Coffee machines

Coffee machines are devices that simplify the process of preparing coffee. There are simple coffee machines for sale but as well complex and sophisticated ones. Here we discuss the fully automatic espresso machines.

Fully automatic espresso machines

The fully automatic espresso machines are sophisticated devices. With the press of a button you (often) have a fairly good-quality espresso at the table. But in addition to espresso you can use an espresso coffee machine as well perfectly for preparing cappuccino and other coffee variations. A fully automatic coffee machine grinds exactly the right amount of beans for one shot. The coffee machine presses the ground coffee itself and ensures providing the correct amount of water.

After preparing the shot the coffee machine dumps the coffee sludge automatically in the internal waste container. Many devices also periodically perform their maintenance themselves!

Coffee grinder

The fully automatic coffee machine has a built in coffee grinder, whose fineness is almost always adjustable. Make sure you pay attention to this when you do your purchase! Most of the fully automatic coffee devices have steel disks, while more expensive versions have ceramic. The advantage of ceramic disks is that the coffee beans have a smaller chance of getting burned, and ceramic discs last longer.

By grinding the coffee more coarsely the coffee machine also makes nice ‘normal’ coffee. The water then runs more quickly through the ground coffee.

Many fully automatic espresso machines are also equipped with a reservoir for already ground coffee. Easy for example, for a decaffeinated cup of coffee now and then. Also, some machines have an option for pre-grinding. Then the coffee beans for the second cup of coffee are already ground while the first cup is still running.

Pre-infusion

Fully automatic espresso machines with pre-infusion make the ground coffee a little moist, just before the water is pressed through. This allows for better absorption of the coffee at the time that the actual infusion takes place. Pre-infusion also prevents ‘channel formation’; this is when the water only follows certain channels in the ground coffee instead of coming into contact with the entire coffee surface.

Water reservoir

What is also important when you purchase a fully automatic coffee machine, is the size of the water reservoir. The bigger, the less often you’ll need to fill it. Convenient, when the whole house is full with guests on birthdays… Fresh water is however of great importance for the taste of coffee!

Also the quality of the water is very important. Hard water is bad for the duration of the coffee machine and also prevents the coffee to get its optimal taste. By using soft water, the coffee tastes better and the coffee machine does not need descaling. The true coffee lover might consider purchasing a water softener. It is certainly worth the investment!

Heating mechanism

Most fully automatic coffee machines are equipped with a thermo block. This is a cube of metal tubes that are heated while water is pumped through. Make sure you buy a coffee machine with a brass thermo block. These last the longest and are least sensitive to scale. Cheaper thermo block are made of aluminum and last less long and can corrode.

Instead of a thermo block your coffee machine can also be equipped with a boiler. This is a small tank with a heater in it or around it. A boiler lasts a little longer to heat up.

Today, many coffee machines have two independent heating mechanisms. Now, you can simultenously prepare coffee and steam milk, which reduces the preparation time of cappuccino and other coffee drinks. Often a thermo-block is used for coffee and a boiler for steam consumption.

Spout for frothing / heating milk

Almost every automated coffee machine has a steam spout for frothing milk, for example for cappuccino. Some machines have a tube which can be directly stuck into a milk carton. The device then sucks up the milk, foams it and places it into the coffee cup.

Most coffee machines also have, besides the steam function, an option for hot water. Convenient for, for example, a quick cup of tea. Make sure the spout is kept clean, nobody likes dirty remains of milk…

Hot plate

Many, but not all, fully automatic espresso machines have an electric hot plate on top. More cheap coffee machines make use of the ‘residual’ heat of the coffee machine, while the more expensive machines have a separate heating system for this.

Options

When you purchase a fully automatic coffee machine make sure you know what the machine can and cannot do. Can you set the device to turn on automatically in the morning? Is the coffee and water quantity adjustable? Can you adjust the coffee temperature? Is the water hardness adjustable?

Some options might be redundant for you, but make sure you are well informed.

Click the link to view the ten steps to the perfect home-made espresso.