SUPER-AUTOMATIC ESPRESSO MACHINES:
ALL-IN-ONE COFFEE PLEASURE!
The new generation of super-automatic espresso machines looks like anything and everything, but not like a coffee machine.
But, that is what they are... a espresso coffee machine, and, thanks to ever improving designs, they are getting
pretty good at it!
Ofcourse they too need freshly roasted coffee to grind, otherwise they cannot make the nice coffee you expect.
But, if you have a household which has a busy 'coffee desk' and you do not feel like cleaning up after everyone who grinds and tamps and generally messes up the kitchen bench, then a super-automatic espresso machine might be the choice for you.
Because inside the shiny interiors they are relatively complicated pieces of electrical and electronic engineering, there is a lot that can go wrong.
Personally, when I am looking at buying a new piece of equipment, I seek out the
repair guys and ask them which brands, what models are coming over their workbenches.
To be honest with you, in the past I have had a few real surprises with more expensive brands having the sloppier build, and the average department -store line being head-and-shoulders above the rest of the pack.
So, it never hurts to ask the experts!!
If you are looking at installing one of these beautiful machines in your kitchen, make a list of what you NEED from the machine.
- how many coffees per day would it have to make? (to determine the size of the water tank)
- how many coffees in a row would it make ( for recovery of the boiler temperature)
- do you want to make hot chocolate as well as coffee or only coffee drinks?
- do you want to make only hot drinks or also iced coffee?
- do you want the milk container to be built (auto-cooled) in or separate, so it can be kept in the fridge?
- how big can the machine be and still leave space on your benchtop?
- do you want to use real coffee beans or pods/capsules?
- and lastly, what is your budget?
Once you have that list, it is going to be much easier to make a decision on which machine you could/would/want to buy.
A super automatic coffee machine of good quality will last for years, as long as it is maintained properly.
This means regular minor maintenance and once-a-year service overhaul, which is something you will need to put into your budget.
Not scheduling the major service for a super automatic is false econonomy.
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