The Best Coffee Machines For Home Baristas
(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/778/17333/de-longhi-primadonna-soul-fully-automatic-bean-to-cup-espresso-an-cappuccino-coffee-maker-ecam610-75-mb-2-2-liters-black-and-silver-17333.jpg)Buying a coffee machine lets you enjoy a range of caffeinated beverages in the convenience of your home. If you prefer filter or pod there's a coffee machine to suit every taste and budget.
A true workhorse bean-to-cup machine offers a rare level of control that is typical of a high-end model. It's an excellent choice for those who want the convenience of one-touch brewing and milky options that are easy to use.
1. Breville Barista Max
A mid-range bean-to cup with a built-in grinder, Breville Barista Max+ VCF152 is a great choice for anyone who wants to learn how to make coffee in the correct method (rather than using pods or a less expensive espresso machine) and for those looking to upgrade from a lesser-than-capable manual machine. It can produce both quality espresso and milk that is well-textured, and is easy to use with just a little practice.
The Barista max+ comes with a huge drip pan with a separate trough that can catch spilled grounds, and a handy storage space for additional accessories. It's also a solid-looking and well-built machine that has all removable parts clicking into place beautifully. Available in both a classic stainless steel and a chic silver.
It's designed with a professional feel and inspired by commercial machines. Its features include Temp IQ Shot Control, which delivers precise water temperature for each cup, as well as the Tap & Go burr grinder on-demand with 30 settings. It also employs the pre-infusion method that softly infuses ground beans to give a full, balanced flavour.
There's a helpful guide in the instruction manual that describes how to calibrate the machine, which is crucial to get right in order to make a consistent, good cup of espresso. It also explains the decalcification process that is necessary to ensure your machine is in good working order.
The controls are easy to operate. A dial lets you to set the machine for hot water by turning the knob to the right, or to start dispensing steam by turning it a second time. The coffee spout has enough height to fit a regular espresso glass or latte-style cup, but not a jug, so you'll need to pre-infuse and dispensing your milk prior to pouring your espresso into larger cups for cappuccinos or lattes.
Breville only offers an one-year warranty on this machine. If something goes wrong during that period, you'll be accountable for the repair cost. This might be a deterrent for some, considering the price of the machine when bought new.
2. Smeg Bean-to-Cup
The enduring Smeg name is synonymous with kitchen gadgets that ooze retro 1950's style and quality. What's noteworthy is that, until recently, the Smeg collection did not include a bean to cup machine. This was until the sleek BCC02 model launched in September.
The bean-to-cup machine can provide the entire selection of your favorite drinks at the push of a button. It includes espresso, ristretto and Americano as well as hot water for tea and other hot drinks. All you need to do is put the desired amount of ground beans in the hopper, select your drink from the easy menu by using the flat buttons and press brew. It's simple and quick with only a few inputs required, and it comes with a handy alert that will inform you when it's time to descale or empty the grounds drawer (although this is a simple one to forget if you don't check often).
Our former barista tried the Smeg Bean-to-Cup and loved the ease of use as well as the possibility to create classic milky coffee drinks like macchiato, latte, and cappuccino. She was amazed by how quickly it heated up and how quiet the machine was. She also liked that the brewing process only took 45 seconds and you can pick the strength you prefer in each drink, meaning there's no need to keep monitoring the process. The only issue was that the BCC02 does not include a metal milk jug, which you'll have to purchase separately.
This bean-to cup coffee machine does not require packets or pods made of plastic. You'll save money and do your part for the environment. The Smeg Bean-toCup best coffee machine bean-to-cup machine comes in a range of gorgeous matt colors, including taupe crisp white, smouldering orange and now, new to the collection the full black. You can match the coffee maker to your kitchen decor, and transform your kitchen area at the same time. Definitely worth checking out for those who love the Smeg brand.
3. Gaggia Milano V60
If you're a barista at home or are interested in espresso, then this Gaggia Milano coffee machine is an excellent option. It comes with a quick-heat boiler that allows you to make espresso quickly and efficiently. It features an expert steaming wand that can create great foamed milk for lattes or cappuccinos. You can also alter the length of your espresso, its body, and grinding settings to suit your preferences.
This single boiler coffee machine was first introduced in the year 1991. Since then, it has become one of the most sought-after home espresso machines in the world, particularly for baristas who work at home. It is known for its simplicity, best affordable coffee machine price and great performance. The design is simple and sleek and has some modern features. It is also simple to maintain and use.
The Gaggia coffee maker does not have newer features like PID or preinfusion which could make it appear a bit old-fashioned to some people. It still provides excellent espresso, and is a great choice for those who prefer a more traditional-looking machine.
There are some key differences between the Gaggia and other models. It comes with a chrome-plated handle to the portafilter, for example. This is a nice touch that makes it stand out from other entry-level home espresso machines. It has a thermo-bloc which is a nice addition at this price.
In addition to these features, this coffee maker also comes with a water reservoir for easy refilling and maintenance. It also has an infusion chamber made of stainless steel which keeps the water at the perfect temperature for making more delicious espresso. It also comes with a high-quality ceramic grinder to help keep your espresso fresher longer.
Another excellent feature of this coffee maker is its automatic water level detection. This feature makes it easier to operate the machine and ensures you're always working with a tank of clean, fresh water. This is essential to get the best home bean to cup coffee machine results with your espresso.
4. Sage Barista
Sage is known for its ability to rethink how coffee machines work. The Oracle Touch is no different. It's a dual boiler that has an integrated grinder as well as an on-board barista. Oracle Touch is a well-balanced machine. While many bean-to-cup systems are geared towards convenience and away from quality, Oracle Touch offers a well-rounded approach. The machine handles all the grinding, dosing and tamping tasks while steaming and frothing milk for you. This allows you to get the most value from the beans you choose and avoids the kind of disappointing results you can sometimes get when using pre-ground coffee from the major supermarkets.
The Oracle has 30 grind settings, so you can choose the perfect degree of fineness for your drink. It also comes with a cradle to hold the portafilter. This is a fantastic accessory for those looking to recreate the barista experience. Other features that are useful include the Razor Precision Dose Trimming Tool that can be used to wipe away any excess beans. A stainless milk jug made of steel is included, as is steam wands to create latte art.
You can choose from a variety of drinks and the machine will automatically suggest a suitable grind size, brew speed, and milk temperature for each one. This feature allows you to save your favorite settings for the future. It eliminates the guesswork involved in finding the perfect cup. This model is a great option for those who are just beginning to learn about espresso making, as it will help you get the most from the beans you select.
This machine is stylishly designed with a beautiful brushed-stainless-steel finish. It looks great on your kitchen counter. It's a big machine measuring H41cm x W33cm by D38cm. This might make it difficult to fit into some cabinets. You should measure your space before purchasing to ensure that you have enough space. Cleaning the machine is fairly easy, but you'll have to regularly wipe down the steam wand and detachable drip tray. Sage offers weekly masterclasses as well as personalized tutorials that will assist you in getting the most value from your new coffee maker.(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/778/1858/melitta-bean-to-cup-machine-with-adjustable-coffee-intensity-adjustable-double-outlet-for-one-or-two-cups-cup-warming-function-self-cleaning-option-solo-pure-silver-e950-666-1858.jpg)
