Coffee makers – an overview

The main consideration when buying a coffee maker must be what kind of coffee you like. Strong or weak? Cappuccino, espresso, latte? How about a basic, medium strength flat white? Where do you start?

Coffee machines

For a basic cup of coffee you can't go past the standard coffee maker.

French Press – also known as a plunger. Ground coffee is put into a carafe with boiling water and left to steep. A plunger is pushed down the carafe, forcing the coffee grounds to the bottom and the liquid coffee to the top. An inexpensive, manual way to make a great brew.

Filter Machines – an electric coffee maker that automatically pours hot water over ground coffee in a filter. The liquid coffee drips through the filter and collects in a carafe below. Inexpensive and convenient.

Espresso makers

Espresso makers use one of three methods to make coffee:

Steam method–steam pressurises the inside of the machine, forcing the water through the coffee grounds. Simple and inexpensive, these machines are not always reliable, sometimes not creating enough pressure and sometimes getting too hot and resulting in bitter coffee.

Pump method – water is automatically pumped into a tank to build up the required pressure. The water is then forced through the grounds. More expensive than steam machines, pump machines tend to be more reliable with a better end result.

Piston-style method – required pressure is created by manually pulling a lever connected to a piston. This traditional method can be complicated to apply but creates the best tasting coffee. Machines using this method also tend to be the most expensive to buy.

The simplest and least automated espresso maker is the stove top espresso maker, requiring no electricity, just a suitable heat source. Water in the base of the pot boils, becomes pressurised and forces its way up through the ground coffee above. The resulting liquid is collected in a chamber at the top of the pot.

Automatic espresso machines

There are three main types of automatic espresso machine, each dependant on the level of automation in the machine.

Semi-automatic espresso machine – requires the user to turn the machine on, and off at completion. it uses an electric pump to create the necessary pressure and has a portafilter handle filled with coffee grounds. The pressure created is consistent, resulting in a better tasting brew. This is the least expensive of all the automatic espresso machines.

Fully-automatic espresso machine – also uses an electric pump to create pressure, however there is no requirement for the user to turn the machine on and off every time. One touch will deliver a pre-programmed amount of water through the machine resulting in a perfect brew. A consistent and efficient machine.

Super-automatic espresso machine – similar to the fully-automatic machine, the super-automatic machine also offers functions such as an in-built coffee grinder and automatic disposal of used coffee grounds into an internal bin. Some super-automatic machines also have the ability to make lattes and cappuccinos.