Manufacturers of coffee makers offer coffee gourmets a large selection of different models, with which you can quickly prepare several varieties of coffee and drinks based on it.
Among the wide range of coffee makers on store shelves, carob and drip machines are considered the most popular - they differ from each other not only in their appearance, but also in their operating principle, so choosing a suitable device must be approached with special attention.
In the article we will answer the question, which one is better, what to look for when choosing and purchasing , and also, what are the differences between them?
Page navigation:
What is a drip coffee maker
A coffee maker is a device that helps in the process of making coffee. There are many different models of such equipment. Drip coffee makers are considered classics; they appeared a couple of centuries ago, after which they have been improved more than once.
Device Features:
- Modern models are a device with a heating element powered by electricity.
- The water inside the coffee maker is heated and then passes through a filter with ground coffee.
- The finished drink accumulates in the tank.
- The set includes a container for prepared coffee. This could be a glass flask or a coffee pot. However, you can pour the drink directly into the cup.
A coffee maker is called a drip coffee maker because the water passes through the filter drop by drop, which gives the drink richness, strength and aroma. In this case, all the grounds remain in the filter. The platform on which the tank with ready-made coffee stands is heated. As a result, the drink does not cool down.
Today, drip coffee makers are produced by different manufacturers. Models may differ in appearance, volume, power. The material from which the device is made also varies. The price is affected by the presence or absence of additional functions. The coffee maker may have a timer, auto-off option, and indicators. The devices differ in the principle of control; it can be electronic or mechanical.
You should not chase an overly powerful device. The faster the water seeps through the ground coffee beans, the worse the taste of the finished drink. The optimal power of such a coffee maker is 600-800 W. It is better to give preference to models with a glass bulb. If the coffee pot is made of plastic, over time the material will turn yellow, and the taste of the coffee will acquire a specific flavor.
Reusable filters do not mean many years of use. They will have to be changed from time to time. The most durable filter will be made from stainless steel. The nylon version with added plastic is replaced after 50 cycles of use. Its titanium-coated counterpart lasts somewhat longer.
Reviews of drip coffee makers
Marina, Moscow:
We recently purchased a drip coffee maker from BOSCH “CompactClass Extra TKA3A031”. Before this, we also had a drip-type model and it lasted a long time. Before making a new purchase, I studied the reviews. Our Bosch coffee maker is simple and reliable. You just need to put ground coffee in the filter and pour a cup of water into the reservoir.
Preparing one serving takes less than a minute. The drink turns out rich and aromatic. The finished coffee goes into a special flask. The coffee maker has a scale with divisions showing the volume of liquid poured. Among the disadvantages, I can note a rather short cord and noise during operation. The flask and coffee container can be washed in the dishwasher; I wipe the device itself with a damp cloth.
Olga, Saransk:
I used to make coffee in a Turkish coffee maker, but then I bought a Philips “HD7434/20” drip coffee maker. I chose the model for a long time, and as a result I gave preference to a well-known brand. The device won me over with its low cost, ease of use, and the ability to choose the type of ground coffee. You can prepare a large volume of drink at one time. The coffee pot holds 0.92 liters of liquid. I specifically chose a model with lower power (700 W).
It takes longer to prepare coffee, but it has a richer taste. The finished drink is heated to the desired temperature due to the heating plate built into the stand under the coffee pot. There is a water level indicator, so it is easy to calculate the dose of coffee to be poured. I use disposable paper filters when brewing.
A pack of 100 pieces lasts me more than 2 months. For me, this is the ideal coffee maker, as it suits my parameters and suits me for the price.
We recommend: How and with what to wash a wine bottle with a narrow neck
Top 4 models
To choose the right carob or drip coffee maker, you should consider popular models. When choosing, their important features, qualities and characteristics will be useful. Let's take five popular devices as an example.
Polaris PCM 1526E Adore Crema
Polaris PCM 1526E is a carob coffee maker for true connoisseurs and coffee gourmets. Designed specifically for those who like to pamper themselves with a cup of coffee in the morning.
The device kit includes:
- filter;
- 1.2 liter water jug;
- removable tray.
Thanks to its compact size (300 x 170 x 290 mm) and design style, the coffee maker fits perfectly into any interior. Polaris equipped this model with a manual cappuccino maker and stencil designs on milk foam.
The main feature of this device is the presence of:
- operation indicators;
- descaling system;
- built-in overheating protection mechanism.
A maximum pressure of 15 bar and a power of 850 W will allow you to create espresso and cappuccino. The cost of the device is 5900 rubles.
Polaris PCM 1526E
Bosch TKA 3A031
Model of a drip coffee maker with a power of 1100 W. Equipped with a 1.25 liter liquid reservoir and a large coffee flask, thanks to which up to 10 cups of an invigorating drink will be prepared per brew.
The uniqueness of the coffee maker lies in the presence of:
- anti-drip system;
- water level indicator;
- device auto-shutdown mechanism;
- cord storage compartment.
Thanks to its modern design, small dimensions (340 x 160 x 240 mm), simplicity and practicality in use, the TKA3A031 coffee maker will fit into the interior of any home kitchen.
The cost of the device is low: on average, in household appliance stores, a coffee maker costs from 2 thousand rubles.
Bosch TKA 3A031
Polaris PCM 0210
A budget option that is designed for two cups of ready-made coffee drink.
This model includes:
- measuring spoon for precise dosage of ground coffee;
- two designer ceramic mugs;
- nylon filter;
- liquid level indicator;
- device operation indicator light.
The Polaris PCM 0210 model is distinguished by the presence of a non-slip stand, a removable tray that is easy to clean, and a container in which a nylon filter is located.
Using this device, it is possible to prepare espresso from dark roasted coffees with thick, creamy foam; a little sugar is added to add a piquant taste.
The price of the model is on average 900-1000 rubles.
Polaris PCM 0210
What is a carob coffee maker
A carob coffee maker is suitable for those who prefer not the standard option of preparing a drink, but espresso, latte, cappuccino. Instead of a filter, this device uses a horn (holder) into which ground coffee is poured. That is why the coffee maker got its name.
The model can be equipped with one or two horns. The second option is designed for a larger volume of prepared drink. Based on the operating principle, carob coffee makers are divided into steam and pump devices.
Features of the steam model
A carob-type steam coffee maker, which uses steam, has a simpler design. Water is boiled in a special chamber. Then a pressure of about 4 atmospheres is created. The liquid is pushed out by the steam and passes through the coffee grinder to become a drink.
These models have a small tank, which allows you to heat the water faster. The taste of the drink prepared in such a coffee maker turns out to be harsh, since boiling water is used in its preparation. Additionally, the coffee maker has a built-in cappuccino maker.
Features of the pump model
Pump models have a lower heating temperature. The water is heated to 92-95° C, after which it is forced under high pressure (15 bar) through a horn with ground coffee.
Due to the relatively low temperature of the water, coffee has a mild taste and a brighter aroma. Most pump models have a temperature regulator. Such devices are expensive. Expensive models can be controlled automatically. They have added a quick steam function, heated cups and other nice little things.
Reviews of carob coffee makers
Natalya, Lipetsk:
I consider purchasing the Brayer BR1101 carob coffee maker the best purchase for the home in 2022. I ordered it from Ozon. The model looks stylish and modern. The body is made of black plastic and brushed steel. This is almost a real coffee machine, which is controlled using three buttons located on the front panel. There are light indicators that reflect the stage of preparation of the drink.
The coffee maker prepares 1-2 servings of coffee at a time, but we don’t need more. After preparation, the horn must be removed, washed, dried and refilled. All this can be done in 2-3 minutes. The model prepares excellent espresso and cappuccino. The foam turns out thick and dense. The milk is frothed using steam in a cappuccino maker. This model does not have automatic control, therefore it costs less.
Ilya, Shuya:
I don't start my day without a cup of coffee, so purchasing a coffee maker was an absolute necessity for me. I chose the budget model “Endever Costa 1050” of horn type. The model is presented in a plastic case and has a power of 900 W. It does not have a display, heating, or timer. The device simply brews coffee.
You can prepare 4 servings of the drink at the same time. The cappuccino machine operates in manual mode. I chose this coffee maker for the speed of making coffee and the budget price. Unfortunately, the coffee pot was made of thin glass and soon broke; I poured the finished coffee directly into the cup. I've been using the device for over a year and it works well. For such a price this is a good model.
Special abilities
Manufacturers are diligently improving and expanding the functionality of devices to attract our attention. What features do modern coffee makers have?
Drip coffee maker
Manufacturers have tried to improve the functionality of the devices. Coffee makers have appeared with a delayed start timer, strength adjustment and the ability to grind beans. There are models with remote control and even synchronization with smartphones. You can use the app to start the device at the right time. Most models have a mode for heating and turning off water heating after finishing work.
Carob coffee maker
The carob coffee maker has many additional features. Its important difference from drip is the presence of a cappuccino maker, which is even available in steam models. With its help, you can whip milk into airy foam and diversify basic coffee recipes.
Popular functions: coffee strength adjustment and water temperature control, auto shut-off, and cup heating.
It’s not for nothing that older models of pump coffee makers are called coffee machines. They fully automate the cooking process, starting from grain grinding. All a person can do is press buttons. They prepare coffee poured into 4, 6 or even 8 cups at once, monitor the condition of the device and the quality of the finished drink. Such models are found in cafes and bars.
Carob coffee makers have a cappuccino maker for frothing milk; automatic models completely mechanize the coffee preparation process.
Our result
- Drip coffee makers have advanced control functionality.
- Carob models have additional capabilities for controlling and changing the parameters of the finished drink.
What is the difference?
The difference between a carob coffee maker and a drip-type device is a more complex operating principle. The device with a holder consists of more parts and has impressive dimensions. For these reasons, a carob coffee maker is much more expensive.
There is also a difference in the taste of the prepared coffee. A carob-type device can make a more aromatic drink with a bold taste. It can also make special preparation options – latte, cappuccino, espresso. Coffee with foam turns out no worse than a drink from a coffee shop.
Drip coffee makers are less economical. To prepare one serving of coffee in them you will need 10-12 g of ground raw materials. For a carob assistant, this figure is 6-8 g. But the preparation process in a drip coffee maker is much simpler and you can get a larger volume of drink. This factor is important if a large family gathers for breakfast.
Reviews
Below are some customer reviews. If you have something to say, leave your feedback in the comments below the article, it will be useful to our readers.
I've been using a drip coffee maker for about three years. The device is inexpensive, convenient, I quickly figured out how to use it, and the taste is quite satisfactory. The volume is only 0.6 liters, so coffee is brewed in minutes. But there are some nuances that I would like to change: the coffee turns out warm, not hot, you have to change filters often and there is no foam on the surface. You also need to use filtered water, otherwise scale will form, which is difficult to get rid of.
I recently purchased a new carob coffee maker. The old one served for almost 6 years and, unfortunately, broke. As a big connoisseur of quality coffee, I can say with confidence that it is impossible to make espresso or latte better than a coffee maker. The coffee is brewed instantly and turns out rich, with a pronounced aroma and dense creamy foam. There is only one downside: you can only prepare two servings of the drink at a time.
comparison table
The comparative table shows the characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of coffee makers of both types. The lowest price threshold for household appliances is indicated, since the price varies widely.
We recommend: How to carefully and quickly remove film from plastic windows?
| Drip type | Horn type | |
| Characteristics | Compact sizes. Power in the range of 450-1000 W. The volume of the finished product is 1-1.5 liters. Reusable and disposable filters can be used. They may have additional options - automatic dosing, overflow blocking, heating, timer, temperature sensor and much more. | Power 900-1900 W. Steam pressure – from 2 to 15 bar. Cappuccino maker of manual or automatic type. Built-in holder for storing ground beans. The device is available with one or two horns. Depending on the model, there may be a timer. anti-drip system, automatic adjustment of temperature and portion volume, a number of other useful functions |
| Advantages | Reliability, ease of maintenance, low price, compact size, silent operation, large volume of the flask. There is the possibility of preparing other drinks - tea, cocoa. | Speed of preparation, ability to control the process, absence of coffee grounds in the finished coffee, versatility (different variants of the drink are prepared), minimal consumption of ground beans, control from a smartphone (in expensive models). |
| Flaws | High consumption of raw materials, insufficiently bright taste of the prepared coffee, the need for additional costs for the purchase of filters. The device will have to be cleaned after each use. | Large dimensions, the need to compact the grains in the cone, lack of a built-in coffee grinder, small volume of the finished drink, high price. |
| Price | From 1500 rubles. | From 4000 rubles. |
The taste of brewed coffee is influenced not only by the characteristics of the coffee maker, but also by the quality of the beans themselves. The fresher the grind, the tastier and more aromatic the drink will be.
The most popular coffee recipes
The carob machine can be used to prepare various coffee drinks. The main thing is to strictly adhere to the instructions indicated in the recipe.
Espresso
To make espresso in a carob coffee maker, you will need the following ingredients:
- 9 g coffee powder;
- 30 ml water.
The following manipulations are performed:
- Coffee powder is placed in the cone and compacted with a tamper.
- The reservoir is filled with water.
- The cups are heated with steam and placed on a stand.
- The device turns on.
- After 30 seconds, the cups are filled with hot espresso.
Americano
Making an Americano is incredibly easy. To do this, follow the recipe above to brew espresso, but pour it into larger cups. Then all that remains is to pour an additional 60 ml of hot water into the finished drink.
Latte
To make a latte you will need the following products:
- 50 ml espresso;
- 200 ml milk;
- 3 g cinnamon;
- 3 g chopped nuts.
The following actions are performed:
- Whip the pre-cooled milk using a cappuccino maker.
- Pour it into a tall glass goblet.
- Carefully pour the espresso down the side into the same glass.
- Place milk foam on top.
- Sprinkle the surface with cinnamon and nuts.
Cappuccino
To get a smooth cappuccino you will need the following products:
- 50 ml espresso;
- 100 ml milk;
- 50 ml whipped cream;
- 20 g chocolate.
Perform the following actions:
- The milk is heated to 80 °C and poured into a glass.
- Add hot espresso to the composition.
- Spread whipped cream on top.
It is recommended to sprinkle the finished cappuccino with chocolate chips
Irish coffee drink
To make incredibly delicious coffee in a coffee maker, you need to make sure you have the following products:
- 18 g ground coffee beans;
- 60 ml water;
- 15 g granulated sugar;
- 60 ml cream;
- 30 ml whiskey.
The recipe involves performing the following steps:
- Brew two shots of espresso.
- Mix a tablespoon of water with granulated sugar and simmer on the stove for one minute.
- Add whiskey and freshly prepared syrup to the espresso.
- Pour the resulting mixture into a tall glass.
- Spread the whipped cream evenly on the surface.
Pros and cons of a drip coffee maker
Drip coffee makers are popular due to their benefits. Their advantages include:
- affordable price;
- ease of operation;
- compact dimensions;
- large volume of finished product.
Along with this, users also highlight some disadvantages. Coffee from a drip coffee maker does not have a rich taste and aroma. In such a machine you can prepare only the most ordinary coffee without foam. Quite a lot of raw materials are consumed in preparing the drink. Coffee takes longer to brew than in carob machines. Convenient disposable filters have to be purchased constantly.
How does a drip coffee machine work?
To adequately evaluate the operation of equipment, you need to understand its technology. Most often, a drip coffee machine is designed to prepare standard black coffee. She prepares it as follows:
- Pre-filtered water, or special clean water purchased at the store, is poured into a container specially designed for this purpose.
- The coffee is placed in another container reserved for this purpose.
- The valve closes and the start button is pressed.
- The temperature of the water rises, which leads to the appearance of steam.
- The condensate obtained from the steam settles on pipelines specially created for this purpose.
- Drops of condensation seep through the reservoir in which the coffee is poured and then exit the coffee maker, dripping into a pre-prepared cup.
A drip coffee machine is called so because of its operating principle. Droplets of condensation slowly accumulate in your cup as they pass through the coffee wort.
Pros and cons of a carob coffee maker
The carob coffee maker prepares coffee very quickly, literally in 30 seconds. In addition, it has a number of other advantages:
- the brewed drink has a rich taste and pronounced aroma;
- you can prepare not only regular coffee, but also several other options;
- Minimal raw materials are used for preparation.
One of the disadvantages is the high price of such equipment. Expensive, sophisticated models of carob coffee makers can cost about 30,000 rubles. The device is impressive in size, which is not suitable for a small kitchen. To cook in such a coffee maker, you need to have certain skills. It will not be possible to brew more than 2 cups of drink at a time.
Principle of operation
Knowing the basic principles of preparing the drink, it is not difficult to make it yourself using a carob coffee maker.
Using a carob coffee machine is not as difficult as it might seem. The basic principles are as follows.
- First you need to warm up the car well. The built-in thermometer helps with this. There is no ideal temperature for preparation as such; it all depends on the conditions where the drinks are prepared.
- While the machine is heating water, the owner must practice the art of producing a special coffee tablet.
A few grams of ground coffee are poured into the filter holder. Many horns already come with the recommended rake. Next, a tamper is taken (a special device similar to an old seal) and a tablet is created in the filter. The strength of the drink will depend on its correctness. The smoother it is, the better the coffee will be. - As soon as the machine has warmed up, the horn is inserted into the brewing group; at this moment, you must immediately turn on the water supply so that the raw material does not start to burn.
- Within a few seconds the espresso will begin to flow. The stream should be thin and continuous. If this does not happen, you need to adjust the grinding and check the quality of the filter.
A special steamer is used to prepare lattes and cappuccinos. The set usually includes a small milk pitcher (metal jug).
Using a carob coffee maker, you can enjoy the delicate taste of a latte or cappuccino by learning simple lessons about frothing milk.
It will take some time to understand the principle of heating and frothing milk. In any case, everything will depend on the level of inclination of the jug. To do this, it is recommended to study several lessons from professional baristas.
Which is better to choose?
You need to choose a coffee maker model based on your capabilities and needs. If your budget is limited, you should take a closer look at drip-type models without additional bells and whistles. The same device is worth purchasing for a large family, in which it is customary to have coffee together. Drip models are suitable if there are elderly people or teenagers in the house, because preparing coffee in such units is not at all difficult. If you have limited space in the kitchen, it is also better to choose a similar coffee maker.
The carob-type model is suitable for real gourmets, for whom the taste and aroma of coffee are of great importance. Those who want to enjoy a drink with strong foam also need just such a unit. Saving ground grains in this case will be a pleasant bonus. Expensive models have a modern design that will fit into any kitchen.
Having weighed all the pros and cons of carob and drip coffee makers, it’s time to go shopping. However, you can also choose a model on Internet resources by comparing prices for the device you like. Any manufacturer, as a rule, offers a wide range of coffee makers with simple and more complex devices. It’s worth first thinking about which functions are really needed and which ones you can do without.
Basic recommendations for choosing a device
There are several tips by following which the buyer can quickly decide on the choice of a suitable device:
- It is worth buying a drip coffee maker to prepare a lot of black coffee at once;
- Horn models are suitable for lovers of variety. You can brew espresso, cappuccino, and other types of drinks in them;
- Pay attention to the power of the device. The optimal power value for quick coffee preparation is 800-1000 W.
Watch a video on how to choose a coffee maker for your home
Peculiarities
Manufacturers of home appliances are constantly striving to stand out in the eyes of consumers. A similar trend was reflected in the carob-type coffee maker. They can be made in different variations, both in design and in built-in functionality.
If the external design does not have any special value other than aesthetic value, then the presence of certain useful functions may be the determining factor when purchasing a particular machine.
- Indication of the working stage and tank fullness.
- Automatic shut-off function that protects the operating module from excessive heating.
- Several horn attachments.
- Emergency stop option for the coffee maker.
- Selecting the number of servings.
- Heating the finished product.
Important! The choice of a carob coffee maker primarily depends on such a parameter as the pressure level. It determines the pressure under which liquid or steam is supplied to the coffee powder. The higher this indicator, the better the quality of your equipment and the richer the taste of the finished coffee.
