How does a coffee machine work?

The coffee machine can prepare coffee in 1–2 minutes. The user can select the desired recipe for his favorite drink. There is no need to grind the grains yourself. Depending on the type of brewing device, grains or capsules are used.

The device will automatically boil the water to the desired temperature. Many coffee lovers are interested in how a coffee machine creates a rich, aromatic drink.

How the coffee machine works

For high-quality coffee, boiled water is used, which the machine automatically heats. The water temperature is adjusted automatically within 80–120° depending on the type of drink selected and the features of the device.

Coffee strength is not adjustable in all types of devices. In carob models, to make it more saturated, you need to compress the ground raw materials more tightly in the holder. Most devices are equipped with push-button or touch controls that allow you to select the desired volume of liquid.

Device structure

The main structural element of the coffee machine is a water tank with a built-in heating element. The number of heating elements in different units may vary. The boiler heats the water to the set temperature.

Some devices heat the drink with steam coming from boiling water. The liquid moves through special tubes using a pump. The tray prevents water from spreading if accidentally drained. The pressure in the device is controlled using a safety valve.

For storing and grinding grains, combined models have a built-in special tank. Not all types of coffee machines support different grind settings. If coffee grinders break down, they require significant repair costs. In capsule models, instead of a compartment for coffee powder, there is a holder for capsules or pods. For pouring the drink there is one or more spouts with a built-in nozzle. The option of water purification and filtration is necessary to protect the tank from scale and deposits.

General operating principles

Automatic coffee machines are independently tested for faults before each start-up. The testing process is accompanied by light indication. Liquid from the tank is pumped into the boiler.

In this case, the counter counts the required amount of liquid. The beans are placed in the hopper of the coffee grinder and the desired degree of grinding and dosage of the drink are selected. Then the unit automatically pumps up the required pressure.

Attention! Coffee grinder millstones are made of ceramic and metal. Ceramics are quiet, and metal elements are more durable.

The ground raw material is transferred to a receiver, in which it is pressed and doused with boiling water that reaches a temperature of 95°. In most devices the operating pressure is 15 bar. In horn models, the minimum pressure is 3–4 bar. The finished drink is poured into a cup through the dispenser nozzle.

The used raw materials are transferred to a special waste tank, after which the unit is ready for further use.There is no need to manually clean the components after making coffee. At the end of cooking, waste materials must be removed from the container.

Important! Pressure affects the duration of coffee preparation, its taste, strength and aroma. Brewing at a pressure of 3-4 bar makes it possible to get a strong drink, while at 15 bar - a softer and more delicate drink with a pronounced aroma.

How does a cappuccino maker work in a coffee machine?

A cappuccino machine is a device for emulsifying milk. Whipped foam is used to prepare espresso-based drinks. This device can be built-in or attached as an attachment.

Milk enters the cappuccino maker through a tube from a container or a carton of milk. The milk is heated by steam inside the device. A little air is supplied into it through the calibration hole. The process of mixing air with milk produces foam.

How the coffee machine works: video

The preparation of a coffee drink is carried out in several stages:

• crushing grains to a given degree of grinding;
• pressing in a hopper;
• dosage of raw materials and treatment with boiling water;
• pouring the finished drink into cups.

The main advantage of automatic models is the ability to brew freshly ground coffee with minimal user intervention in the preparation process. It should be remembered that devices with two nozzles distribute the drink into two cups simultaneously.

Drip machines are designed for semi-automatic preparation. The flask has a fixed size. It can hold several cups of coffee.

The device is selected based on the required amount of the finished drink. The grain is pre-grinded or ground raw materials are purchased.It is placed in the bunker in the required quantity and compacted. The device passes water through the raw materials in small portions, pouring the finished drink into a cup. At the end of brewing, the hopper must be cleared of waste.

Important! You should not prepare the drink “in reserve”. Brewed coffee cannot be stored for long periods of time and loses its taste and aroma.

How does a capsule coffee machine work?

Capsule machines do not require preliminary grinding of coffee and pressing of raw materials in a holder. The capsule is a plastic container sealed in foil. It has two filters for filtering water and the finished drink.

Under pressure, hot steam enters the horn and the capsule is pierced. Hot water passes through the filter into the box with the powder. Upon completion of extraction, the finished drink is filtered with a second filter and enters the cup.

In capsule models, water is poured into a tank located at the back of the device. Using a pump, liquid is supplied from the tank to the machine. Heating to a given temperature is carried out by a heating element. Boiling water passes through the capsule, brewing a strong drink. The remaining waste material remains on the capsule filter, and the liquid is drained into the cup.

After brewing, the used capsule is discarded. The device does not need to be mechanically cleaned. Used containers are collected in a waste tank that can store up to 15 capsules. The cup warming function is not available on all coffee machines.

Models differ in power characteristics. The range includes devices with 950–1700 W ratings. They operate under a pressure of 15–19 atmospheres. The volume of the tank will determine how many servings of coffee the unit can prepare without the need to add water.Devices with a timer make it possible to brew a drink at a certain time. There are combination devices on sale that are designed for brewing coffee beans and capsule drinks.