The 4 Different Types of Coffee Machines and Choosing the Right One!

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By Luciana Oliveira

When it comes to coffee, there’s more than one way you can enjoy it. Instant coffee is more than enough to get them going for some people. For those people that love having a freshly brewed cup, there are also several different ways to go about getting that brew. Sometimes, people are okay with brewing from a coffee pot. However, there are also those who want to take it to the next level.

Some love being a little more meticulous about how they make their coffee. However, considering there are several ways you can go about brewing your coffee, finding the method that best suits your tastes is one of the ideal ways you can enjoy your brews. One of the more popular methods would be making a brew using a coffee machine.

Now, just like how coffee can be enjoyed in several different ways, coffee machines also come in different varieties. What’s more, each type of coffee machine has its unique perks and features. So, if you’re someone looking to expand on your coffee drinking or explore the different ways to brew, finding a good coffee machine could do a lot to help you along the way.

Looking to explore your options? Click here for best commercial espresso machine. However, if you want to learn more about the different kinds, keep reading on and find out for yourself!

Aren’t They All The Same?

While these machines carry out the same purpose of brewing coffee, they do these in different ways. One type of machine may produce a brew that is different from what another type can brew. While the resulting brew does also depend on what you can do, the machine’s capabilities also play a part. So, your choice of machine will depend on what you want from your cup of coffee.

  • Manual Machines

These machines rely entirely on you to be able to make the espresso shot. Using a lever and spring piston, you have to pull the lever to allow the water to go through the coffee puck. This will then result in your espresso shot.

While this seems pretty simple, it’s a process that requires a lot of skill to master. This is because the resulting espresso shot will differ depending on how much pressure you apply, among other things.

However, if you’re experienced in making coffee, this makes things all the more special. This is because each shot you produce will always be different, making your cup seem more like a handcrafted drink.

If you prefer manual machines, the Kinu M47 Classic coffee grinder is equipped with Black Fusion treated and hardened conical burrs of 47mm and a shaft with 4 ball bearings. It is a high-quality and sturdy coffee grinder, allowing you to achieve very uniform grinding results for all preparation methods with little effort.

  • Semi-automatic Machines

With a semi-automatic machine, end up exerting less manual labor to produce a cup of coffee. There’s no more need to pull a lever to extract your espresso shot. Instead, all you have to do is push a button.

By pushing a button, you at least allow some form of consistency with your shot. In this case, the consistency will come from the amount of pressure applied in the extraction process.

Despite this, there are still ways to produce a different cup of coffee each time. For example, how long you choose to extract your coffee can still result in a different espresso shot. However, it’s still a lot less tedious and more consistent than a manual machine. What’s more, it won’t require as much training to operate.

  • Automatic Machines

As the name implies, automatic coffee machines take things further and automate the whole coffee extraction process. By doing so, you allow yourself to brew consistently consistent cups of coffee.

Also called a volumetric coffee machine, these machines essentially measure out everything you need to extract that cup of coffee. From the amount of water to the pressure used in the extraction process, almost all steps are taken to help you produce a consistent cup. Then, all that’s left for you to do is grind your coffee and prep it for extraction.

With this machine, it’s a lot easier to learn how to brew a cup of coffee consistently. As such, it’s easy to train beginner baristas with this type of machine.

  • Super Automatic Machines

These machines take things a step further. While automatic machines require you to prep your coffee before you hook it up for extraction, super automatic machines carry out all the steps for you. This means it’ll grind the beans for you, prepare them for extraction, and extract it for you.

These types of machines are also called bean-to-cup machines. With these machines, you’re assured of making a consistent cup of coffee all the time. This allows you also to free your hands to do other tasks. All you need to do is wait for the cup of coffee to brew, and then you’re good to go!

So, Which One’s For Me?

With all that in mind, now comes the critical part. Among the different types of coffee machines, which one is the one that’s right for you? Well, that depends entirely on two things. First, what will you need it for? Second, what are your coffee-making capabilities?

  1. What You Need It For

Of course, you might think the answer to this question would be to make coffee. However, you also have to consider what you’ll be using the machine for. Will this be for personal cups of coffee at home? Is this for your office? Are you planning on putting up a coffee business?

The machine you get will depend entirely on what you’ll be using the machine for. If it’s at home, you could get yourself a small machine. If it’s for the office, you might want to consider getting a machine that isn’t so tedious to operate. However, if you’re planning on putting up a coffee shop, you might need a larger and more heavy-duty machine.

  1. What You’re Capable Of

Aside from figuring out what you’ll need the machine for, your capabilities in terms of making coffee will also play a significant part in your choice. For example, if you’re a seasoned barista, getting a manual machine will definitely be an option because you at least know how to use it. However, if you’re a beginner barista or just want a fresh brew without much effort, an automatic or bean-to-cup machine might be appropriate.

(Coffee) Takeaways

There is no one way to make a cup of coffee, and coffee machines alone are proof of it. Depending on the type of machine, you can produce an entirely different brew that differs from what other machines can make.

However, there’s also no one way to enjoy coffee. So, how you want your brew and make it is entirely up to you. As such, picking the suitable machine for you still depends on things like what you need it for and how much you know about making your coffee. But, with all the varieties out there, finding that perfect machine for you is all but impossible. But, you only need to know what you want and, soon enough, you’ll be making that perfect cup in no time!

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Luciana joined our team as a mum blogger in 2020. A dedicated mum to a lively daughter and a dog, Luna, Luciana brings authenticity and passion to every post. Her expertise in parenting and lifestyle topics offers practical, relatable advice for real-life situations.

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