True coffee lovers can say with confidence that this drink is best prepared in a coffee maker. Products in jars or sticks are significantly behind in taste, for which there are many reasons: long shelf life, low quality of ground grains, etc.
Let's figure out how to choose a coffee maker for domestic use. Believe me, with the right approach, it is very simple to do this, but you need to know something and understand the basic characteristics. The manufacturer also plays an important role.
What kind of coffee maker is she for the house?
It is worth paying your attention to the fact that professional machines exist. So, a coffee maker, unlike a coffee machine, is much cheaper, and also often smaller and simpler. This is primarily due to the fact that the device is not intended for preparing a large number of servings of the drink. If you have a small family of 2-4 people, then coffee makers of the middle price range will be more than enough.
But this knowledge is hardly enough for an informed choice. There are a large number of important characteristics that play a decisive role. But before proceeding directly to their consideration, I would like to say about the main types of coffee makers. In fact, there are quite a lot of them, but for home use, only a few varieties are most often used.
Which coffee maker to buy: drip or carob?
Despite the fact that the devices perform the same function, the principle of their operation is somewhat different. Drip machines operate according to the filtration principle. It consists in the fact that coffee is poured onto a special fine mesh, which is located under a container of water. When the water is heated, it drops onto the net and the resulting drink flows into a special flask.
One serving takes 1-2 minutes. The main advantages of this type of machine are the simplicity of operation and maintenance, as well as the low price. Of the shortcomings, it is worth noting that it turns out not as aromatic coffee as in carob coffee makers. By the way, the latter are based on the pressing method, which allows you to get a really good drink.
The bottom line here is that the water is always brought to a boil and a high pressure of 4 to 15 bar is used. At the exit, you will get a fragrant and fragrant drink that will give a boost of energy for the whole day. Now let's go ahead and look at the main technical specifications that will help you understand how to choose a coffee maker for the home.
Device power
When buying a microwave or electric kettle, they prefer more productive models. A coffee maker is an exception. The less power, the better and tastier the drink will be. This is due to the fact that water passes through coffee longer, during which time the liquid completely absorbs all the aroma of ground beans.
For domestic use, 800 watts is enough, you can even a little less. But buying units of 1 kW or more for the home is undesirable. This is a good solution for a small office where you need to cook constantly and a lot.
In this case, the performance of the machine will be slightly more. Although, again, if you do not like strong coffee that has a bitter note, then buy a powerful coffee machine - and you will definitely be satisfied. No need to buy devices with values such as 200-400 watts. The drink will be prepared unreasonably long, and you are unlikely to like it. How to choose a coffee maker for the house, based on power? Give preference to models at 600-900 watts.
About filters for coffee makers
There are currently three types of filters. By the way, they are not needed for carob coffee makers, this is a mandatory attribute for drip devices, which, as noted above, work by the filtration method. So, there are disposable, nylon and gold filters. The former are the least preferred. This is due to the fact that they need to be changed after each cup of coffee.
Firstly, this is an extra time, and secondly, money. You will need to always have in stock dozens of disposable filters: what if guests come. Gold is the most durable, but also the most expensive. They are, of course, not made of precious metal, although it is possible there is some kind of spraying there. A nylon filter is what you need. It is durable and at the same time affordable. If you buy it, you will save a lot, since gold, although more expensive, serves the same amount.
How to choose a good coffee maker for additional functions?
Not only professional units should be equipped with a number of auxiliary functions. For example, the “heating” mode will allow you to save the set temperature of the drink for a certain time. This is especially true for busy people who sometimes forget that their coffee is ready. The built-in coffee grinder will also help a lot, it can be equipped with a horn coffee maker. “Which one to choose?” You ask.
If financial opportunities allow, then definitely with a coffee grinder, this will allow you to grind grains for espresso. It is desirable to have a water indicator level. This supplement is necessary for the optimal ratio of coffee to liquid. Timer - the function is not obligatory at all, however its presence will allow you to make a drink, for example, for breakfast or just for dinner. Do not forget that all add-ons lead to an increase in the cost of the device, so all that you do not need, sift out.
How to choose a geyser coffee maker?
It is easy to conclude that devices of this type operate on the principle of a geyser. Here the water does not pass from top to bottom, but vice versa. Water is poured into the lower container, and ground or pressed coffee is poured into the filter, which is slightly higher. In a few minutes, the drink will be ready. Boiling should be carried out up to almost 100% evaporation of the liquid in the lower tank.
When choosing such a unit, it is recommended to pay attention to the quality of the handle. It must be heat-resistant, as the case heats up to a decent temperature. Another important, although not mandatory, point is that the top flask of the device must be transparent. This is solely in order to track the cooking process. Pay attention to what filter is used, we have already examined their varieties. By the way, it cannot be filled completely, 60-70% of the total usable volume is enough. Coffee tastes slightly better than drip coffee makers.
The ideal coffee machine for everyday life
Based on the foregoing, I would like to summarize a little in how to choose a coffee machine for home. It is safe to say that drip-type devices are in last place. Their only indisputable advantage is their low cost. The best solution is to buy a carob.
If you decide to do so, then pay attention to the case. It is preferred that it is metal rather than plastic. If the device brews coffee in a small container, for example for 10 servings, then it should be made of tempered glass. Such additional functions as “heating” and “timer” will be extremely useful. But the question of whether there will be a built-in coffee grinder or not is up to you. And now let's go ahead and talk about the best manufacturers.
Which brand to choose?
We have already talked with you about how to choose an espresso coffee maker, and now I would like to talk a little about the best manufacturers. There are currently several obvious leaders on the market. In the first place is the German company Bosch.The products of this brand have practically no negative reviews and are famous for their excellent reliability and high quality. Although immediately get ready for the big costs, because German quality and accuracy can not be cheap.
Another popular manufacturer is Saeco. Coffee makers from this company are considered one of the best in the world. In addition to the fact that these devices practically do not break, they have an attractive design. It is impossible not to mention the Delonghi units. This is one of the best price / quality combinations. Of course, these are by no means all manufacturers who deserve your attention, for example, Philips or Roventa are also very good, and you should not pass by them. So which company coffee machine to choose? Let's do a few brief reviews of the most popular models - and everything will become clear.
Review BOSCH TKA-8673
This drip coffee maker from the Bosch company is considered one of the best in its price range. The cost of such a device is approximately 5-5.5 thousand rubles. For this money, you will receive a unit with a capacity of 1160 watts. The water tank is 1 liter and the type of coffee used is ground. The body of the product is made mostly of steel and is presented on the market in black.
There is a display on which all the necessary information is visible, by the way, the type of control is electronic, which is extremely convenient. Thermos is designed for 10-12 cups of coffee, which is quite enough for a family of 4-5 people. On the network you can find many admired reviews, which indicates the high quality of the product. Here you can find a lot of useful functions: a timer with memorization, "drop-stop", support for a given temperature and much more. If you do not know how to choose a capsule coffee maker, then pay attention to the BOSCH TKA-8673, because this is an exemplary device.
Overview of PHILIPS HD7459 / 20
But this device can be safely attributed to inexpensive, but one of the most bought for use in everyday life. For only 2000 rubles you will get a drip coffee maker, which will make you a great drink. Despite the low cost, the number of additional features is simply amazing. There is a timer, a drop-stop system and even a water level indicator.
A notification in the form of a sound signal will tell you that it is time to replenish the tank. By the way, there you can pour 1.2 liters of liquid. Due to the fact that the coffee machine has many removable parts, you can easily disassemble and wash it. But it is impossible not to mention the shortcomings. One of them is expressed in the fact that you yourself have to buy filters. In principle, a normal solution for a small undemanding family of 2-4 people.
Coffee maker DELONGHI ESAM 3000
But this unit can be safely attributed to the expensive. This is an express coffee machine that will allow you to prepare a fresh aromatic and rich drink. The price of this product is rather big, about 20,000 rubles, but in return you will get not just a coffee machine, but something special. There are a huge number of functions, you can use both ground and grain coffee. The power of the device is 1450 watts, so the preparation of the drink does not take more than a minute. But there are also disadvantages. Firstly, this is a high cost, and secondly, the lack of a coffee grinder. You can buy it for an extra 3000 rubles, but it's hard to say why the manufacturer did not take care of it.
A few important points
Consumers do not recommend giving preference to devices of Chinese or unknown manufacture. Although such aggregates do not always break quickly and sometimes serve for 5 or more years. The point is, rather, in the quality of the drink. In cheap models, an aluminum tank is often used, which, in fact, is a complaint. After preparation, the drink has an unpleasant odor of the metal. If you buy a coffee maker, then do not overdo it, it is unlikely that you will need a model with a two-liter tank for 20-25 cups of coffee. Such a unit will cost quite expensive, and will not be used at full capacity. In any case, you need to make the right, thoughtful choice.
Conclusion
So we talked about how to choose the right coffee maker. But it is worth paying your attention to the fact that it is not always necessary to be guided only by the above rules. In some cases, it makes sense to listen to the views of your family members, they will tell you which coffee machine to choose. If you drink only a soluble drink, this does not mean at all that everyone else does.
As practice shows, many prefer lighter drinks, for example, latte, cappuccino, etc. In principle, this is all that can be said on this topic. Do not forget that you should always pay attention to the manufacturer. Buying products from Bosch or Saeko, regardless of cost, you are unlikely to encounter poor quality and marriage, which cannot be said of lesser-known manufacturers.
