How to choose a coffee machine for making delicious and aromatic coffee?
Content
Lovers of natural coffee are wondering how to choose the best coffee machine. Many models are now equipped with a programmed coffee-making process. In order to get a cup of aromatic drink, just press one or two buttons. Modern equipment is multifunctional. It has many options. With it, you can prepare a large number of coffee drinks.
Such equipment is especially irreplaceable in large institutions. Professional equipment today is capable of preparing up to 120 cups of coffee in an hour, and the cooking process should not be accompanied by an overseer.
Modern technology has a coffee grinder as part of its design. It helps to significantly reduce the time for making a drink. Ready-to-drink coffee is obtained by setting a specific program technique.
How to choose a coffee machine for home?
This unit is quite economical. Suppose in order to make one cup of strong coffee you need only 6-7 grams of beans. Savings are especially noticeable where large volumes of coffee are needed. Automatic models are equipped with a counter that takes into account the number of cups prepared. This helps to greatly facilitate the accounting process.
Depending on the level of automation, modern coffee machines are classified into the following types:
- Automatic.
- Semi-automatic.
- Capsule.
- Supereutomatic.
The most suitable model for professionals is an automatic coffee machine. When preparing drinks with such equipment, human participation is minimal. These units can be perfectly adapted to a wide range of drinks.
For domestic use and small cafes, predominantly semi-automatic models are used. When using this unit, the barista himself performs certain actions, depending on what kind of coffee is needed. For example, he carries out a dosage of a drink, performs grinding of grains. Dosed strait of water will also have to be carried out manually.
Super-automatic models are distinguished by the presence of a large functional set. The unit independently carries out the dosage of the required volume of water, grains, connects to the water supply. Such machines operate smoothly.
Carob units occupy a worthy place in the market. They are functional and ergonomic. Coffee is made in the brewing group. A portion of grains is placed in a holder (horn).
How to choose a capsule coffee machine for home?
Capsule coffee machines operate on the basis of capsules, which are boxes made of plastic. Boxes are securely closed with foil. There are grains inside the capsules. After starting the unit, the box is punctured. Water enters the capsule under high pressure.
Capsule models of machines are easy to maintain and do not leave contamination after their work. Such units will be an excellent solution for home use.
For mass cooking, this technique is not suitable. Prepared coffee in this machine will cost more.
Basic equipment options
Modern models are equipped with a coffee dosage function. With this option, you can adjust the strength of the drink, especially grinding, taste. If the grinding of the grains is excessively fine, then the drink will turn out with a bitter taste. If the grinding is too coarse, the drink may turn out to be less saturated. Professional machines are equipped with a numerical designation of the grinding quality. The smaller the number indicated, the finer the grinding. Thanks to a special platform for heating, you can make truly aromatic coffee with foam.
Modern coffee machines have a popular option - making cappuccino. Such units are equipped with a cappuccino machine. He regulates the process of whipping milk. This does not require the intervention of a barista.
All professional units have coffee grinders as part of their design. Millstones can be of two types: steel and ceramic. Ceramic models are silent and do not emit excessively loud sounds. During the preparation of the drink, they are not exposed to excessive heat. If a foreign object gets in, the ceramic product may be damaged. Steel millstones are more resistant to mechanical damage. If a stone gets inside them, then it will not break, but simply temporarily stop working.
Basic requirements for technology
If you still doubt which coffee machine to choose, pay attention to the fact that modern equipment for making coffee has a wide variety of choices. Reliable units must meet certain requirements.
Performance
When choosing a unit, pay attention to the number of cups that it can prepare per day. In this case, the unit will pay for itself. Do not purchase a unit that is excessively large if you know that it will be idle. For example, if a cafe has 30 seats, then it will be enough to purchase an apparatus that can prepare up to 120 cups per day.
Easy operation
It is convenient if the machine has such irreplaceable options as adjusting the volume of coffee, pouring water, etc.
Functional features of the custard mechanism
The custard mechanism can be built-in or removable. Built-in mechanisms are not convenient for institutions, since they are difficult to remove. Washing of such a mechanism is carried out using special tablets. After a certain number of brewed coffee, the machine is cleaned independently.
The presence of an additional boiler
In the boiler, water is heated to the required temperature. Without this device, you won’t be able to beat milk in order to make a cappuccino. Each technique has at least one boiler. The presence of a second boiler helps to significantly speed up the process of preparing a drink.
Grinding adjustment function
By adjusting the degree of grinding, you can present the taste and aroma of the drink in different ways. Different degrees of grinding are used depending on the type of brewing. For example, it is advisable to use finely ground grains to make espresso. If the grinding is larger, the taste will be less saturated.
The presence of a platform for cups for heating
Many types of coffee are usually served only in warmed cups.
The presence of a cappuccino machine
This device will automatically produce a drink that is especially popular with coffee lovers.
Modern units are able to function on various types of coffee, so you do not have to think about how to choose coffee for a coffee machine. It can be ground, in grains, in capsules. Capsules are considered the most expensive. They are usually used for home cooking. Capsules issued for some machine manufacturers may not be suitable for others.
Professional units have an attractive appearance. They can perfectly fit into both classic and modern interiors. Modern models are compact in size.
For a cafe, it is better to choose automatic models. For home use and office, capsule and semi-automatic models are perfect.
Features of the operation of coffee machines in everyday life
A modern coffee machine is a sophisticated device. In it, all options are automated. In order for this equipment to last as long as possible, certain operating requirements must be observed.
Do not put anything into the coffee grinder except coffee beans. Otherwise, it may fail. It is also undesirable to use flavored grains, as plaque may form on the millstones over time.
Some models are equipped with special compartments for ground coffee. Using them you can make the coffee menu more diverse.
For normal operation of the unit, it is necessary to correctly select the degree of grinding. If the grinding is too coarse, the coffee will turn out to be very acidic. If the grinding is too finely ground, the coffee may be slightly bitter. If the grains are ground coarsely, then the water will pass excessively fast, not inferior to react with coffee powder. Fine grinding may cause the coffee path to become clogged.
It is necessary to competently approach the choice of water that is poured into the tank. It should not be excessively rigid, as it contributes to the deterioration of the quality of coffee. Hard water contributes to the formation of scale, which can lead to equipment damage. Modern units have water softeners as part of their design. To make coffee it is better to use bottled or filtered water. Sometimes you can use boiled water, as it is the least hard. However, boiled water after heat treatment loses its taste.
The water level in the tank must be constantly monitored. It should not be a minimum mark. If there is little water, the heating element will overheat. Modern units have an audible alarm, which alerts you to the need to increase the water level.
Features of serving the coffee machine
After the extraction cycle, cleaning procedures are required. Modern models are equipped with special tablets, which, after a certain number of drunk bowls, carry out self-cleaning. The container needs regular cleaning.
The heart of the technology is the brewing mechanism. During prolonged operation, coffee oils accumulate on the walls of this mechanism over time. If there is a lot of this oil, then the drink becomes bitter. The brewing mechanism is recommended to be cleaned at least once every 30 days. The filming mechanism is washed under a stream of water.
After each use, the cappuccino machine also needs to be rinsed. The dried milk on the tubes causes the foaming process to be disturbed.
The hydraulic system of the unit must also be descaled, even if it is operated with filtered water. For this purpose, special fluids and tablets are used.
Many modern models are equipped with automatic cleaning functions. It is very comfortable. You will need to run the program and fill it with water. Observing these general operating rules, you can significantly extend the life of the equipment.Each device is distinguished by the presence of its own characteristics, which must be carefully studied before operation.