Choosing a Bosh coffee machine: everything you need to know before buying

Tassimo coffee maker: summary and reviews.

A portion of tasty and fragrant coffee will help you cheer up in the morning, keep you in good shape all day and warm you up on a cool evening. The modern Tassimo coffee maker will help you prepare a drink in a matter of minutes that is incredibly similar to a product made from natural ground beans. Capsule models of coffee machines prepare coffee with minimal human intervention; it is quite easy to insert the capsule and turn on the unit. The modern market offers a wide range of devices for creating the revered drink. One of the favorite positions is occupied by the functional, small-sized and affordable Bosch Tassimo coffee maker.

What are the advantages of the machine in question?

A relatively new and original device belongs to the capsule type of equipment for making coffee. Such models are superior to their analogues in many characteristics, are presented in different color variations, and differ in the presence of additional functionality and the volume of the working bowl.

Tassimo capsule coffee makers are not only a device for making an invigorating drink, but also a smart system that will prepare your favorite product virtually without the help of a person.

Specific advantages of a coffee machine:

• Decent quality and plenty of choice of prepared drinks.
• Applicable pricing policy.
• High-quality materials that make up the device.
• Rational dimensions, design and ergonomics.
• Very low noise level.
• The presence of a self-cleaning system for the coffee maker.
• Energy saving - the device is equipped with an automatic shut-off sensor and a water volume control dispenser, depending on the required number of servings, plus maintaining the finished drink at a suitable temperature.

Pump carob coffee maker

A pump creates pressure in them . Preparing espresso requires a pressure of 9 bar. Many manufacturers indicate a pressure of up to 15 bar and this should be understood as the pressure at the water outlet from the pump. And when water enters the horn, the pressure drops to 7-9 bar.

Pumps are vibrating and rotary . If a special piston (piston) oscillates and creates pressure, such a pump is called vibrating . That is, the pump piston moves water in different directions. The pressure generated by the oscillatory movement is discrete, that is, uneven. Therefore, this type of pump is cheap and compact.

Industrial (professional) coffee makers are equipped with rotary pumps . In them, a motor rotates the scooping and pushing water along the hydrological path, the impeller at a constant speed. Such pumps create stable and uniform pressure. They are expensive and big. Professional carob coffee makers in coffee shops and restaurants with rotary pumps are therefore significantly large devices.

For entry-level and mid-level coffee makers, a vibration pump is largely sufficient and it has a disproportionately small effect on the finished drink and its quality. This type of pump is found in cheap and expensive coffee makers.

In a coffee maker, water is heated to the desired brewing temperature (95-98 degrees) using a boiler , thermoblock thermostat heating system .

There are products that can operate at higher temperatures than 98 degrees. This heating system is needed for frothed milk after brewing coffee. These coffee makers have an additional heating system for hot water and steam.

Usage Management

Any new Tassimo coffee maker comes with an instruction manual, which discusses in several languages ​​the conditions for using the unit, precautions and tips for caring for the machine.

Below are the main points:

1. It is recommended to use the unit connected to a network whose voltage corresponds to the power consumption.
2. When you first start the coffee machine, you need to run one working cycle with ordinary water to clean the bowl and other parts from possible nanoparticles and foreign aroma.
3. For correct operation of the device, it is recommended to use capsules of recommended brands.
4. It is necessary to frequently turn on the cleaning of the device, as indicated by the corresponding sensor.
5. If a malfunction occurs, it is recommended to contact customer service.

The Tassimo coffee maker, the instructions for use of which are described by us and presented schematically below, will last a long time if you follow the tips indicated in the manual.

The lineup

Below are the most popular models:

1. T-20, a unit equipped with color sensors that indicate at what stage the drink is being produced. Yellowish, standby mode, greenish - the product is ready for use, flashing greenish - the machine is in operation. A flickering red signal indicates the need to add water to the corresponding tank. A consistently reddish indicator indicates urgent descaling.
2. The Tassimo T-40 coffee maker is a traditional option with a power of 1.3 kW. There is a unique design, innovative technologies have been introduced. The color palette is presented in reddish, orange, silver-white, black shades. There is a removable two-liter water tank. Automatic start, a stand for a height-adjustable cup, an automatic descaling and cleaning system determine the popularity of this model.
3. In addition, modifications of the T-55 and T-65 are needed, which are complemented by an improved filtration system and a corresponding exterior.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages

By interviewing our customers about why they preferred this type of coffee machine, we found out what beginner entrepreneurs and those who have been in the coffee industry for a long time like:

• High quality espresso (beans do not lose their taste, the ability to “regulate” the strength of the drink)

• Complete absence of coffee grounds in the cup

• Espresso preparation speed

• Reduce coffee costs by approximately 1/3

• Affordable price for high quality

Flaws

Like everything on earth, carob coffee machines also have disadvantages. How critical they are when buying a coffee maker is up to you to decide:

• The need to hire a barista or train staff

• Spending time rinsing the portafilter after each shot of espresso.

• The need to purchase additional equipment (tap water purifier/softener, coffee grinder, tamper, etc.)

• In order to prepare delicious coffee, skills in compacting ground coffee in a cone are required.

Peculiarities

When choosing a drink containing milk, there are capsules with a concentrate of this product, made from the freshest natural milk using modern technology.

The Tassimo coffee maker is unique in that you can prepare several different drinks at once. This effect has received a huge number of appreciative reviews. It is achieved due to the fact that after each serving the remaining liquid is combined, and completely untainted water is used for the new drink. This factor, as scientists and connoisseurs say, plays a very important role in the taste and aroma of the finished coffee.

History of origin

The first industrialist who began producing carob coffee machines, Desiderio Pavoni, launched mass production of carob coffee makers in 1905. The first machines prepared very bitter coffee, since the coffee grounds overheated too much, the design was far from perfect. However, it was a commercial success. Therefore, over the next 50 years, on the wave of popularity of the drink and coffee equipment, companies appeared:

• Simonelli (Italy);
• Faema (Italy);
• Gaggia (Italy);
• La Marzocco (Italy) and a number of other companies.

Through experimentation, the first standards for the production of “classic” espresso are formed:

• pressure in the working chamber is about 9 bar;
• water temperature is in the range from 86 to 93 ºС.

These parameters are still used as the basis in professional horn machines.

Homemade horn machines appeared later, in the second half of the 20th century. The development of technology made it possible to replace massive parts with more compact and less reliable ones; electrical elements were widely used: heat exchangers, rotary pumps, and so on. As a result, the cars have become more modern and more compact compared to their ancestors, but their reliability has dropped significantly.

Reviews from coffee lovers

As is clear, one does not find like-minded people based on taste and color. If this applies to coffee, then some take into account the organoleptic characteristics and traditions of making the drink, others prefer modern technologies and saving time on cooking. There are many people who simply switched to instant coffee, which even in its most expensive form cannot compare well with processed and freshly brewed beans.

A good way to combine ease and speed of production with a natural rich smell are capsule-type machines. The Tassimo coffee maker, reviews of which are presented below, has the following advantages (taking into account the users’ perceptions):

• Easy to use.
• Possibility of making different types of coffee.
• The presence of a self-cleaning function and other fundamental functions that ensure very autonomous operation of the unit.

In addition, consumers are attracted by the stunning design, low noise floor and economical use of electricity.

Price of stable espresso

Semi-automatic and pump-automatic machines offer a good balance of stability and control along with other options, but they cost much more.

Sean says: “Multi-boiler machines are definitely worth the money. This is a difficult situation from a barista's point of view... since the financial component also plays a big role..."

Pump coffee machines can vary greatly in cost, but by understanding the underlying mechanisms, you can make an informed choice about what you're willing to pay for: better brew control and consistency of flavor, or just plain beauty.

©https://www.perfectdailygrind.com

Every espresso machine has its pros and cons. Given differences in stability, availability, and practical considerations, the “best” coffee machine is different for every coffee lover.

Espresso machine technology is constantly evolving. Manufacturers around the world are developing new components, pneumatic systems and computerized controls.

It's easy to be seduced by a beautiful coffee machine and its high-tech features, but underneath the stylish appearance there are significant differences. Before you make a purchase, find out whether the coffee machine really suits your needs.

Based on the translation of the article “Understanding The Different Types of Espresso Machine“

Disadvantages

As users note, the unit in question has its drawbacks, just like any other equipment. Among them we can highlight the following nuances:

• The first few servings from time to time have foreign odors, which in most cases is associated with ignoring the initial flushing of the device, which helps get rid of the corresponding industrial “aroma.”
• Many consumers note the rather high cost of the capsules, although they agree that they are very high quality.
• Also, users are not ecstatic about the relatively small assortment on the Russian market of containers with different coffee options suitable for the coffee maker in question.

You can easily get rid of most of the shortcomings if you follow the instruction manual and order capsules from a reliable online store.

Equipment

The Bosch Tassimo coffee maker, a summary of the use of which is briefly discussed above, in the standard configuration has the following components and features:

• Traditional design.
• Several functions for making coffee and coffee-based drinks.
• Artificial intelligence for reading barcodes.
• On-line and autonomous production.
• A water container with a volume of 2 liters or more, a flow-through heater and a maximum pump pressure of 3.3 bar.
• Availability of indicators, ease of operation.
• Low energy consumption, low noise level, different range of colors.

The presented coffee maker is suitable for use at home, in small bars and cafes.

How to brew coffee in an espresso maker

A carob coffee maker is not a fully automatic coffee machine and involves manual operation. You do the grinding of beans (buying ground coffee), putting coffee in the filter, installing the horn, starting (stopping), and cleaning yourself.

After switching on, the carob coffee maker requires warming up; it is necessary to pour hot water over the group and the carob, and warm up the boiler so that the water is at a uniform temperature.

You will also need a separate burr grinder, these are discussed in another article.

It is also necessary to develop and refine your skills in compacting coffee tablets using your home coffee maker. To do this, you need to purchase a filter with a single bottom for the device, that is, without any kind of improver. Such filters are included with even the simplest coffee makers with a horn with a diameter of 50 mm.

When using filters without an improver, skill in forming a coffee tablet and selecting the correct grind are the most necessary conditions. The coffee tablet itself is responsible for pumping up the required pressure in the brewing chamber and the quality of the drink.

When using a filter with an improver, the correct formation of the coffee tablet loses its importance. But the correct grinding matters in any case.

Fresh grinding to the correct degree on a burr grinder makes a big difference.

With filters without an enhancer, the art of brewing the best espresso is put to the test.

After connecting to the network, it is advisable to warm up the coffee maker for several minutes, then empty the filter horn without coffee and warm it up again.

Pour espresso only after the ready indicator flashes.

If you own a coffee maker with a small storage boiler, limit the supply to a single dose of 60 ml. Only after a few minutes of heating, pour the next portion. For coffee makers with a thermoblock, this requirement does not matter.

The process of brewing espresso on a carob home coffee maker is greatly simplified by using pods .

Characteristics of entry-level pump carob coffee maker options for 2021:

Middle class - a boiler with a volume increased to 200-400 ml, a horn without plastic elements of increased diameter with filters without improvers, with additional modules such as a three-way valve and/or PID controller, etc. Without a burr grinder, using such a technique makes no sense.

The best carob coffee makers come with a variety of features. You can adjust the temperature, foam density, amount of milk and water.

How the Bosch Tassimo Vivy capsule coffee machine works

To produce a fragrant drink, Bosch units use special sealed capsules, on the surface of which several barcodes are applied. One of these codes carries only service information - the coffee machine automatically determines what specific drink it will prepare, and specifically, to what temperature the water needs to be heated in a special reservoir, as well as how much water will be needed for one serving. Reviews from Bosch coffee machine users say that after the automatic production of the drink is completed, the unit switches to manual control mode, which allows you to add additional water to the cup of drink, thus adjusting the strength and richness of the taste of freshly brewed coffee.

It is curious that the Bosch Tassimo 2002 capsule coffee machine, like other models of coffee machines from this manufacturer, operate with the highest pressure of 3.3 Bar. Most coffee lovers believe that such low pressure is not enough to boil truly delicious coffee. But that's not true. Capsule coffee machines Bosch Tassimo 2002, 2001, 1201, 1253 and others boil the drink using special T-shaped capsules that contain uncompressed coffee.

Rating of popular models

Below is a short overview of devices with ratings in different price categories.

Budget models

Average price category

Premium class

Capsule coffee machine Bosch Tassimo 1201 – model features

The Bosch tas 1201 Tassimo capsule coffee machine is a new small-sized model that allows the user to prepare an invigorating drink (various types of tea or coffee) in a matter of minutes. Like other coffee machines from this manufacturer (2001, 1253, 2002), Bosch Tassimo 1201 prepares drinks in a 100% automatic mode using special T-shaped sealed capsules. After analyzing consumer reviews, we can highlight a number of irrefutable advantages that these capsule coffee machines have:

1. First, consumers highlight the compact size of the Bosch Tassimo Vivy unit, which allows the equipment to be placed in even the smallest kitchen.
2. Bosch Tassimo capsule coffee machines can prepare a wide variety of drinks - tea, coffee, cappuccino and many others. Everything depends on the type of capsules that are inserted into the unit.
3. Annotation for Tas1253 Red (another popular model of coffee machines from Bosch) allows you to diversify the size of the drink serving at the user’s discretion. After finishing making coffee or tea, thanks to the comfortable manual mode, the user can add as much water to the cup of drink as he deems necessary.

Despite these undeniable advantages, Bosch Tassimo Vivy capsule coffee machines also have more significant drawbacks. In fact, all user reviews indicate that the annotation that comes with the device consists only of pictures, which are not at all difficult to understand. Also, many users consider the small water container (only 0.7 l) to be a shortcoming of the model. But this amount of water is completely enough to simultaneously make 3 huge servings of the drink.

The most popular models of Bosch Tassimo capsule coffee machines

One of the most popular capsule coffee machines from Bosch Tassimo is the TAS 4011 model. This unit has gained consumer recognition thanks to its capacious 2-liter water tank, comfortable operation and affordable price. And the color of the body of this model (silver-black) fits perfectly into virtually every kitchen interior design.

The Bosch Tassimo 2001 capsule coffee machine is especially popular thanks to its capacious water tank (1.5 l). The description for this coffee machine implies the ability to adjust the volume of the drink, as well as control the strength of the coffee. Another indisputable advantage of this model is that the unit automatically turns off immediately after opening the brewing mechanism.

The smallest model, which includes Bosch Tassimo capsule coffee machines (1253), is especially popular among consumers. Especially for those who appreciate the harmonious taste and smell of freshly brewed coffee, which is prepared in a matter of seconds. After all, this unit has a record-breaking short production time for drinks of various types from all models that include Bosch Tassimo capsule coffee machines and units from other manufacturers.

How to use the Bosch Tassimo Vivy coffee machine.

The Bosch Tassimo Vivy II capsule coffee machine occupies a leading position in the equipment market. But in terms of control, Bosch Tassimo devices differ from other brands. Not all users can quickly understand the annotations, even in Russian.

Bosch Tassimo Vivy coffee machine

Types of coffee machines and their principles of operation

To prepare coffee drinks at home, you can choose one of the following types of coffee makers:

• drip;
• geyser;
• capsule;
• carob;
• automatic.

Let's take a closer look at the device and operating principle of each type.

Drip coffee maker

The device is the simplest in terms of design: in such devices coffee is brewed without steam pressure or boiling water. Allows you to brew strong Americano coffee. Inside the machine body there is a heating element, a water tank and a filter compartment for adding ground coffee. A container with a handle and a measuring scale (coffee pot) is installed at the bottom. The principle of operation of the device is the drip passage of heated water through the filter. As a result, the water that has leaked through the filter, saturated with taste, aroma and color, flows into a glass or plastic coffee pot.

Depending on the power of the coffee maker, the preparation time for the drink varies. On average, a drip coffee maker takes about 5 minutes to prepare coffee.

Maintenance consists of periodically cleaning/replacing the filter. Models can use disposable or reusable filters. When choosing such a device for your home, you should pay attention to the following points.

1. Power – to get weak coffee, you need to choose a device with more power, and for a strong coffee drink, you should buy a device with low power.
2. Flask material (glass or plastic). Glass does not absorb odors, and plastic is more durable.
3. The dimensions of the flask, which depend on the required amount of brewed coffee.
4. Filters, which come in three types: disposable; gold – for long-term use; nylon filters that can be used up to 60 times of brewing.

Geyser coffee maker

These devices come in both electric and non-electric types, which can be placed directly on the hob or simply on an open fire. Unlike the previous coffee machine, here the principle of operation is exactly the opposite. The water in these devices is supplied from the bottom up, identical to a geyser, and pours over the coffee. After that, it, saturated with coffee, is poured into a special flask.

The volume of geyser coffee makers is small. They look like porcelain coffee pots. What’s great is that coffee doesn’t “escape” from the device like it does from a cezve, but of course you need to keep an eye on it.

A geyser coffee maker consists of two containers connected to each other like an hourglass. In the central area, in a narrow channel, there is a compartment for coffee. When the water in the lower compartment boils, it rises and makes its way up a narrow passage, brewing coffee along the way. In the upper container there is an almost ready drink.

Capsule coffee machine

The device prepares a drink from ground coffee enclosed in a special food shell, the so-called capsule. The design of the device includes a water tank, a pump that supplies water to the boiler with a coffee capsule, a heating element and a container into which used capsules are discarded.

The coffee maker works as follows:

• a pressure pump sucks water from the tank into the boiler;
• in the cooking compartment the water is heated to a temperature of 85-90°C;
• hot liquid penetrates through the lower and upper holes into the capsule, is saturated with the aroma of coffee, and acquires a dark tint;
• The capsule system ensures that capsules are filled into the boiler and the waste cake is discharged into the container.

Using the control unit located on the body of the device, the functions of dosing portions of the drink for large and small cups are configured. Caring for such a coffee maker involves periodically cleaning the container with used capsules.

Carob coffee maker

The carob-type device is equipped with a removable holder (horn) into which ground coffee is poured. Carob models of coffee machines are equipped with indicators and buttons to control the coffee preparation process. Also, many models are equipped with a cappuccino maker for frothing milk foam when making cappuccino.

Some skill is required from the user to compact the coffee powder poured into the holder into a tablet using a tamper. The coffee maker easily copes with preparing espresso coffee. The essence of the horn apparatus is as follows.

1. Under pressure, hot water (steam) is supplied through a tube into the holder.
2. Passing through the coffee briquette and filter, the liquid absorbs coffee extracts.
3. The finished drink is poured into a cup placed under the tap.

The strength of the drink depends on the degree of grinding and compaction of the powder. The finer the grind and the more compacted the coffee, the stronger the drink. An indicator of the quality of brewed coffee is a thick, stable foam saturated with gas bubbles. The thicker the foam, the slower the drink cools.

The quality of brewed coffee is affected by the material from which the holder is made. In a metal cone, the drink turns out thick, with lush and rich foam. In a plastic holder, the consistency of the drink is watery, the foam is light, and the taste is sour, regardless of the type of coffee used. This happens because the raw material in a plastic holder heats up less than in its metal counterpart.

Carob coffee makers come in two types, depending on the pressure in them.

1. Up to 4 bars, in which the coffee is brewed slowly and turns out strong and rich.
2. Up to 15 bars, in which coffee is prepared quickly and is soft and gentle.

Caring for the device involves releasing the horn. The used coffee briquette is thrown away, and the holder must be washed in running water. Otherwise, when brewing the next portion of the drink, the remaining particles of old coffee can significantly spoil the taste.

Automatic coffee machines

The process of making coffee in an automated machine does not require human intervention. The user only needs to press the button once to initiate the brew cycle for the selected program. Automation independently controls all stages of preparation: from grinding to dispensing a portion of the drink into a cup.

The machine is capable of performing more than 10 functions, including grinding grain, discarding the grounds into a special container, whipping milk froth, adjusting the serving size, drink strength, and others. The machines are equipped with a grain container, a built-in coffee grinder, a cappuccino maker, a container for collecting coffee cake, a compartment for compacting ground raw materials into a tablet, and a dispensing tank. Inside the housing there is a water tank, a pump, a heat exchange system, a boiler, and tubes for supplying water and steam.

Some household machines are equipped with a convenient display that shows the step-by-step process of brewing the drink. Some manufacturers supplement their devices with convenient functions for heating dishes, automatic descaling and others.

When you turn on the device, the system will check the readiness of all technological components for operation. The green light of the indicator is a signal of successful completion of the system poll. The user just needs to select a coffee preparation program: espresso, Americano latte, cappuccino, and the machine will launch the desired technological chain. The prepared drink is served into a cup or glass, after which the machine will stop and wait for a new command. Combination coffee machines are not cheap, but the process of preparing drinks in them is fully automated.

The mechanism of operation of Bosch coffee machines

To use a Bosch Tassivo coffee maker, you receive special capsules with barcodes on the surface. One code contains service information that the coffee machine automatically determines: what type of coffee needs to be prepared, the temperature and amount of water in the tank.

When the automatic operation of the machine ends, the program switches to manual control. This makes it possible to add water to the cups at the user’s discretion. This is done to adjust the strength of the drink and its temperature.

Coffee in good company

The Bosch Tassimo Vivo II coffee machine, like other models from this manufacturer, operates at a pressure of 3.3 Bar. Many coffee lovers consider this pressure to be low for brewing delicious sweetness. This is a wrong worldview. Because Vivy 2 brews coffee using sealed capsules with uncompressed product inside.

General operating principle

To make coffee by hand, you first need to roast and grind the beans. If you are using a coffee machine, you can skip all these steps. To understand how a coffee machine works, let's take a step-by-step look at how it makes coffee.

1. To prepare a coffee drink, you need hot water, but in no case boiling water. The machine itself heats the water to an optimal temperature of 80-90 0C.
2. Coffee for the drink is used ground or in special sealed capsules (already roasted and ground). Due to their tightness, the capsules retain its taste and aroma for a long time.
3. Inside the machine, these two ingredients are combined and turned into an invigorating aromatic drink.

When you need to make a cappuccino or latte, you will need to add one more ingredient - milk - to decorate the drink with a “cap” of thick foam.

Advantages of Vivy II

1. Has a memory that preserves the volume, strength and temperature of drinks.
2. Integrated clay millstones are adjusted to the desired grinding mode. Excellent grinding of grains.
3. Many people like to use a Bosch machine because of its silent operation.
4. Specially developed for perfect milk foam.
5. The parts are finished in stainless steel. This guarantees the durability of the structure.
6. Rapid heating of the boiler.

Abundance of types of coffee

Steam coffee maker

Pumpless (steam, boiler) carob coffee makers heat and supply water to the carob naturally. Their pressure does not exceed 4 bar, which is not enough to make espresso.

With low pressure, while the coffee maker is loading, the steam will have time to overheat and the coffee powder will lose its pleasant aroma.

There are no devices that increase pressure in steam coffee makers. On the contrary, a metal boiler with a water heating element is installed. The resulting steam forces water into the cone containing the coffee tablet.

Thus, steam horn coffee makers brew something similar to filter coffee, not espresso.

In an internal boiler, in a sealed tank, water is brought to a boil in a matter of minutes. Such overheated water, passing through ground coffee, produces a drink that is bitter or sour. Coffee is prepared within 2 minutes. Due to the fact that the steam will quickly absorb the beneficial properties of ground coffee, the caffeine content of the drink will be higher than from a pump device. However, the aroma of the drink will not be too strong.

Application note

The Bosch Tassimo Vivy 2 coffee machine comes with instructions for use in several languages, including Russian. But people who do not deal with coffee machines are often unable to understand the intricacies of control. Don't be scared: the integrated screen will help the newcomer.

It is enough to understand the meaning of the buttons, as well as the nuances of filling equipment with capsules. And using the Bosch Tassimo Vivy coffee machine will be easy. Judging by customer reviews, there is nothing difficult to manage.

In the latest models, the screen has become improved. It displays all the information for easy management. Text indicator and icons make the coffee maker easier to use.

After each use, remove drops of milk from the inside of the jug. This is done by simply pressing the corresponding button. Everything is fast and simple! And the circuit is washed using automatic technology: before the machine operates and after production is completed. And the system will signal that it is time to descale the machine with a suitable signal.

Bosch TAS1204 Tassimo abstract.

On the right you will find your Bosch TAS1204 Tassimo annotation. This service is completely free. If you have any questions regarding your product, Bosch TAS1204 Tassimo, please let us know at the bottom of the page. On the right you will find your Bosch TAS1204 Tassimo summary. This annotation is completely free. If you have any questions regarding your Bosch TAS1204 Tassimo product please let us know at the bottom of the page.

How to choose a carob coffee maker: we help you decide on the criteria

A coffee maker is perhaps the most popular and in demand device designed for preparing espresso and drinks that contain it.

By the way, according to the latest edition of ROS (Russian Spelling Dictionary), words denoting coffee drinks (espresso, cappuccino, latte) can be used both as masculine nouns and as neuter nouns. So now you don’t have to worry about making mistakes.

Carob coffee makers can be fairly roughly divided into several categories (or classes) - from the simplest (amateur) to professional equipment specially designed for use in catering establishments. Somewhere in the middle between them is the model that is most suitable for you personally. But identifying it among the entire assortment will not be so easy. And this despite the fact that all carob coffee makers, by and large, are designed approximately the same!

Inexpensive carob coffee maker Kitfort KT-722

The fact is that when it comes to preparing coffee, even small technological differences can lead to a significant change in the quality of the drink. Well, if you take into account that the topic of “proper coffee” is traditionally one of the “hottest” on the Internet forums, then opinions regarding a particular model can be completely different among different users. Even if we exclude overtly advertising or paid comments, the same device can “brew good coffee” from the point of view of a novice coffee lover and be “completely worthless” from the point of view of a slightly more advanced user.

How to make a choice and what to pay attention to first? Let's figure it out. But before we begin, let’s agree that our review is intended primarily for a “beginner” coffee lover who plans to become an “advanced” coffee drinker. We are confident that coffee professionals can understand the characteristic features of certain carob coffee makers without us.

Device of a carob coffee maker

As you might guess, the key difference between a carob coffee maker and all other coffee makers, Turks and other coffee gadgets is the presence of a horn. Ground coffee is placed in a cone, pressed into a tablet, and then hot water is forced through the coffee under pressure. This is how espresso is made. We'll talk about horns a little later, but for now let's deal with pressure.

Pump and pressure

The pressure in the carob coffee maker is built up using a pump. Just remember that classic espresso requires a pressure of 8-9 bar. Many coffee makers, even from the lower price segment, promise pressure of up to 15 bar or even more. However, in this case, more is not better. Even if this is not a marketing trick, this figure should be considered as “the maximum possible pressure” or “the pressure at the time the water leaves the pump.” By the time water enters the horn, its pressure will still be reduced to 7-9 bar.

Let’s immediately exclude pumpless (boiler) carob coffee makers from our review: devices that heat water and supply it to the carob naturally, without increasing pressure. As a result, the spill occurs under a pressure of 2-3 bar, which is clearly not enough to make espresso.

The vast majority of entry-level and mid-level coffee makers, as well as almost all household carob coffee makers, are equipped with a vibration pump that builds up pressure by oscillating a special piston (piston). The main disadvantage of such a pump is uneven pressure, which rises and falls with the movement of the piston. However, this cannot be called a serious drawback. The fact is that a normal vibration pump in most cases will be good enough for this class of coffee makers, and its impact on the quality of the finished drink will be disproportionately small compared to other technological simplifications and compromises. A vibration pump can be found in both the cheapest coffee makers (from 5,000 rubles) and quite expensive ones (150 thousand rubles or more).

Standard pump used in coffee makers of various brands - Krups, Delonghi, Rowenta, Saeco, Electrolux, AEG, etc.

In professional (industrial) coffee makers, a rotary pump is more often used, equipped with an electric motor, which rotates the water supply mechanism at a constant and constant speed. The resulting pressure is stable, but you have to pay for this with an increased price and significantly larger dimensions of the device.

True fans and coffee geeks may also remember lever coffee makers, in which the water pressure is adjusted manually, mechanically, using a special lever. In this case, the pump is essentially the person who makes the coffee. You won’t be able to accidentally buy such a coffee maker in a regular store, so we won’t focus on these devices. Let's just say that lever coffee makers provide maximum control over the preparation of the drink, but at the same time they require the highest possible skill from the barista.

Lever coffee maker Ponte Vecchio

How is water heated?

The second important element of a carob coffee maker is a device for heating water. After all, water temperature is the second most important parameter (after pressure) on which the quality of espresso depends. The more stable and close to ideal the temperature is, the better the drink will be. And vice versa - it is the inability of the coffee maker to produce water at the required and stable temperature that is most often the reason why espresso does not work, despite all efforts.

To heat water, a flow-through thermoblock, a storage boiler of small or large volume, or a boiler with a heat exchanger can be used. Entry-class coffee makers are equipped with a flow-through thermoblock or a small boiler (for home models, usually a little more than 100 ml). More “advanced” models have a large boiler (from 200-400 ml) or a boiler with a heat exchanger.

Let's list the pros and cons of each solution:

• Thermoblock - does not require preheating (allows you to supply hot water immediately and in any volume), but cannot provide a constant temperature - changes are possible;
• A small-volume boiler is compact, provides a small volume of water at the required temperature, but will require “reheating” after preparing even one serving of coffee;
• Large-volume boiler - will provide a larger volume of water at the desired temperature, does not require additional heating after preparing the first cup of coffee, but may spend more time on initial heating (when turning on the coffee maker after a long period of non-use);
• The heat exchanger is a system of tubes for supplying water located inside the boiler chamber. Water is heated as it passes through this coil. The water temperature turns out to be stable, but a lot of time will be spent heating the boiler, and after the initial heating, the heat exchanger will end up with overheated water, the temperature of which will be too high. It will just have to be drained into the pan (to carry out the so-called “idle spill”);

We'll put double-boiler coffee makers in a separate category: in such devices, one boiler is used for steam and the second for espresso.

Boiler with heating element for Delonghi 5/7/9 coffee maker

In most home coffee makers you will find a small boiler. Boilers of increased volume almost always mean that this model is at the very top among models of the entry class (or is already leaving it and belongs to the middle class).

Brew group and horn

Coffee extraction occurs in the brewing group, which includes a coffee horn with a filter and (usually) additional elements designed to improve the quality of the finished coffee.

Cheaper horns may use plastic. More expensive ones are made exclusively of metal.

The key element in the brewing group, on which the quality of the drink depends, is the filter (aka portafilter, aka basket). The simplest filter in design (and the most demanding for the barista’s skill) means that the coffee will flow “as is”, without any additional manipulations. The filter in this case will look like an ordinary fine mesh. Preparing coffee using such a “bottomless” filter will require certain qualifications (the ability to choose the right grind, tamp the coffee well, etc.). Without such skills, the drink will not turn out very well, to put it mildly.

All coffee makers designed for a wide range of users have filters with so-called “improvers” (this is what the Russian-speaking community began to call all kinds of systems designed to correct the mistakes of a novice barista, and correct the taste of espresso in case the barista made a mistake somewhere).

The design of the “improver” can be quite different: it is a filter with a double bottom (the first with many holes, the second with one), and multilayer filters with meshes, and even filters with springs that open the coffee supply when a certain pressure in the horn is reached. All of these “improvers” automate the process and prevent the user from doing something fundamentally wrong. On the other hand, the opportunity to intervene in the process also becomes less, which means that the improver will not allow you to brew exactly the espresso you want in the “manual control” mode.

Filter with “improver” included in the Redmond RCM-1511 kit

Fortunately, novice espresso lovers won’t have to think too much about the differences between “improvers”: in any case, the manufacturer does not allow you to choose an “improver” to suit your taste or replace it in the store, so the choice will be made automatically - at the time of purchasing one or another coffee maker.

“Bottomless” Dalla Corte portafilter costs almost $600

On our own behalf, we would recommend considering first of all portafilters made without the use of plastic or rubber seals. We also mention that the double-bottom filter may be difficult to clean if it is clogged with coffee that is too finely ground. However, all other filters will also have to be cleaned regularly, so this is unlikely to be a significant argument.

But what you can figure out easily and simply is the diameter of the horn. The rule “the more the better” almost always works here. The classic professional diameter is 58 millimeters. It is for such a horn that it will be easiest to purchase additional filters and portafilters (for replacement, or for experiments with higher-class filters). Home and budget coffee makers often have a horn with a diameter of 54 or even 50 millimeters.

Electronics and automation

There are not many options for automating the espresso preparation process with carob coffee makers. Without going into details, before choosing a carob coffee maker you should only inquire about the presence of two electronic components: an automatic water dosing system and a PID controller.

The automatic dosing system allows you to adjust the amount of water that the coffee maker will spill in one start. As a rule, there are two programs - for single and double espresso. The user is also given the opportunity to make changes (increase or decrease the volume of a portion of water) in order to best adjust the automatic mode to the favorite degree of coffee grinding (after all, the finer the grind, the slower the water will flow).

An electronic boiler temperature controller (aka PID) will ensure that the temperature of the supplied water is as stable as possible. The presence of such a device in a coffee maker is a sign of a middle or professional class, and you will have to pay significantly extra for the presence of a PID (usually several thousand rubles compared to a similar model without a controller).

Let us also mention such an important element as the three-way valve (solenoid). If equipped, the coffee maker will be able to release pressure from the brewing group immediately after stopping the water supply. The benefit of such a device is obvious - after the water supply is complete, there will be no residual drops dripping from the horn (a small thing, but annoying), and the coffee tablet itself will be significantly drier, which will facilitate the process of emptying the filter after the preparation of the drink is completed. Coffee makers with a solenoid also almost always belong to at least the middle class, and therefore will cost more than simpler models.

Gaggia Classic - a relatively inexpensive model with a solenoid “for the advanced hobbyist”

On the market you can also find carob coffee makers with automatic preparation of cappuccino or latte (by dispensing heated milk from a special container), however, we would prefer to classify these devices as automatic coffee machines and exclude them from the conversation about traditional carob coffee makers.

Redmond RCM-1511 with automatic milk supply

What about a coffee grinder?

When talking about choosing a carob coffee maker, one cannot help but think about a coffee grinder. The fact is that as the quality of the coffee maker improves, the issue of proper grinding of coffee beans becomes more and more important. And from a certain point (approximately at the transition from the initial to the intermediate level), the coffee maker simply will not be able to reveal all its capabilities without selecting the correct grind. Roughly speaking, after a certain point there is simply no point in buying a more expensive coffee maker without having a good coffee grinder.

What does this mean in practice? The fact that the budget of a beginning espresso lover needs to include the purchase of even the simplest burr coffee grinder.

We immediately put the well-known rotary coffee grinders (the ones where the paddle blade rotates) into the back drawer (or leave them for grinding spices). The so-called “pseudo-millstone” coffee grinders are also sent there - the same ones that use millstones with characteristic “teeth” that crush and break coffee beans rather than grind them. Here we note that in product descriptions, these coffee grinders are almost always positioned as millstones, which can mislead a novice coffee lover.

A typical example of “toothed” millstones is the Delonghi KG79

Inexpensive burr coffee grinders can cope with the task, but are often unable to provide a fine enough grind. Perfect for those on a limited budget.

The only adequate option, in our opinion, is to immediately turn your attention to expensive burr coffee grinders costing from 14-15 thousand rubles (at the time of preparing this review). Purchasing such a device will allow a novice espresso lover to get coffee of guaranteed high-quality grinding and close the question of choosing a coffee grinder for a long time (at least until he moves from the category of novice amateurs to the category of novice professionals). And we call these coffee grinders “expensive” only in comparison with more budget models. If we consider only real burr coffee grinders, it becomes clear that devices in this price category are in fact not “expensive”, but “average” or even “slightly cheaper than average.”

The “correct” millstones of the budget Baratza Encore coffee grinder

The topic of choosing a coffee grinder is covered in more detail in our separate article.

conclusions

When choosing a carob coffee maker, you can encounter a huge number of pitfalls and shortcomings, many of which a novice espresso lover may not be aware of at all, and may guess about some others, but will not be able to identify them when examining the coffee maker directly in the store.

Therefore, perhaps the only way to choose a suitable coffee maker is to study the experience of other coffee lovers (in no case read comments on Yandex.Market and similar non-core resources!).

To summarize our experience, we would recommend immediately abandoning the numerous OEM models produced under a variety of (including Russian) brands. Many of them, by the way, turn out to be as similar to each other as two peas in a pod, despite the fact that they are produced under different brands. It is these coffee makers that are most likely to encounter incorrect temperature control or other design flaws that, in especially severe cases, do not allow you to achieve anything even remotely similar to the correct espresso.

While higher-quality models released under trusted brands (Delonghi or Philips come to mind first) may cost only a couple of thousand rubles more, but at the same time feature higher-quality materials and assembly. In addition, you don’t have to worry about getting a model with the “wrong” temperature settings or water flow rate.

Gaggia Viva for 12-14 thousand rubles is a decent coffee maker for those who do not plan to take their hobby to a professional level

Attentive readers will probably have noticed that this review does not cover such issues as the design of the coffee maker, body material, volume of the water tank, control features, etc.

The fact is that in practice, all these elements do not have a significant impact on the quality of the finished drink and are largely a matter of taste and personal preference. Let's reveal a little secret: most manufacturers use only a couple of technological solutions (pump+boiler+working group combinations) in different models, so the diversity of the model range turns out to be very conditional. For example, a more expensive model will have a metal case, while a cheaper one will have a plastic case. Inside we will see the same details.

Therefore, the real choice of a coffee maker from the middle price category, close to the professional level, may look something like this:

• basic model - 35 thousand rubles;
• model with PID controller - 45 thousand rubles;
• the same with an improved group - 50 thousand rubles;
• the same with a built-in coffee grinder - 60 thousand rubles.

At the same time, the rest of the “filling” will be the same for all models.

The same rule is true for cheaper models: if there is no desire, budget or courage to immediately go for semi-professional models, then the cheapest real espresso can be obtained from a coffee maker for 6-7 thousand rubles. The premium version of the same budget model will cost 3-4 thousand more. However, when choosing such a coffee maker, you need to remember that if you are going to develop your barista skills, then such a coffee maker will not have a “quality reserve”. In practice, this means that in the foreseeable future you will understand that a too simple model does not suit you, and you want to see a more serious device in the kitchen. And therefore, the purchase of an older model is inevitable.

The Kitfort KT-718 coffee maker for 5,500 rubles can be the first step into the world of carob coffee makers

Thus, perhaps the most correct decision when buying a carob coffee maker would not be to save money, but, on the contrary, to overpay and buy an older model. Even if today you have a very vague idea of ​​how to use it correctly.