Coffee Machine Buyer’s Guide – What to Look for With Your Next Purchase
A coffee machine is a staple in most kitchens today, but when you start to compare the options on the market, you might find it to be a little confusing. With prices varying so dramatically, it can be hard to know whether you want to invest in a state-of-the-art coffee machine or something a little simpler. Today we’re going to talk you through the various options on offer to help you choose your next coffee machine.
What Type of Coffee Machine Do You Want to Buy?
When it comes to choosing your coffee machine, you’ll want to think about what type of coffee machine you are looking for. Whether you enjoy lattes, flat whites, or cappuccinos, you may want to select a capsule or pod coffee machine that makes brewing your favorite cup of coffee much quicker and easier than you’d ever believe possible. These machines use pre-prepared pods, which make a mess-free cup of coffee. However, one of the biggest drawbacks of these machines is that you are usually limited to these types of pods or capsules. They can often be very costly and hard to recycle, meaning that you’ll want to keep these costs in mind when purchasing a machine.
Bean-to-cup coffee machines grind beans from scratch into the drink, making the freshest cup of coffee you could possibly enjoy. Ground coffee machines are very similar to those that you would see in a coffee shop, however, these involve a lot more effort from your side when it comes to making a cup of coffee. You’ll likely have to get very involved in the process, which might not be ideal if you are trying to make a quick cup of coffee on the go. Finally, filter coffee machines make black coffee by dripping water through the ground coffee, which then travels into a jug. As you can see, there are so many options, which is why many people find themselves so overwhelmed making this decision. However, once you’ve selected the type of machine you are looking to buy, you’ll then be able to compare your options properly.
Milk Frothing Options
When it comes to buying a coffee machine, you’ll find that modern machines offer a range of great features. If you enjoy a lovely milky cup of coffee, such as a cappuccino, look for a machine with a milk frothing feature. These can include machines that have this as part of the drink-making process or one where you froth the milk and then add it to your coffee. A steam wand is a traditional option, but you’ll also find automatic frothing. Some machines allow you to purchase milk-frothing accessories, where you add this to your current machine. Finally, you could just opt to add milk pods, which are good to use with some machines that sell these pods separately.
Maintaining Your Coffee Machine
One of the most commonly asked questions about buying a coffee machine for the first time is the time and effort that will be required to maintain the machine. It’s important to regularly clean and descale your machine to ensure it lasts for many years to come. Some machines come with automatic cleaning programs, which can make it much less hassle for you if you hate cleaning the kitchen. If you do need to clean the machine manually, ensure you find an option that is dishwasher safe to make the process easier. Check out the warranty before purchasing any new machine, as you’ll want to ensure you are protected for a couple of years when making such an expensive purchase.
The Capacity of the Coffee Machine
If you are preparing coffee for multiple people at one time, you might be more concerned about the capacity than if you are just making one cup of coffee. Most larger coffee machines will have a tank of about 1.5 liters, so you won’t have to worry about refilling it all of the time. Other machines focus on making one high-quality cup of coffee at a time, so they will take a little longer to use if you are serving your whole family coffee.
Smart Controls
We don’t all have the time and energy to spend hours making a cup of coffee each morning for our whole family. If you enjoy using technology in the kitchen, look for a coffee machine with smart controls. These machines allow you to connect your coffee machine to your smartphone with an app, which allows you to then control your machine from anywhere in the home. It’s perfect for anyone who enjoys lying in bed for as long as possible, as you can start your coffee machine from anywhere in your home. As well as that, you’ll find they have maintenance options you can select through the app.
As you can see, there’s so much to consider when choosing a coffee machine. If coffee is an essential part of your morning routine, a coffee machine can save you a fortune in the long run instead of buying your daily Starbucks cup of coffee. By choosing between the various options on offer and finding a model that fits your kitchen and your budget, you’ll find this to be one of the best additions you’ve made to your kitchen in a long time.