Home coffee machine: types, selection rules, best models

Every year, coffee and drinks based on it are becoming increasingly popular. Young and old people drink coffee every day. But progress does not stand still, technology is constantly evolving. If earlier, in order to taste this fragrant drink, it was necessary to leave the apartment and go to the nearest coffee shop, now the process has become much faster and easier. All you need is a coffee maker or a coffee machine for the home. In this article we will talk in detail about the difficulties and pitfalls of choosing a coffee machine, be sure to consider the most famous brands of coffee machines and successful models: from cheap to expensive, from small to large ones.

Types of coffee machines

A good homemade grain coffee machine does not have to be professional. Many models cope with all the necessary functions, while they are relatively inexpensive. What is the principle of operation of the device? Hot steam or water passes through fine coffee powder, the drink is brewed

. This description is very generalized and suitable for all types of coffee machines, but there are differences in details between them.

If your wishes and requests are not satisfied with an ordinary coffee pot or coffee maker, then it's time to find out about the varieties of automatic coffee machines.

Carob

The easiest machines to use, have a semi-automatic type of control. They work as follows: ground coffee should be placed in a small container, which is called a horn or holder. Next, it must be placed in the body of the coffee machine and securely fixed. All that needs to be done next is to press the button, then the boiling water will pass through the powder, be saturated with taste and aroma, and the finished drink will fill the mug. The waste coffee should be discarded and the holder washed carefully.

Here it is worth paying attention to the material from which the horn is made. Choose metal because plastic worsens the taste of the drink and wears out quickly. The price of carob coffee machines is pleasantly pleasing: it starts at 5 thousand rubles.

Capsule

In this case, special capsules are used for making coffee - plastic containers with ground coffee beans. There are a lot of capsules, with their help you can create a variety of drinks: from simple espresso to cocoa. During preparation, the capsule is punctured inside the device, hot water passes through the hole, the prepared coffee is poured into a cup.

Capsule devices are now becoming very popular, since manual labor is minimized when using them, and the taste of drinks from such a machine is soft. So far, only the high cost of the capsules upsets.

Chaldovye

Pod devices are almost no different from capsular ones. The only difference is that in this case special pads are inserted into the device instead of plastic containers. Chalda is a small portion of ground pressed coffee, packed in filtered paper. Outwardly it looks like a tea bag, only round in shape and without the usual “tail”. The process of brewing a drink is accelerated when compared with the aforementioned competitors, and the price starts from 5 thousand rubles.

Espresso Harvester

This option is a combination of a coffee grinder and a carob type coffee machine. Real coffee beans are poured into the device, which are grinded and enter the holder. The dimensions of the device will seem rather large, but the smallest coffee machines for grain coffee are also on the market. Pay attention to the millstones for grinding. They are metal and ceramic, but we will dwell on this in more detail below.

Automatic

This is perhaps the best coffee machine. Her work is fully automated, it’s enough for a person only to pour water into it from time to time, add grains and press a simple combination of buttons to adjust the strength and quantity a drink. Automatic machines are very popular in homes and offices, although they are considered expensive coffee machines. The price for them starts from 15 thousand rubles, and especially sophisticated models can reach 100 thousand.

What to look for when buying

A coffee machine is a household appliance item that is purchased for a long time. Therefore, it is important to make the right choice, not to miscalculate, to evaluate all device parameters and personal preferences. It is also important to soundly calculate your material resources. There are many additional functions in devices that often determine the price of goods. Think about which ones you don’t need, and which ones you cannot live without.

The presence of a cappuccino machine

A device such as a cappuccino machine is used to whip milk into lush foam. It is commonly used to make cappuccino and latte. The cappuccino maker is placed inside the device and mounted on a special steam tube. The device is of two types:

• mechanical - milk must be whipped on its own in a separate container with steam;
• automatic - milk is whipped in foam inside the device and placed in a cup of coffee.

Type of management

The type of control is also of two types:

• mechanical - 2-3 switches are located on the case;
• automatic - the panel may consist of several buttons or a fashionable touch screen.

The first option will appeal more to those who do not want to delve into the coffee business, but simply want to get their aromatic drink. The mechanical type is easy to use and reliable. Automatic control will seem to many to be too complicated, but it has advanced features and additional functions. The touch panel looks stylish and modern in combination with a metal case.

Steam function

Serving steam makes making coffee much faster, with it you can turn milk into milk froth. If the device has two thermal units, then this function will certainly be involved.

Ability to adjust the grinding

The degree of grinding determines the taste of coffee. The finer the powder grains, the less time it takes to brew the drink. Fine grinding is most often used to make strong espresso, while Americano requires a larger grinding to make the taste softer.

Type of custard mechanism

The custard mechanism is always included in the device of the coffee machine, there are two types:

• removable - from time to time it will need to be cleaned. It must be separated from the housing, removed and cleaned with detergent and a soft sponge. Do not start this process, always keep the mechanism clean;
• fixed - you don’t have to do anything to clean the mechanism. Just press one of the buttons on the machine body, and a special tablet or solution will be used that will clean the teapot.

Power

The power of the coffee machine is directly related to the speed with which the drink is able to brew. Here is a difficult choice: fast or strong. The fact is that when quickly passing through coffee powder, hot water does not have time to properly soak in its special aroma and taste. That is, the faster your coffee is brewed, the less strong and saturated it will be in the end.

The optimal power of the coffee machine for home use is approximately 1000 watts. Within the normal range are options for both 800 W and 1500 W.

Type of grinding millstone

Millstones are in the device of those machines that grind grains on their own. These include an espresso processor and an automatic one. Millstones, as mentioned above, are of two different types:

• ceramic - perform their functions very quietly, almost silently. They are not able to burn through grains by friction; they do not oxidize with time. However, the service life of ceramic millstones is not too long. The material is brittle, it can be easily damaged if a small pebble or splinter accidentally gets into the device along with grains;
• metal - strong and reliable, with a long service life. And they, however, have their drawbacks. A machine with metal millstones is very loud, it makes a lot of noise: you won’t be able to brew coffee in the morning, waking up before everyone else without waking all the household. Another property of the metal is the possible burning of grains.

Which manufacturer is the best?

The best manufacturers of coffee machines are Swiss companies. Their product is characterized by high quality, increased attention to detail and the presence of functions that greatly facilitate the life of a person. You can meet coffee machines directly from Switzerland on the windows of Moscow household appliance stores, as well as in the assortment of various online stores.

In order for you not to get confused among the variety of companies and models, we have prepared several ratings that should help you make your final decision.

1. Popular. Ideal for home use are models where there is no surplus in functions, but there is a compact size and a pleasant appearance. The following companies have such options:
   1. Philips
   2. Bosch
   3. Delonghi.
2. Ideal for cappuccino. The overwhelming majority of lovers of this drink, so many people buy a coffee machine only for its preparation. For those who like the authentic process, there are models with a mechanical cappuccino machine. For those who choose simplicity and speed, there is an automatic mechanism. A distinctive feature is a powerful cappuccino machine, which is able to make airy, but strong milk foam. The following companies win on the market:
   1. Delonghi.
   2. Bosch
   3. Redmond
3. Budgetary. Not every coffee lover can afford to buy a premium device. However, the low price does not always mean the mediocre quality of the finished drink. It's no secret that the cost of a product sold very often depends on the brand’s popularity. Inexpensive coffee machines can be found at the following manufacturers:
   1. KRUPS.
   2. Melitta.
   3. Caffitaly.
   4. Kenwood

Summing up all of the above, I want to once again draw attention to some features. When choosing a coffee machine, focus on your material means, requirements and preferences. Pay attention to the durability of the device, ease of use and durability. Be sure to consult with family members, adjust and discuss important nuances. Have a good coffee!