Coffee maker for home 7 main parameters when choosing

Main types of coffee makers

A coffee maker is an automatic or semi-automatic device for preparing coffee by brewing.

Types of coffee makers:

• Geyser (Italian coffee pot);
• Drip (Americano);
• Rozhkovaya (espresso);
• Capsule (container);
• Chaldovaya (for coffee from “bags”).

Alternative brewing methods include a cezve and its electric variety, a French press, as well as all variants of devices for brewing coffee using the pour-over method: pour-over, Chemex, Aeropress and siphon. They stand out in a separate group.

Manufacturer

It is not recommended to purchase coffee makers Aurora, Clatronic, Delfa, Hilton, Maestro, Magio, Maxwell, Mystery, Orion, Polaris, Sinbo, Saturn, Scarlett. These are the most budget devices, but also the most unreliable. Some coffee machine models work for a long time, while others break down after a few months of use. Among the main disadvantages are:

• poor manufacturing materials - aluminum corrodes and rots, flimsy plastic smells unpleasant when heated;
• design features - sometimes standard mugs do not fit, the lower lattices bend;
• non-compliance with the stated characteristics - for example, the coffee outlet temperature is lower than specified, the steam pressure is also often lower than stated.

The Vitek brand stands out among other Chinese brands: it most often has high-quality models. It should also be noted drip coffee makers from popular and reliable manufacturers: Moulinex, Philips, Zanussi, Tefal, ProfiCook, Russell Hobbs.

Coffee makers from Kenwood, Ariete, Krups, Zelmer, Rowenta, as well as budget models from Bosch are of good quality. Most of these brands have a small range of coffee equipment, but they are well assembled and have enough power to make coffee at home. The reliability and durability of these coffee machines is also decent, but sometimes there may be defective products.

The best manufacturers of coffee makers are rightfully Delonghi, Gaggia, Saeco (Philips Saeco), Jura, Melitta, Spidem, Nivona, and the Siemens brand can also be included here. This equipment is much more expensive than the rest, and is used for both home and professional use. Many brands have become legendary among coffee lovers and represent the highest quality of coffee drinks. This technology combines innovation, elegant design and reliable performance. Coffee makers are equipped with various additional devices and functions, for example, a built-in coffee grinder. This simplifies the cooking process and makes it as enjoyable as possible. The durability of the product is beyond doubt, and the manufacturers provide excellent service support. Many restaurants and coffee shops around the world are equipped with coffee makers of these brands.

Built-in coffee makers should be included in a separate group. Among them are budget options: AEG, Hotpoint-Ariston, Whirlpool, Electrolux, and premium segment equipment from Miele, Smeg, Gaggenau. Of course, these coffee makers are very stylish and fit perfectly into the interior of the kitchen, but that is why they are significantly more expensive than others. In addition, they are also high-quality and reliable devices.

coffee pot"

Its prototype was created several hundred years ago, and at the beginning of the 20th century, the Italian Bialetti received a patent for his own version of the device. The main material of manufacture was aluminum. In the 21st century, devices are made from aluminum, steel, glass and combined materials. You can get a traditional or electric geyser model.

Operating principle

To make coffee, you need to place the coffee maker on a heat source.
When heated, the water from the lower compartment rises and passes through a layer of ground coffee powder. Rising even higher, the coffee reaches the end of the tube and enters the upper tank, empty until this moment. After a few minutes of heating, all the water will move from the bottom to the top, extracting the taste and aroma from the ground powder. The coffee maker can be removed from the heat and the finished drink can be poured into cups.

Exploitation

The geyser coffee maker has a collapsible design. Pour water into the lower reservoir, then attach the filter on top. Pour coffee powder into it. Install the top part with the lid and the device goes to the stove. Make sure the heating is even and slow. If the heat is too high, you won't get good coffee.

Peculiarities

Makes strong coffee, close to espresso quality, as long as you don't overheat it. Overheating happens if you forget about the coffee maker and leave it on the fire.

You won’t be able to brew anything other than regular black coffee in a geyser. Not long ago they released a model with a cappuccino function, but the result is most similar to regular coffee with milk due to the very unstable foam with large bubbles.

Advantages

• Easy to use.
• Reasonable price. Even an authentic Bialetti coffee maker can be purchased for up to 2,000 rubles. Chinese Nonames cost from 700 rubles.
• Coffee does not run onto the stove.
• Does not require descaling.
• The quality of the finished drink is good; many compare it to espresso.
• Assortment - color, material of manufacture and form factor of the coffee maker can be chosen from dozens of options.
• Compact size - easy to store and take with you.

Flaws

• One recipe, no options.
• Lack of indication - you will have to determine the degree of readiness of the coffee by sound.
• Coffee can “stay” if you forget it on the stove.
• Not all coffee makers are universal; the material must be chosen depending on the type of stove.

Filter

Filter – can be disposable or permanent. Disposable ones are more hygienic, but increase the cost of maintaining the coffee maker.

Paper is an environmentally friendly material that perfectly cleans coffee from sediment and harmful substances (cofestol, kofeol). This filter is cheap and easy to use and does not require maintenance. Minus - it is disposable.

Nylon – designed for 60 brews. In terms of price and service life, this option occupies an intermediate place between disposable paper and durable metal and “gold” filters.

• “Golden” is an improved version of the nylon filter (coated with titanium nitride), which will last much longer. Cons: costs much more than nylon, requires periodic cleaning.

Metal – reusable filter. Disadvantages: needs washing after each use, gives coffee a peculiar taste that not everyone will like. Allows you to brew coffee “Indian style”.

Drip coffee maker, also known as “Americano”

For 200 years, the drip coffee maker has been a reliable and trouble-free device for making coffee. Even a child can handle it, and its price will not ruin the family budget. Therefore, no one is surprised by the worldwide popularity of the device.

Operating principle

After connecting the coffee maker to the network, the water is heated and supplied through a tube to the filter, seeping through the ground coffee. The slow speed of droplets passing through the coffee ensures good extraction. Immediately after filling the coffee pot, the drink can be served.

Exploitation

Simple device - simple operation. The algorithm is even simpler than for a geyser. Pour water into the reservoir, put ground coffee into the filter at the rate of 2 teaspoons per 100 ml of water. Then turn on the device and you can go about your business. Modern models have an auto-shut-off and heating function, so the finished coffee will be waiting for you as long as you need it.

Peculiarities

The second name of the device is “Americano” coffee maker. It appeared due to the fact that US residents prefer this particular type of device, and also because the taste of the finished coffee is similar to a classic Americano from an espresso machine.

• A drip coffee maker makes only one type of drink. Its taste and strength depend on the proportions of water and powder. But don't count on crema like espresso.
• Modern drip coffee makers have additional functions.
• On/off indicators.
• Heating a container of coffee.
• Auto power off.
• Some models even have a delayed start timer.

Drip coffee makers may have a long-lasting, reusable filter that will need to be cleaned each time after brewing. Another configuration option is disposable filters; they can be disposed of immediately, but you will have to spend money on purchasing new ones.

pros

• Simple controls.
• Easy to use.
• Stable drink quality.
• Does not require supervision - you can turn it on and go about your business.
• Quite affordable price, from 1700-2000 rubles.
• Assortment of sizes, shapes, volumes.

Minuses

• One type of drink.
• The quality of the drink is average, although the strength of the coffee can be high.
• Additional costs: descaling required and purchase of disposable filters if you use them.

Recommendations

Making morning coffee should be easy and enjoyable, and the purchased machine should not sit idle. To avoid mistakes when purchasing, you need to consider some tips:

1. For those who prefer Americano, the best choice is a drip coffee maker.
2. For those who cannot imagine their day without cappuccino with lush foam or espresso, it is advisable to choose a carob-type unit.
3. The geyser type of device allows you to prepare a particularly aromatic drink, since water passes through a layer of coffee several times during the preparation process.
4. For a horn type device, the horn itself must be made of metal and not plastic. This affects not only the service life of the part, but also the taste of the drink.
5. The auto shut-off feature is a welcome addition to the device.
6. When purchasing a capsule model, you need to make sure that the waste compartment is of sufficient volume. This will allow you to clean it less often.
7. Filters for coffee makers come in several types (paper - need to be changed frequently, synthetic reusable - designed for several months, “gold” with titanium coating - can be used for several years).
8. The body can be metal or plastic. This does not affect the quality of the drink in any way.

Carob coffee maker or espresso coffee maker

It is designed for preparing strong espresso and drinks based on it. The authorship of the device is disputed by many, but the palm remains with the Italians - they are the trendsetters for carob coffee makers.

Operating principle

This coffee maker is called a “carob” coffee maker based on the type of filter into which the coffee is loaded. It is some kind of ladle with a small scoop and a long handle. The filter holds very little coffee, from 7 to 12 g. Automatic coffee machines can have not one, but two or more filters to prepare many cups of coffee at once.

Carob coffee makers can be steam or pump. Despite the external similarity, the difference in design is significant. In a steam coffee maker, water is heated in a boiler until it almost boils. This boiling water then passes through a coffee filter.

Pump pumps use the principle of running water under high pressure. Hot, but not boiling water enters the filter. These are ideal conditions for high-quality extraction and preservation of the aromatic composition of coffee. This is why espresso prepared in a pump-type coffee maker is so aromatic.

Based on pump coffee makers, automated coffee machines with dozens of functions and modes are produced.

Exploitation

Simple models of carob coffee makers are not too difficult to operate. The main thing is to learn how to properly tamp coffee in a cone. A fully automated device can take a long time to master due to the abundance of modes and functions.

Peculiarities

A pump coffee maker makes the best coffee. Only it produces that same espresso with foam and a magical aroma. The quality of the finished drink depends on the skill of the person. Steam coffee makers will not prepare such a drink due to excessive heating of the water.

Most models of pump carob coffee makers and some steam ones have a device for frothing milk - a cappuccino maker. It expands the list of possible recipes, adding cappuccino, latte, flat white and other coffee and milk delights to your coffee menu.

Carob coffee makers require space to install.

Advantages

• High quality of the finished drink.
• Quick preparation, from 30 seconds to 2 minutes per serving.
• Variety of recipes.
• Large assortment of shapes, sizes, varieties.
• Wide additional functionality.

Flaws

• High price, and for pump-action models a very high price.
• Takes up a lot of space in the kitchen.
• Requires skills.
• Needs regular descaling.

Heating element - thermoblock or boiler

Coffee makers can use different types of heating compartments - boilers and thermoblocks. They differ in both the heating principle and operating parameters. It can be difficult for the average buyer to understand what is better in a coffee maker - a boiler or a thermoblock.

A thermoblock is a heater that takes small portions of water from the coffee maker’s tank to heat as needed. Its design consists of a pair of welded blocks, inside one of which there is a labyrinth of flow channels, and inside the second there are electric heating elements. Thanks to this system, the required portion of water is heated almost instantly, after which it enters the compartment with coffee for subsequent brewing of the drink.

The advantage of such heaters is that the water boils quickly and the drink is prepared. For home use, a thermoblock can be considered an ideal option.

A boiler is a single-chamber structure that provides for the location of a heating element inside a water container. The entire volume of water is heated, after which the temperature can be maintained. To reach the desired temperature, a boiler requires a longer time than a thermoblock, but its final performance is much higher. Such models are more practical to use in offices, cafes or in large families where you need to prepare several cups of coffee at once, so which coffee maker to buy for your home depends on the number of servings needed.

Pod coffee makers

A pod is a single serving of coffee in individual packaging.

By type of device, pod coffee makers copy carob coffee makers. Some manufacturers have found a simple solution. They make a removable filter for pods in regular models of steam carob coffee makers. In such a device, you can use regular ground coffee or install a removable filter from the kit and use pods.

Operating principle

The pod is placed in the filter, and water is poured into the reservoir. Hot water flows through a coffee bag. The used pod is then disposed of. The finished coffee is aromatic, but you shouldn’t expect foam like espresso, since all pod coffee makers are steam-type with low pressure.

Each pod is well packed, so the coffee in it remains fresh and aromatic for a long time.

pros

• Easy to use.
• Convenient disposal.
• Consistent quality of the finished drink
• No skills required.
• The recipes are varied, as the pods are sold in different flavors.

Minuses

• Additional Costs – Pods cost more than ground coffee or coffee beans.
• Needs regular descaling.
• Pods are not easy to buy everywhere.

Differences between a coffee maker and a coffee machine

A coffee maker and a coffee machine are fundamentally different in their design and the technique of preparing the drink.

A coffee maker literally brews coffee. It is characterized by compact overall dimensions, which cannot be said about a coffee machine.

Coffee machines represent a semi-automated or fully automated preparation process. The coffee beans are ground in the machine itself and then pressurized steam is passed through them to create coffee.

Capsule coffee maker

A capsule is a single-use package of ground coffee in a metallized individual container. Hermetically sealed capsule packaging keeps the contents fresh.

Capsule coffee machines are predicted to have a great future. They were originally created by one of the coffee producers for promotional purposes, but the marketing idea turned out to have great potential. Nowadays, many major coffee brands make capsule coffee machines.

Operating principle

Capsules are produced strictly for a specific model of coffee machine, and they are not suitable for others.

Water is poured into the reservoir, and the selected capsule is inserted into the recess. The lid closes and special spikes make a hole in the lid and bottom of the mini-container with ground coffee. Hot water is then passed through the opened capsule. The result is strong coffee. After the process is completed, all that remains is to open the lid, take out and throw away the capsule, and you don’t even have to wash anything.

pros

• Drink of stable quality.
• Simplicity and cleanliness of operation.
• Stable drink quality.
• No special skills are required for preparation.
• Variety of shapes and colors.

Minuses

• High purchase price.
• High cost of ownership - you only need certain capsules, and they cost more than ground or bean coffee.
• Brand connection.
• The need to descale.

The best coffee maker manufacturers - which company to choose

The household appliances market is replete with coffee makers of all shapes and designs in a wide price range.

Purchasing a model from a well-known brand guarantees you a long service life of the machine, although, of course, you will have to pay more for the brand name. However, many well-known companies offer lines of affordable coffee makers for customers with different income levels.

You definitely won’t go wrong if you choose a model from any company from the top five leaders in the small kitchen appliances market:

• Delonghi;
• Bosch;
• Philips;
• Krups;
• Panasonic.

You can learn more about the most popular coffee makers from these companies in our rating. But in order to make a final decision, you should first study the types and operating principles of these devices, because the taste of your coffee will depend on this.

Recommendations: 12 best geyser coffee makers

13 Best Drip Coffee Makers

16 best coffee machines

Types of coffee makers: our conclusion

1. Geyser: affordable and quite tasty, but you need to watch the process.
2. Drip: inexpensive and reliable, average taste, but a high degree of autonomy - turned it on and went about its business.
3. Steam carob: more expensive than drip, but fast.
4. Pump-action carob: expensive, but excellent espresso.
5. Pod: the same steam carob, only coffee from bags.
6. Capsule: expensive connection to the brand, but you won’t have to get your hands dirty.
7. What type of coffee makers is your favorite?

Drip devices

Braun KF 47

The products are very popular among Russian consumers, largely due to the high quality of workmanship and the use of reliable materials in production. The water tank capacity is 1.25 liters, and the model is equipped with an automatic shut-off function. The heater power when operating at the highest parameters reaches 1 kW. The model is designed in a classic design, the external parameters do not differ at all from the standard ones. The product works with standard paper filters; reusable ones are not included. The controls here are elementary - there is only one physical power button, it is located at the bottom of the front panel. The water tank filling scale is displayed on the front panel, so you can easily see how much liquid is poured into the tank.

At the back of the device you can find a compartment where excess electrical cord is stored. The slot for disposable filters can be easily removed and cleaned of all contaminants. In general, users note a high level of product reliability. The coffee maker is available in two colors – black or white. The coffee brewing method is made using OptiBrew technology: boiling water is fed under high pressure into a special filter, into which ground coffee is poured. The volume of the glass flask is designed for 10 cups of coffee, the lid configuration is well thought out. The warranty period is quite long - two years.

Advantages:

• The power of the device is 1000 W;
• Water tank capacity 1.25 l;
• Anti-drip protection and heating function are provided;
• Made exclusively from safe plastic;
• All removable parts can be washed in the dishwasher.

Flaws:

• The design does not have a coffee strength selector;
• There is no filter for the water entering the tank.

Braun KF 47

Philips HD7457 Daily Collection

This coffee maker allows you to prepare the highest quality coffee with minimal effort and time. The main difference in the design of the device is the presence of a transparent jug into which the brewed coffee goes. Its volume is 1.2 liters, and this part is equipped with an Aroma function and attractive LED lighting, which gives the entire coffee maker additional style and originality. It turns on when the device is activated. In order to determine the amount of water remaining in the device, the developers installed a special LED indicator. Another important quality is the ability to prepare about 10-15 cups of coffee in one go. Even though this device is a drip model, you can use ground coffee.

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The coffee maker is equipped with a permanent filter, but the user can also use disposable parts if necessary. All elements, with the exception of the thermal jug, can be washed both under running water and in the dishwasher.

Advantages:

• Quite reasonable cost;
• Intuitive controls;
• Ease of maintenance and care;
• The presence of an automatic heating system for both water and ready-made coffee.

Flaws:

• Insufficient information content of the instructions;
• The developers did not provide an automatic shutdown function.

Philips HD7457 Daily Collection

Melitta Optima Glass Timer

It is made on the basis of a body made of high-quality plastic, on which various dirt will not be visible, although it is made in white. You can prepare many cups of delicious and aromatic coffee at the same time, because the capacity of the container is more than a liter. In this regard, the device is widely popular not only at home, but also in small cafes. Power consumption is not very high - only 850 W. The overall dimensions are small - 260x340x200 mm, so the coffee maker can be installed even in a small kitchen. In order to make coffee, you need to take carefully ground beans. The device has a special delayed start timer, so even in the evening you can program the cooking time of the product with an accuracy of up to 5 minutes. An automatic shutdown function is also provided here.

Despite the relatively low price, the device has a decalcification function, which, without user intervention, can quickly and effectively clean all the main elements from scale. The model is quite simple to use and is available in two colors – black and white. The coffee maker's water container has well-thought-out ergonomics; moreover, it is designed for the use of 102-size paper filters. Another important quality of the product is the ability to adjust it to a certain water hardness. There are four options for working with this function: depending on the selected parameter, the design itself will determine after what time decalcification should be carried out.

Advantages:

• Decent power for a household appliance – 850 W;
• High quality components;
• There is a built-in timer as well as a clock.

Flaws:

• There is no reusable filter.

Melitta Optima Glass Timer