Do you love coffee? Imagine the thrill of brewing your own perfect coffee right in the comfort of your own home. Well its possible – by following these simple tips when searching for your coffee machine. I will help you choose not only the best machine for your needs but also one you will be happy with for many years to come.

1. What type of Coffee do you like to drink?

The first step is to identify your favourite coffee – shouldn’t be too hard? Why? Because you need your new coffee machine to make this type of coffee well enough so you will enjoy it each and every day. Try to see the coffee machine actually working – ask for a demo. The end result of making a coffee is a rich golden crema – the basis of all coffee recipes – you should see this. It looks like rich dripping honey as the coffee extracts from the group head.

2. Machine Pressure

You need adequate pressure to extract the coffee from the beans you would like to use. This helps produce the rich golden cream you so desperately need. Quality machines have at least 15 bars of pressure – don’t even look at any machine with less than this as you won’t be happy with the quality of the final product. Your machine should be able to to extract enough flavour for true espresso. This is a big selling point with machines and will be easy to find in the list of benefits for each type.

3. Do I need an Automatic or Manual Machine?

This ultimately comes down to how much control over the coffee making process you require. Some manual machines at the cheaper end are excellent, however you will have more “work” to do when brewing. Fully automatic machines cost much more but do everything for you and still make a fantastic coffee – at a price. Perhaps a semi-automatic machine is the way to go as you can control such elements as “milk frothing” and the “coffee grind” while still have the machine control extraction time and temperature. Price will have a lot of influence on your decision as there is a wide range of prices between Fully manual to Fully automatic – work out how much you want to spend and check out what is available in that price range and go from there.

4. Hot Water is vital.

When making several coffees, cheaper machines will give up – water needs to be heated and while using the steam wand and group head you deplete the water boiler and then have to refill – can be painful (not literally) and annoying. Dual boilers are fantastic but can be expensive or look for a machine with “thermoblock” technology which reheats the water quickly and more efficiently.

5. The Best Grinder you can afford.

You can buy pre-ground coffee beans which are vacuum sealed – ok but not great – air makes the coffee go stale fairly quickly. Ideally you should buy a grinder – cost between $100 to $300. Some coffee machines have built in grinders which are great – however make sure you can adjust the grind therefore affecting or perfecting your extraction times and crema. The coffee grind is an extremely important step and only buy a coffee machine with a built in grinder if you know you can control this element of your coffee making.

6. Cleaning and Maintenance.

Coffee Machines must to be cleaned and maintained. Some machines offer automatic cleaning and descaling which makes life easy. Group heads and frothing wands become clogged with coffee grounds and stale milk thus affecting rubber seals and wand pressure. Consider purchasing coffee cleaning powder or your machines suggested cleaner at time of purchase to keep your machine in tip top condition.

Considering the number of home coffee machine brands that are available on the market the suggestions and tips provided in this article with help you start your search for the ideal machine for your home or office.

The purpose of this article is to discuss the differences between the traditional espresso machine and the fully automatic bean to cup coffee machine. Both types of coffee machine have their advantages and disadvantages and by giving these factors due consideration it should help you decide which type is best for your business.

There are other types of coffee machine available too, such as the filter coffee machine, pod machine or instant coffee machine, but these are not considered in this article as they cannot produce ‘proper’ speciality coffee drinks such as latte, espresso, ristretto etc.

The basis of all luxury speciality coffee drinks is the espresso which both our systems produce. This is made by passing hot water under pressure through a wad of ground coffee, to produce a short, strong and concentrated coffee liquor. When the espresso shot is blended with foamed or steamed milk then most popular types of specialty coffee drinks such as cappuccino, latte, macchiato can be made.

Both the traditional espresso machine and the bean to cup machine are able to produce espresso shots and foamed milk.

Firstly we will consider overall drink quality. Here the traditional espresso machine comes out on top. This is assuming that the operator (barista) is well trained and both types of equipment are clean and well-maintained.

An espresso based drink produced on a traditional espresso machine and prepared by a top barista is the best you can get! Coffee beverages made from a bean to cup machine are very good, but don’t quite make it to the standard set by a traditional system.

Secondly when considering the consistency of the final beverage the bean to cup machine would usually win. The quality of drink from a traditional espresso machine depends on the barista and his frame of mind at the time and so can vary greatly. Bean to cup machines however produce the same drink at the push of a button and are not dependent on the operator.

Thirdly, ease of use. Here again the fully automatic bean to cup machine comes out on top as most drinks are prepared by the push of a button. To prepare and serve a quality beverage from a traditional espresso machine is a skilled art and takes considerable practise to master.

Fourthly to consider is ‘theatre’ or ambience of the drink preparation. Whilst a bean to cup machine is purely a functional device to produce a quality beverage, the traditional espresso machine adds that special magic to the whole coffee experience. Customers can enjoy the overall coffee experience as they watch the skilled barista at work.

Honours are even then on the main four criteria, so the choice is yours. Decide which are the most important factors in your particular case before contacting your local coffee machine supplier.

Enjoy.

a) Traditional Espresso Machines

These machines incorporate the art and theatricality of coffee making, and therefore good barista training is essential to ensure a detailed knowledge of great coffee production. A barista is an expert at making espresso and a master of a variety of espresso based beverages. Once these skills have been mastered, a good barista can produce hundreds of drinks per day.

Prices can vary from around £800 to £6000, but remember, you get what you pay for, so make sure that the machine you choose is new and fully warranted, including full barista training and a good support service. The great thing about traditional machines is that there are no major moving parts so less to go wrong.

b) Bean to Cup Machines

A bean to cup machine does exactly what it says! The fresh coffee beans are placed inside the machine and on the press of a button the machine automatically grinds the beans and pours both coffee and milk into your cup. The machine automatically heats and froths the milk to produce the perfect latte/cappuccino etc. The milk is usually kept in a fridge or milk chiller next to the machine; a pipe from the machine connects into the fridge and when the drink selection button is pressed the machine draws the milk from the fridge and sucks it into the machine steams, heats it and drops it into the cup.

These various coffee machines are designed to produce anything from 50 cups per day to over 500 per day. The cost of these can vary from under £1000 to well over £10000, so it is important you make the correct choice.

c) Pod System

Similar to traditional, but you would usually only have 1 or 2 group versions and you wouldn’t need a grinder because you would use what are called pods. The advantages are that they are easy to use, producing good quality drink and nice aromas. The time taken to make the coffee is approximately the same as a traditional machine. The disadvantages are that they are more expensive per cup due to packaging cost. Typically a good quality pod will cost 20p per cup to produce. These machines will suit any small site and tend to be cheaper than the other machines, costing around £395 upwards.

d) Filter System and Bulk Brew System

These systems are for simply using filter coffee. A 2 jug filter makes great coffee for about 5 to 7 minutes, however if it’s left to stew for a while, as filter coffee usually is, the quality quickly deteriorates due to constant warming. Typically there can be waste, and so while the cup price is around 10p per cup, with waste, this could work out to be nearer 20p per cup. It can be used if there is a high demand for coffee over a short space of time such as serving 120 wedding guests after the dinner. A filter machine is always a back up to a traditional or bean to cup machine for use at very busy times or in case of a machine breakdown.

Bulk brew systems are large scale filter systems used in locations such as banqueting facilities, hotels and sporting events. There are hundreds of different coffee machine systems available depending on how many litres of coffee need to be served and in what time scale.

If you’d like your day to begin in the style of the Europeans, you should learn how to make cappuccino. The first cappuccino was made in Italy, and tourists in Italy frequently make the mistake of ordering cappuccino in the afternoon. It’s tradition for the locals to enjoy this favorite espresso drink only in the morning.

A Trick for How to Make Cappuccino

Making a great cup of cappuccino is both an art and a science. There are three key elements involved: espresso coffee, milk that has been steamed, and the foam which results from this steaming. These elements must be combined perfectly in just the right proportion and at the correct temperature to ensure a successful cappuccino. There was a time when only a skilled cook would master the steps to making cappuccino, but the widespread availability of cappuccino machines has brought the art of how to make cappuccino to the public.

The Easy Way How to Make Cappuccino

You can use a cappuccino machine to brew the espresso, the most basic ingredient in a cappuccino. The cappuccino machine will then steam the milk and combine it with the coffee. Some machines also will grind coffee beans, guaranteeing the freshest espresso possible. Yet, none of these steps are the really difficult part of making cappuccino. Steaming the milk so that it is very light and foamy is the most difficult step. When you are learning how to make cappuccino, an automatic machine may be the best option.

What Brands to Consider When Learning How to Make Cappuccino

Bunn is one of the most popular cappuccino machines available. Their machines are available in commercial models and are rated highly. This brand of cappuccino maker uses all of the correct temperatures and procedures to make a great cup of cappuccino. A top-of-the-line commercial Bunn model can set you back over $1000.

There are other brands available for more affordable machines to use at home. For example, Nespresso machines cost less than $500. They have the ability to steam milk for cappuccino and latte drinks. A quick search on the Internet will give you even more affordable options. In general, you’ll pay more for a cappuccino maker than a regular coffee or espresso machine due to the extra functionality.

Most home cappuccino machines will brew one or two cups of cappuccino at a time, as opposed to a commercial machine which may have up to 5 spouts for brewing and dispensing several cups at a time.

What’s the Best Recipe for How to Make Cappuccino?

Many coffee lovers who love cappuccino are very particular about the flavor. Since espresso is involved, a cup of cappuccino that is delicious to one person may seem too strong or bitter to another person. As you learn how to make cappuccino, experiment along the way to find the type of coffee beans and proportions which you enjoy the most.

In times gone by, everyone made their coffee the same old way. Put the percolator on the stove and wait for it to start to bubble up through the basket of coffee grind.

We all got used to sitting around and watching for the coffee to bubble up and be ready to drink. Now we know that boiling coffee like that is not the best way to brew coffee, but it was all we had then.

Then came the seventies and everything changed, in the coffee world and many others as well. The drip method became the most popular way to brew coffee because it was fast, easy and good. Just put the coffee grounds in a bucket, drip the water over it into a glass pot and you had a great cup of coffee.

Now we have coffee makers with pods that hold the coffee in self contained packets that make it easier and neater, the materials in coffee pots and carafes have changed, we can adjust the brew, and new kinds of spouts that spread the water more evenly, and temperature controls that maintain a perfect 200 degrees F (93C).

Then came the 90’s, when the combination of the influence of European culture and American ingenuity led to inexpensive, easy to use espresso machines that produced the same great results. In an espresso machine, hot water is forced through a special blend to produce a unique coffee full of aroma and flavor.

If you add steamed milk to this concoction, you now have cappuccino, or latte. Latte has more milk than coffee. All of these improvements have been a boon to those who love to experiment with coffee.

It sounds awful, but it makes great coffee. The French plunger is becoming popular among those who like European style coffees. A rod, with a handle on one end and a filter on the other goes through a cylinder. The coffee grounds are placed in the container and boiling water poured in; the grounds seep in until the plunger is pressed and yields a dark strong coffee brew.

Another innovation is the vacuum brewer. There are two bowls on top of one another. Heat will force the water up through the top bowl and when the heat is removed, it flows back down into the lower bowl. It creates a nice fresh coffee, and you can serve it directly from the lower bowl.

In actuality, these methods we now consider new hark back to the first days of coffee making. Ibrik, from Turkey, is the first form of coffee making. Heated water is added to ground coffee through a handle with a grooved tongue. Since it is simply water mixed Wit coffee, it es very strong, but the Turks love it.
You can make a great cup of coffee with any of these methods, so try them all and find out which one suits your taste the best.

Domestic coffee use has evolved from packets of instant coffee in the kitchen cupboard, to stylish and sophisticated pod and capsule machines. As a result, our expectations of good coffee have been raised, and as a business it is our duty to produce high quality drinks for customers which meet these expectations. So which way do we turn?

Traditional Espresso Machines

Available in various shapes and sizes i.e. 1, 2, 3 and 4 group machines (a group is where water is dispensed from, which passes through the coffee that sits in the group handle. A group handle can be a single or double group, which enables you to dispense either one or two shots of coffee dependent on the amount of coffee place into the handle i.e. usually around 7 or 14 grams) and semi and fully automatic (semi-automatic is where you control the dose of coffee and turn it off when you have enough, fully automatic means that the buttons have a pre-set dose and the machine will stop by its self). These machines usually feature either one or two steam arms for frothing/steaming milk, and one or two hot water outlets.

When you purchase a traditional machine package, they should consist of the following basic items:

• A grinder to grind the coffee

• Knock-out drawer which can sit either underneath the machine or under the grinder, enabling you to “knock-out” the used coffee

• Barista kit which can include such basic items such as a frothing jug, thermometer, pallet knife, chocolate shaker and an espresso shot glass

• Water filter which is connected to a mains cold water feed to prevent build up of lime scale inside the boiler and on the element,

Ideally, you will also need to provide a mains waste connection. The size of machine depends on the size of establishment or how busy you think you will be. The most common one by far is a 2 group fully automatic machine, but some smaller sites will have 1 and larger establishments may have 3 or 4.

These machines are very much about theatre and indeed they are for show as making coffee is very much an art and good barista training is extremely important and becoming skilled at understanding and making good coffee takes time and practice as it is very easy to make a bad coffee. Prices can vary from around £800 to £6000, but remember, you get what you pay for, so make sure that the machine you choose is new and fully warranted, including full barista training and a good support service. The great thing about traditional machines is that there are no major moving parts so less to go wrong.

In more recent years traditional espresso machines have become more advanced, incorporating things such as boiler or group head temperature control facilities which enable you to tailor the temperature of the espresso water to suit the varying brewing temperatures of coffee. Other innovations include automatic steam wands, also known as hyper wands or turbo wands, enabling you to automatically froth or steam your milk perfectly without any human intervention.

Bean to Cup Machines

A bean to cup machine does exactly what it says! The fresh coffee beans are placed inside the machine and on the press of a button the machine automatically grinds the beans and pours both coffee and milk into your cup.

Bean to cup machines, such as Jura coffee machines, are quick and easy, and make quality fresh coffee at the touch of a button. What you need to remember with this type of system is that there are a lot of moving parts so more to potentially go wrong and there is need for daily cleaning which has to be adhered to otherwise your great coffee won’t be so great the following day!

This type of system is ideal for a pub restaurant where staff training can sometimes be a problem; it is also great for convenience stores or petrol stations where a take away coffee station may be required. Some smaller machines require very little installation or training and can be tank fed, so no need for plumbing. These machines will also usually feature some form of de-scale cycle instead of a water filter to prevent scale build-up. It usually takes between 30 and 50 seconds from pressing the button to filling the cup, depending on the cup size and type of drink selection. Some of the higher volume machines can produce two milk based drinks at once, while most will make two black coffees at once, an essential feature for some very busy sites.

As time has passed, even the bean to cup machine has developed, and can now be found to use various combinations which feature fresh beans, fresh milk or an instant/granulated milk, instant hot chocolate and instant coffee.

These various machines are designed to produce anything from 50 cups per day to over 500 per day. The cost of these can vary from under £1000 to well over £10000, so it is important you make the correct choice.

Summary – Traditional Espresso versus Bean to Cup

The traditional machines without doubt are for those who want the theatricality of coffee making. The advantage is that they make great coffee, so long as those making it are fully trained. A combination of machine and thorough training can produce the true Italian coffee experience.

Bean to cup machines are quick, easy and require very little staff training. The machines will roughly produce the same coffee each and every time the buttons are pressed, whether it be 16 or 60 times, but remember, they have to be looked after and cleaned on a daily basis or problems will arise very quickly.

When you start shopping for a Francis Francis Espresso machine, you might be startled by the unique design and color options. When you recover from the shock, you will notice the Italian craftsmanship and unique style of the Francis Francis machines. Get ready, because these machines are different than anything else you will see in your espresso shopping adventures. A Francis Francis machine plus your kitchen will surely equal a show stopping “wow” from your guests. If you like, you can get a shiny Francis Francis espresso machine in red, white, black, orange, or yellow. If that is not enough pizzazz for you, check out the X1 model that is available in deep blue, pale blue, stainless steel, yellow, orange, red or black. A machine this bright and shiny will help you start waking up in the morning before you have even brewed or consumed any coffee. Francis Francis offers a few different models to suit different budget and brewing needs.

X1
This machine offers the most wide range of color options, so if adding a bright blue espresso machine to your kitchen decor is at the top of your to do list, check out the X1. You can use either espresso pods or you own coffee – whatever you prefer. The X1 comes with a sturdy stainless steel steam wand that allows you to steam milk and make great froth for cappuccinos and lattes.

X3
If the wild Francis Francis colors are your main attraction to this brand, then this model will probably not be what you are looking for. It is available in fairly standard stainless steel, black and silver. The one unique color option is “almond”, which is a creamy, light brown. It is also a compact model that should fit easily onto your kitchen counter. You can use either espresso pods or ground coffee to pull your shots, although many users suggest forgetting the pods and going for the real thing.

X5
The X5 machine is available in a standard black and warm, wild orange, yellow and red. It will surely make an impression on guests, but many users report that it is difficult to make several drinks to serve a dinner party if you don’t want to spend your entire evening in the kitchen. However, it may be the perfect machine to knock your socks off in the morning as you prepare your own espresso drink and get out the door.

X6
This is one of the most space age looking machines that Francis Francis manufactures. Its most notable aesthetic feature is the shiny, metal-trimmed oval display head that shows a thermostat and hosts the operation buttons. Color choices are black, red and white. No one disputes that this machine looks cute, but a few consumers had problems with leaks, which may discourage shoppers from looking further at this model.

X7
This is the least expensive Francis Francis model at about $400. However, it runs on capsules only so that will make owning and operating the machine a little more expensive than if you were to use pods or grind your own coffee. The only color option is black, which may disappoint Francis Francis espresso machine fans, although it does feature an electric blue stripe on the side of the machine. Users who bought this machine rate it very high in convenience of use. If your main goal in buying an espresso machine is to easily make some decent beverages, this machine could be the ticket.

One thing to bear in mind: you will pay a premium for the stunning design of the Francis Francis espresso machines. If the looks are not your priority, you can get a cheaper espresso machine that does the same job.