How To Outsmart Your Boss On Coffee Machine
How to Choose the Best Home Coffee Machine
The best home coffee maker will complement your style of brewing and work well in your kitchen. The most important aspects are size, capacity, design, and price.
This espresso maker for prosumers awed us by its speed, precision and ease of use. The Sage Bambino heats quickly and efficiently. It steams milk with power and produces excellent extractions at 19 bars.
Pod (or capsule) machines
A pod machine is the ideal option if you wish to make coffee quickly and easily with pre-ground pods. These machines eliminate the mess from making coffee by removing the need for portafilters as well as complicated burr grinders that need to be cleaned regularly to remove coffee oils. They also require less maintenance, with regular cleaning and decaling of water reservoirs a good idea.
These brewers have their limitations, however. These brewers are limited to certain types of coffee pods, such as K-Cups, Nespresso capsules or ESE (easy serve espresso). This is not an issue if your coffee is from the same brand, but it can be a problem if you want to experiment with different types of coffee.
Pod machines are also less durable and come with a smaller tank of water. They also take longer to brew, which may not be an issue for those who are in a hurry in the morning, but it could be a problem if you're preparing for long hours at work.
We recommend that you think about the size of your coffee bar prior to purchasing a pod machine as some are slimmer than others and can be tucked between other appliances on your counter. Consider the amount you are willing to spend and the kind of drinks you'd like to make. Our former ecommerce editor Louise stays caffeinated on a tight budget by using the Nespresso Vertuo Next, which allows her to serve short or long espresso shots and includes an easy milk frother to make lattes.
This elegantly sleek pod-machine by Sage provides the best of both worlds - high-end technology and low-maintenance. It's not cheap, but it's a fashionable addition to your kitchen and its sleek stainless steel design will stand out on your worktop. It's capable of making five different drinks by simply pressing a button. Each capsule is marked with an unique barcode on its side that the machine scans to decide on the beverage to serve. It's an excellent choice for eco-conscious people, since the pods decompose and breakdown rapidly. The reusable mug also makes it a great choice.
Manual Espresso Machines
Manual machines can be a great experience that allows you to practice the art of brewing espresso. They take longer to prepare than automated espresso machines, but if you have the patience and skill to use them, they can produce high-quality drinks tailored to your preferences. They are also more durable and have designs that can withstand the rigors of use than other kinds of.
Manual espresso machines are, however, not as user-friendly as automatic espresso machines, and typically have no precise temperature controls. This makes it difficult to make consistent, high-quality espresso shots. The top manual espresso machines come with steep learning curves, and they can be expensive to purchase and maintain.
If you're a coffee lover keen to discover the world of manual espresso, try a newer machine designed to be as user-friendly as you can. Some models have a built-in grinder as well as a steamer for milk, which makes them relatively easy to operate for those who are new to coffee. Some models come with a removable water reservoir, which can make it easier to clean and refill. Some are programmed that lets you set the start time of the brew cycle before you get up.
Some manual espresso machines are large and would be an ideal choice for larger households or coffee carts. Some are smaller and occupy less counter space. When choosing the size of your machine, you should also take into consideration how many people will be using it at any one time. Consider a larger model if you have more than one family member or roommate who loves making espresso.
The most affordable espresso machines have an adjustable frother that can automatically heat milk and froth it until you get the desired consistency. This kind of machine is great to make cappuccinos or lattes, and it's also suitable for those with sensitive teeth. It's important to note that this type of machine might not be suitable for those who prefer a bigger cup of espresso since it produces less foam than other types of espresso makers.
Automatic Espresso Machines
In this category there are fully automated espresso machines that manage the entire brewing process, from grinding to extraction. These machines are simple to use and require little maintenance, other than cleaning and descaling. They are ideal for those who don't want to get their hands dirty or have a limited counter space to accommodate a full size espresso machine and coffee maker.
These models are more likely to come with Wi-Fi capabilities, so you can control the machine from your smartphone. However, all this automation and programmability comes at the price of a premium: You'll need to pay more for these devices than semi-automatic or manual options.
One of our favorite espresso makers that is automatic is the stylish Eveversys Cameo. It's a sleek, aesthetically pleasing machine which takes up little space on your counter. It also scores 5/5 in our evaluations for user-friendliness - just behind Miele. It's a high-output model that can house three separate hoppers and grinders and you can choose which one you'd like to use by using the touchscreen display. It's user-friendly and self-monitoring, meaning you don't have to fiddle with buttons or knobs.
Another option in this category is the Cuisinart Spinn. This small pill-shaped machine uses centrifugal forces to brew coffee, which is a different technique than the traditional method of forcing water through the grounds. With some practice, it's able to make a variety of drinks like cappuccino and latte. This machine was tested in the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab of the Good Housekeeping Institute, and got a perfect score of 5 in our ratings for ease-of-use. It's also small by espresso maker standards, which means it's unlikely to take up a lot of room on your counter.
It's worth exploring a few different types to find one that matches your preferences, budget, and available space. Also, think about aesthetics. You'll want one that blends seamlessly with your decor and coffee cart. Make sure you check the dimensions of your counter to ensure that the machine you choose will be able to fit.
Pour-Over Machines
If you want to brew a cup of coffee that is completely controlled, a pour-over machine is an ideal option. Manual pour-over devices such as the Chemex Funnex or the Hario V60 can alter a range of variables (coffee grounds to ratio of water and filter type and the brewing time) to make a customized brew. coffeee.uk can produce more intense aromas and flavors than drip machines.
Pour-over brewers are designed to give top-quality results. They have a thermometer which will measure the temperature of water to the nearest degree and an indicator of pressure that informs you when the amount you want of water that has been brewed has been pour. They come with a portafilter that is large enough to accommodate the standard coffee mug and offer enough space between the portafilter and the drip tray that you can brew straight into your coffee cup.
The coffee makers also have charcoal filters that can be cleaned to remove impurities in the water. This is vital because any coffee maker that has an inferior filter can result in a bitter taste to your cup. The top pour-over coffee makers are made of materials that can be cleaned in the dishwasher and do not retain or leak coffee odors.
A well-designed pour-over brewer should be easy to clean and should be a joy to use. We found that most models we tested were easy to hold in one hand, and they had the right size and shape for an kitchen counter. Some of the simpler models, like the Zojirushi Zutto have a small footprint and are suitable for smaller spaces. Some, like the Melitta Cafe filter have a handle that can be removed, which makes it easier to lift and replace the filter.
Philips 3200 Series is another model we like because it has a simple display and an integrated grinder. It can brew espressos, Americanos, and black coffee at the touch of a button. It also has an attached steam wand to make lattes and cappuccinos. This model also has a range of customizable settings, including different beverage sizes and strength, and it can start the brewing process up to 24 hours ahead of time.