Blog entry by Hugo Dunbabin
The best commercial coffee machine Coffee Machines For Home Baristas
A coffee maker allows you to enjoy a variety of coffee-infused beverages from the comfort of your home. If you prefer pods or filters, there's an appliance to suit every taste and budget.
A real workhorse, this bean-to-cup machine provides a unique level of control for a high-end model. It's a great option if you want the convenience of brewing at a single touch, plus milky options without any hassle.
1. Breville Barista Max
A mid-range bean-to-cup with a built-in grinder, Breville Barista Max+ VCF152 is a good choice for anyone keen to learn how to make coffee in the correct way (rather than using pods or a cheap espresso machine) and for those looking to upgrade from a less powerful manual machine. It is capable of producing excellent coffee and milk with a good texture.
The Barista Max+ has a large drip tray and a separate trough to collect grounds that have been sprayed and a handy storage area to hold extra accessories. It's also well-constructed and sturdy and has all the components that can be removed being able to be inserted. Available in both a classic stainless steel as well as a fashionable silver.
It's designed with a professional touch and is influenced by commercial equipment, with features like Temp IQ Shot Control that provides precise water temperatures for every cup, as well as a Tap & Go on-demand burr grinder that has 30 settings. It also employs the pre-infusion method that gently infuses ground beans for an intense, balanced flavor.
There's a great guideline in the instruction manual that describes how to calibrate the machine, which is essential to get right in order to produce a consistent and excellent cup of espresso. It also explains how to do a decalcification cycle which is crucial to keep your machine clean and in working order.
The controls are easy to use. A dial allows you to set the machine's temperature for hot water by turning the knob to the right or to begin dispense steam by turning it a second time. The coffee spout is high enough to fit in an espresso cup or latte glass but it's not a huge jug. It is necessary to infuse the milk, and then pour it prior to pouring espresso into larger cups for lattes and cappuccinos.
One thing to keep in your mind is that Breville only provides one year of guarantee on this machine, which means that if something goes wrong with it within that time frame you'll be responsible for repairs. This might be a nagging factor for some, especially given how costly the machine is when bought new.
2. Smeg Bean-to-Cup
Smeg is synonymous with retro kitchen appliances and 1950's fashion. It's notable that until recently the brand's collection did not include a bean to cup machine. This was until the sleek BCC02 model came out in September.
The bean-to-cup machine can provide the entire selection of your favourite drinks at the touch of a button. It includes ristretto, espresso and Americano as well as hot water for tea and other hot drinks. All you need to do is put your desired quantity of ground beans in the hopper, select your beverage from the simple menu using the flat buttons and press brew. It's easy and fast with minimal input required and it even has a handy alarm that tells you when it's time to remove the grounds from the drawer (although this is a simple one to overlook if you don't look often).
Our former barista tried the Smeg Bean to Cup and loved the simplicity of use as well as the possibility to create classic milky coffee drinks like macchiato, latte, cappuccino and latte. She was surprised at how quickly it heated up and how quiet the machine was. She also appreciated that the brewing process took 45 seconds and you can pick your preferred strength of each drink, meaning there's no need to keep checking the process. The only slight complaint was that the BCC02 didn't come with a metal jug, which you will need to purchase separately.
The most appealing aspect is the fact that this bean-to-cup machine does not require any plastic pods or sachets, which means you'll be saving money while making a difference for the environment. The Smeg Bean-to-Cup coffee machine is available in a variety of matt colors that are coveted, including taupe crisp white, smouldering orange and recently, a new addition to the range, black in full. You can match the coffee maker to your kitchen decor and change the look of your kitchen space at the same time. If you're a fan of Smeg, this is a machine that you should definitely check out.
3. Gaggia Milano V60
If you're a barista at home or have any interest in espresso coffee, then this Gaggia Milano coffee machine is an excellent option. It has a fast-heat boiler, which allows you to make espresso quickly and efficiently. It comes with an expert steaming wand that can produce great foamed-milk for lattes or cappuccinos. You can also adjust the grind settings length, length, and body of your espresso to fit your personal preferences.
This single boiler coffee machine was first introduced in 1991. Through the years, it has become one of the most sought-after home espresso machines around the world, especially for baristas who work at home. It is known for its affordable price simple design and outstanding performance. The design is simple and sleek and has some modern-day touches. It is also easy to maintain and use.
The Gaggia coffee maker does not have the latest features such as a preinfusion or PID, so it may seem somewhat outdated to some. However, it can offer great espresso and is a great alternative for those looking for a traditional-looking machine.
There are a few key distinctions between this Gaggia coffee maker and other similar models, however. It has a chrome-plated brass handle for the portafilter, for example. This is a nice feature that makes it stand out from other entry-level home espresso machines. It also has an in-built thermo-bloc boiler, which is an excellent feature for this price.
This coffee machine has removable reservoirs for water that are easy for refilling. It also has a stainless steel infusion chamber that keeps the water at the correct temperature, which results in a more flavorful espresso. It also comes with a high-end ceramic grinder that helps to keep your espresso fresher for a longer period of time.
Another excellent feature of this coffee machine is the best automatic bean to cup coffee machine water level detection. This feature makes it simpler to operate the machine and ensures you're always working with a tank of clean, fresh water. This is essential for getting the best small espresso machine results from your espresso.
4. Sage Barista
Sage are known for their ability to rethink the way coffee machines work, and their Oracle Touch is no exception. It's a dual-boiler with an integrated grinder, as well as a barista on board. While most bean to cup machines tend to tip the scales away from quality and towards convenience, the Oracle Touch delivers a well-balanced approach. The machine does all the grinding, dosing, and tamping for you while steaming and foaming milk. This allows you to get the best Coffee machine uk out of your coffee and avoid disappointments that sometimes be experienced when using espresso that has been pre-ground from a grocery store.
The Oracle comes with 30 different grind settings so you'll be able to find the right level of fineness to your preferred drink. It also comes with a cradle to hold the portafilter. This is a great accessory for those looking to recreate the barista experience. Other useful features include a Razor Precision Dose trimming tool to remove any excess beans, the milk jug made of stainless steel and steam wand that can be used to froth latte art-worthy creations.
You can select from a range of beverages and the machine will recommend the proper grind size and brew rate, as well as milk temperature. You can save your preferred settings for future use this is a wonderful feature that eliminates the uncertainty of finding the perfect cup of coffee. This model is a good choice for those new to espresso-making, since it will help you get the most from the beans you select.
This machine is stylishly made with a beautiful brushed stainless-steel finish. It will look great on your countertop in the kitchen. However, it's an enormous machine with dimensions of H41cm x W33cm and D38cm and could struggle to fit in under cabinets. You should measure your space prior to purchasing to ensure you have enough space. The machine is easy to clean, but you'll need to clean down the detachable drip pan and the steam wand regularly. It's worth setting up an account with Sage to access weekly masterclasses and personalized instructions to get the most out of your new coffee maker.