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How to choose a coffee machine
As freshly ground beans are vital for the best results, an integrated grinder is really useful and means you won’t need to buy a separate coffee mill. It’s also worth considering the size of the water tank and how easy it is to clean and maintain the machine.
When contemplating an automatic or pod machine, check the range of preset drinks offered and how long they take to make. If choosing a manual machine, according to coffee expert Caroline Carter, the key features to look out for are bar pressure, which should ideally be around nine bars and some machines are fitted with a PID (proportional integral derivative) control to help regulate the temperature. A pressure gauge is important as it monitors the boiler and brewing pressures helping you achieve the ideal extraction. A controllable steam wand is essential to create the tiny microbubbles needed to make great textured milk.
What type of coffee machine is best?
This will depend on the type of coffee you would like to have every morning. Some coffee machines are only programmed to make espresso while other goes as far as producing a range of different coffees from flat whites to cappuccinos. Consider both how much you are willing to spend and how much you could save on your morning £5 coffee from a coffee shop. Water filtration is important for any coffee machine to produce good quality coffee. High-end coffee machines should have an inbuilt water filter.
What are the quality points of a good coffee?
According to Caroline Carter, “Coffee flavour should have balanced acidity, bitterness and sweetness and be aromatic.”
What is a pod coffee machine?
Pod or capsule coffee machines tend to be looked down upon by espresso enthusiasts, but they are the easiest and most convenient way to make coffee at home. They use one sealed capsule of fine-ground coffee for each drink. All you have to do is put it in the machine and press one button. In the long run, pods can be expensive, and you’re limited as to what kind of coffee you can make. They’re also not always recyclable, although there are more and more eco-friendly pods popping up on the market.
What is a manual espresso machine?
Manual espresso machines require a little bit more skill to use – but the results are worth it. They’re the kind you see in a coffee shop and use a scoop of ground espresso to produce a barista-standard coffee. The downside is that they can be tricky to get the hang of, are more expensive than pod machines and create a bit more mess.
What is a bean-to-cup coffee machine?
Bean-to-cup coffee machines handle every part of the process at the touch of a button – from grinding the beans, to making the coffee, to frothing the milk. The downside is that they tend to be expensive and more tricky to clean.
What is a filter coffee machine?
Filter machines offer ease and value for money. It simply presses water through ground coffee into a jug or receptacle, providing an easy and cost-effective way to make coffee for multiple people at once. As these are a different kettle of fish entirely – they just produce black filter coffee, not espresso – I haven’t included them in my list of the ‘best’ below.
What is a French press coffee maker?
Cafetières or French press coffee makers are not actually ‘machines’ but represent another, more affordable way to make great-tasting coffee at home. If you want to dip your toe into coffee making without investing in a machine, it’s worth reading the Telegraph guide to the best cafetières.
What do the most popular coffee terms mean?
- Crema: The fine, aromatic froth that sits on top of a shot of espresso.
- Portafilter: The handle and holder for the ground coffee filter that’s used with an espresso machine.
- Extraction: The process of drawing flavour from coffee grounds to make a shot of espresso.
- Espresso: A coffee made by forcing hot water through coffee grounds at high pressure.
- PID: Proportional-Integral-Derivative – a digital temperature control mechanism. Where a traditional thermostat simply turns the heat off when a set temperature is exceeded, a PID system uses a sophisticated algorithm to ensure coffee is extracted at the optimum temperature.
Why is it so important to store coffee beans correctly?
Even the best machine can’t make good coffee without good beans. “Freshness is key, buy your beans little and often, once opened, store your beans in an airtight container away from heat and light to maximise flavour and aroma. Use whole beans and grind them as you need them, think of your coffee bean like an apple, once cut up it quickly stales,” explains Carter.
Why is my coffee machine not producing enough crema?
Crema is the golden-brown, creamy layer that forms on top of a fresh espresso shot. It’s considered a hallmark of a well-extracted espresso and contributes to the coffee’s aroma, texture, and flavour. Crema issues usually stem from grind size, coffee freshness, or machine pressure. Ensure you’re using fresh beans and grinding them finely. If crema is still lacking, check that your machine’s pressure is set correctly, ideally around nine bars, for optimal espresso extraction.
Why is a water filter always recommended?
“Using a filter is not only important for extraction and flavour but also to prolong the life of your equipment,” says Carter. “If your tap water has a high mineral content this can lead to under-extracted coffee, water that is too soft can give rise to over-extracted coffee. Unfiltered water can also contribute to limescale buildup in your machine, which impacts the operation of your machine, causing breakdowns as well as negatively affecting the flavour of your coffee.”
How often should I clean my coffee machine?
Regular cleaning is crucial for optimal flavour and machine longevity. Clean the steam wand after each use to prevent milk residue buildup. Rinse the removable parts, like the portafilter and drip tray daily. Descale the machine every one to three months, depending on water hardness and machine usage – your machine should prompt you when a descaling is due, otherwise, check the manual.
