Do you want a perfect coffee at home? Coffee lovers have the opportunity to have an Americano, a ristretto, a latte or a cappuccino at home with a flavour and aroma like those of their favourite coffee shop, thanks to automatic coffee machines , an appliance that has become a must in many homes due to its ease of use, its simplicity in maintenance and its more than successful results, in many cases almost like those of professional establishments.
Do we drink coffee at home every day or just from time to time? Do we make it several times during the morning? Do we want the coffee maker to do everything? Do we like to try different varieties of coffee? If you are considering buying one, before deciding on one model or another, the answers to these questions are essential to find the best coffee maker that will simply be the one you really need.
From the simplest automatic coffee machines or those that grind the coffee to the thickness we want, or to super-automatic coffee machines, we have a wide range of options if we want to choose the one that best suits what we are looking for.
So that you can have a simple guide, in this post you will see:
- What are automatic coffee machines?
- Differences between automatic, super-automatic and manual coffee machines.
- Advantages of automatic coffee machines.
- Disadvantages of automatic coffee machines.
- Best brands of automatic coffee machines.
- Maintenance of automatic coffee machines.
1. What are automatic coffee machines?
Sage Breville Barista PRO Manual Coffee Maker
An automatic coffee machine is a compact appliance that allows you to prepare at home , very easily and quickly, an espresso with a great flavor and aroma , almost like that of our favorite coffee shop.
Without having the knowledge of professional or amateur baristas about pressure, temperature or the correct dose for each cup, we can enjoy a great coffee with just the push of a button and, in some cases (depending on the model), even the precise grinding point and the frothed milk in just the right amount.
2. Differences between automatic, super-automatic and manual coffee machines
2.1. Automatic coffee machines
Fully automatic coffee machines take care of the entire coffee extraction process, once the coffee scoop with the ground coffee has been fitted into the coffee maker. They are compact coffee machines that do not take up much space in the kitchen, such as the WMF Lumero .
From the simplest models, in which we have to manually start and stop the extraction of coffee when we have the desired amount, to the most complete ones, in which we can program the drink to our liking, we find a wide variety of models and prices.
With this type of coffee maker, when we want to make one or two coffees at the same time, we don't have to do anything other than press a button to get the extraction, since both the water pressure and the temperature are set as standard, although there are some models, such as the Bambino by Sage Breville or the 50'Style by SMEG , that allow you to adjust the latter.
SMEG 50'Style coffee maker , WMF Lumero coffee maker and Sage Breville Bambino coffee maker
But there is part of the process of “making coffee” in which the human factor intervenes and which can make the result of each coffee vary:
- the degree of grinding of the grain,
- the amount of ground coffee we put in the saucepan,
- and its compaction.
Some models of automatic coffee machines, such as the Sage Breville Barista Express , incorporate a container for coffee beans and a burr grinder, allowing you to grind the coffee to your liking (they offer several grinding options) and directly fill the scoop with the necessary grams.
If we also want it with milk, we have the option of frothing it with the steam wand , that small steam outlet tube that is usually found to the right of the ladle. And this is another factor that we can regulate ourselves and not the coffee maker.
There are also models, such as the Sage Breville Barista Touch , that have programmed drinks as standard and also offer the possibility of memorizing different options to suit the tastes of the people in the house. So, every time we want to have a cappuccino or an intense black coffee just the way we like it, we just have to choose this drink on the control panel.
2.2. Super-automatic coffee machines
Fully automatic coffee machines do everything from coffee beans . They have a container for the beans and a built-in grinder. They grind and infuse the beans at the right pressure and temperature, extracting the chosen drink in just a few seconds . Without you having to do anything other than press a button and place the cup on the drip tray, they allow you to enjoy a coffee full of aroma and flavour.
They control all the phases of the process with precision, even cleaning, although in some cases they allow you to adjust the parameters of water temperature or grinding level. They are very easy to use and very intuitive , designed to make those moments when you fancy a coffee much easier.
Some models, such as the Krups Evidence , include a frothing accessory ideally designed for lovers of lattes and cappuccinos: a container that easily attaches to the steam outlet nozzle to froth milk comfortably and without having to hold it.
Krups Evidence Super-Automatic Coffee Machine
2.3. Manual coffee makers
Manual coffee makers are those that require the greatest human intervention . From the point of grinding the coffee bean, the grams of ground coffee in each dose, the quantity and temperature of the water and the pressure bars, each and every step is controlled manually. They are the perfect coffee makers for expert baristas , as they are professionals who know all the secrets for preparing and obtaining a good coffee.
There are models that allow you to carry out some steps of the process manually, such as choosing the grinding thickness, the amount to fill in the scoop or the intensity of the coffee obtained, for example. They are a great option for amateur baristas, or those who want to get started in this world, but do not want to stop drinking a good coffee automatically whenever they want.
We could also consider the simplest automatic coffee makers as manual coffee makers, those that have an on/off button and a light that lights up when the water is hot. The process is manually intervened in, since we have to grind the coffee, fill the pot, place it in the coffee maker and turn the wheel to start the extraction, turning it in the opposite direction to stop it, but it is not possible to adjust anything else. These are coffee makers that do their job, getting a good coffee in a simple and effective way.
3. Advantages of automatic coffee machines
- They are convenient and very easy to use. In many cases, you just have to press a button.
- You don't need to be an expert barista to enjoy a good coffee, the coffee maker is the one that takes care of preparing it.
- They allow you to prepare coffee in a very short time.
- The cost of each coffee is lower than that of coffee in capsules.
- You can choose the bean you want and the variety of coffee you like best on each occasion.
- Some models allow you to program one or more drinks, so that the result is always the same, to suit everyone's taste.
- There are many models to choose from, allowing you to find the one you really need or want to incorporate into your kitchen.
Krups Quattro Force Arabica Coffee Maker
4. Disadvantages of automatic coffee machines
- It does not allow you to intervene in many of the phases of coffee preparation, since everything or almost everything is automated.
- Although it takes very little time to have the coffee in the cup, you have to spend a minimum amount of time putting the ground coffee in the filter/spoon, or grinding it if you buy it in beans.
- Even though it is a very good coffee, it does not have the charm of the coffee served and drunk in your favorite coffee shop.
- Depending on the model, the price varies considerably and they are more expensive than conventional coffee makers (Italian or French).
- They require proper maintenance to avoid breakdowns. In the event of a breakdown, as they have more components, their repair may be more expensive. For this reason, it is important to choose a solid brand to ensure the quality of both the product and its technical service.
5. Best brands of automatic coffee machines
As we mentioned at the beginning of the post, if you are considering purchasing an automatic coffee machine, the most important thing to keep in mind is what you really need.
Brands such as Krups (with an excellent quality-price ratio), Philips, WMF, Smeg or Sage-Breville (true specialists, with coffee makers designed for enjoyment), for example, are a guarantee of quality and offer great results.
6. Maintenance of automatic coffee machines
Good maintenance and cleaning is essential for the correct operation of our coffee maker , according to the manufacturer's instructions. In this way, we will not only extend its durability, but the result in terms of flavor and aroma of each coffee will be as expected.
Depending on each type, we must take into account that:
- In automatic coffee machines, it is necessary to clean the coffee pot with water after each coffee, taking care to remove all residue, as well as the drip tray, and periodically wash the water tank. The outer casing of the coffee machine can be cleaned with a damp cloth or rag.
- If your coffee machine has a milk frother, it is very important to clean it after each use. The head is usually removable, so it is easy to clean. You can also release steam to remove any milk residue that may have remained inside the steam wand.
- Fully automatic coffee machines with a coffee tank and grinder, as well as super-automatic ones, usually include self-cleaning or purge systems among their functions. Some, such as the SMEG super-automatic steam coffee machine , have warning systems if the coffee grounds tank is full, if the water tank is empty or if it is time to descale it. Others, such as the Krups Quattro Force Arabica , have a self-cleaning system, which automatically performs its maintenance and descaling.
The number of times we use the coffee machine, as well as the hardness of the water used, are factors that will determine the frequency of its maintenance. To do this, the use of preparations such as Krups coffee machine cleaning tablets is essential if we want our machine to work without problems and for the resulting coffee to be as it should be.
