices include:

• availability, low cost;
• absence of elements that quickly fail, durability;
• simple replacement of worn parts, economical repairs;
• compact size, saving space in the kitchen;
• some models are equipped with additional functionality: a water filter, coffee strength adjustment;
• Possibility of making tea and other drinks.

Among the shortcomings are:

• the need for thorough washing after each use;
• if cleaning of elements is not completed by drying, mold may appear;
• With active use, the filter for ground grains quickly breaks down.

The most significant drawback of coffee makers is that the drink is not very aromatic and rich.

The best manufacturers

Many well-known companies that produce kitchen appliances offer good coffee machines. There are concerns and companies specializing in the production of this particular type of household appliances for the home. A coffee machine is an expensive device, there is no need to save money and choose options from little-known manufacturers. The average cost is about 25,000–40,000 rubles, there are cheaper models – from 17,000 rubles.

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Coffee machines received a lot of positive feedback from the following companies:

• DELONGHI.
• SAECO.
• RUSSELL HOBBS.
• MIELE.
• SENCOR.
• REDMOND.
• GORENJE.
• SIEMENS.
• ELECTROLUX.

What can a coffee machine do?

The modern type of coffee machine has a lot of talent. It is capable of grinding coffee beans, and the fineness of grinding can be ordered. Also, upon request, she brews coffee of the required strength, whips the milk into a stiff foam, and heats the cups. While a coffee maker can only brew coffee, an espresso machine takes care of all the operations. So in the morning you just need to turn on the coffee machine and do other things to enjoy excellent espresso in a few minutes. Of course, the coffee machine is a little more massive than the coffee maker, but this is understandable: it has more functional units. There are also super-automatic coffee machines that can make any coffee - you just need to select and press the desired button. But they are very expensive and are usually placed in cafes. And simpler models are produced for the home. It’s great if your coffee machine can clean itself, since usually the process of disassembling and washing a coffee machine is quite tedious. A smart coffee machine perfectly communicates with a person through the display. Coffee machines are also equipped with different attachments, so now you can enjoy both cappuccino and latte coffee without leaving your home.