How to choose a coffee machine. Varieties, nuances, features

Every year coffee is becoming an increasingly popular drink, and coffee machines are becoming an integral part of our daily lives. However, before you buy a coffee machine, it is worth figuring out which model to choose so that it meets your needs and preferences. In this article, we will look at the key points that will help you decide which coffee machine to choose.

The way coffee machines are installed

We should start with the way the coffee machine is installed. There are three main types of installation: fixed, built-in, and portable.

Stationary coffee machines

These machines are usually placed on a kitchen table, cooking surface, or other suitable location and remain there permanently. They can be connected to a water source and power supply, making them convenient for daily use in a home or commercial environment. Stationary coffee machines include automatic coffee makers, carob coffee makers, and some filter coffee makers.

Built-in coffee machines

These machines are designed to be built into a kitchen unit or furniture. They integrate into the kitchen design and often operate in full automation mode. Recessed coffee machines provide a sleek and compact look and are suitable for modern kitchens.

Portable coffee machines

These are often also referred to as 'portable coffee makers'. These compact coffee makers are designed for mobile use and traveling. They can run on batteries, rechargeable batteries, or gas cartridges, allowing you to make coffee even when you are away from an outlet. Examples are camping coffee makers and car coffee makers.

Types of coffee machines

Coffee machines and coffee makers are divided into several types, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will look at the most popular ones, namely capsule coffee makers, carob coffee makers, drip coffee makers, and automatic coffee makers. If you prefer Turkish coffee or you simply enjoy brewing your own coffee in a cezve, we recommend our guide on how to choose a cezve or geyser coffee maker.

Capsule coffee makers

A capsule coffee maker (or capsule coffee machine) is a device designed to make coffee using coffee capsules or portion packets. The basic idea is that the coffee is already metered and packaged in sealed capsules, making the coffee-making process simple and convenient.

How a capsule coffee machine works:

To begin with, it is worth buying coffee capsules. Capsules are small plastic or aluminum containers with ground coffee inside. The capsules are sealed to keep the coffee fresh and flavorful. They come in different flavors, intensities, and strengths, so everyone can find a coffee to suit their taste. It's worth noting that often one brand's capsules are not compatible with another brand's, which is a definite disadvantage.
To make coffee, you need to insert the selected capsule into a special compartment of the coffee machine. This is usually done by simply pressing or inserting the capsule into the appropriate holder.
When the capsule is inserted, the coffee machine pumps hot water through the capsule. The water pressure and temperature are automatically controlled to produce delicious coffee.
The finished coffee flows out of the coffee machine into a cup or glass, ready for consumption.

Advantages of capsule coffee makers:

Ease of use. The process of making coffee with a capsule coffee machine is very simple and requires no special skills. Insert the capsule and press the button.
Minimization of waste. Capsules are convenient to use and easy to throw away, no need to wash or clean them.
Variety of flavors. Manufacturers offer many different flavor options and varieties of coffee in capsules, allowing you to choose from a variety of options.

However, you should keep in mind that capsule coffee machines can be more expensive to operate on a long-term basis than other types of coffee makers, as the cost of capsules can be higher than the price of ground coffee beans. In addition, some people feel that the quality of coffee made in capsule coffee makers is slightly inferior to coffee made in traditional coffee makers.

Carob coffee makers

A carob coffee maker, also known as a semi-automatic coffee maker, is a type of coffee machine that gives the user more control over the coffee brewing process. The main feature of a carob coffee maker is the ability to do your own flavor experiments. Important! As a rule of thumb, when making coffee, it needs to be pre-ground, so if you decide to buy a carob coffee machine, take care to buy a grinder as well.

How a carob coffee machine works:

Ground coffee is filled into a special compartment or cone (portafilter) which is inserted into the machine.
The coffee machine pumps hot water through the coffee cone, passing through the coffee powder. This process is called extraction, and it produces a coffee beverage.
The most important advantage of a carob coffee machine: you have control over the extraction time and can adjust factors such as coarseness of grind, amount of coffee powder, and water pressure. This allows you to customize the flavor and strength of the coffee according to preference.

Horn coffee makers are popular among coffee enthusiasts as they provide the opportunity to experiment with the brewing process and create customized coffee drinks. They are often used to make espresso, americano, cappuccino, and other coffee drinks. However, it is important to remember that they require skill and time to master.

Drip coffee maker

A drip coffee maker (or filter coffee maker) is a type of coffee maker that utilizes a drip coffee brewing process. It is a device designed to prepare coffee encased in filters using hot water that passes through coffee powder and drips into a coffee pot.

How a drip coffee maker works:

A special paper or metal filter is placed in the basket of the coffee maker. It then adds ground coffee inside the filter. The amount of coffee and the grind can vary depending on preference.
A drip coffee maker has a heating element that heats water to a certain temperature, usually around 90-95°C.
The hot water rises through an inner tube and is evenly distributed over the coffee powder in the filter. The water passes through the coffee powder and impregnates it, extracting the aromas and flavors of the coffee.
The finished coffee drips into the coffee pot, which is usually under the filter. The coffee can be served hot and ready to drink.

Advantages of drip coffee makers include their ease of use, the ability to make large amounts of coffee in a short amount of time, and the ability to keep coffee warm thanks to the coffee pot warmer.

Automatic coffee machines

If you are not an experienced barista but still love to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning or any time of the day, automatic coffee machines can be your faithful companion. These smart devices are designed to give you the ease and comfort of making the perfect coffee drink. Let's understand what their features are:

Built-in coffee grinder. Automatic coffee machines have a coffee grinder inside that can grind the coffee beans right before making the drink. This ensures that the coffee powder is as fresh as possible.
Bean container. Coffee machines are equipped with a special container for coffee beans, providing convenient storage and dosing of raw materials.
Water tank. A separate water tank allows you to prepare several cups of coffee without the need to constantly refill water.
Dispenser. The machine automatically detects the correct amount of coffee powder to ensure consistent beverage quality.
Heating device for heating water. Optimum water temperature is necessary to extract the best flavor from the coffee beans.
Pump (pump) for coffee preparation. The pump ensures that the water is evenly distributed and creates the necessary pressure to prepare the coffee beverage.
Waste container: The integrated waste container conveniently collects used coffee powder, making cleaning easy.
Electronics to control the brewing process and the settings of the coffee machine. Modern coffee machines offer a variety of settings, allowing you to choose the strength and amount of coffee in each cup.

These types of coffee machines are able to make you an americano, latte, cappuccino, or espresso quickly and easily. It is important to emphasize that you yourself control the quality and taste of your coffee by adjusting many parameters. One more nice thing: most automatic coffee makers are equipped with a self-cleaning function. As soon as you turn the machine on, it performs a self-diagnosis, checking the availability of water and coffee powder, the correct installation of all components, and much more. If problems are detected, the machine will notify you by means of indicator lights or messages on the display. With an automatic coffee machine, you don't have to worry about the hassle of making coffee. Just press the button, relax, and enjoy great coffee whenever you want.

Coffee machine FAQ

Which coffee machine pump pressure should I choose?

Bar is a unit of pressure measurement commonly used in most coffee appliances, including coffee makers and coffee machines. A pressure in the range of 8-9 bar is traditionally used to make the perfect espresso. One bar is equivalent to approximately 0.98692 atmospheres. Most automatic coffee machines provide a pressure of 15 bar, which is considered to be the optimal pressure to fully develop the flavor and aroma of the coffee beans in your drink.

What is the optimal coffee machine capacity?

The speed and strength of your coffee depends on the capacity of your coffee machine. The higher the capacity, the faster the coffee will be prepared. However, in this case, the beverage may turn out to be less rich, as the water does not have time to fully extract the aromatic substances. For those who prefer a rich and strong coffee, it is better to choose a model with a small power, about 750-800 watts. In such coffee makers, the water is heated slowly, which allows it to more fully absorb the aromatic components of coffee beans. As a result, the coffee acquires a more distinctive flavor with a slight bitterness.

What parameters affect the flavor of coffee in a coffee machine?

The various factors that affect the taste and flavor of prepared coffee include:

The degree of grind. The fineness of the grind of the coffee beans will determine the strength of the beverage. A finer grind usually gives the coffee a richer flavor.
Amount of coffee. The number of grams of ground coffee used to make a single serving also affects the strength of the coffee. More coffee usually results in a stronger drink.
Brewing temperature. The temperature of the water used to make coffee has a significant impact on the flavor. A higher temperature can give the coffee a stronger flavor.
Water Quality. The purity and composition of water play an important role in shaping the flavor of coffee. Water should be of high quality so as not to introduce undesirable flavors and odors.
Quality of the coffee beans. Finally, the quality of the coffee beans themselves is crucial. Different varieties and roasts of coffee beans impart a variety of flavors and aromas.

Changing any of these parameters can vary the flavor of your coffee drink, so experimenting with them allows you to customize your coffee according to your preferences.