What to look for in a coffee machine
The world is a complicated place but at UKVending we like to see it in a calm way. We like to take the stress out of deciding on percolators, pods, pumps and any other number of strange and confusing terms…we just see it as coffee.
There was a time, not so long ago, that all it took to make a cup of coffee was to flick the switch on the back of the office kettle to heat some water to pour into a cup with some ground coffee in. Not anymore, today there is a plethora of options that can confound and confuse. Think of UKVending as the coffee guru or the coffee genie on hand to offer you the inside track on how to unscrew the metaphorical cap off the instant coffee jar. But for starts, let’s throw away the jar of old, tasteless coffee that’s been sitting in the back of your office stationary cupboard for the last ten years. Think coffee machine, think shiny, think new, think efficient, think safe and clean and always on hand to make the best cup of coffee you’ve ever tasted throughout your working life.
So you’re convinced that the office will benefit from having a new coffee machine, what are the key things that you should consider before handing over your hard earned cash?
The first thing is to select what type of machine you need. Modern life offers options, there are filter coffee machines, pod or capsule machines, percolators, pump espresso makers and let’s not forget the bean to cup machines too. Each has benefits and each has drawbacks.
The filter coffee machine are the traditional items you’ve seen in thousands of restaurants and coffee outlets where the water is heated by an element and drips through the machine and through a filter into a jug below. The jug is warmed by a hot plate.
A pod or capsule coffee machine uses a pre-packaged capsule which is inserted into the machine. Once the button is selected it pierces the skin of the capsule and hot water is then sent through it to infuse with the coffee in the pod or capsule. The drink is then delivered directly into a waiting cup. These machines are easy to clean and maintain but you might be limited in the choice or range of flavours.
Percolators have been around for hundreds of years. The coffee is made when hot water is forced through a tube and then down through the coffee. Percolators have a range of options including electric as well as stove mounted versions.
The use of thermostatically controlled boilers is at the heart of the pump espresso maker. The thermostat allows the machine to maintain the perfect temperature for making coffee (between 85C and 92C) and passes water through the coffee at this point. Most Pump espresso makers also have options to steam milk for the most popular varieties of lattes and cappuccinos.
Bean-to-cup machines grind the coffee beans and then run hot water through them before dispensing your drink. It is essentially a pump espresso maker with a built-in grinder.