Capsule coffee machine - how the device works, features of selection and use

Brief information

Of course, we will tell you about the operating principle of capsule-type coffee machines, but first I would like to touch a little on the history of the device. The piece of engineering art that made a splash among foodies and bar owners in the 2000s was invented by Swiss scientist Eric Favre. Although in the 90s, for unknown reasons, the technical novelty was rejected en masse, they began to buy it for home use, and over time, the capsule design was appreciated by many. Now it has taken a strong position in the coffee market. A number of units from several manufacturers were presented to lovers of the aromatic drink.

What to look for when choosing a device?

The mechanism of action of individual models is almost similar, but there are some differences. That is why it is necessary to carefully study the operating instructions for the device before purchasing it. How a capsule-type coffee machine works is not all you need to pay attention to when choosing a model. First of all, it must be suitable for its purpose and be multifunctional. For example, for professional use, you need to choose a device with enough tray capacity to load capsules. A machine with small dimensions is suitable for making coffee at home.

The cleaning system is also an important criterion - no one wants to have to disassemble and wash the device after brewing one portion of the drink. Devices are produced that have auto-cleaning and a function for rejecting packaging material.

conclusions

In general, we can safely recommend capsule coffee machines for purchase. All of them are easy to operate and maintain . Any user can handle installing and removing disks. In advanced machines, you can program the coffee preparation process.

If you are picky, I advise you to pay attention to the Cremesso and Nespresso models - they still occupy leading positions on all fronts. If you drink 1 cup of coffee a day, you can save money with more affordable gadgets from Dolce Gusto and Tassimo.

Capsule coffee machine device

This device consists of three main parts. Large compartment, which includes a water tank and heating device, a tray for containers with coffee and a stand for cups or a coffee pot. The device includes the following components:

• frame;
• thermoblock;
• control panel (electrical unit and software);
• water dispenser;
• pump for pressure regulation;
• Capsule processing system (for ejection, hole piercing and brewing).

The essence of this device is that the taste of coffee is determined by the company that makes the capsules, and not by the machine itself. This has its advantage, since branded packaging serves as a guarantee of high-quality raw materials.

Best models

There are coffee machines for sale in different price categories. The cost is affected by the brand, body material, volume of water and milk tanks, and the presence of additional functions (for example, an automatic cappuccino maker).

Nespresso Essenza Mini

A narrow coffee machine that fits not only in the smallest kitchen, but also on a desk. Laconic design, simple rectangular shape, convenient tray for cups, which can be set to the desired height.

Available in 3 colors: black, white, silver. Housing made of durable matte plastic. There is a self-cleaning system for descaling and a container for collecting used capsules. 5 minutes after finishing work, the machine turns off automatically.

Advantages:

• fast heating;
• operates without noise and vibration;
• fingerprints and dust are not noticeable on the matte body;
• affordable price;
• Includes 14 branded coffee capsules.

Flaws:

• short cord;
• small water tank requires frequent filling;
• There is no way to independently regulate the volume of portions and the saturation of the drink.

Vertuo Plus

Mid-price model. The body is made of matte plastic, rounded in shape, with convenient mounting of the water tank. The tray is removable and installed at a convenient level. The device is available in 2 colors: white and black.

There is a container for used capsules and a built-in auto-cleaning system. The coffee machine independently reads the barcode of the capsules and brews the drink in accordance with the recipe. It takes about 40 seconds to prepare one serving.

Advantages:

• silent operation;
• large water tank;
• tasting set of branded capsules as a gift.

Flaws:

• short cord;
• You cannot change the portion size yourself.

DeLonghi Lattissima

Small but very convenient coffee machine. Ideal for lovers of milk-based drinks. There is an automatic cappuccino maker and a capacious milk tank, which can be detached from the body and placed in the refrigerator. There is a built-in container for used capsules and a descaling system. The coffee machine is controlled by 2 buttons and does not make noise or vibrate during operation.

Advantages:

• stylish design;
• convenient equipment;
• you can prepare raf, latte and other milk-based drinks;
• excellent quality milk foam;
• saves energy.

Flaws:

• cup tray too small;
• The height of the drip tray cannot be changed; splashes and drips may occur during cooking.

DeLonghi Lattissima One EN500

Multifunctional compact coffee machine for home or office. The case is made of matte impact-resistant plastic, the drip tray is metal, with an anti-corrosion coating.

The tray is removable, can be adjusted to the desired height, and can be easily washed under running water. There is an automatic cappuccino maker with milk foam height adjustment, a reservoir for used capsules, and a self-cleaning system for descaling.

Advantages:

• the ability to prepare different drinks, including according to your own recipes;
• there is a regulator for the volume of portions and temperature of the drink;
• The set includes 16 branded capsules with different flavors.

Flaws:

• Due to the design features, wide cups cannot be used.

DeLonghi EN 550

A simple rectangular coffee machine without unnecessary details. The case is made of impact-resistant plastic, the control buttons are large and comfortable. The tray is removable, with a metal grid. The specialty of the machine is making cappuccino.

The drink turns out rich and very beautiful, with high and dense milk foam. The machine operates in 4 modes, brews more than 20 varieties of coffee with water and milk. There is a cleaning system for the water tank and milk tank, and a container for used capsules.

Advantages:

• The machine is easy to care for, all removable parts are washed under running water;
• quality of preparation of cappuccino and other dairy drinks.

Flaws:

• makes noise when brewing coffee and cleaning.

Krups XN 3005

A laconic and compact coffee machine, suitable for a home kitchen or office. The case is plastic, in black and silver tones. Stylish modern design, the tray can be easily moved to the desired height, you can use cups of any height, width and shape.

There is a container for used capsules. The indicator on the front panel signals the need for descaling; it changes color from green to yellow. The device prepares any type of coffee, you can use original recipes.

Advantages:

• heating cups;
• high-quality drip control;
• coffee is prepared very quickly, in 30 seconds;
• water temperature adjustment.

Flaws:

• no cappuccino maker;
• The coffee machine is heavy.

Bork Creatista

Stylish coffee machine suitable for office and home. Housing made of impact-resistant plastic and chromed metal, built-in cleaning system, automatic cappuccino maker. Heats up quickly and turns on energy saving mode after finishing work.

There is a built-in container for used capsules, a removable tray with a metal grid. You can adjust the portion size, strength and temperature of the drink yourself, and then save all the parameters in the menu.

Advantages:

• excellent quality of prepared coffee;
• high and dense milk foam;
• you can prepare any milk-based drinks;
• spectacular appearance of the device;
• Fingerprints are not visible on the surface.

Flaws:

• high price.

All Nespresso coffee machines are reliable, easy to use, convenient and affordable. Before you buy one of them, you should carefully read the description and read the reviews. It’s also a good idea to calculate your daily consumption of capsules – this will help you understand how profitable the purchase will be.

Specifications

Let's find out by what criteria an automated coffee machine is evaluated. Main parameters:

1. Volume of the water bowl. This takes into account the number of glasses that the machine can prepare in a row.
2. Pressure. If this value is lower than 15 bar, then the drink will not be able to fully reveal its taste. The more intense the pressure is applied to the beans, the brighter the notes inherent in the coffee will be felt. An exception in this regard are devices that work with unpressed raw materials. For them, the degree of pressure does not matter.
3. Power. This is also an important criterion that affects the taste of coffee. The speed depends on the power, and if the drink is produced quickly, its characteristics will be at a high level. The optimal power rating of the device for use at home should be 1,200 W.
4. Additional functions: pan level adjustment lever, tank filling indicator, backlit display showing mode parameters.
5. Dimensions. The larger the size of the unit, the more drink it can produce. Therefore, this parameter is the main one regarding the purpose of the device.

Literally all coffee machines have a high noise level. However, this drawback is mitigated by the speed of preparation of the drink. Next, let's look at how a capsule coffee machine works.

Mechanism of action

To prepare the drink for each individual type of unit, you need to buy special capsules. They all work from the mains. You just need to go through a few simple steps:

1. Place the coffee package in the designated slot and close it.
2. The machine independently pierces the container with its contents in several places.
3. You should wait a minute, and after heating the water to a certain temperature, a hot stream under pressure will break through the capsule.
4. All you have to do is watch how the aromatic drink flows into a cup pre-installed on the stand.
5. The next task is to dispose of the used flask with any accumulated grounds.

A piece of household appliance frees its owners from regular cleaning. However, this does not mean that it does not require care. Periodically you need to disassemble the device, clean the cappuccino tube and the capsule container. If this is not done, then over time an unpleasant odor will accumulate inside the device.

Caring for your capsule coffee maker

In a capsule coffee maker, the coffee grounds remain in the spent capsule and it does not contaminate the device. However, the device still requires care from time to time to prevent drops of used liquids and the formation of scale in the tank.

At least once a week you need to wash it by hand. In this case, you need to wipe and rinse the cappuccino maker and its tube, capsule compartment and water tank.

Complex cleaning with descaling must be carried out at least once every three months. For this, a decalcifier, a cleaning capsule and citric acid are used.

If the coffee maker is not used for a long time, when you go away, etc., you need to empty the water tank. Otherwise, due to stagnation of water, an unpleasant odor and mucus appear on the walls of the tank. You can't get rid of them by simply washing them.

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Device capabilities depending on type

Despite the fact that the design was developed using the latest innovative technologies and the operating principle of the capsule coffee machine is quite complex, everyone can remember the algorithm of actions when using it. With minimal human intervention, the result will be stunning. The machine will turn coffee beans and water into an invigorating aromatic drink in one minute. Most devices have the following functions:

1. By adjusting the serving volume, you can set a certain strength of the coffee drink.
2. The capsules are punctured using an automated system.
3. Devices equipped with a milk frothing program prepare cappuccino.
4. There is a function for cleaning the compartment into which the capsules are inserted.
5. The water level in the tank is adjusted by an indicator.
6. Some units are equipped with several modes for preparing various drinks.
7. There is a “stop drop” button on the control panel.

There are machines on sale that, in addition to coffee drinks, can also prepare tea. These include a technical innovation from Paulig.

Budget options have a simplified design. However, by passing boiling water through capsules, they produce real aromatic coffee. There are machines that can only be filled with filtered water. They have a self-cleaning function. If such maintenance is not possible, then it is better to purchase a design with a special filter.

Instructions for use

Preparing a coffee drink in a capsule coffee maker is accompanied by the following step-by-step steps:

• Preparing the device for startup:
• Remove and rinse the water tank;
• Check that the capsule is securely fixed in the coffee maker;
• Following the instructions, check the settings of the remaining elements;
• plug the coffee maker into the outlet.
• Fill the tank with water up to the mark.
• Insert a compatible capsule into the compartment and close the lid.
• Select the desired type of coffee according to the program and turn it on.
• Next, the coffee maker heats the water and takes the required volume from the reservoir for a specific strength.
• Insufficient water in the reservoir will cause the coffee maker to stop working.
• After starting the coffee brewing process, the selected cup must be placed in the tray where the finished drink is poured.

Device compatibility with raw material standards

All devices are designed to meet the standards of the flasks that contain the raw materials for preparing the drink. For example, how a Nespresso capsule coffee machine works. Since it is also tied to a specific type of packaging, it can only function with their presence. Nespresso is the most popular giant manufacturer in the coffee market, which produces both the units themselves and capsules for them. In this regard, you must first taste coffee drinks from different brands, figure out which standard is better to give preference to, and then buy a machine.

The most popular on the Russian market are models from well-known companies that meet the following standards for packaging flasks: Tassimo, Caffitaly, Dolce Gusto, Cremesso, Nespresso. Below is an overview of models from European manufacturers whose brands have taken a strong position in the coffee brewing industry.

What types of capsules are there?

On paper there are plenty of options, but in reality the choice of capsule type is very limited. I give an almost 100% guarantee that when choosing a model, you will come across only three types of coffee machines. Some work on Dolce Gusto capsules from Nescafe, others on Tassimo from Bosch and Nespresso from Nestle. The last option is the most common and universal, so it is more logical to take it. We'll come back to the reasons why Nespresso is a better option.

Capsules can be ordered or taken directly from specialty stores. A pack typically contains ten pieces, giving you the equivalent of ten cups of coffee. The price of normal packages starts at 350 rubles, but here there is a risk of running into a weak product at an inflated price.

Capsules sold commercially may have problems with both shelf life and taste. But almost all reputable roasters began producing their own product a long time ago - their capsules are not much more expensive than standard ones and always provide the best quality. And here we are again faced with the advantage of the Nespresso type. If you want to buy coffee for your car from good coffee shops, then you may have problems with Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. This does not mean that there are none at all, but there will always be more options for Nespresso.

Nespresso

This brand was among the first to appear on the domestic market; coffee makers were presented from the Swiss company Nescafe. In terms of reliability and functionality, they are deservedly considered to be among the best solutions. The devices are produced at the factories of manufacturers Krups and DeLonghi.

The operating principle of the Nespresso capsule coffee machine is the same as described above. But there are some differences due to the parameters of specific models. The line includes 20 options, differing in management functions, water tank sizes and additional positions. Among them there are miniature ones that do not take up much space and weigh a little more than two kilograms. Some are equipped with a cappuccino maker for pouring in fresh milk, sometimes with a regulator for the degree of whipping of the additive. There are devices equipped with cup heating and a system for controlling the volume of liquid.

Only 5 g of raw materials are placed in the capsule, but the drink turns out to be strong. The water flow occurs at the operating level of professional devices - 19 bar. Meanwhile, they are all economical, with minimal energy consumption.

Dolce Gusto

An affordable option from the Krups brand. The model range is represented by a wide range - there are both fully automated and semi-manual devices. All of them are distinguished by an original design, in which one style can be traced - rounded configurations with smooth line outlines. If you need a compact model, then you can choose from the initial group of devices; the top ones, as a rule, are multifunctional and large in size. How does the Dolce Gusto capsule coffee machine with its wide capabilities work? The device is able to regulate the volume of the drink and set its strength. If we talk about the pump pressure, it is relatively small - 15 bar. The machine works with capsule standards, the range of which includes up to 25 recipes, including chocolate drinks. One package contains 6 g of raw materials.

The disadvantages of the device include: problems associated with the assembly of the device and the relatively low pump pressure.

Compact version from Dolce Gusto for home use

We will talk about the Nescafe capsule coffee machine. This is an excellent option for those who do not have the opportunity to receive aesthetic pleasure from production experiments with coffee beans. All you need to do to get a drink is insert the flask with the contents and press the button. When the lever located at the top of the device is pulled down, the capsules are pierced. The packaging container is removed by pressing it in the opposite direction. On the back of the case there is a water tank and a lever that includes four positions - hot and cold water supply and time control. The Nescafe capsule coffee machine is very compact and easy to use. The set includes a collection basket for waste packaging. At the front of the case there are adjustable holders for the stand, located at different heights, which makes it possible to use cups of different sizes.

Many people choose this option as a trial option. It allows the user to decide how such technology will fit into their usual rhythm of life. A coffee machine can be a wonderful gift for loved ones.

DeLonghi

The main advantages of coffee machines are their reliable and high-quality assembly. This also includes strong fluid pressure. In terms of power, they are not inferior to units of the popular Nespresso brand and have the same value of this indicator - 19 bar. They also work with standard capsules from the same manufacturer. In general, the palette of drinks includes 26 types of tastes.

DeLonghi capsule-type coffee machines have an advantage, as do Krups units. Unlike other devices that can only accept their standard capsules, they can work with different types of packaging.

Peculiarities

When choosing a capsule-type coffee maker, several important points are taken into account. Each of them should be considered in detail.

Coffee machine price

The cost of a coffee maker largely depends on the brand, model and characteristics. For example, the following nuances affect the price:

• presence of a cappuccino maker;
• possibility of using milk;
• making latte.

If additional functions are not needed, it is recommended to choose a capsule coffee maker for brewing only Americano and espresso

Price of capsules

The price for capsules also varies. In addition, there are devices in which you need to use a couple of pieces at a time. Accordingly, their use will be more expensive.

In addition, certain models of coffee makers are compatible with capsules from different brands, while others use only one brand. This point needs to be clarified when purchasing in order to calculate the cost of a serving of espresso.

Possibility of repair and maintenance

Any equipment is not protected from breakdowns. This point is extremely important to consider when purchasing. Therefore, you should not give preference to rare, exclusive models. Finding parts for them will be problematic. It is better to choose a device from a well-known brand, which has representatives in many cities.

Variety of drinks

Espresso is prepared in all machines with capsules. If you want something special, you will have to take a more serious approach to choosing a device. You should find out whether the manufacturer has the required flavors and inquire about the compatibility of the unit with different containers.

Characteristics

It is extremely important to take into account the technical specifications. To brew quality coffee, you need high pump pressure. This indicator varies between 9-19 bar.

You should learn about the cleaning features of the device. Nobody wants to disassemble the device and wash it after each use. It is better to give preference to devices with automatic cleaning . A function for rejecting empty capsules would also be useful.

TASSIMO

This is an automated unit from the manufacturer Bosch, which is quite different from the rest. Raw materials from this company are packaged in flat disc-shaped containers. For them, a small pressure force is enough, so its value is significantly underestimated (3.3 bar), the drink comes out very weak. Multifunctional models differ from ordinary ones in their tank parameters and beautiful design. In their work, they only accept original packaging, with contents weighing 9 g. Recipes include tea and cocoa. Each foil disc has a barcode that is read by a scanner in order to select a specific amount of water and temperature setting.