The Best Coffee Machines For Home Baristas
A coffee machine allows you to enjoy a range of beverages that are caffeinated in the comfort of home. There's a coffee machine to suit every budget and taste, whether you prefer pods or filters.
The bean-to-cup machine is a true workhorse. It provides an amount of control that is uncommon for a premium model. It's a great choice for those who want the convenience of one-touch brewing, plus milky options with no fuss.
1. Breville Barista Max
The Breville Barista Max+ VCF152, a mid-range bean-to-cup cup with a built in grinder, is a great choice for those looking to learn to make coffee correctly (rather using pods or an expensive espresso machine), and for those looking to replace an old manual machine that was less efficient. It can make the highest quality espresso and milk with a good texture.
The Barista Max+ has an enormous drip tray and a separate trough to collect grounds that have been sprayed and a handy storage space for extra accessories. The machine is also well-built and solid, with all removable components being able to be inserted. Available in both classic stainless steel as well as a fashionable silver.
It's designed with a professional look and is influenced by commercial machines. Features include Temp IQ Shot Control, which provides precise temperature for each cup, as well as a Tap & Go burr grinder that can be set on demand with 30 settings. It also has a pre-infusion technique that softly infuses ground beans to give an intense, balanced flavor.
There's a great guideline in the instruction manual that describes how to calibrate the machine, which is crucial to ensure that it is calibrated correctly to ensure a consistent, excellent cup of espresso. It also explains the process of decalcification that is required to ensure your machine is in good working order.
The manual controls are easy to use and there's a dial that can set the machine to hot water (with a turn of the knob to the left) or initiates the dispensing of steam (a further turn). The coffee spout has the space to fit into a standard espresso glass or latte-style cup however, it's not a jug. Therefore, you'll need to pre-infuse and dispensing your milk prior to pouring your espresso into larger cups for cappuccinos and lattes.
One thing to bear in the mind is that Breville only provides a one year guarantee on this machine. So if something goes wrong with it after the time period you'll be responsible for repair costs. This could be a nagging factor for some, particularly considering 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 interesting that until recently, the Smeg collection did not include a bean to cup machine. That is until the launch of this elegantly designed BCC02 model in September.
The bean-to-cup coffee machine lets you make your favorite drinks at the a touch of a single button. This includes ristretto as well as espresso and hot water for tea or other hot drinks. You simply need to place the desired amount of beans in the hopper and choose your beverage with the buttons on the bottom. Then press brew. It's simple and quick with minimal input required and it even includes a handy alarm that tells you when it's time to remove the grounds or empty the drawer (although this is an easy one to forget if you don't check often).
Our barista from the past tried the Smeg Coffee-to-Cup. She loved the ease-of-use and the fact that it can make milky coffees like cappuccino and latte. She was impressed by the speedy warm-up times and how quiet it was when she was working. She also appreciated that the brewing process only took 45 seconds, and that you can select the strength you prefer in each drink, so there's no need to be constantly monitoring the process. The only slight complaint was that the BCC02 didn't come with a jug made of metal, which you will need to purchase separately.
This coffee maker does not require packets or pods of plastic. You will save money and do your part to protect the environment. The Smeg Bean to Cup coffee machine comes in a variety matt colours, including taupe, white, smouldering, and new to the collection is black. You can match your coffee machine to your kitchen decor and easily transform your kitchen area while at the same time. If you're a Smeg lover then this is an appliance you should definitely check out.
3. Gaggia Milano V60
If you're a home barista or are interested in espresso and espresso, then this Gaggia Milano coffee machine is an excellent option. It features a quick-heat boiler, which allows you to make espresso quickly and efficiently. It features a professional steaming wand to create great foamed milk for cappuccinos and lattes. You can also alter the length of your espresso, its body, and grinding settings to suit your taste.
This single boiler coffee machine was first introduced in 1991. Over the years it has become one of most well-known home espresso machines around the world, specifically for home baristas. It's known for its simplicity, low cost and outstanding performance. The design is sleek and simple, with some modern features. It is also easy to maintain and use.
The Gaggia coffee maker does not have newer features like PID or a preinfusion, so it may seem somewhat outdated to some. However, it can offer great espresso and is a great option for those who prefer an old-fashioned machine.
There are read more between the Gaggia and other models. It has a chrome-plated brass handle for the portafilter, as an example. This is a nice attribute that makes it stand out from other entry-level espresso machines for home use. It has a thermo-bloc, which is a great feature at this price.
This coffee maker has removable water reservoirs for easy refilling. It also comes with a stainless steel infusion chamber that ensures the water is at the correct temperature, which helps to make more flavorful espresso. It also has a high-quality ceramic grinder that can help keep your espresso fresher for longer.
Another excellent feature of this coffee machine is the automatic water level detection. This feature makes it simpler to operate the machine and ensures that you're always using a full tank of clean, fresh water. This is crucial for the best results from your espresso.
4. Sage Barista
Sage is known for rethinking the way coffee machines function. The Oracle Touch is no different. It's a dual-boiler, with an integrated grinder, and an on-board barista. While most bean to cup machines tend to tip the scales away from quality in favor of convenience, the Oracle Touch provides a well-balanced approach. The machine takes care of grinding, dosing, and tamping for you while steaming and foaming milk. This allows you to get the most value from your coffee and prevents the kind of disappointing results you may experience when using coffee that has been ground from the major supermarkets.
The Oracle comes with 30 grind settings, so you can choose the perfect degree of fineness for your drink. It also comes with a cradle holding the portafilter, which is an important option for those wanting to recreate the barista experience. Other features that are useful include the Razor Precision Dose trimmer to clean any leftover beans, an stainless steel milk jug and a steam wand that can be used to froth latte art-worthy creations.
You can select from a variety of drinks and the machine will recommend the right grind size as well as the brew rate and milk temperature. This feature lets you save your favorite settings for later use. It will eliminate the hassle of finding the ideal cup. This model is ideal for people who are new to making espresso, since it can help you get the most out of your coffee beans.
The machine is elegantly constructed with a stunning brushed-stainless-steel finish. It will look great on your countertop in the kitchen. It's a large machine, measuring H41cm by W33cm by D38cm. This could make it difficult to fit under some cabinets. It's a good idea to measure your space to ensure you're able to accommodate it prior to purchasing. Cleaning the machine is easy, however you'll need to regularly wipe down the steam wand and removeable drip tray. It's a good idea to set up an account with Sage to get access to weekly masterclasses, as well as personalized tutorials to get the most out of your new coffee machine.