Are you curious about the technology behind coffee machines?
Well, you will be surprised that coffee machines are not the only thing that influence a good cup of coffee.
In this article, we will explain the difference between a cheap and a high-end coffee maker, and some other factors that influence the process of coffee brewing.
Let’s get started.
Does the Pricing Difference Behind Coffee Machines Matter?
Yes, like most products, the pricing difference behind coffee machines matters a lot, but it depends on the type of machine.
Some coffee makers are not too advanced, and you can acquire a high-quality product for a low price. For example, let’s say the pour-over coffee makers, french press coffee makers, and AeroPress.
Keep in mind that most of these are manual coffee makers, and require some manual effort to brew coffee with them, however, they will last years and require little to no maintenance at all.
On the other hand, there are automatic coffee makers, for example, automatic drip coffee makers, capsule coffee makers, and espresso machines.
These types of coffee brewers are advanced systems, and it is not recommended to choose the cheaper version at all. But why?
Well, in case you find an extremely cheap espresso machine, it is most likely that it will be of very bad quality, and you will have to replace this machine after a few months of use.
However, there is something to keep in mind here. There are several options that you can choose from that are very affordable, and can do most of the job for you, for example, the Keurig K-Slim, K-Mini, or K-Mini Plus.
These are automatic capsule coffee brewers that are affordable, compact, and solid options if you are low on budget but still want an automatic machine.
What Coffee Equipment Do You Actually Need?
Now that you understand the importance of investing money in a high-quality coffee maker, you should think about what coffee equipment you actually need so you won’t spend money on things that you’ll never use.
1. Coffee Maker
The first one, and most obvious, is a coffee maker, you can’t brew coffee without one of these. I’ve decided to divide these into three categories, espresso, manual, and automatic. (Although most espresso machines are automatic, these machines have a completely different brewing system).
Espresso Machines
Espresso machines are special brewers designed to brew espresso shots. That’s it. They are so different from other coffee makers because they need to produce a certain amount of pressure in order to brew a high-quality shot of espresso every time.
In this category we can find these machines:
- Nespresso Vertuo, Nespresso VertuoPlus, Nespresso VertuoNext (Capsule espresso coffee makers)
- Nanopresso, Minipresso, Picopresso (Portable espresso coffee makers)
- Nespresso Gran Lattissima, Nespresso Creatista Plus, Breville Dual Boiler Espresso Machine (Domestic espresso machines)
- La Marzocco GB5 S AV – 2 Group, Slayer Steam LPx, La Marzocco Linea 2 Group EE (Commercial espresso machines)
Manual Coffee Makers
Manual coffee makers are especially good when you are on a budget because you can get a very high-quality one for a low price. The major downside is that they require some manual effort.
However, there are people who find pleasure in brewing their coffee manually, so if you are one of those, you must choose a manual coffee maker.
In this category we can find these brewers:
- Pour Over Coffee Dripper (Plastic, metal, etc)
- AeroPress
- Cold Brew Coffee Maker
- Chemex Pour-Over Coffee Maker
- French Press
Automatic Coffee Maker
Automatic coffee brewers are similar to manual ones, but they do not require manual effort at all. Unfortunately, these are more expensive than their manual versions (in most cases) and brew less quality coffee.
In this category we can find these brewers:
- Keurig K-Mini, Keurig K-Slim, Keurig K-Express (Pod coffee makers)
- Cuisinart PurePrecision, Bonavita Metropolitan, KitchenAid Pour Over Coffee Brewer (Automatic pour over coffee makers)
- Jura E6 Super Automatic Coffee Center, Gaggia Cadorna Prestige Super-Automatic Espresso Machine, De’Longhi Magnifica Super Automatic Espresso & Coffee Machine (Super-automatic coffee makers)
2. Grinders
Having a good coffee maker is not enough to brew high quality coffee, a grinder plays an important role in the coffee brewing process.
There are two types of grinders, manual, and automatic. In most cases, an automatic grinder will provide nice results, but the good ones are kind of expensive. However, manual grinders are a good option, and they provide fantastic results (if you don’t mind the manual effort).
3. Accessories
Although accessories are not essential, they can enhance the final product, and make some stages of the brewing process a little bit easier.
Some must-have coffee accessories are milk frothers, digital scales, reusable k-cups, mesh coffee filters, insulated mugs, capsule dispensers, airtight coffee containers, and more.
The Importance of Fresh, High-Quality Coffee Beans
Similar to grinders, fresh and high-quality coffee beans are essential to enhance your coffee cups. There is nothing worse than a cup of coffee made with old beans.
Also, it is not only important that they are fresh, you must choose the right grind size for the brewing method you choose.
For example, for the best espresso shot, you must use fine grounds, on the other hand, for a french press, it is always better to use coarse grounds.
Conclusion: Everything Matters
In summary, many factors influence the final product when brewing coffee. You have to have a high-quality coffee maker, and a grinder, as well as fresh coffee grounds, and don’t forget to use the right grind size depending on your chosen brewing method.
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