Coffee Machines

The main types of Coffee Machines are Automatic, Manual, Drip Filter and Pod or Capsule Coffee Machines.

Automatic Coffee Machines are a great choice for quick and hassle free coffee every day. They do everything: grinding dosing and tamping the beans, frothing the milk and being able to produce all kinds of different beverages at the touch of a button or on the screen. Some models have the grinder visible while for others it is concealed. There are also Semi-Automatic Coffee Machines which give some manual control.

Capsule Coffee Machines are also automatic and simple to use, just needing the coffee pod or capsule dropped in the slot with the machine piercing it to run hot water through and produce a shot of coffee. These Pod Coffee Machines are small and lightweight to easily place in smaller spaces inside the Kitchen or a caravan.

Drip Filtered Coffee Machines produce larger volumes of coffee by filtering hot water through coffee grounds and filter paper. Manual Coffee Machines require a bit more knowledge and practice but will allow complete control over the coffee using fresh beans, but keep in mind some models require a grinder which are sold separately.

Coffee Machines are great for making espressos, flat whites, lattes, cappuccinos and more. If you feel like something cool and refreshing on a hot day, add some ice cubes to your drink for an iced coffee or blend with ice and maybe a little ice cream for a delicious frappuccino. Serve an espresso shot over a scoop of ice cream for a decadent affogato. Many Coffee Machines also help prepare deliciously frothy hot chocolates, just needing a shot of espresso added for a mocha with a caffeine kick.

Keep in mind that for milky coffee favourites that not all models come with a Milk Frother and not all come with a Coffee Grinder, these can be bought separately. For Manual or Automatic Coffee Machines it’s also worth considering the grind size of the coffee being brewed. How fine or course the grind needs to be depends on the type of coffee desired and the brewing method the machine uses.

Most Coffee Machines produce espresso which benefits from a fine grind with a quick brew time. Filtered Coffee Machines use a slower extraction process and benefit from a more course medium grind of ground coffee.

The easiest and most efficient way to ensure a Coffee Machine always runs efficiently is regular cleaning. Coffee Machine Cleaning after every use will also save on more intensive cleaning later on and keep the machine running for longer.

If the machine has one, wipe down and purge the steam wand (some do this automatically) after each use to prevent dry milk from cooking on to the surface, leading to blockages and bacteria growth. Wipe down with a clean cloth, and ff an Automatic Coffee Machine comes with a milk container clean it after each use following the recommendations in the user manual.

Aim to descale a Coffee Machine at least once per month using descaling solution. This helps kill germs, along with preventing mineral deposits and mould building up inside the machine. Remove scale build up so that coffee always tastes as it should. By following the cleaning and descaling instructions for the specific machine using the user manual, you can ensure the longevity of the machine.

The best machine for you depends on the coffee experience you’re after. For barista quality coffee, make sure to use only freshly ground coffee from the best coffee beans with either a Manual or Automatic Coffee Machine for velvety coffee and milk, and even a bit of latte art for the creatives. Capsule Coffee Machines are a great alternative for a quick caffeine fix without the fuss, just pop in a capsule and go. Models like Nespresso's Coffee Machines are popular for compact designs and quickness in pumping out a full bodied espresso.

Manual machines with dual boilers like selected La Pavoni or Breville Coffee Machines brew coffee and steam milk simultaneously, saving prep time for each. Consider the heat up time for any machine, Pod Coffee Machines are generally the fastest here.

Double spouted options such as Smeg's Coffee Machines allow brewing of two cups of espresso at once. If you're considering a Capsule Coffee Machine, make sure the Coffee Pods and Capsules planned to be used are compatible. Buying capsules is a little more expensive in the long run than Coffee Beans or Ground Coffee and can be more wasteful depending on whether they're recycleable.