The Best Coffee Machines For Home Baristas
A coffee machine allows you to drink a variety of caffeinated beverages in the comfort of home. If you prefer filter or pod there's a coffee machine to suit every taste and budget.
A true workhorse, this bean-to-cup machine provides a unique level of control that is typical of a premium model. It's an excellent choice to enjoy the convenience of brewing with one 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 great option for anyone keen to learn how to make coffee the proper method (rather than using pods or an espresso machine) and for those looking to upgrade from a less capable manual machine. It is capable of producing both high-quality espresso and milk with a good texture.
The Barista max+ comes with a huge drip pan with a separate trough that can collect grounds that have been spilled, and a convenient storage area for additional accessories. It's also a sturdy and well-built machine with all the parts that can be removed and clicking into place pleasingly. It's available in fashionable silver as well as a more classic stainless steel.
It's designed with a professional touch and is influenced by commercial equipment, with features such as Temp IQ Shot Control that gives precise water temperatures for each cup, as well as a Tap & Go on-demand burr grinder with 30 settings. It makes use of a preinfusion technique to gently infuse ground beans to create the perfect balance and full flavor.
In the instruction manual, you'll find a guide to aid you in calibrating your machine. This is crucial to ensuring a good cup of espresso. It also explains the decalcification process that is necessary to keep your machine in good working order.
The manual controls are easy to use and there's a dial that sets the machine to hot water (with a simple turn of the knob to the left) or begins dispensing steam (a further turn). The coffee spout's height is enough to fit into an espresso glass or latte cup, but it's not a large jug. It is necessary to infuse your milk and then dispense it before pouring espresso into larger cups for lattes and cappuccinos.
One thing to bear in your mind is that Breville only offers a one year guarantee on this machine, so if something goes wrong with it within that time frame, you'll need to pay for repair costs. This might be a deterrent for some due to the price of the machine when bought new.
2. Smeg Bean-to-Cup
The enduring Smeg name is synonymous with kitchen appliances that ooze retro 1950's style and quality. What's more interesting is that, until recently, the brand's collection didn't include a bean-to-cup machine. That is until the launch of this sleekly designed BCC02 model this September.
The bean-to cup coffee machine allows you to make your favorite drinks with the a touch of a single button. This includes ristretto, espresso, as well as 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 by using the flat buttons. Then press the button to brew. It's simple and quick with no input required. it has a handy alarm that tells 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 often).
Our former barista tested the Smeg Bean-to-Cup and loved its ease of use as well as the fact that it could make milky coffee classics like cappuccino, latte and macchiato. She was awed by how quickly it froze up and how quiet the machine was. She was also delighted that the process only took 45 minutes, and she could choose the strength of the drink. The only minor issue is that the BCC02 doesn't include a metal milk jug that you'll need to purchase separately.
The most appealing aspect is the fact that this bean-to-cup coffee machine doesn't require any plastic pods or sachets which means you'll save money while helping the environment. The Smeg Bean to Cup coffee maker is available in a variety of matt colors, including taupe, white as well as smouldering and new to the collection is black. This means you can match your coffee machine to the decor of your kitchen and effortlessly change the look of your kitchen space at the same time. If you're a Smeg fan then this is one you should definitely check out.
3. Gaggia Milano V60
This Gaggia Milano espresso machine is an excellent choice for those who are a barista at home or are interested in espresso. It has a rapid heat boiler technology, meaning you can make espresso quickly and effortlessly. It also comes with a professional steam wand for producing great foamed milk for cappuccinos and lattes. You can also alter the length, body, and grinding settings to suit your taste.
This coffee machine is a single-boiler model and was first introduced in 1991. It's now one of the most well-known espresso machines at home particularly among baristas at home. It is renowned for its low price, simplicity and excellent performance. The design is simple and sleek with some modern features. It is also easy to maintain and use.
It's important to remember that this Gaggia coffee machine doesn't have any modern features, such as preinfusion or a PID It's somewhat outdated for some. However, More can offer excellent espresso and is a good option for those who want a traditional-looking machine.
There are a few important differences between this Gaggia coffee maker and other models of the same type, however. It comes with a chrome-plated brass handle for the portafilter, as an example. This is a nice addition that sets it apart from other entry-level home espresso machines. It has a thermo-bloc which is a nice addition at this price.
The coffee maker comes with removable reservoirs of water for easy refilling. It also has an infusion chamber made of stainless steel that keeps the water at the perfect temperature to make the best espresso. It is also equipped with a high-quality ceramic grinder to help keep your espresso fresher for longer.
Another excellent feature of this coffee maker is the automatic water level detection. This feature makes it simple to use the machine, and ensures that you always have a an empty tank filled with clean fresh, clean water. This is essential for getting the best results with your espresso.
4. Sage Barista
Sage is a brand that has a reputation for rethinking how coffee machines work. The Oracle Touch is no different. It's a dual boiler, with an integrated grinder and on-board barista. Oracle Touch is a well-balanced machine. While most bean-to-cup machines are designed to be convenient and a lack of quality, Oracle Touch offers a well rounded approach. The machine handles all the grinding, dosing, and tamping as well as steaming and frothing milk for you. This allows you to get the best out of your coffee and avoid disappointing results that can sometimes occur when using pre-ground espresso from a grocery store.
The Oracle has 30 grind settings, so you can find the ideal level of fineness that is perfect for your drink. It also comes equipped with a cradle to hold the portafilter. This is a great option for those looking to recreate the barista experience. Other useful features include the Razor Precision Dose trimmer to clean any beans that are not used, an stainless steel milk jug and steam wands that can be used to create the perfect latte art.
You can select from a variety of drinks, and the machine will recommend a suitable grind size, brew speed and milk temperature for each. This feature lets you save your preferred settings for future use. It takes away the stress that comes with finding the perfect cup. This model is a good option for those who are new to espresso making, as it will allow you to make the most of the beans you choose.
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 at H41cm, W33cm, and D38cm, and may struggle to fit under some cabinets. You should measure your space prior to buying 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 frequently. It's a good idea to set up an account with Sage to gain access to weekly masterclasses and customized tutorials to get the most out of your brand new coffee machine.