The Best Coffee Machines For Home Baristas
A coffee machine allows you to drink a variety of caffeinated beverages in the comfort of your home. Whether you prefer filter or pod, there's an appliance to fit every taste and budget.
A true workhorse bean-to-cup machine provides a unique level of control that is typical of a premium model. It's an excellent choice if you want the convenience of one-touch brewing and milky options without any hassle.
1. Breville Barista Max
The Breville Barista Max+ VCF152, a mid-range bean-to-cup cup with a built-in grinder, is a great option for those who want to learn how to make coffee in a proper manner (rather using pods or an inexpensive espresso machine) or for those who want to replace the manual machine that is less capable. It can make both high-quality espresso and milk with a good texture.
The Barista Max+ comes with a large drip tray and a separate trough to collect grounds that spill out, and a handy storage area for extra accessories. It's also a solid-looking and well-built machine that has all the parts that can be removed and clicking into place with ease. It's available in a stylish silver, and a more traditional stainless steel.
It is made with a professional appearance and is influenced by commercial equipment. Its features include Temp IQ Shot Control, that provides precise water temperature for every cup and the Tap & Go burr grinder on-demand with 30 settings. It uses a preinfusion technique to gently infuse ground beans for the perfect balance and full flavor.
In the instruction manual, you'll find a guide that will assist you in calibrating your machine. This is essential to ensure a great cup of espresso. It also explains the decalcification cycle which is essential to ensure your machine is in good condition.
The controls are simple to use. 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 with a further turn. The coffee spout has enough height to fit a regular espresso glass or latte-style cup, but not a jug, so you'll need to prepare and dispensing your milk prior to pouring your espresso into larger cups for cappuccinos and lattes.
One thing to keep in mind is that Breville only provides one year of guarantee on this machine. So should something go wrong with it after the time period, you'll need to pay for repair costs. This might be a deterrent for some, particularly considering how expensive the machine is when it's new.
2. Smeg Bean-to-Cup
The enduring Smeg name is synonymous with kitchen appliances that ooze retro 1950's design and quality. However, what's interesting is that, until recently, the collection of the brand didn't have the bean-to-cup model. This was until the sleek BCC02 model came out in September.
The bean-to-cup machine allows you to make your favorite drinks at the one button. This includes ristretto, espresso and hot water for tea or other hot beverages. It's as easy as placing the amount you want in the hopper and choose your drink using the flat buttons. Then press the button to brew. It's simple and quick with only a few inputs required, and it even has a handy alarm that informs you when it's time to remove the grounds or empty the drawer (although this is an easy one to ignore if you don't do it frequently).
Our barista from the past tried the Smeg Bean-to Cup. She loved the ease-of-use and the fact that it could make milky coffees like cappuccino and Latte. She was pleasantly surprised by the quick warm-up time and the quietness when she was working. She also liked that the brewing process took 45 seconds and that you can choose your preferred strength of each drink, meaning there's no need to be constantly watching the process. The only minor issue is that the BCC02 does not include a metal milk jug that you'll need to purchase separately.
A real winner is the fact that this bean-to-cup coffee machine doesn't require any plastic pods or sachets, which means you'll be saving money as well as making a difference for the environment. The Smeg Bean to Cup coffee machine comes in a variety of matt colours, such as taupe, white, smouldering, and new to the collection, black. This means you can match your coffee maker to the decor of your kitchen and easily transform your cooking space while at the same time. A must-see if you're a fan of the Smeg brand.
3. Gaggia Milano V60
If you're a barista at home or have any interest in espresso coffee, then this Gaggia Milano coffee machine is an excellent choice. It comes with a quick-heat boiler, which allows you to make espresso quickly and efficiently. It also has an expert steam wand for producing great foamed milk for lattes and cappuccinos. You can also alter the length of your espresso, its body, and grinding settings to suit your taste.
The single-boiler coffee maker was first introduced in the year 1991. Over the years it has become one of most well-known home espresso machines around the world, particularly for home baristas. It is known for its affordable price and simplicity, as well as its excellent performance. The design is simple and sleek with some modern features. It is also simple to maintain and use.
This Gaggia coffee maker does not have newer features like PID or preinfusion, so it may seem a bit outdated to some. It still offers great espresso, and is a great option for those who prefer a more traditional machine.
There are some key differences between this Gaggia maker and other similar models, though. It comes with a chrome-plated brass handle to the portafilter, for instance. This is a great feature that distinguishes it from other entry-level home espresso machines. It comes with a thermo-bloc which is a great feature at this price.
best coffee machine bean to cup has removable reservoirs for water that are easy for refilling. It also comes with an infusion chamber constructed of stainless steel that keeps the water at the perfect temperature to make a better espresso. It also comes with a high-quality ceramic grinder that helps keep your espresso fresher longer.
Another fantastic feature of this coffee machine is its automatic water level detection. This feature makes it simpler to operate the machine and ensures you're always running a full tank of fresh, clean water. This is crucial to get the most out of your espresso.
4. Sage Barista
Sage is known for their innovative approach to the way coffee machines function and their Oracle Touch is no exception. It's a dual-boiler with an integrated grinder, and an on-board barista. Oracle Touch is a well-balanced machine. While the majority of 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 for you while steaming and foaming milk. This allows you to get the most value from your chosen beans and avoids the kinds of disappointing results you might encounter when using pre-ground coffee from the major supermarkets.
The Oracle has 30 grind settings to ensure that you can find the perfect degree of fineness for your drink. It also comes equipped with a cradle for the portafilter. This is an excellent option for those looking to recreate the barista experience. Other features that are useful include the Razor Precision Dose Trimming Tool for wiping away any leftover beans. A stainless milk jug of steel is included, as is steam wands to create latte art.
You can choose from a range of beverages and the machine will recommend the appropriate grind size, brew rate and the temperature of your milk. This feature lets you save your preferred settings for later use. It eliminates the guesswork of finding the ideal cup. This model is ideal for those who are brand new to espresso making, as it can help you get the best out of your coffee beans.
This machine is stylishly constructed with a stunning brushed-stainless-steel finish. It looks great on your countertop in the kitchen. It's a huge machine measuring H41cm x W33cm by D38cm. This could make it difficult to fit into some cabinets. It is recommended to measure your space prior to buying to ensure you have enough room. Keeping the machine clean is fairly easy, but you'll need to regularly wipe down the steam wand and detachable drip tray. Sage offers weekly masterclasses, as well as individualized tutorials to ensure you get the most value from your new coffee maker.