The Best Coffee Machines For Home Baristas
The purchase of a coffee maker allows you to enjoy a variety of caffeinated beverages in the comfort of your own home. If you prefer filter or pod there's a coffee machine to fit every taste and budget.
A true workhorse, this bean-to-cup machine offers a rare level of control for a high-end model. It's a great option to get convenience and milky options without fuss.
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 the right method (rather than using pods or a cheap espresso machine) and also for those looking to upgrade from a less powerful manual machine. It can produce both quality espresso and well-textured milk, and is easy to use with a bit of practice.
The Barista Max+ comes with large drip tray, a separate trough for grounds that have been sprayed and a handy storage space to hold extra accessories. It's also well-constructed and solid and has all the components that can be removed being able to be inserted. Available in both a classic stainless steel and a chic silver.
It's made with a professional appearance and inspired 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 employs the pre-infusion method that allows beans to be gently infused for an intense, balanced flavor.
There's a useful guide in the instruction manual that describes how to calibrate the machine, which is important to ensure that it is calibrated correctly to ensure a consistent, excellent cup of espresso. It also explains how to perform the decalcification process, which is essential to keep your machine clean and in good working order.
The controls are simple to operate. A dial allows you to set the machine's settings for hot water by turning the knob to the left or to begin dispensing steam by turning it a second time. The coffee spout is tall enough to fit an espresso glass or latte cup, but it's not a large jug. You'll need to infuse the milk, and then pour it before pouring espresso into larger cups for lattes and cappuccinos.
Breville only offers an one-year warranty on this machine. If something goes wrong after that time, you'll be responsible for the repair costs. This could be a deterrent for some, especially given how expensive the machine is when purchased new.
2. Smeg Bean-to-Cup
Smeg is synonymous with retro kitchen gadgets and 1950's-style. But what's notable is that until recently, the collection of the brand didn't have the bean-to-cup model. That was until the debut of this elegantly designed BCC02 model in September.
The bean-to cup coffee machine provides the full range of your favorite drinks at the touch of a button. It includes ristretto, espresso and Americano and hot water for tea and other hot drinks. It's as easy as placing the desired amount of beans in the hopper, and then select your beverage by using the flat buttons. Then press brew. It's simple and quick with only a few inputs required, and it has a handy alarm that informs you when it's time to remove the grounds or empty the drawer (although this is a simple one to forget if you don't check frequently).
Our barista from the past tried the Smeg Bean-to Cup. She loved the ease-of-use and the fact that it can make milky coffees such as cappuccino and latte. She was pleasantly surprised by the quick warming-up times and how quiet it was while working. She also appreciated that the brewing process took 45 seconds and that you can select the strength you prefer in each drink, meaning there's no need to constantly monitoring the process. The only issue was that the BCC02 didn't include a metal jug that you'll need to purchase separately.
The bean-to-cup coffee machine does not require packets or pods made of plastic. You will save money and do your part to protect the environment. The Smeg Bean-to-Cup coffee machine comes in a range of covetable matt colours including taupe and crisp white, smouldering red, and now, new to the collection, full black. You can match your coffee maker to the decor of your kitchen and effortlessly change the look of your kitchen area simultaneously. A must-see If you're a fan the Smeg brand.
3. Gaggia Milano V60
This Gaggia Milano espresso machine is an excellent choice for those who are a home barista, or have an interest in the field of espresso. It has a rapid heating boiler, which means you can make espresso quickly and effortlessly. It features a professional steaming wand, which can produce great foamed-milk for cappuccinos and lattes. You can also adjust your espresso's length, body and grinding settings to suit your preferences.
This coffee machine is a single-boiler model that was initially released in the year 1991. Over the years it has become one of most sought-after home espresso machines around the world, specifically for baristas who work at home. It is renowned for its simplicity, low price and excellent performance. The design is sleek and simple, with some modern touches. It's also simple to use and maintain.
The Gaggia coffee maker does not have the latest features such as PID or preinfusion which could make it appear a bit outdated to some people. It still offers great espresso and is a great choice for those who prefer a traditional-looking machine.
There are some key distinctions between the Gaggia and other models. It has a chrome-plated brass handle for the portafilter, for instance. This is a nice touch that sets it apart from other espresso home machines. It comes with a thermo-bloc which is a nice feature at this price point.
The coffee maker comes with removable water reservoirs for easy refilling. It also comes with an infusion chamber made of stainless steel which keeps the water at the perfect temperature to make more delicious espresso. It also has a high-quality ceramic grinder that helps to keep your espresso fresher longer.
The coffee maker also comes with an automatic water level sensor. This feature makes it much easier to operate the machine and ensures you're always running a full tank of clean, fresh water. This is essential for getting the best 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 with an integrated grinder as well as an on-board barista. Oracle Touch is a well-balanced machine. While most bean-to-cup machines are designed to be convenient and away from quality, Oracle Touch offers a well-rounded approach. The machine takes care of all the grinding, dosing and tamping tasks while steaming and frothering milk for you. best coffee machine for office lets you get the most out of your beans and avoids the disappointing results that can sometimes be experienced when using espresso that has been pre-ground from a supermarket.
The Oracle comes with 30 different grind settings so you can find the ideal level of fineness that is perfect for your drink. It also comes with a cradle holding the portafilter that is an essential extra for those looking to replicate the barista experience. Other features that are useful include the Razor Precision Dose Trimming Tool to clean off any beans that are not needed. A stainless steel milk jug is also included, as is steam wand for creating Latte art.
You can choose from a wide range of drinks, and the machine will automatically recommend the right grind size, brew speed, and milk temperature for each. This feature allows you to save your preferred settings for future use. It eliminates the guesswork involved in finding the perfect cup. This model is ideal for those who are new to making espresso, since it will help you get the best out of your beans.
This machine is stylishly constructed with a stunning brushed-stainless-steel finish. It looks great on your counter top in your kitchen. However, it's quite big at H41cm, W33cm, and D38cm and could struggle to fit under some cabinets. You should measure your space before purchasing to ensure you have enough space. The machine is easy to clean, but you'll need to wipe down the drip pan and the steam wand on a regular basis. It's worth establishing an account with Sage to get access to weekly masterclasses and customized tutorials to get the most value of your brand new coffee machine.