Manual Coffee Machines

Manual Coffee Machines give total control over every step of the coffee making process. They require practice and knowledge on coffee brewing techniques like dosing, tamping and even grinding unless you opt for pre-ground coffee, but remain a popular choice for coffee enthusiasts who appreciate the artistry and precision of coffee preparation to create cafe quality coffee at home.

Manual Machines generally come with a group head for espresso shots and often a Milk Frother arm or wand, which could also take the form of a jug. Coffee Grinders may also be included, but keep in mind grinders with burrs perform much better than bladed grinders.

Aesthetically Manual Coffee Machines can look quite stunning on a Kitchen's bench. They can come in a variety of eye catching retro styles and colours to match the décor such as Smeg's range, or in a more industrial style for example DeLonghi's Coffee Machines. Size varies with complexity however Manuals are generally smaller and cheaper than Automatic Machines, and larger plus more expensive than Capsule Machines.

Manual Coffee Machines make wonderful coffee if you know or are willing to learn how. For those who want a variety of café quality beverages at home without any guesswork or hassle, an Automatic Coffee Machine maybe a better fit.

Automatic Coffee Machines use fresh grounds to prepare an espresso shot at a preferred strength and volume, with some also automatically frothing milk too. They're generally more expensive and depending on the model can take up more bench space than other Coffee Machines.

Pod or Capsule Coffee Machines are an easy to use automatic option for a daily coffee fix with Nespresso Coffee Machines being amongst the most popular. These can range from budget models without a milk frother to higher end models with an integrated milk frothing wand. Buying Coffee Pods or Capsules instead of coffee beans and grounds will end up being a little more expensive but still much cheaper than from cafés.

For the best of both worlds Semi-Automatic Coffee Machines such as some Breville Coffee Machines have the same precision control as a Manual Machine, but will automatically cut off the flow of coffee after a preset amount is poured.

There are a wide variety of factors that influence the overall taste of coffee. While individual tastes vary amongst coffee drinkers, there are a number of things to consider so brewed coffee always tastes the way you like it.

Grinding coffee beans fresh everytime produces the best flavours with a Manual or Automatic Coffee Machine. Coffee beans start losing their flavour a few weeks after roasting as they degas and oxidise so fresh is definitely best. Look at roast dates instead of expiration dates and make sure beans are stored properly in a suitable vacuum container or coffee canister.

The type of coffee bought also plays a part. Arabica coffee beans generally have a smoother, sweeter taste whilst robusta beans will have stronger, more bitter tastes. Roasting times, reigons and many more factors come into play here, so grab a bag from a great café and play around. Remember grind size is very important for coffee extraction, as under extracted coffee from potentially too thick grinds will produce weak or sour flavours, and over extracted coffee is more bitter. Matching the right size coffee grounds to the brewing method is key with a fine grind best for espresso.

It all starts with the coffee however the right Coffee Machine makes all the difference to the coffee experience.

Coffee Machines come with a wide variety of features to suit every type of coffee drinker. If you’re wanting to be your own barista at home, then be sure to use freshly ground coffee from the best coffee beans through a Manual or Automatic Coffee Machine. Most should allow selecting a preferred coffee grind, but not all come with a built-in grinder and milk frother.

Keep an eye out for are machines that allow setting a preferred coffee strength to accommodate any taste and find the sweet spot. Clear, simple controls and displays are also great.

Some of the best Manual Coffee Machines have two boilers for brewing coffee and steaming milk simultaneously, like selected La Pavoni or Sunbeam Coffee Machines giving full control over the brewing temperature, as steaming will not cause the temperature to drop. Also consider the heat up time of the machine, this can range from a few seconds up to a few minutes.