Perhaps we will start with the fact that the carob coffee makers got their name due to their special design. Instead of filtration nets, such devices use special horns made of metal or plastic.
The principle of the carob coffee maker
Making coffee using a carob coffee machine involves using high-pressure ground beans. The process begins by filling the tank with distilled water. Further, the horn is densely filled with pre-crushed grains. After turning on the espresso machine, steam under powerful pressure passes through the powder, and is distributed in the form of a coffee drink into cups.
Given that high pressure is used to make espresso, it is possible to maintain a maximum of aromatic and healthy ingredients. It is extracted, up to 25% of coffee. For comparison, in geyser coffee makers the figure is a maximum of 18%. Another advantage of this type of coffee equipment is cream - fragrant foam.
What determines the speed of work
Due to the fact that the principle of operation of the device is based on the operation of high pressure, it is important to immediately determine the power before choosing a horn coffee machine. You should know the following statistics from manufacturers:
- Younger models, as a rule, develop a pressure of up to 4 bar. Their power is a maximum of 1000 watts. Such devices emit excessively hot steam, which negatively affects the aroma of coffee drinks. It takes up to 1.5 minutes to prepare a serving of coffee;
- High-end coffee makers produce pressures up to 15 bar, due to the presence of an integrated pump. Such models heat water to 95 degrees Celsius and have a power of 1000 to 1700 watts. Such devices prepare one cup of espresso in about 30 seconds.
Types of Espresso Coffee Makers
Speaking about how to choose a carob coffee maker for home or commercial use, you should also understand the types of equipment, the advantages and disadvantages of different analogues:
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Boiler-horn-coffee makers - budget inventions that give out a little pressure: from 2 to 4 bar. After boiling water, steam enters the horn through the valve. This option is suitable for home, and involves the preparation of one type of drink - espresso;
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Canonical espresso coffee makers are more suitable for making a strong Americano than espresso. This option is an exception to the rule, and is a good compromise for lovers of geyser coffee machine products who do not plan to expect to make a coffee drink;
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Pump-type carob coffee makers - work on the basis of a vibration pump. Because of this, the pressure is not uniform, but such models are cheaper to maintain and quite reliable. The best choice for home use by people who like strong espresso;
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Espresso coffee machines are a premium segment that attracts pressure regulation.This type of equipment is focused on professional barista.
Important details of the carob coffee makers
Regardless of price and class, the design of the carob coffee makers consists of 3 elements:
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Water boiler - volume depends on capacity. Cheap models are equipped with plastic, which has a characteristic unpleasant odor;
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The pump is a vibration pump. Be guided by models which give out from 8 to 9 bars. Do not need anymore;
The heating element is a flowing thermal block or a boiler with a heat exchanger. If you do not know how to choose a good coffee maker, focus on a multi-boiler system that allows you to quickly receive large volumes of warm water.
additional characteristics
In addition to choosing a heating element for a carob coffee maker and pressure, it is important to determine a number of auxiliary functions and the quality of certain structural components:
- horn fasteners, filter, exit from the boiler - elements made of plastic. It is important that these parts do not have an unpleasant odor;
- the diameter of the horn is from 50 to 58 millimeters. Roughly speaking, the more the better;
- the presence of an upgrader is a structural component responsible for adjusting the pressure. The better this module is, the user has more opportunities to take part in the coffee preparation process;
- auto-dosing - a function that allows you to program the start and volume of water;
- additional valves - auxiliary elements that allow you to stop the supply of excess drops after stopping the filling, dry tablets, etc. As a rule, for such components you need to pay substantially;
- electronic control - the PID function, which is responsible for the uniformity of heating and increase thermal stability;
- automatic cappuccino machine - an option available for some models. Allows you to increase the list of coffee products from espresso to cappuccino and milk drinks.
Tips for choosing a carob coffee maker
Finally, we present a number of useful tips for choosing a carob coffee maker:
- much better when the horn is made of metal, which is more reliable and efficient than plastic products in terms of coffee extraction;
- if you intend to prepare two types of drinks at the same time, buy products with two pumps;
- for dripping, modern carob coffee makers are equipped with a special tray;
- advanced models work on the basis of pods - tablets, from already pressed ground coffee;
- overheating protection must be installed.
Optimal cost: 15–20 thousand rubles.
We hope that now there will be no questions regarding which carob coffee machine to buy. Perhaps our top will help you decide on a difficult task. Good luck and be healthy!