Automatic Coffee Machines

Automatic coffee machines provide a fully automated coffee preparation process from grinding through tamping to brewing. These presses are especially appreciated by households or companies where coffee is consumed in large quantities and the emphasis is on speed and simplicity of preparation. What should I look for when choosing an automatic coffee machine?

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How to Choose a Bean to Cup Coffee Machine

The main parameters when choosing an automatic coffee maker are pressure, water tank capacity, power consumption, the different types of drinks it can prepare and features.

Coffee Machine - Compressor Pressure

The amount of pressure exerted on the ground coffee determines the quality of the resulting beverage. An automatic coffee machine with constant 15-bar pressure is enough to produce great-tasting beverages. It is important that the pressure does not drop significantly during the brewing process. Automatic coffee machines with higher pressures (15 bars or more) ensure that even if the pressure does drop during brewing, it will still be sufficient to produce a really good cup of coffee.

Coffee Machine - Water Tank Capacity

Choose the water tank volume so that the machine can make drinks for everyone in one filling.

Coffee machines for businesses usually have tanks with a capacity of 2 to 3 litres. They can satisfy dozens of people and save the trouble of frequent water refilling.
Coffee machines for home are suitable for making coffee for just a few friends, and a 1-litre water tank is usually enough to do the trick.

Coffee Machine - Power Consumption

The higher the wattage of an automatic espresso machine, the more energy it consumes. While the power consumption of a fully automatic coffee machine can be as low as 850W, more advanced espresso machines can require a power of up to 2700W.

If you are buying a coffee maker especially for a company where it will be used a lot, try to choose one with a lower power input as you'll save plenty of money in the long run.

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Bean to Cup Coffee Machine

Benefits

Fully automated coffee brewing process.
Automatic coffee grinding with a built-in grinder.
Can prepare a large number of cups every day.
Easy maintenance thanks to self-cleaning and descaling functions.
Long service life.

Disadvantages

Higher purchase price compared to lever coffee makers.
Larger dimensions.

Grinding Coffee in an Automatic Coffee Machine

Larger bean to cup coffee machines often feature coffee grinders with hoppers that can hold 120g to 600g of coffee beans.

Flat stone grinders grind coffee at 900-1400rpm. However, they are larger and have less space when grinding, which can lead to the grinder heating up.
Conical stone grinders grind coffee beans at a lower speed of approximately 500rpm. They are smaller in size and do not overheat during grinding.

The basic grinding grades are very fine, fine, medium, coarse and very coarse. Some grinders have up to 13 coarseness levels.

Functions of a Bean to Cup Coffee Machine

Functions for Convenient Coffee Preparation

Coffee grinder - allows automatic grinding of fresh coffee to the desired coarseness.
Adjustable coffee temperature - allows you to choose the temperature of the coffee you prepare.
Steam nozzle - for making cappuccinos, lattes and other coffee with creamy foam.
Prepare two cups at the same time
Cup warming surface - ensures your coffee stays hot for a long time.
Adjustable coffee outlet - allows you to use different cup heights.
Timer - the machine prepares coffee at the time you choose.
Memory coffee makers - remember the set amount of coffee, milk and milk foam with one-touch preparation.

Easy Maintenance Features

Self-cleaning function - the coffee maker automatically rinses itself after operation.
Automatic descaling function - if necessary, the machine will prompt you to activate the descaling programme.
Anti-drip system - no coffee residue drips out of the spout once you remove the cup.