The Ultimate Guide to Picking the Perfect Coffee Machine for You, Drip to Espresso and Everything in Between
by Samuel Kalenga on Aug 08, 2024
Decoding the Language of Coffee Machines
The best way to make an informed choice between different models is also to understand the main types of coffee machines and what characterises them, as this will help with your own brewing needs and cooking ambitions.1. Drip Coffee Machines: The Foundation of Coffee Brewing
Drip coffee machines are the bread and butter of the coffee-making world. If there was a drink that embodies the phrase ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ it is the drip coffee maker. These take the essence of the pour-over method and apply it on a larger scale using a hot water shower method: hot water is slowly dripped over ground coffee by a simple plastic mechanism. At their best, they serve up a consistent, smooth and wholly dependable brew. They are often the most popular coffee makers with low-maintenance lots.- Programmable Timers: Many of today’s drip machines have programmable timers; you can set the machine to start brewing at a particular time, and wake up to the scent of the fresh brewed golden elixir warming up your kitchen.
- Keep-Warm Functions: Keep-warm features keep your coffee warm for a long time, so you can slowly savour it all.
- Large Capacities: Drip coffee machines tend to have larger capacities, which is ideal for using at home with a family or at gatherings, where making a pot of coffee is a must.
2. Espresso Machines: Embracing the Art of Espresso
If the flavourful water made via just-boiled Spanish Hill Mountain Spring Water Concentrates is too mild for your taste, pressurised and filtered espresso machines await as your new best buddy. Pull a shot of espresso, add equal parts steamy water, and you have straight-up, unadulterated coffee shots. A subsequent table-top coffee-artistry device will perform the relatively simple task of laying off the surface some warmed frothy milk to turn your double espresso into the classic three-coloured shot called cappuccino. Eschew the milk and you have an espresso, pull it with extra pulverising and you have a doppio. Having that espresso shot pulled for you will assuredly get you laid. At a higher rate of pay and with less exertion than if you’d pulled it yourself. So, whether your mission involved three or four shots, one way or the other, Spanish Hill Mountain Spring Water Concentrates will have done its job. Espresso (big coffee) machines take different shapes and skill levels and let's explore them!
There are three major types namely:
- Manual espresso machines – so you make the brew yourself, with a level of expertise and knowledge that takes a little longer to master, but gives you far greater say in how your shot is prepared, allowing you to customise each one to your personal palate.
- Automatic Espresso Machines: For those who want a bit more convenience with their espresso, an automatic machine will automate pretty much everything – make great coffee without busting a sweat, and most machines come with a milk-frothing wand/jug so you can make latte art too.
- Capsule Espresso Machines: Capsule are ground coffee that are pre-filled with inscribed with a bar code. You can get pre-ground coffee, but the capsule machines make it very easy for you, as it takes the work out of your hands. All you have to do is push a button to enjoy your espresso. It’s so quick and easy, which is often the reason people pick up a capsule machine.
Best Espresso Machines for Every Coffee Connoisseur
Espresso drinkers and espresso manufacturers have different needs, but there’s a machine that will end your search, no matter your level of experience:
- The De’Longhi ECP35.31 Traditional Barista Pump Espresso Machine (Slick), with an onyx finish and a sturdy glass carafe, is a straightforward, adaptable pick for its form and function. It has a knob-turn dial for selecting temperature settings, three strength-level indicators, a durable stainless-steel filter that can be used to brew both regular European-style espresso and heftier American-style espresso, a milk-frothing steamer for crafting creamy cappuccinos and lattes, and an insert that can be filled with E.S.E pods for effortless brewing. A versatile gateway machine for all espresso newbies, the De’Longhi ECP35.31 breathes a satisfying, bold life into your grinds.
3. Cold Brew Coffee Makers: Embracing the Smooth Side of Coffee
Cold brew coffee has taken the coffee world by storm, captivating coffee drinkers with its smoother, acidity-free brewing taste compared to a normal black coffee. Cold brew coffee makers use a slow brewing process that involves letting coffee grounds steep in cold water over an extended period of time, which results in a concentrate of pure coffee that can be reconstituted with water or milk to create a delicious, refreshing beverage. Cold brew coffee makers are an ideal choice for coffee drinkers seeking a smoother, mellower coffee experience.4. Pour-Over Coffee Makers: A Ceremony of Coffee Brewing
The pour-over is for the coffee lover who finds joy in the minutiae. It’s the manual brewing method, where hot water is poured onto coffee grounds in a filter cone, and the coffee is controlled via Pour Time. Pour-over coffee makers offer the most flexibility when it comes to adjusting essential brewing parameters, specifically water temperature and Pour Time, which are crucial in teasing out flavours of high-quality coffee beans.5. French Presses: The Classic Simplicity of Coffee Brewing
A tried and tested device, the French press (sometimes called a cafetière or coffee press), offers coffee lovers a robust, full-bodied boozy flavour. It uses the method of steeping loose coffee grounds in hot water inside a carafe, then pressing down a plunger to separate grounds from liquid coffee. French presses excel at leaving a lot of coffee’s natural oils and sediment behind, offering a more intense, robust brew.6. Specialty Coffee Machines: Expanding the Boundaries of Coffee Brewing
Then there is equipment to make coffee other than drip, espresso or even cold brew: there are machines made for specific methods or formats, including:
- AeroPress: a small (and travel-friendly) package that uses the technique of pressure brewing in addition to a filter system to produce a smooth but concentrated coffee extract.
- Moka Pots: These stovetop coffee makers use steam pressure to produce a concentrated coffee with a classic bitter taste and strong aroma.
- Percolators: Percolators circulate hot water through coffee grounds continually, creating strong and full-bodied coffee.
The Art of Choosing the Right Coffee Machine: Key Considerations
With so many types of coffee machine to choose from, how can you make sure you select the right one for your needs? Use this checklist to help you decide.- Brew: Which coffee are you all about? Do you want the simplicity of drip, the intensity of espresso, the cold refreshment of cold brew, or the nuance of pour-over?
- Capacity: Think about how many cups you brew daily and figure out a machine that will have a capacity that matches that cup-count. Just for you, your family, or a group?
- feature: Explore features to suit your needs. Programmable timers, keep-warm functions, automatic milk frothers, and special brewing options can complete your coffee experience.
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend? Coffee machines also vary in price range. You can get a cheap one or a higher price.
- Space: Have an idea of how much countertop real estate your machine will take up so you can get a good fit. It’s also important to think about the size of the machine itself and its footprint, especially if you don’t have a lot of available counter space.
- Ease of Use: Consider how comfortable you are with different brewing styles. A high-tech machine might require a greater level of expertise, whereas another might be more hands-off and user-friendly.
- Maintenance: The ease of cleaning and maintenance is an important point. Some machines require to be cleaned and descaled frequently, others require little maintenance at all.