WHAT COFFEE MACHINE SHOULD I BUY?

This is a pretty loaded question, I know, but there are a few guidelines and suggestions that i can offer. The key things that it boils down to is personal preference and, of course, the depth of your wallet.

At the outset, let me state that i am NOT a fan of coffee pods. Apart from the looming environmental disaster (contributions to land fill on the scale of plastic water bottles, I’m led to understand), the pod fails really in the freshness stakes. As someone once stated, pods are the McDonald’s of the espresso world - consistently average, but never great.

That great coffee requires freshly roasted coffee, ideally ground just before brewing, and correctly heated water.

(Please guys, particularly plunger users, never pour boiling water directly onto your coffee. You will burn the coffee and destroy or damage the oils inside the coffee that gives that wonderful flavour) Let boiled water stand for several minutes before using it. Most coffee machines allow a degree of control, but they don’t boil the water.

Back to that great coffee that you’re seeking, there is one other measure that i cannot stress enough. Your equipment, whether you’re using a 300k 4-head commercial machine, or just a basic plunger, needs to be cleaned properly. Dirty equipment really has a negative impact on the taste. Accumulated rancid oils, old left over granules taste dreadful, and aren’t good for your equipment either.

So, back to the original question. For those who want an inexpensive option, you have the widest choice. Plungers and pour over coffee equipment wont set you back much, and the taste is smooth, but doesn’t always carry the intensity extracted by pressure. When we visit our families, this is what my wife and I have with them, and the coffee is always good.

The classic drip machines, like pour over also don’t extract under pressure, but they give off a fantastic aroma, and there isn’t much to beat that! You can make a big pot, but I’m not a fan of coffee from a pot that has been standing for a while. That’s really a personal preference, I choose freshness over convenience there! Price here is also less of a factor, but there is a huge range to choose from. Remember, that like pour over, you will probably need to buy filter paper. It isn’t expensive, but just something else that you need to get in time. Some drip machines have a built in mesh, which helps, but these must obviously be properly cleaned.

The classic moka pot is many people’s go-to for their morning (or any other time) fix. I love the sound of my little Bialetti when it’s bubbling away. A gas hob, or hot plate, and a moka pot is a great way to Eskom-proof yourself! Keep it clean (spotting a trend? LOL) and it will give you years of great coffee and it’s easy to take with you when you go away. 

There are a couple of great manual options to get yourself going. Aeropress has really made a name for itself. It’s really easy to use, and it can produce some really good taste notes if used well. If you decide to go with one, i urge you to troll through YouTube. There are loads of great tips to get the best out of the machine. You have options too - filter paper or metal mesh filters (there are two different ones to choose from here too). There are arguments for both. The filter paper is far easier to clean, but those with super-refined palates may prefer not to pass their coffee through paper. You can even buy a attachment to convert your Aeropress into an espresso maker. I’ve not seen or heard much about this gizmo, so I can’t really offer you much here! 

Another option, for manual users, is called the NanoPresso. It’s a hand held espresso maker. You manually pump the water through the coffee, under the pressure equivalent of a quality espresso machine. It produces a great crema and beautiful taste notes. It does require a little bit work but the coffee is worth it, I promise!

I been gradually going up in price as we’ve gone through the options thus far and this is where the prices start to jump quite dramatically.

Espresso machines come in so many guises and such a variety of prices, so what should you look for?

If your budget permits, i would recommend one with a built in grinder. Espresso needs a fine grind, and most small grinders struggle to achieve this. 

A pressure gauge is also useful, as it will guide you on the way to perfecting your own espresso.

I’m not going to talk about multiple group head machines, as these are for commercial use and cost way more that most of us would be prepared to spend!

It does help if you espresso machine has two spouts, if you want to make two cups at once. Remember of course, that these will now be single shots only. Personally, i like a double shot to start the day, so we make our coffees one at a time and we both have a double shot.

You can pay a couple of thousand rand for a cheaper machine, but usually these don’t have grinders. I’m not sure how good the pumps are in these machines, and that is really the single most important thing. Pressure. It forces the water through the coffee, extracting the flavours to the optimum. Fresh beans will also produce a great crema, but more about that another time.

There are so many options out there, and it is worth shopping around. Most of our bigger retailers carry a range of sorts, or you can go to one of the one of the coffee specialists. Most of these operate remotely, but they do generally carry the better brands and can also offer better advice one your machine of choice.

Whatever machine or device you use, it will take practice to get that perfect cup. We all enjoy a good cup of coffee and it’s even better when you’ve made it yourself.

I hope you enjoyed this article, please look out for others right here on our website.

Regards

Chris