- What are the coffee machines
- How to choose a coffee machine for home or office
- General recommendations for using the coffee machine
- Pods for coffee machines: how to use and what it is
- What is a cappuccino machine and how to use it
- Capsule Type Coffee Machines
- How to reboot the coffee machine
- Reining the most popular coffee machines
For those who value their time or prefer certain tastes, coffee machines have been created. This device will be able to please you with a delicious, professionally prepared drink. In order for the home assistant to meet the necessary parameters, it is important to study the overview of coffee machines and choose the most suitable model for a particular type of coffee before buying.
What are the coffee machines
The task of all units to create an invigorating drink is the same - to make delicious coffee, while preserving its beneficial properties and aromas. However, depending on the principle of operation and the price segment, the functions of modern coffee machines can vary significantly.
According to the principle of operation, there are devices for making espresso:
- carob type. Grinded grain comes into the machine with the help of a special horn. The coffee maker is designed to prepare one or a couple of servings of coffee;
- combined. A good option for drink connoisseurs. Using such a machine, two options for making coffee can be made: drip method and espresso;
- automatic. Coffee makers of this type are fully automated. You can make latte, cappuccino, espresso, americano and many other types of drink.
Depending on the pressure created, coffee makers are divided into:
- steam type. The desired pressure is formed by injecting steam during boiling;
- pump-action format. The pressure in the machine creates a pump.
The types of coffee used are distinguished:
- apparatus for ground grains;
- cereal coffee machines. They have a built-in grinding function. Allow you to make a drink from whole grain and ground coffee;
- pod type. For brewing coffee, it is necessary to use disposable bags with ground coffee;
- capsule format. Coffee machines work with ground coffee pressed into special capsules.
How to choose a coffee machine for home or office
Before deciding which of the models coffee machines choose for home or office, it is worth focusing on the capabilities of the device, its parameters and the coffee bean format used.
The most important parameters that you should pay attention to when choosing a device include:
- the capabilities of the machine in water heating and the degree of pump pressure. The best criteria are a temperature of around 95 ° C and a pressure of at least 15 bar;
- coffee machine power. The pressure height and the quality of the finished coffee depend on this criterion. With a power of less than 1000 W, more than 5 bar should not be expected from the device. The category of devices having from 1000 to 1700 W can provide the necessary degree of air pressure in the amount of 15 bar;
- Capuchinator features. If the buyer loves cappuccino, soft milk foam, the presence of such a function in the device will be necessary. Three types of built-in device are distinguished:
- panarello. Allows you to control the process of creating milk foam manually;
- auto. Perform foam whipping without external intervention;
- as a Milk Island system. Just like the previous one, it whips automatically with the help of an additional jug.
- quantitative possibilities of preparing cups per day.For home use, ordinary models that can prepare up to 50 cups of a drink are suitable. For a large office, you should choose professional-style models aimed at large volumes.
- software. It controls the volume of coffee brewing, sets the required temperature, does auto-rinse and many other qualities. It is important to make sure that the menu contains symbols of the Russian alphabet.
- the presence of a plate to maintain the heat of coffee;
- overall dimensions and design.
General recommendations for using the coffee machine
Despite the various methods of brewing coffee, an abundance of different functions and additional options, all coffee machines can be combined under a single principle of operation:
- each sachet, capsule or other type of grain filler should be used only once when brewing;
- it is not worth interfering with the progress of the machine. The whole process is automated;
- water must be poured in a standard volume even on a single cup of coffee. The coffee machine will measure the desired volume on its own.
Pods for coffee machines: how to use and what it is
Italian pads sound like “cialda”. In translation, the phrase means "waffles." The Italians, who love relaxation, celebration and natural coffee, decided to simplify the task of brewing an invigorating drink for themselves and developed pods. They are like little paper tea bags or filters. Depending on the brand of coffee machine, the sizes of these devices vary. The diameter of their circumference ranges from 4.4 to 5.5 cm.
Inside the package is one of the varieties of ground coffee. Each bag is designed for only one brewing. The pod contains up to 9 grams of ground grains, which completely retain their flavor until they get into the drink. This is due to the foil inside the package. In stores you can find packaging of coffee of such coffee of various packaging, usually pads are sold in packs containing from 18 to 150 pieces.
Coffee in such bags can be prepared in special coffee machines, designed only for brewing a drink using these paper packages.
At first glance, this method of brewing coffee has some positive aspects, however, it is necessary to consider the technology from all sides in full. The following parameters are related to the pluses of coffee pods:
- packaging consists of eco-friendly paper;
- sachets perfectly preserve the aroma and taste of the drink until preparation;
- package contents do not contain any additives;
- by sorting by packages, you can obviously avoid over-spending the product.
Despite this reasoned list of positive qualities, the pads have a number of disadvantages:
- manufacturers limit the range of coffee in bags to several varieties;
- a slight difference between the available tastes from each other;
- dubious quality of package contents;
- relatively high price per serving.
Technology for the production of pen bags for coffee machines and their varieties
Production of pads has a complex, well-formed scheme. For the manufacture of high-quality packaged coffee, manufacturing companies adhere to the following steps:
- preparation of coffee beans for initial processing;
- roasting the prepared material;
- holding prepared and fried material for 2 days to saturate and start internal chemical processes;
- grinding finished grains;
- automatic pressing process;
- sorting by packing paper bags;
- soldering in individual foil packaging;
- distribution of complete packaging for stores.
On sale you can find 3 types of pads:
- containing ground coffee from strong roasted beans;
- filled with raw materials for a medium-roasted beverage;
- containing ground caffeine-free ground grains.
In addition, manufacturers are trying to diversify the line of flavors by adding natural ingredients such as vanilla, caramel, nuts, chocolate, fruits and many others.
How to use a pen type coffee machine
The pendant type coffee maker has simple controls and an absolutely automated coffee brewing system.
It should be noted that the machines only brew a drink from the raw materials already prepared at the factory. They cannot influence the taste and strength of coffee.
To prepare a cup of coffee, you will need to perform just a couple of actions:
- place a coffee bag in a designated area;
- turn on the car.
All further work will be performed by the device on its own.
The coffee machine is simple. After starting the process, the water inside the unit will be heated to a certain temperature and sent to the previously enclosed coffee package. When water passes through the chalda, the process of brewing under high pressure occurs, and the drink is poured into a cup. The cooking process takes no more than 2 minutes.
Depending on the cost of the model of the coffee machine, it may have additional functions and the ability to prepare a coffee drink other than espresso.
What is a cappuccino machine and how to use it
Cappuccino machine - one of the functions of a coffee machine or a separate machine. Its other name is milk frother. Its task is to froth milk for coffee drinks and boil water. The technology of the machine provides for a tube for collecting milk directly from the storage container. Under the action of steam from the inside, the cappuccino maker heats the milk and enriches it with air pumped through a special hole.
The cappuccino machine can froth milk automatically or with the help of a person. There are 3 types of device:
- Panarello nozzle. Coffee makers having such an integrated function in the configuration have an additional pipe (metal or plastic);
- at the end of the tube there is a wide opening, working on the principle of a spray, amplifying the steam stream. The tube is lowered into a glass with milk, half full. After the start of the air supply, the container must be turned, allowing the air to evenly whip the foam;
- automatic cappuccinators. Such devices are isolated from the main coffee machine. The device is a stainless tank with a built-in spring. Due to the built-in motor, the spring comes into action and, rotating, whips the milk.
- Steam whisk. In a number of coffee machines, it is possible to replace panarello with a steam-type beater. At the time of work, milk flows through a tube, foaming occurs, after which the foam is sent to a cup with a drink.
Note! Interestingly, such a separation into metal and plastic also affects the resulting beverage. Metal enhances the taste and aroma of coffee beans, while plastic, on the contrary, muffles these qualities.
Capsule Type Coffee Machines
Capsule-type devices are very similar to pod coffee machines by the principle of operation. The difference lies in the method of obtaining coffee beans and the method of brewing them. Ground coffee for such machines is pressed into special capsules. They are completely airtight and better than any other grain storage options retain taste and aroma.
After getting into the device, the capsule is pierced in several places. It receives air under pressure and mixes the contents. In parallel with this process, boiling of water occurs, which subsequently enters the zone where the capsule is located and the finished drink enters the cup. During automatic cleaning, the capsule packaging leaves the coffee machine, and the grounds are transferred to a special container for storage and subsequent cleaning.
The machine is very simple to operate: the coffee brewing process is quick and easy, and it is enough to clean it once a month, starting a special “brewing” program along with a tablet for descaling.
As in the case of a pod type coffee machine, the choice of taste options is quite small, and the volume of the drink brewed at a time will not exceed one cup.
How to reboot the coffee machine
In the event of a system malfunction in the coffee machine, it may be necessary to reboot the system. To perform this procedure, just turn off the device, and then restart it. For steam-powered coffee machines, blow the air supply pipe before rebooting.
Reining the most popular coffee machines
When choosing a coffee machine, you may encounter the problem of a large selection of different models. Despite the difference in characteristics, some models are more popular than others due to the optimal set of functions and reasonable prices. Among the models on the market, the most popular are the 3 coffee machines below.
Coffee machine De’Longhi MAGNIFICA S ECAM 22.360.B
The leader of the rating is a modern coffee machine, equipped with a unique function of automatic preparation at the expense of one touch. The device has a convenient display that allows you to make individual settings, a heated pad and built-in water filtration. The coffee machine allows you to adjust the water level, the degree of heating and the strength of the drink. The device is easy to operate and easy to store. The internal system is cleaned with a single button. The water tank is designed for 1.8 l and is equipped with a level indicator.
Characteristics:
- type of coffee machine - espresso;
- uses ground and grain coffee;
- power - 1450 W
- water volume - 1.8 l;
- pressure - 15 bar;
- capacity for grains - 250 g;
- weight 9 kg;
- case material - plastic;
- 13 ways to grind grains;
- waste container for 14 brews.
The average cost in the store is 40,000 rubles.
Melitta Caffeo Barista TS
The unique stylish design, convenient display, a wide selection of recipes for coffee drinks allow you to include a coffee machine in the number of premium. The device allows you to create an individual profile for each family member (4-8 people). You can start making a drink with the press of a single button. There is a key for a different drink recipe. The machine contains two compartments for coffee beans: one for auto-selection, the other for manual. The device independently makes the choice of capacity, depending on the recipe.
Characteristics:
- type of coffee machine - espresso;
- uses ground and grain coffee;
- power - 1450 W
- water volume - 1.8 l;
- pressure - 15 bar;
- capacity for grains - 270 g;
- weight - 10.5 kg;
- case material - plastic;
- 18 ways to make a drink;
- individual settings for 4-8 people;
- two-chamber container for grains.
The average cost in the store is 74,500 rubles.
Philips HD 8842
The coffee machine is capable of preparing 4 options for a coffee drink. A cappuccino machine is built into the machine. The machine has a large container for grains, an integrated display, an automatic cleaning system, and the simultaneous possibility of filling two cups. The user can independently adjust the degree of grinding and the strength of the drink. The cost of a coffee machine will definitely delight every customer. Among the disadvantages of the device, only a high degree of noise during operation can be distinguished.
Characteristics:
- type of coffee machine - espresso;
- uses ground and grain coffee;
- power - 1850 W
- water volume - 1.8 l;
- pressure - 15 bar;
- grinding degree adjustment;
- capacity for grains - 250 g;
- weight - 7.2 kg;
- case material - plastic;
- waste container for 15 cups of coffee;
- long cord (80cm).
The average cost in the store is 52,000 rubles.
Modern coffee machines offer a wide selection of functions and options for preparing an invigorating drink. To choose the right device for your own needs, you need to decide on the types of coffee that you would like to use systematically. Depending on the power, additional features and automation, coffee makers will have different costs. In order not to regret the chosen purchase, you need to clearly understand what functions are needed to use. The result of the right choice will be daily aromatic coffee, easily and quickly made by a home assistant.