The difference between a coffee maker and a coffee machine

The assortment includes several types of coffee machines. They differ in the method of making the aromatic drink. In addition, they all have different names and have many modifications with different functionality within the same brand.

A coffee maker and a coffee machine are two completely different types of equipment for brewing coffee beans. To understand the difference between the two devices, it is necessary to consider their capabilities and design features.

What is the difference between a coffee maker and a coffee machine?

The coffee machine is designed for automated brewing of natural coffee. Human intervention in the cooking process is minimal.

Compared to a coffee maker, the device has expanded functionality and larger dimensions. Coffee makers produce drinks from ground raw materials, while coffee machines can grind the beans themselves.

Important! Natural coffee lovers claim that coffee machines prepare it more professionally. The finished drink has a rich aroma and delicate taste.

Coffee maker control

Many coffee maker models only support manual control.The beans must first be ground in a coffee grinder.

The user must independently measure the raw materials and pour them into a special tank, add the required volume of water and turn on the cooking mode. In the simplest devices, only one brewing method is available.

Semi-automatic devices perform only part of the functions automatically. They can measure the required amount of water and turn off at the end of the process. Semi-automatic devices include espresso machines and some carob models. This type of device is as close in capabilities as possible to coffee machines.

Coffee machine control

Coffee machines are designed to perform a full cycle of operations for preparing aromatic coffee, from grinding the beans to distributing the hot drink into cups.

Semi-automatic devices perform all functions without user intervention only after setting the desired cooking modes. A person needs to pour grains into a bunker and add water. At the same time, you can change the proportions of water, milk and raw materials yourself, experimenting with the taste of the drink. Automatic models independently dose ingredients.

The cooking process does not require user intervention, which greatly simplifies the cooking procedure. The user adjusts the degree of grinding according to taste preferences. To create delicious coffee according to your own wishes, you need to configure the machine correctly.

The process of brewing coffee in a coffee maker

In drip models, ground raw materials are poured into a special funnel directly onto the filter. The filter in them can be paper or metal.When water boils in the tank, boiling water passes through the filter, soaking the ground grains.

In geyser models, boiling water rises as it heats up into the upper compartment, where brewing takes place. A rich drink with a bright aroma is poured into a cup.

Capsule devices prepare coffee from portion-packed capsules. The capsule is a pressed ground grain designed to prepare one serving. Water moves through the capsule, creating a completely ready-to-use coffee drink. The range includes capsules for brewing various types of coffee drinks. A variety of capsule models are pod coffee makers. Instead of capsules, they contain special tablets - pods. Their brewing method is identical.

Important! In coffee makers, manufacturers focus on the process of preparing the drink, allowing the user to customize several options for the taste of the drink, independently adjusting the amount of raw materials for brewing.

The process of brewing coffee in a coffee machine

The coffee machine automatically doses the raw materials and the volume of water for one serving in accordance with the selected brewing mode. Impregnation of beans ground by a coffee machine with boiling water is carried out under pressure. Therefore, the strength of the finished drink is higher than when brewing in a coffee maker. The aroma is also more intense. Automated devices independently perform:

• grinding of grains with automatic adjustment of the degree of grinding;
• beat the milk until foamy;
• automatic rinsing at the end of cooking;
• warming up the cup before dispensing the drink.

Important! During the cooking process, the user cannot influence the procedure and adjust the settings or proportions of ingredients.

List of drinks that can be prepared in coffee makers

Drip devices and geyser analogues are capable of brewing one type of coffee according to a standard procedure. The ingredients are placed in the coffee maker and the preparation mode is turned on. Espresso machines allow you to prepare both espresso and Americano. Some horn devices are equipped with a cappuccino maker. You can brew latte, flat white, and cappuccino in them.

For drip coffee makers, it is recommended to purchase beans of the same type. It is possible to use high-grade raw materials. Such drinks perfectly reveal their aroma and taste. For geyser machines, it is better to choose medium-roasted coffee beans of any single variety. For espresso machines, dark roasted beans or ready-made blends are suitable.

List of drinks that can be prepared in a coffee machine

Automated coffee preparation in coffee machines allows you to choose several options for making espresso-based coffee. By changing the proportion of ingredients and the strength of the brew, you can prepare ristretto, Americano, espresso and lungo. To select the desired recipe, just enable the appropriate option on the panel. Milk-based recipes include cappuccino, macchiato, latte and flat white.

Comparison of additional functions and features

Coffee makers have a minimum number of settings. Making coffee does not require any special skills; it is enough to know the proportions of ground beans and water to prepare an aromatic drink. Capsule models differ in the pressure at which brewing occurs. The pressure varies between 3-15 bar.

Coffee machines have wider capabilities.They allow adjustment according to water hardness, preparation of a drink according to a specific recipe, dosing of liquid in milliliters, selection of strength and saturation of the drink. Premium series models can be integrated with a smart home system and allow remote control. They are equipped with a delayed start function.

Price comparison

Budget coffee makers are drip and geyser models. The price for them starts from 1000 rubles. Semi-automatic machines will cost 2700-3000 rubles. Pump devices with a power of 15 bar cost over 5,000 rubles. Capsule models can be bought for 3000-5000 rubles. They differ in technical characteristics.

A budget coffee machine will cost 20,000 rubles. Such devices can be equipped with a cappuccino maker - a nozzle and a grinding function. Elite models require professional brewing according to any recipe. The price for them starts from 200,000 rubles.

What is the difference between a capsule coffee machine and a capsule coffee maker?

Capsule coffee machines and coffee makers brew a drink from pressed raw materials, which differ in the type of coffee and the degree of roasting. The user sets all the functions in the coffee maker independently; the coffee machines prepare the drink fully automatically. When preparing, the user can use variations of the drink by combining different types of coffee.

Characteristics of capsule coffee machine

When choosing a coffee machine, pay attention to its performance: how many cups it can quickly prepare. The second parameter is the range of drinks offered by the device. Each specific model from different manufacturers has its own range of capsules. The taste and aroma of coffee depends entirely on the characteristics of the machine.

For a quality drink, it is recommended to choose units with a pressure rating of at least 15 bar. Capsules can be purchased in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations or you can choose a replacement at your discretion. To make cappuccino, you need to purchase capsules with powdered milk. A container for collecting spent capsules, automatic shutdown, and a digital display are additional options that will simplify the brewing process.

Characteristics of a capsule coffee maker

The coffee maker has a simplified preparation mechanism. All preparatory work is carried out by the user. After the capsule is pierced by the device, water gradually passes through the raw material under pressure, after which the drink is poured into the cup.

The device remains clean and does not require additional cleaning. Simply remove the used capsule. When choosing a specific model, pay attention to the power, which should be 1200 W or higher.

The taste and aroma of the drink depend on the pressure parameter. Strong coffee is created by devices with a pressure of 15 bar. You should pay attention to the volume of the water tank. There are devices for brewing one cup of drink. Some models are suitable for brewing coffee for 5-6 people. A water level indicator, an option to adjust the rise of the tray, a backlit display are additional options that will make the cooking process more comfortable.