What is better for a home coffee machine or coffee maker, the main differences and which type to choose

The first coffee maker - a primitive jug with a lid - appeared in France back in the 18th century, and later in 1884, Italian-born inventor Angelo Moriondo filed a patent for the world's first coffee machine. Now anyone can prepare a coffee drink to suit every taste, using the knowledge accumulated over centuries and embodied in the most modern and varied techniques for brewing coffee. There are so many options that without additional information it can be difficult for the average person to understand the question of how a coffee maker differs from a coffee machine and which model of device is better to choose.

The main differences between coffee machines and coffee makers

The most obvious difference between coffee makers and coffee machines is the automation of the process. The coffee machine performs the entire chain of actions, from grinding the beans on its own to pouring the finished coffee into cups and flushing the systems.

Speaking about coffee makers, they have one thing in common - preparing a coffee drink with their help is impossible without human intervention. You need to do it yourself:

• measure out the portion
• grind the grains separately,
• pour water,
• control the volume of the drink being prepared,
• remove coffee grounds
• wash machine parts by hand.

If you wish, you can add milk or cream to the finished coffee yourself.

Another difference between a coffee machine and a coffee maker lies in the variety of recipes included in them: if a simplified coffee brewing mechanism allows you to prepare on average 1-2 varieties of drink, then a coffee machine has a wider range - up to 5 or more. In addition, the coffee machine can brew 2 servings at a time.

What is the difference between a coffee maker and a coffee machine?

The coffee machine requires minimal participation of the owner in preparing the coffee drink. It is enough to pour the grains into the compartment intended for this purpose and pour water into the tank. Then you need to select the operating mode and, of course, press a button, key, or otherwise start the drink preparation process. The machine itself will grind the grains, prepare the drink and pour it into cups prepared in advance by the user. The disadvantage of this coffee machine is that it only prepares espresso-based drinks.

The coffee maker performs a small number of operations compared to a coffee machine. For preparation, use ground powder, capsules or tablets (pods). You cannot put whole beans into the device and get a coffee drink. First you need to grind them in a coffee grinder. Then proceed according to the instructions, pouring into the filter and compacting.

You can control cooking manually or semi-automatically:

• With manual control, you pour water and fill the coffee yourself. Then select the desired mode and press a button or key.
• In semi-automatic mode, some of the procedures are performed by the device itself. It can pour the right amount of water and turn off automatically.

The coffee maker can prepare 1 or 2 types of drinks for users, not counting milk drinks. She has significantly fewer cooking recipes, and then only in semi-automatic machines. Coffee machine – 5 or more. Semi-automatic machines are close to coffee machines in their capabilities. Therefore, it can be difficult to distinguish them.

Types of coffee makers

Coffee makers are divided into several types, although all prepare a coffee drink of approximately the same quality.

Geysernaya

This variety is the simplest in principle of operation, and accordingly, one of the most affordable. Compact in size, looks like a teapot, narrowed in the middle. The lower part of the device is designed to heat water, which boils and rises, creating a kind of geyser, passes through a sieve with coffee to the top, where the finished drink accumulates. The coffee turns out without foam and is not very rich, since the water passes through the ground beans once and does not have time to pick up all the aroma and oils contained in the coffee powder.

Drip

It is very popular due to its relatively inexpensive price, ease of operation and the ability to brew coffee in large quantities. Americano is brewed in it using medium and finely ground grains. Water is poured into the upper part of the device, and a sieve with ground coffee is placed in the middle. Hot water turns into steam, which condenses, goes down into the filter with coffee powder and drips into the lower bowl with a handle (coffee pot). When purchasing a drip-type device, several features are taken into account:

• type of filters used in the device: paper (disposable), nylon (designed for 40-60 brews) or “gold” (with a relatively long service life);
• device power. Lovers of strong coffee should choose models with a power of no more than 700-800 W, in which the coffee takes longer to prepare, making it richer;
• the presence of an anti-drip system that allows you to pour a drink into a cup without waiting for the coffee pot to be completely filled.

Capsule

It will be inexpensive, will eliminate the need to measure out a portion of beans, grind them yourself, and will not make you wait long for the drink to be prepared. All that is needed is simply to place a special capsule made of aluminum or plastic or brewing pods with coffee powder into the machine and press the start button. The difference between a capsule coffee maker and a coffee machine of the same type is that in the first case the capsule is manually inserted for each serving, whereas in a coffee machine this process starts automatically.

Espresso or carob coffee maker

Coffee is prepared using steam supplied by a high-pressure device. Formed by heating the water, it enters the cone (a sieve with a metal or plastic handle) with crushed grains, and the condensate flows into the cup as it cools. The capacity of the cone allows you to prepare 1-2 cups of drink, after which it is cleaned and filled with a new portion of compacted coffee. Carob coffee makers are divided into steam (or boiler) and pump.

1. Boilers, under a pressure of 3-5 bar, pass water through a filter, heating it to 100 ⁰C. High temperature worsens the taste of coffee, and relatively low pressure does not allow all the aroma and richness to be extracted from the beans.
2. Pump pumps heat water to a temperature of 85-95 ⁰C and provide a steam pressure of 15 bar. The preparation of the drink is faster, and the taste is deeper.

Electric cezve

A cezve or Turkish coffee maker is an improved Turk with a built-in electric heater. Some models have an auto-off feature. Coffee is brewed this way in no more than 10 minutes.

Operating principle of a carob coffee maker

The device passes hot water under pressure through a filter washer into which 2-3 teaspoons of coffee are pressed. The principle of operation is that hot water, which the device heats to the desired temperature on its own, passes through a layer of ground coffee under pressure.

Depending on the type of device, the drink is obtained with exclusive shades of taste.

1. A pump coffee maker heats water almost to a boil (95°C) and, under pressure of 15 bar, forces it through a coffee horn. The drink turns out aromatic with a maximum of nutrients.
2. In the steam model, water boils in a closed container and steams to a temperature of four bar. The valve then opens and the hot drizzle flows through the grinds in the cone. The result is less flavorful coffee, but more caffeine. It's quite invigorating.

In Ardesto ECM-E10B you can get pressure up to 20 Bar. If you overdo the coffee, the water will seep through the ground beans too slowly. The result is a bitter drink. If you don’t get enough sleep, the liquid won’t stay in the grains and won’t be filled with flavor and aroma. The coffee will be sour.

A professional horn device works according to standard rules.

1. Pour 6-7 grams of ground coffee (for 1 serving) into a cone (special filter).
2. Compact the coffee using a tamper.
3. Attach the horn to the machine and start the process.
4. The coffee maker prepares it under pressure.
5. Wait 20-30 seconds for 1 cup of espresso to brew.
6. For a new portion, the filter is emptied and everything goes through the second round.

Carob models with expanded functionality can help in preparing cappuccino. They whip milk and cream. You will have to add them to the mug yourself; the automatic device does not have such a function.

Note: How to choose coffee for a coffee machine: 5 basic tips

Feature Set

Carob coffee makers often have limited functionality. They can brew espresso and froth milk. Grinding of grains is rare in any model.

Variety of drinks

These coffee makers make espresso. The richness and subtlety of taste is adjusted according to preferences. The ability to manually create a unique espresso taste, on which all other coffee drinks are based, is precisely the feature of carob devices.

Some carobs, for example, like the Ardesto ECM-EM14S, have a cappuccino maker - a device that froths milk or cream. But you will have to add foam to the drink yourself; the machine is not equipped for this.

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Operation and care

The horn machine, like any other kitchen appliance, requires regular maintenance. Easy to clean:

1. You need to remove the horn system.
2. Rinse the part under running water.
3. Wipe dry with a soft cloth.

Every few weeks you need to clean the horn with a special tablet to remove deposits. It's done like this.

1. The anti-scale tablet is placed in the horn, standard espresso brewing is turned on: 30 seconds, the device turns off. Then again for half a minute it turned off. And so on for 10 minutes.
2. When clean water starts flowing from the spout, stop the process.
3. Rinse the horn under running water.
4. Brew 2-3 liters of water to ensure that the knots are cleaned.

Constant use of the coffee maker leads to the appearance of scale. Therefore, the tank should be cleaned every few weeks. They do it as follows.

1. Add some water and descaling agent to the coffee machine. The proportions are written in the instructions for the product.
2. Pass the solution through the filter washer for half an hour (the exact duration is indicated in the instructions for the descaling agent)
3. Rinse the coffee maker with clean water.

The cappuccino maker also needs to be washed regularly and cleaned every few weeks using liquids for cappuccino makers. The method of application is individual for each product. In general, it looks like this.

1. Pour the liquid into the milk container.
2. Turn on the hot milk function.
3. The mixture will come out in small portions through the cappuccino maker.
4. Rinse the device.

Educational article: How to choose the right coffee maker: 8 types of devices

Price

The cost varies from 2 to 8 thousand hryvnia. Those that are more expensive are innovative or status models.

On topic: How coffee makers work: the operating principle of 6 coffee machines

Pros and cons of coffee makers

The obvious advantages of coffee makers include:

• compactness and lightness of the device;
• ease of operation and repair;
• minimal noise level (except for types of coffee makers where a coffee grinder is required to prepare coffee);
• affordable price.

The disadvantages include:

• the need for separate grinding of beans, but the use of coffee powder negatively affects the taste of the drink;
• low speed;
• lack of temperature control function;
• inability to whip up foam.

Types of coffee machines

Coffee machines come in semi-automatic and automatic types, and only then are divided into different types.

Semi-automatic coffee machines include a carob machine, which operates in the same way as an espresso coffee maker, and a capsule machine, which is similar to a similar mechanical model. Carob coffee machines, unlike coffee makers, are equipped with heated cups, as well as the brewing group, which results in a hotter, more delicious drink. The difference between capsule coffee machines and their simplified analogues is that the former have a built-in cappuccino maker and a shutdown timer.

Coffee connoisseurs claim that when brewed in a coffee machine, the drink turns out richer, stronger and more aromatic. But as you know, you have to pay for pleasure; any automatic coffee machine is more expensive than semi-automatic machines and coffee makers, however, it can do much more. In addition, it has increased power - a pressure of at least 15 bar.

What capabilities and functionality do coffee machines have?

A coffee machine, unlike a coffee maker, allows you to automate the process of preparing natural coffee - from the grinding stage to serving it in a cup .

Just a few presses on the appropriate keys, a couple of minutes of waiting, and you can enjoy your favorite espresso, Americano, cappuccino, latte and other types of coffee.

Modern coffee machines have the following list of functionality:

• grinding coffee raw materials;
• adjusting the strength of the drink;
• degree of grinding of grains;
• water temperature adjustment;
• cappuccino machine (a device that froths milk into foam);
• automatic determination of the required volume of water for given portions;
• warming cups.

Reference! According to experts, ideal coffee is obtained at a temperature of 95 to 97 degrees.

Types and principle of operation

First of all, coffee machines are divided into automatic and semi-automatic, and only then into varieties:

• Espresso combine . A unit with a coffee grinder makes it possible to use whole coffee raw materials in preparation.
• Portioned . It is necessary to place a tablet in the device, designed to produce a certain volume of coffee.
• Rozhkovy. Considered the easiest to use. To make espresso, you need to put crushed grains in the cone. The drink is obtained by moving steam through the raw material.
• Capsule. To prepare the drink, special capsules are used, sealed in foil, which are opened before immersion in the coffee machine or directly in the device itself.

Pros and cons of coffee machines

The advantages of coffee machines include:

• automatic grinding of beans required for one serving immediately before preparing coffee, which allows you to get a deeper taste of the drink;
• ability to choose the degree of grinding;
• function of setting the desired temperature and volume of the drink for one serving;
• built-in cappuccino maker;
• the ability of the device to prepare different coffee drinks;
• cooking speed;
• the ability to cook several portions at once;
• heating coffee cups;
• automatic flushing of the system.

Disadvantages of coffee machines:

• high price;
• relatively large dimensions of the device;
• loud noise from a running machine.

Choosing a device for home and office

To decide which coffee machine or coffee maker is better for your home or office, you need to take into account some nuances.

Volume of coffee consumed

When purchasing a device for a large office, it is advisable to buy an automatic coffee machine. It would also be appropriate in the house if coffee is drunk a lot and often. If you need to brew 1-2 cups of drink per day, then drip or capsule types of devices will be the best choice.

Cooking time

The difference in preparation time is determined by the power of the device: the higher it is, the faster the drink is prepared. The fastest ones will be an automatic coffee brewer or a capsule type coffee machine - the preparation process will take only 30 seconds. The duration of brewing the drink in a geyser coffee maker reaches 10 minutes.

Cleaning frequency

It is easier to care for capsule and drip coffee machines, provided that you use disposable paper bags for the latter. An automatic coffee machine needs to be cleaned quite rarely, since the spacious container for collecting used coffee allows you to brew a large number of servings before it is filled to a critical level. Unlike the above machines, cezves and geyser-type devices must be completely cleaned after each use.

Price per serving

The price includes the equipment necessary for brewing, as well as the consumption of coffee beans. Added to this are the costs of purchasing a coffee grinder for the following devices:

• geyser type,
• drip type,
• french press,
• electric cezve.

Variety of recipes

For those who like to drink coffee with frothed milk, an espresso coffee maker or an automatic coffee machine for home is ideal. The latter is also relevant for people who want to be able to enjoy several coffee drinks at once: espresso, latte macchiato, cappuccino, Americano, etc. Gourmets who love experiments, enjoy the process of brewing coffee, brew it according to their own recipes, on the contrary, manual coffee is suitable or a semi-automatic method of brewing coffee beans.

Similarities and important points when choosing a product

There is one main similarity between the two types of machines - they all brew excellent Espresso! And this is the main emphasis. So if you are often used to drinking only black coffee , then the right choice would be to buy a budget model of a carob coffee maker . But if you like to pamper yourself with delicacies , and your time is always busy, then it’s better to buy an automatic . It doesn't even need to be washed. The cleaning system is designed in such a way that you only need to press a button. It's incredibly convenient.

The main advantages of carob coffee makers:

• Makes excellent espresso.
• It has a compact size and is easy to use.
• Can cook 2 servings at the same time, similar to automatic machines.
• Some models work with ground coffee and coffee pods.

Features of automatic coffee machines:

• Full set of functions.
• Automatic cleaning and rinsing system.
• Possibility of connection to water supply.
• Works on beans and ground coffee.
• Brews coffee and milk drinks. Whips up airy foam.
• One-click coffee preparation!

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We want your coffee to always be perfect and easy to prepare! That's why we sell you the best modern equipment! Have a nice purchase!

Espresso coffee maker or machine

Consumers often have a choice between a carob coffee maker and an automatic coffee machine. Both devices prepare excellent quality coffee in a short period of time. An automatic machine would be appropriate in a cafe or office, as well as in a home where people who do not want to spend time preparing a drink, love exquisite varieties of coffee, for which it is important not to lose the bouquet and uniqueness of the taste.

A carob coffee maker is inferior in price to an automatic one, although advanced models are practically no different from automatic coffee machines. They are equipped with a mill for grinding grains, a cappuccino maker, a cup heating function, and an automatic shut-off and liquid supply mechanism.