The Best Coffee Machines For Home Baristas
The purchase of a coffee maker lets you enjoy a range of caffeinated drinks in the at-home convenience of your own. There's a coffee machine to fit every budget and taste, regardless of whether you prefer pods or filters.
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 if you're looking for convenience and milky options that aren't a hassle.
1. Breville Barista Max
A mid-range bean-to cup with an integrated grinder, the Breville Barista Max+ VCF152 is a great choice for those who want to learn how to make coffee the right way (rather than using pods or an espresso machine) and for those who want to upgrade from a less capable manual machine. It can produce the highest quality espresso and milk with a good texture.
The Barista Max+ comes with large drip tray, a separate trough for grounds that spill out, and a handy storage area to store extra equipment. It's also well-constructed and solid and has all the components that can be removed being able to be inserted. It is available in classic stainless steel as well as a fashionable silver.
It's designed with a professional feel and inspired by commercial machines. Features include Temp IQ Shot Control, which delivers precise water temperature for every cup and a Tap & Go burr grinder that can be set on demand with 30 settings. It also employs a pre-infusion technique that softly infuses ground beans to give an intense, balanced flavor.
In the instruction manual, you will find a guide to assist you in calibrating your machine. This is essential to ensure a great cup of espresso. It also explains the decalcification cycle that is required to ensure your machine is in good condition.
The manual controls are easy to follow, and there's a dial that sets the machine to hot water (with one turn of the knob to the left) or starts dispensing steam (a further turn). The coffee spout has the height to fit a regular espresso cup or latte-style glass however, it's not a jug, so you'll need to pre-infuse and dispense your milk before pouring it into the larger cups for cappuccinos or lattes.
Breville only provides a one-year guarantee on the machine. If something goes wrong after that period, you'll be responsible for the repair cost. This might be a deterrent for certain people, especially considering how expensive the machine is when it's new.
2. Smeg Bean-to-Cup
The enduring Smeg name is synonymous with kitchen gadgets that ooze retro 1950's style and quality. What's more interesting is that until recently, Smeg's range didn't include a bean-to-cup machine. This was until the sleek BCC02 model launched in September.
The bean-to-cup machine can provide the full range of your favorite drinks at the push of a button. It includes espresso, ristretto, and Americano and hot water for tea and other hot beverages. You simply need to place the amount you want in the hopper and choose your beverage by with the buttons on the bottom. Then press to brew. It's quick and easy with minimal input and even includes an alert that will inform you when to descale your machine or empty the grounds drawer.
Our former barista tried the Smeg Bean-to-Cup. She was impressed by the ease of use and the fact that it can make milky coffees such as cappuccino and Latte. She was impressed by the quick warm-up time and how quiet it was while working. She was also happy that the brewing took only 45 minutes, and she could pick the strength of the drink. The only minor issue is that the BCC02 does not come with a metal milk jug which you'll need to purchase separately.
The real benefit is the fact that this bean-to-cup coffee machine does not require plastic pods or sachets which means you'll be saving money while making a difference for the environment. The Smeg Bean to-Cup coffee maker comes in a range of gorgeous matt colors, including taupe, clear white, smouldering orange and now, new to the range, black in full. You can match your coffee maker to your kitchen's decor and effortlessly change the look of your cooking space at the same time. If look at more info 're a Smeg lover it's an appliance 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 making espresso. It comes with a quick-heat boiler, which allows you to make espresso quickly and efficiently. It has a professional steaming wand to create great foamed milk for lattes or cappuccinos. You can also alter the length, body and grind settings to meet your taste.
The single-boiler coffee maker was first introduced in the year 1991. Through the years, it has grown to become one of the most well-known home espresso machines around the world, particularly for home baristas. It is known for its low price, simplicity and excellent performance. The design is simple and sleek and has some modern elements. It's also easy to use and maintain.
This Gaggia coffee maker may not have the latest features such as PID or preinfusion It may appear a bit outdated to some people. However, it can provide excellent espresso and is a good option for those who want a traditional-looking machine.
There are a few key differences between the Gaggia model and other models. For instance, it comes with a a forged chrome-plated brass portafilter handle. This is a nice addition that makes it stand out from other home espresso machines. It has a thermo-bloc, which is a nice addition at this price point.
In addition to the aforementioned features, this machine also comes with a reservoir of water for easy refilling and maintenance. It also has a stainless steel infusion chamber that keeps the water at the right temperature, which results in a better tasting espresso. It is also equipped with a high-quality ceramic grinder that helps keep your espresso fresher for longer.
This coffee maker also features an automatic water level sensor. This feature makes it easy to use the machine, and ensures you always have an empty tank filled with clean and 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. Oracle Touch is a 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 handles all the grinding, dosing, and tamping tasks for you while steaming and foaming milk. This will help you get the most from the beans you choose and avoids the kind of disappointing results that you can sometimes encounter when using pre-ground coffee from the supermarkets of the main chain.
The Oracle comes with 30 different grind settings so you can choose the perfect degree of fineness for your drink. It also includes a cradle for holding the portafilter which is a crucial feature for those who want to recreate 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 milk jug made 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 suggest the proper grind size and brew rate, as well as the temperature of the milk. You can save your preferred settings for future use, which is a great feature that eliminates the confusion that comes with finding the perfect cup of coffee. This model is a good option for those who are just beginning to learn about espresso-making, since it will help you make the most of the beans you choose.
The machine is elegantly constructed with a stunning brushed-stainless-steel finish. It's a great look on your countertop in the kitchen. However, it's quite big at H41cm x W33cm and D38cm, and may struggle to fit in under cabinets. It's worth measuring the space to make sure you can accommodate it before buying. Cleaning the machine is fairly easy, but you'll need to clean down the steam wand and detachable drip tray. Sage offers weekly masterclasses as well as individualized tutorials to assist you in getting the most value from your new coffee maker.