Do you like to drink coffee in the morning and do not want to spend your precious time grinding beans? An automated unit will satisfy all your needs in an elementary way. In order to get a high-quality drink in an instant, master the working principle of a capsule coffee machine. In order to purchase this device, it is important to know its technical characteristics. Models from the most popular brands are presented in our review.
Brief information
Of course, we will tell you about the principle of operation of capsule-type coffee machines, but at first I wanted to touch on the history of the device a little. The subject of engineering, which made a splash in the 2000s among gourmets and bar owners, was invented by Swiss scientist Eric Favre. Although in the 90s for unknown reasons the technical novelty was massively rejected, they began to buy it for home use, and over time, many people appreciated the capsule design. Now she has taken a strong position in the coffee market. Fans of a fragrant drink were presented with a number of units from several manufacturers.
What to look for when choosing a device?
The mechanism of action of individual models is almost similar, but there are some differences. That is why it is necessary to carefully study the operating instructions for the device before buying it. The way a capsule-type coffee machine works is not all that you need to pay attention to when choosing a model. First of all, it must be suitable for use and be multifunctional. For example, for professional use, you need to choose a device with a sufficient volume of the tray for loading capsules. For making coffee at home, a machine with a small size is suitable.
The cleaning system is also an important criterion - no one wants to disassemble and wash the device after brewing one serving of the drink. Devices are available that include auto-cleaning and the function of rejecting the packaging material.
Capsule Coffee Machine
Such a device consists of three main parts. A large compartment, which includes a water tank and heater, a tray for containers with coffee and stands for cups or a coffee pot. The device includes such components:
- housing;
- fuser;
- control panel (electrical unit and software);
- water dispenser;
- pressure regulating pump;
- capsule processing system (for ejection, puncture holes and brewing).
The essence of this device is that the taste of coffee is set by the company that makes the capsules, not the machine itself. This is a plus, as branded packaging serves as a guarantee of high quality raw materials.
What is a capsule?
This is a special package made of plastic or aluminum, polymers or other food combined materials. The ground coffee grains are placed in it and hermetically sealed with a filter. On top of the capsule is still sealed with foil paper. In their appearance, they resemble flasks that differ in color and size.
Specifications
Let’s find out by what criteria an automated coffee machine is evaluated. Main parameters:
- The volume of the water bowl. It takes into account the number of glasses that the machine is able to prepare in a row.
- Pressure. If this value is lower than 15 bar, the drink will not be able to fully reveal its taste. The more intense pressure is exerted on the grains, the brighter will be felt notes laid in the coffee initially. An exception in this respect are apparatuses working with unpressed raw materials. For them, the degree of pressure does not matter.
- Power. This is also an important criterion that affects the taste of coffee. The speed depends on the power, and with the fast production of the drink its characteristics will be at a high level. The optimal indicator of the power of the device for operation at home should be 1,200 watts.
- Additional functions: lever for adjusting the level of the pallet, an indicator for filling the tank, a display with the display of the parameters of the mode, equipped with a backlight.
- Dimensions The more impressive the size of the unit, the more drink it can produce. Therefore, this parameter is the main regarding the purpose of the device.
Literally all coffee machines have a high noise level. However, this drawback is smoothed out due to the speed of preparation of the drink. Next, we will see how the capsule coffee machine works.
Mechanism of action
To prepare a drink for each individual type of unit, you need to buy special capsules. They all work from the mains. Just need to go through a few simple steps:
- Place the packaging of coffee in the designated slot and close it.
- The machine independently pierces the container with the contents in several places.
- You should wait a minute, and after heating the water to a certain temperature, a hot stream under pressure will break through the capsule.
- You just have to watch how the fragrant drink will drain into the cup pre-installed on the stand.
- The next task is to dispose of the waste flask with accumulations of thick residues.
A household appliance exempts its owners from regular cleaning. However, this does not mean that it does not require care. Periodically, you need to disassemble the device, clean the tube for the cappuccino machine and the container for capsules. If this is not done, then over time an unpleasant odor will accumulate inside the device.
Capabilities of devices depending on type
Despite the fact that the design was developed with the participation of the latest innovative technologies and the principle of operation of the capsule coffee machine is quite complicated, everyone can remember the algorithm of actions when using it. With minimal human participation, the result will be stunning. The machine will turn coffee beans and water into an invigorating aromatic drink in one minute. Most devices have the following features:
- By adjusting the serving volume, you can set the specific strength of the coffee drink.
- Using an automated system, capsules are punctured.
- Devices equipped with a milk frothing program make cappuccino.
- There is a function to clean the compartment into which the capsules are inserted.
- The water level in the tank is adjusted by the indicator.
- Some units are endowed with several modes for preparing various drinks.
- The control panel has a stop drop button.
On sale there are devices that, in addition to a coffee drink, can also make tea. These include the technical novelty of Paulig.
Budget options have a simplified device. However, they, passing boiling water through capsules, allow you to get real aromatic coffee. There are machines in which it is permissible to fill in only filtered water. They have a self-cleaning function. If there is no possibility for such maintenance, it is better to purchase a design with a special filter.
Raw Material Compatibility
All devices are designed according to the standards of flasks, which contain the raw materials for the preparation of the drink. For example, how a Nespresso capsule coffee machine works. Since it is also tied to a specific type of packaging, it can only function with their presence. Nespresso is the most popular manufacturer-giant in the coffee market, which produces both the units themselves and the capsules for them. In this regard, you must first conduct a tasting of coffee drinks from different brands, figure out which standard is better to give preference, and then buy the machine.
The most popular models on the Russian market are well-known companies that meet the following standards for packaging flasks: Tassimo, Caffitaly, Dolce Gusto, Cremesso, Nespresso. Below is an overview of models from European manufacturers whose brands have taken a solid position in the coffee industry.
Nespresso
In the domestic market, this brand was one of the first, coffee makers were presented by the Swiss company Nescafe. In terms of reliability and functionality, they are deservedly referred to as the best solutions. Devices are produced at the factories of manufacturers Krups and DeLonghi.
The principle of operation of the Nespresso capsule coffee machine is the same as described above. But there are some differences due to the parameters of specific models. The line includes 20 options, differing among themselves by managerial functions, the size of the water tank and additional positions. Among them, there are miniature ones that do not take up much space and weigh a little more than two kilograms. Some are equipped with a cappuccinator for infusion of fresh milk, sometimes with a regulator for the degree of whipping of the additive. There are devices endowed with heated cups, a system for controlling the volume of liquid.
Only 5 g of raw material is placed in the capsule, but the drink is strong. Water intake occurs at the level of professional apparatus - 19 bar. Meanwhile, they are all economical, with minimal energy consumption.
Dolce gusto
An affordable option from the Krups brand. The lineup is represented by a wide range - there are both fully automated devices and semi-manual ones. All of them are distinguished by their original design, in which one style is traced - rounded configurations with smooth outlines of lines. If you need a compact model, you can choose from the devices of the initial group, the top ones, as a rule, are multifunctional and have large sizes. How does the Dolce Gusto capsule coffee machine work with wide capabilities? The device is able to regulate the volume of the drink and set its strength. If we talk about the pressure of the pump, then it is relatively small - 15 bar. The machine works with capsule standards, the range of which includes up to 25 recipes, including chocolate drinks. In one package is 6 g of raw materials.
The minuses of the device include: problems associated with the assembly of the device and the relatively small pressure of the pump.
Compact Dolce Gusto for home use
It will be about the Nescafe capsule coffee machine. This is a great option for those who do not have the opportunity to get aesthetic pleasure from production experiments on coffee beans. All you need to do to get a drink is to insert a flask with the contents and press the button. When lowering the lever located at the top of the device, the capsules are punctured. The packaging container is removed by squeezing it in the opposite direction. On the back side of the case there is a water tank and a lever that includes four positions - the flow of hot and cold water and time control. The Nescafe capsule coffee machine is very compact and easy to use. The kit includes a collection basket for waste packaging. In the foreground of the case are provided adjusting holders for the stand, located at different heights, which makes it possible to use cups of different sizes.
Many choose this option as a trial. It allows the user to determine how such a technology will flow into his usual rhythm of life. A coffee machine can be a wonderful gift for loved ones.
Delonghi
The main advantages of coffee machines are their reliable and high-quality assembly. This also includes strong fluid pressure. In power, they are not inferior to units of the widespread Nespresso brand and have the same value for this indicator - 19 bar. They also work with the standard capsules from the same manufacturer. In total, the beverage palette includes 26 types of flavors.
Capsule-type DeLonghi coffee machines have an advantage, as do Krups machines. Unlike other devices that can only accept their standard capsules, they can work with different types of packages.
Tassimo
This is an automated unit from the manufacturer Bosch, which is significantly different from the rest. The raw materials from this company are packaged in flat containers in the form of disks. For them, a small pressure force is enough, therefore its value is underestimated significantly (3.3 bar), the drink comes out very weak. Multifunctional models differ from usual ones by tank parameters and beautiful design. In the work, they accept only native packaging, with contents weighing 9 g. Among the recipes there are tea and cocoa. Each foil disc has a barcode that the scanner reads in order to select a specific amount of water and temperature conditions.
Conclusion
If you do not save on the quality of the units due to the fact that they cost more than usual, and also master the principle of capsular coffee machines, they will quickly pay for themselves. The stable taste of the aromatic drink in the morning will not depend on your efforts and special skills.