Coffee has long been a favorite drink for millions of people around the world. What can I say, many of us cannot imagine starting a productive working day without a cup of invigorating coffee in the morning. Over time, we all come to appreciate the aesthetics and flavor balance of natural coffee. When you are tired of instant ersatz and ground coffee poured with boiling water, you need to learn how to prepare this drink correctly. It's time to buy a coffee maker or choose a coffee machine. Now we’ll find out which one is better.
What is the difference between a coffee maker and a coffee machine:
- automation - preparing a drink in coffee makers requires human participation in key stages - adding coffee, pouring water, adjusting the temperature, sometimes monitoring the preparation of the drink. Coffee preparation in a coffee machine occurs autonomously. It is enough to fill the containers with water, milk and coffee beans once. Then you just need to press the button and the drink is ready;
- cost - a coffee machine is a complex electronic device, so its price is higher than the price of a coffee maker;
- size - as a rule, coffee machines take up much more space in the kitchen than coffee makers.
How does a coffee maker for ground coffee work?
A coffee maker is a small household appliance designed to quickly prepare a drink from ground beans. Such products have an affordable price, so they are presented on store shelves in a wide range. You can choose them for home use, since natural coffee, brewed in the right way, is much tastier and healthier than instant coffee.
Despite the fact that different types of coffee makers have certain design features and a unique internal mechanism, they are united by the basic principle of operation. The product is prepared by passing steam or hot water through natural coffee powder.
The main structural elements that are found in every coffee maker, regardless of its modification, include:
- filter or small reservoir for ground powder;
- water container;
- electric heating element;
- tank for ready-made coffee.
Which is better: a coffee maker or a coffee machine?
If you have already decided that you definitely need a separate device for making coffee, a dilemma arises - what to choose. Let us briefly summarize the similarities and differences between coffee makers and coffee machines.
Coffee makers:
- compact dimensions;
- relatively low price;
- tasty and aromatic drink.
— you can prepare only one version of the drink;
- you need to directly participate in the preparation.
Coffee machines
- human participation is minimal;
- a wide variety of drinks;
- the coffee turns out very tasty and aromatic;
- automatic coffee machines grind the beans themselves.
- high price;
- large dimensions.
What to choose depends on your coffee habits. If you don't expect to drink coffee several times a day, then you should buy a coffee maker. Geyser, drip or electric turk - it's up to you. With a coffee maker you will save money and space in the kitchen. If you are not the only one in your family who loves coffee, then a coffee machine can provide everyone in the household with an aromatic drink.
Pros and cons of coffee makers for home
All modern coffee makers intended for home use have several important advantages, which include:
- ease of operation;
- silent operation, relative to full-fledged coffee machines;
- good quality of the finished product, manifested in a special refined taste and refined aroma;
- affordable price;
- compact body dimensions.
Such products have much fewer disadvantages, and they are not so significant as to refuse to purchase the device. These include:
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- complex maintenance, including regular cleaning of the filter and heating element;
- less automated process of preparing the finished drink compared to coffee machines;
- a very large range of models of different types and brands, which makes it difficult to choose when purchasing.
Types of coffee makers for home use
Modern coffee makers have made the life of coffee connoisseurs much easier: what could be simpler than just pouring a couple of spoons of ground beans, turning on the button and getting a fragrant cappuccino. But there is a catch here: you need to choose a coffee maker that will meet all your needs.
Type
The geyser coffee maker was first patented more than a hundred years ago. Today you can purchase a traditional or a network-powered model. The geyser is a collapsible structure, the lower part is intended for water, the next is a filter into which coffee powder is poured. The system is closed with a tight lid and sent to the stove or, in the case of an electric model, plugged into an outlet.
The main feature of this coffee machine is that it produces only black coffee.
The heating temperature must be uniform to avoid spoiling the taste of the drink. The main feature of this coffee machine is that it produces only black coffee.
The drip coffee maker is one of the most popular in the range, since anyone, regardless of age, can handle its operating principle. Water is poured into a special container, ground coffee is added, and the device is connected to the power supply. While aromatic coffee is being prepared, you can safely prepare breakfast or a sandwich to go with an invigorating drink. Most modern coffee machines of this type have automatic heating and shutdown functions.
The drip coffee maker is one of the most popular in the range, since anyone, regardless of age, can handle its principle of operation.
The peculiarity, as in the previous case, is the ability to prepare only one coffee recipe.
The horn coffee machine is divided into two types: steam and pump. It got its name from its horn-shaped filter. In the first, water is brought to a boil, and in the second, it is driven under pressure. This coffee maker requires some skill to get used to the abundance of modes and functions.
It got its name thanks to the horn-shaped filter.
The main feature is the need for additional space for installation. And an important characteristic: steam coffee makers have a built-in cappuccino maker, which significantly expands the preparation recipe.
Pod coffee makers get their name from the built-in pod element: it is designed for one serving in a special package. In this installation, you can use ground grains or install a filter with a set of pods.
Pod coffee makers get their name from the built-in pod element; it is designed for one serving in a special package.
A special feature of the pods is the packaging, which preserves the aroma and freshness of coffee for a long time.
A coffee maker with capsules is a hermetically sealed container with ground coffee; it is used only once and, thanks to its tight packaging, keeps the coffee beans fresh. The capsules appeared as a marketing ploy, but became widely known. Heated water passes through the capsule, pierced with spikes, and the output is a strong, aromatic drink.
Heated water passes through the capsule, pierced with spikes, and the output is a strong aromatic drink.
Pros and cons of each
Like all household appliances of different types, coffee makers also have a number of pros and cons.
- Geyser coffee machine
Pros. The principle of operation is simple, compact size, huge range of choice, reasonable price, during the preparation process the drink does not run out onto the stove.
The principle of operation is simple.
Minuses. One type of coffee, it is impossible to determine the readiness of the drink, different types of coffee makers must be suitable for a certain type of stove.
- Drip coffee machine
Pros. Wide range of sizes and shapes, easy to use, you can turn it on and continue preparing breakfast, reasonable price.
Wide range of sizes and shapes.
Minuses. One recipe, purchase of additional cleaning products and replacement filters.
- Carob coffee machine
Pros. High quality, cooking process - maximum 2 minutes, multifunctionality, wide range of models.
The cooking process takes a maximum of 2 minutes.
Minuses. Takes up a lot of space, high price range, requires some skill in operation, regular descaling.
- Pod coffee machine
Pros. A variety of drinks (pods with different flavors), convenient to use, high quality product, easy to dispose of waste.
Convenient to use.
Minuses. Additional expenses for pods and they are not available everywhere, constant descaling.
- Capsule coffee machine
Pros. Excellent quality, variety of models, easy to operate, no special skills required.
No special skills are required to use.
Minuses. High price category, tied to one type of coffee maker, regular cleaning.
Each type of coffee maker for ground coffee has a number of positive aspects and negative qualities. Which one is better should be chosen based on personal preferences, budget, and the number of family members.
The best manufacturers
A coffee maker in the kitchen is the key to a tasty and quick breakfast. Let's take a closer look at the types of coffee makers, their pros and cons - and let's start with the manufacturers.
- Bosch TES 80323 RW
An excellent representative of its class, the built-in coffee grinder is especially pleasing. In addition to quality and design (LCD display), there is a fully automated system and a separate milk container for cappuccino lovers.
An excellent representative of its class, the built-in coffee grinder is especially pleasing.
- DeLonghi ECAM 23.120
A silent version of the coffee machine with a self-cleaning system for descaling. An ideal model for a married couple, as it simultaneously brews and pours coffee into two servings.
A silent version of the coffee machine, with a self-cleaning system for descaling.
- Philips HD 8649
Ceramic millstones eliminate the taste of bitterness, silent operation even during the process of grinding beans, just like the previous model, it brews coffee for two cups. The only negative is the small volume of water, but it’s just right for a small family.
Quiet operation even when grinding beans.
- Bugatti DIVA
This manufacturer did a great job on the design of the coffee maker; it will become a real decoration for a high-tech kitchen. Large volume and high performance coupled with versatility are suitable for a large family.
It will become a real decoration for a high-tech kitchen.
- VITEK VT-1514
A budget option for a coffee maker, but with built-in self-cleaning descaling and the ability to adjust the water level. It is also worth noting its compact size and intuitive interface.
A budget option for a coffee maker, but with built-in self-cleaning descaling and the ability to adjust the water level.
This is not a complete list of all companies, but these are the models that have won favor among lovers of the invigorating drink.
