It’s hard to imagine modern life without coffee drinks, since coffee helps you banish drowsiness and get an extra boost of energy. Due to its high popularity, new varieties of coffee, recipes and methods for preparing the drink, as well as special machines for brewing coffee beans, are constantly appearing. Of course, instant coffee is the most popular, but its taste, to put it mildly, is far from a real brewed drink. It is also worth remembering the harm to the gastrointestinal tract caused by drinking instant coffee. Therefore, more and more people are turning their attention to coffee makers and coffee machines, which allow them to prepare a more tasty and healthy drink. Alas, not all coffee machines are equally good; it all depends on the brewing method, the type of coffee used and a number of other features. Let's look at how to choose a coffee machine for your home or office, consider the characteristics of coffee machines, and also focus on the details.
Capsule coffee machine
A capsule coffee machine can prepare a wide range of drinks:
- Espresso;
- Ristretto;
- Mocha;
- Lungo;
- Cappuccino;
- Latte.
It is also used to create drinks that do not contain coffee, such as cocoa.
The taste of the resulting drink depends on the type of raw materials used - variety, blend, grind size, filling, etc.
The modern market offers consumers many capsule formats that are suitable only for a certain type of coffee machine. These capsules differ in shape, production material, and even the amount of coffee inside.
Often, it is coffee producers who develop a unique capsule format for themselves, which is often named after their brand. For example, for Lavazza it is Lavazza Blue, for Dolce Gusto and Nespresso the name is identical to the brand. This makes it possible to protect yourself from using capsules from other manufacturers in your coffee machines. However, this exclusivity patent has its own validity period and after 5 years the format becomes publicly available and anyone can produce capsules for coffee machines.
Advantages of capsule coffee machines:
- Ease and simplicity, both in operation and in maintenance. To prepare a flavorful drink, you just need to insert the capsule and press the button. And all maintenance comes down to timely filling the tank with water and emptying the container with used capsules.
- High quality standards. The entire process of grinding and dosing coffee takes place under the strict supervision of specialists using high-precision equipment in Italy.
- Correct dosage of coffee. One capsule contains from 7.5 to 9 grams of coffee, depending on the grind size. It is this ratio of weight and grind size that provides the rich aroma and bright taste of the coffee drink.
- Capsule tightness. Each portion of coffee, after grinding, is packaged in a sealed capsule, which preserves all the qualities of coffee - taste, aroma, richness.
- Using natural coffee. Capsule coffee is 100% natural, freshly ground coffee, without any impurities, chemical additives or artificial flavors.
- No bacterial environment. The use of capsules ensures technological purity of work, since all the coffee cake remains in the capsule, which, after preparing coffee, is easily removed from the coffee machine.
- Quality of capsule materials. Coffee capsules are made from high-quality materials that are used in the food industry.
Geyser coffee maker
There are kitchen appliances of this type that are electric and require a separate heat source. The drink is obtained by passing steam through a strainer containing coffee. Using a coffee maker of this type you will not be able to prepare espresso, but it can easily prepare long drinks (for example, Americano), which lovers of such drinks will undoubtedly appreciate.
The advantages of this product are ease of use and affordable price of the device. Even a child can brew a flavorful drink this way. Coffee does not escape from the geyser.
The disadvantage of the device is that with regular use, the rubber gaskets quickly wear out, so a significant part of the steam, instead of passing through the coffee, evaporates at the junction of the parts.
The second drawback is that such a coffee maker prepares a fixed number of servings. And it is not always possible to quickly disassemble a hot device in order to install a new portion; in this case, there is a risk of getting burns.
Interestingly, this device can also be used to prepare herbal or flower teas.
Construction and materials
A standard coffee machine is a complex piece of equipment. From the outside, everything is simple - the body, the control panel, the filling system, the stand for the cups.
The main mechanism is located inside:
- The pump pumps water into the boiler.
- The heating element heats the liquid inside the container (boiler) for the cooking process.
- Sensor: monitors the degree of pressure inside the machine.
- Holder: container for coffee raw materials.
- Bowl: for pouring the drink.
All internal parts are made of metal, plastic, rubber. You can read the instructions in detail about the operation of a specific model. The outer shell of the coffee machine is most often made of stainless steel or plastic.
Steel appliances are durable. Plastic models are used for making coffee at home. There are, of course, modifications with a plastic body for industrial enterprises, but they require careful handling. White plastic may turn yellow over time and become unsightly to the eye.
On the body there is a tap for dispensing coffee. Almost all models have plastic taps. They are easy to use and do not rust over time. When purchasing, it is important to check the functionality of the faucet - turn it on and off several times. Elements should not click, crackle or make other sounds.
The place for warming cups is located below the tap. This is a special small area that can accommodate one or more cups of coffee. The heater acts as a stove: it maintains a constant temperature, thereby preventing the cups from cooling down.
Drip coffee maker
You must immediately take into account that using a drip coffee maker you prepare filtered coffee with a high caffeine content, which can be classified as a long drink type. You won’t be able to make Turkish coffee, cappuccino, and especially espresso in it. Therefore, not all connoisseurs welcome the use of this coffee maker.
The positive side is that it is economical and easy to use. Many users manage to brew one serving of coffee several times in this coffee maker.
Carob coffee maker
This device makes it possible to prepare excellent espresso, while paying attention to the smallest details. So a barista can, using a free-standing coffee grinder, experiment with the grind size, change the amount of coffee in the cone, change the temperature, and sometimes even the pressure.
This type of coffee maker is ideal for a professional and opens up almost limitless possibilities for adapting the taste of the drink. Carob coffee makers are used in large crowds of people; they require careful maintenance and staff training. Put an untrained person in charge and you will get a poor quality drink.
However, such high functionality also has its disadvantages:
- Barista skill. If a coffee shop employs a large number of staff of different levels of training, the coffee will always taste different;
- Ease of use. Coffee makers of this type require additional equipment for use - a coffee grinder, which also takes up a lot of space.
- The need to use a tamper to compact the coffee in the cone - otherwise the coffee drink will not be of the same quality as you expected.
There is only one conclusion - this is the best equipment for making espresso with great flexibility and functionality. But it requires preparation, training and strict supervision of personnel.
In addition, there are household-type carob coffee makers that have nothing in common with professional equipment. This is more marketing for the consumer than the opportunity to prepare the same drink as in a coffee shop at home.
conclusions
Some types of coffee machines can prepare an invigorating drink in a fully automatic mode, without requiring the participation of the owner, but require daily cleaning, others quickly prepare the drink, while paying a minimum of attention to themselves, but the cost of consumables sharply reduces the feasibility of using such a device. Another type, it would seem, is devoid of these shortcomings, but ties its owner to itself, not allowing it to move away from the stove until the coffee is brewed, otherwise there is a risk of staining everything around if the boiled drink runs away.
As we can see, not a single type of coffee machine is without its drawbacks, so everyone can choose the machine that suits their needs.
Turk
The cezve (Turk) is available in several versions - with electric heating or the need for a separate heat source.
This device is suitable both for those who religiously observe the traditions of coffee making, and for experimenters who want to prepare coffee with a variety of seasonings. But preparing a drink in a cezve requires people with a certain level of skill - and a love for the art of coffee brewing. The drink is trying to escape from the Turks. To maintain the optimal cooking temperature, the appliance is heated by placing it on hot sand or heated salt.
The electric turk is able to independently regulate the temperature at which ground coffee should be processed.
There are many types of Turks - from ceramic to steel. Copper products are the most popular - aesthetic, wear-resistant, heat-intensive, which allows you to maintain a stable temperature in the device.
Kinds
All devices for brewing coffee are divided into three types :
- Automatic. Programmable devices with dozens of different cooking programs. Perform specified functions without requiring constant control by the user.
- Semi-automatic . The devices are partially automated; they measure the required amount of water and turn off automatically immediately after the coffee is prepared.
- Manual . Such models are manually filled with ground coffee and water, after which they are installed on an electric or gas stove, since they do not have a heating element.
Pod coffee machine
A pod coffee maker designed for making espresso. It has similar advantages as the capsule one and works on the same principle. However, you need to put pods in it - pressed coffee tablets.
Why did it end up on the last step in our classification, if it can be used as easily as capsule models?
The difficulty is that pod coffee machines, by their operating principle, cause a number of inconveniences. These include a wet pod, which must be thrown away after preparing the drink, and a small amount of coffee contained in one pod - 5-6 g, while one Lavazza Blue capsule contains 8-9 g of coffee. In addition, ground coffee quickly loses its properties when exposed to oxygen. And the lack of hermetic protection means that, having filled the machine with rather expensive tablets, the user never knows what quality of coffee he will get.
What to look for when choosing
When choosing a coffee machine for business, you need to think through several nuances:
- What equipment speed is right for you? How many cups need to be sold per hour? It depends on the traffic of the establishment. Lever structures have the lowest speed. The highest is for superautomatic machines. And semi-automatic and automatic operate at medium speeds.
- What is your barista level? Lever types of machines require the highest professionalism. And superautomatic machines are suitable even for beginners. Modern semi-automatic devices can also be used without barista training.
You should also consider the power, brand and functionality of the coffee machine. But also the cost, of course. Don’t forget that entrepreneurs can now take advantage of installment plans or credit offers. This sometimes saves you if you don’t have enough money for good equipment.
Drawing conclusions, we can say that to purchase a high-quality coffee machine you do not need deep knowledge. It is important to understand only the functions and varieties. And one more important tip: plan and calculate everything in advance. This is the only way the business will become successful.
The best coffee makers for home
If we talk about the CIS countries, geysers and Turks are the most common in home life - this is facilitated by the affordable price of kitchen utensils.
Coffee machines are also used at home - in most cases drip coffee.
Although, there are more and more cases where coffee lovers prefer capsule models due to ease of use, time spent on preparing coffee, as well as the high quality of the resulting drink.
If we talk about statistics, in European countries it was capsule coffee machines that in 2022 occupied more than half - 68% of the market for home and office use. This trend can also be seen in Ukraine. Cofis experts are confident that within 5 years, the Ukrainian market will experience all the advantages of this type of coffee machines and will give them their preference.
