If you are a coffee lover, it can be really tempting to go to a store and buy an incredible coffee machine that is full of all the newest gadgets and features. We certainly understand what this urge is like. You want a coffee that is as good as those you buy in coffee shops, right?
Well, before you dive in and make your choice, there are definitely some things that you should think about in-depth first. Otherwise, you might be a machine that is not very practical even if it is beautiful to look at.
Space
How much space do you have for the machine. Living in a studio flat? You probably shouldn’t splash out on a coffee machine that is bigger than your kitchen space, however tempting this is.
Even if you are living in a large house, there are many reasons not to take up more space than you absolutely need to with your coffee machine. Kitchen counter space is often at a premium, and taking up most of it with a huge barista coffee machine might not be a popular decision, especially if you are the only coffee drinker in the house.
Type of coffee machine
There are many different styles of coffee machine and you should definitely consider which is going to be best for you. When you go into a coffee shop, it is likely that you are going to be served by a barista using an espresso machine. The espresso can be used to mix with steamed milk and even hot water to make the drinks you order.
These are often bulky machines, but you can buy small, home models. A lot of filter coffee machines and even some of the modern pod and pad coffee machines are much more compact.
The type of machine will also inform the end result, and which type of coffee you end up drinking. If you prefer a filter coffee to any other variety, there’s probably no need to buy something that can make a triple mocha frappuccino!
How much coffee you need to brew at once
Will you be brewing a big batch of coffee to serve at a dinner party or in a workplace? Or, is this just your own personal coffee machine for the times when you need a little pickup at work?
If you need the capacity to make a lot of coffee, for work meetings, for instance, you should at least go for a coffee machine that has the capacity to brew a carafe or larger amounts of coffee.
If you can batch brew coffee drinks such as a pot of filter coffee, this might be even better for scenarios where you need to serve coffee to a lot of people at once.
Also, if you are brewing in a commercial setting such as a restaurant kitchen, there might be times when you need to make a lot of coffee at once.
Your barista skills (if you have any)
How much do you know about coffee and preparing coffee? If you’ve got some barista skills and you are looking for a way to use these at home then an espresso machine with a steaming wand might be essential. If you have no skills then the chances are certain machines will be wasted on you.
Fortunately, a lot of coffee machines are now designed purely with the consumer in mind. For example, a bean-to-cup coffee machine will do all of the work for you. You simply load it with coffee beans, water, and often milk, and then select the type of drink you want, the machine goes to work preparing this for you.
Some of these machines are pretty expensive, but a more affordable option would be something like a pod coffee machine, where you enter manufacturer-made pods and water, and the machine does the rest. Not always the most authentic experience, but the coffee can be very tasty.
The bottom line is that you shouldn’t buy a coffee machine that is out of your skillset when it comes to operating it.
Price
It’s always a consideration. Unfortunately, most of us are bound by price in one way or another and can’t overspend on a coffee machine. Instead of overspending, set yourself a budget for the machine and be sure to stick to it. Consider the cost of any refills too as pads and pods can be expensive.
Whether your budget is hundreds or thousands, there is bound to be a coffee machine that can do a reliable job for your home or workplace.