One thing we have realized in the current pandemic is how difficult it is to survive without good coffee. With all the social distancing and self-isolating protocols in place, a decent cup of coffee from Starbucks seems like a distant dream. Humans are intelligent creatures, however, and are capable of adapting to almost any circumstance.
How To Know Which Coffee Machine To Buy For Home Use
In order to decide what machine is best suited for you and your daily coffee needs, here is a list of factors to consider:
How much do you want to spend on your machine?
A coffee machine can cost you up to $1000 depending on the machine and the features it provides. This is exactly why it is important to decide a budget for your machine and try and find the best possible fit in this budget. It is also important to keep in mind that buying a coffee machine is not a one-time expense.
Once you have bought the machine, depending on which one it is, you will need to keep buying pods (in case of a pod and capsule machine) or replace the filters ever so often and even buy a bean grinder if you have a bean to cup coffee machine. Basically, before you dive in, make sure that the cost of “keeping the machine running” is something you’re willing to pay.
How experienced are you when it comes to making coffee?
If you are a beginner at making coffee and have always relied on the expertise of your local barista to make you the perfect cup, then you will be looking for something automatic, easy to operate and clean, and doesn’t require a lot of effort to make a cup of coffee. The best option, in this case, is a pod and capsule machine. These machines use prepackaged coffee pods that come in a variety of flavors and are quick and easy to make.
The machine only requires you to add your choice of liquid and voila! Your coffee is ready. These machines are also smaller and less bulky than regular coffee machines, making them great for transportation. If you want to experiment and get at making coffee then espresso machines are a fantastic option because they allow you to really get an immersive coffee experience by experimenting with different coffee roasts and get an idea of what you like. Believe us when we tell you that this is an investment that is worth every single penny.
How well do you know your coffee?
When buying your machine, you need to know more than just your regular coffee order at your coffee shop. Terms like brewing temperature and milk frothing, roast level, etc., should not faze you. When discussing features you want to have in your machine, you should also take into account what type of coffee you prefer to drink and how much you actually consume it.
There is no point in spending hundreds of dollars on a state-of-the-art machine when the type of coffee you drink can be made using a simple espresso machine or a french press. You can get whole coffee beans that you grind yourself. You can also find coarsely ground coffee and even coffee powder. You should know which machine uses which kind and what your preferences are.
There’s a myriad of factors that go into choosing the right machine for you, but the most important thing to remember is to do your research and make an informed decision keeping in mind your usage and your current knowledge and experience.
Although coffee machines may be well on their way to becoming household staples, it is easy to get swept away by shiny machines with fancy buttons and forget about your requirements. If this is your first time purchasing a coffee machine, we would also recommend buying a machine from a store that offers a return or exchange policy in case you decide to go with another model or avoid the hassle altogether and stick to getting your coffee from your local coffee shop around the corner.