Blog entry by Roxanne Victor
The Best Coffee Machines For Home Baristas
A coffee maker lets you enjoy a variety of coffee-infused drinks from the convenience of your home. If you prefer filter or pod, there's an appliance to fit every taste and budget.
This bean-to cup machine is a true workhorse. It provides the kind of control that is uncommon for a premium model. This is a great choice when you're looking for a simple and milky options with no hassle.
1. Breville Barista Max
The Breville Barista Max+ VCF152, a mid-range bean to cup that comes with a built-in grinder, is a good option for those who want to learn how to make coffee in a proper manner (rather using pods or an inexpensive espresso best nespresso vertuo machine), and for those who want to replace the manual machine that was less efficient. It is capable of producing high-quality espresso and milk that is well-textured, and is simple to use with just a little practice.
The Barista max+ comes with a massive drip pan with a separate trough that can collect grounds that have been spilled, and a storage space for additional accessories. It's also a sturdy and well-built machine that has the removable parts slid into place pleasingly. Available in both a classic stainless steel as well as a fashionable silver.
It's designed with a professional flair and inspired by commercial machines, with features such as Temp IQ Shot Control that delivers precise water temperatures for each cup, and a Tap & Go on-demand burr grinder with 30 settings. It uses a preinfusion technique to gently infuse ground beans for a balanced, full flavour.
There's a useful guide in the instruction manual that will help you calibrate your best nespresso vertuo machine, which is essential to do correctly to ensure a consistent, good cup of espresso. It also explains how to do the decalcification process which is crucial to keep your machine clean and functioning.
The controls are easy to use. A dial allows you to set the machine's settings for hot water by turning the knob to the left, or to start dispensing steam with a further turn. The coffee spout's height is enough to fit an espresso cup or latte glass, but it's not a huge jug. You'll have to pre-infuse your milk and then dispense it before pouring espresso into larger cups for cappuccinos and lattes.
One thing to keep in mind is that Breville only provides a one year guarantee on this machine, which means that should something go wrong with it after that time, you'll need to pay for repairs. This might be a deterrent for some, considering the price of the machine when bought new.
2. Smeg Bean-to-Cup
Smeg is synonymous with retro kitchen gadgets and 1950's-style. What's more interesting is that, until recently, Smeg's range didn't include a bean-to-cup maker. That is until the launch of this elegantly designed BCC02 model in September.
The bean-to cup coffee machine provides the entire selection of your favourite drinks at the push of a button. It includes ristretto, espresso and Americano as well as hot water for tea and other hot beverages. All you have to do is put the desired amount of ground beans in the hopper, select your drink from the intuitive menu using the buttons that are flat and press brew. It's quick and easy with only a few inputs required, and it even comes with a handy alert that informs you when it's time to remove the grounds or empty the drawer (although this is an easy one to overlook if you don't look often).
Our former barista tested the Smeg Bean-to-Cup and loved the ease of use, as well as the fact that she could also make classic milky coffees such as macchiato, latte, and cappuccino. She was pleasantly surprised by the quick warming-up times and the quietness when she was working. She was also pleased that the brewing took only 45 minutes, and she could pick the strength of the drink. The only slight complaint was that the BCC02 does not come with a metal jug, which you will need to purchase separately.
This coffee maker does not require packets or pods made of plastic. You will save money while doing your part to protect the environment. The Smeg Bean-toCup coffee machine comes in a range of covetable matt colours including taupe, crisp white, smouldering red, and the latest addition to the range, full black. So you can match your coffee maker to the decor of your kitchen and easily transform your cooking space at the same time. Definitely worth checking out If you're a fan the Smeg brand.
3. Gaggia Milano V60
This Gaggia Milano espresso machine is an excellent choice if you are a home barista, or have an interest in the field of espresso. It comes with a quick-heat boiler that allows you to make espresso quickly and efficiently. It also has an expert steam wand for creating great foamed milks for lattes and cappuccinos. You can also adjust the grind settings as well as the length, body, and shape of your espresso to suit your personal preferences.
This coffee maker is a single boiler machine that was initially released in 1991. It is now one of the most sought-after espresso machines at home especially among baristas who work from home. It is known for its low cost, simplicity and excellent performance. The design is sleek and simple with some modern-day touches. It is also simple to maintain and use.
It's important to remember that this Gaggia machine does not have any newer features, like preinfusion or a preinfusion device which means it could be a little bit dated for some people. However, it can provide excellent espresso and is a great alternative for those looking for traditional design.
There are a few key differences between the Gaggia and other models. For instance, it features a an forged chrome-plated brass portafilter handle. This is a nice addition that makes it stand out from other entry-level home espresso machines. It also has an in-built thermo-bloc boiler, which is a nice 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 ensures the water is at the right temperature which helps to make better tasting espresso. It also comes with a top-quality ceramic grinder that can help keep your espresso fresher for longer.
This coffee maker also features an automatic water level detector. This feature makes it easier to operate the machine and ensures that you're always using a full tank of fresh, clean water. This is crucial for the best bean to cup coffee machine uk results with your espresso.
4. Sage Barista
Sage are known for rethinking the way coffee machines function, and their Oracle Touch is no exception. It's a dual boiler with an integrated grinder as well as an on-board barista. Oracle Touch is a well-balanced machine. While the majority of bean-to-cup machines are designed to be convenient and not focusing on quality, Oracle Touch offers a well rounded approach. The machine does all the grinding, dosing, and tamping tasks for you while steaming and foaming milk. This helps you get the most from your chosen beans and avoids the kinds of disappointing results you might experience when using coffee that has been ground from the major supermarkets.
The Oracle comes with 30 different grind settings so you can find the perfect degree of fineness for your drink. It also comes with a cradle holding the portafilter which is a crucial feature for those who want to recreate the barista experience. Other useful features include the Razor Precision Dose Trimming Tool that can be used to wipe away any excess beans. A stainless milk jug of steel is included, along with a steam wand to create Latte art.
You can select from a variety of drinks and the machine will recommend the right grind size, brew rate and the temperature of your milk. You can then save your preferred settings for future use, which is a great feature that helps eliminate 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.
It's a stylishly designed machine with a gorgeous polished stainless-steel finish that will look good on your kitchen counter. It's a huge machine measuring H41cm x W33cm by D38cm. This can make it difficult to fit in under certain cabinets. It is important to measure the space prior to buying to ensure that you have enough space. The machine is easy to clean, but you'll need to clean down the drip pan that is detachable and the steam wand on a regular basis. It's worth setting up an account with Sage to gain access to weekly masterclasses and customized tutorials to get the most out of your new best coffee machine maker.