Grain coffee machines
Automatic coffee machines
Tired of making coffee by hand? An automatic coffee machine will come to the rescue! What kind of gadget is this, how does it differ from a coffee maker, and what should I look for when choosing? About this - below.
Let's start with the main one. What is a coffee machine? This is a device for making coffee, where human involvement is minimal. As a rule, it is enough to press one button to get a finished drink, whether it be an espresso, cappuccino, or another coffee-based option. Unlike a coffee maker, the coffee machine is extremely easy to use and care. So, in most coffee makers you need to grind the grain yourself, pour it into the device, and in some configurations - pour water on your own (for example, with drip brewing). In a coffee machine, everything is simpler. This is an automaton that takes care of all the work. You just need to fill the grain or put a capsule of coffee in the machine, and the drink is ready in seconds.
The grain is worth mentioning separately. There are two large classes of automatic machines: those that work on grain and capsule ones. Everything is clear with the grain, you just need to pour it into the appropriate compartment, and the machine itself will cope with the grinding. The capsule machine is still easier. A capsule is placed in a special container, inside of which is freshly ground coffee. To prepare the product, several holes are punctured in the capsule, and hot water under pressure passes through the coffee powder. So it turns espresso and drinks based on it.
The principle of operation of automatic coffee machines
When preparing a drink, the coffee machine performs all the stages of preparation itself. Firstly, each machine has a water compartment. There we pour it before making espresso. When it comes time to prepare a portion, water using a special pump enters the boiler, a container for heating and storing water. As soon as the required temperature is reached, the heating is automatically switched off. After you have poured grain into the machine, you need to grind it. The grain enters the grinding unit. In some machines, the grinding size can be adjusted, thus affecting the taste. It is believed that dark roasting grain is better to grind larger, so the aroma will be optimal.
Next, the coffee powder enters the central node. Here, the machine automatically selects the pressure in accordance with the selected volume of coffee (in the carob coffee maker, the barista independently determines this parameter). Coffee is wetted by water, and then water passes through it under pressure. This ensures uniform and efficient extraction. The drink is poured into a cup. Interestingly, some coffee machines are capable of preparing two cups of espresso at the same time.
How to choose the right coffee machine
There are several important nuances that can significantly affect the taste. Firstly, this is the quality of the knives in the grain grinding unit. The quality of the drink greatly depends on the correctness and uniformity of grinding. Larger coffee particles do not create such a dense barrier as the finest grinding powder. There is a space between the grains, which makes it easier for water to pass through coffee, which means that the overall preparation time of the drink is reduced. It is important to understand that too short an extraction (brewing) time does not allow the drink to get all the aromatic substances from raw materials, the espresso turns out to be unexpressed and watery. But too fine grinding on the contrary, leads to excessive extraction. The drink will be bitter and too strong.
It is important to check with the seller or manufacturer about the need to lubricate the mechanism. Some manufacturers do not pay due attention to this in the instructions, but even if the need for lubrication is not indicated, it is likely to be needed. So it’s better to ask about it separately. A simple precaution will protect you from going to the service center.
The grinder knives in a machine are usually made either from steel or from ceramics. Metal knives are very strong, but they can rust when accidentally spilled, and ceramic knives are considered to be more “advanced," although there is one drawback: they are fragile and can break if an object accidentally gets into the coffee machine.
What to look for when choosing a coffee machine?
Think about whether you need a coffee machine to make dairy drinks or if you are only interested in espresso. The price of a dairy machine is usually higher, but the list of drinks on its menu is larger.
Decide how much coffee you are going to make. It depends on what dimensions the car should be taken (the volume of its water tank, etc.).
In addition, for a large office it will be more convenient and profitable to take a grain machine, but for a house or, say, a small hairdresser, a capsule one is suitable. It is more convenient and gives a wider choice in terms of the tastes of the drink.
Read more about capsule coffee machines on our blog.
