Buying a Cappuccino Machine

How does a Cappuccino Maker work?

A cappuccino is typically 1/3 espresso, 1/3 hot milk and 1/3 frothy milk.

An espresso is about 25 to 30 ml of strong black coffee. It must have a good crema wihich is the froth that is rich and creamy and floats on your coffee until you’ve finished it.

Espresso Machines use either a pump or pressure to make the coffee. Many have a steamer nozzle as well. This enables you to make a latte or cappuccino with the espresso as the base.

Types of Cappuccino Machine

Pressure

A Pressure Machines only makes only a cup or two at any one time and is the one to go for if you prefer ground coffee. It doesn’t take coffee pods (the rectangular pads of coffee in filter paper, often foil wrapped) You fill it with a jug and clamp down the lid. The element then heats the water and pressure builds up to about 4 or 5 bars.

They won’t have cup warmers, you have to turn the coffee off manually, and you need to wait for it to cool down before refilling. They are much cheaper and make great cups of coffee, though!

Pump

A Pump Machine can use either pod or ground coffee. They can also make three or more cups of coffee at any time.

Pump machines force the amount of water needed through a heating block. This takes the temperature up quickly and forces it through the coffee. The level of pressure is actually higher than for pressure coffee machines - reaching up to 20 bars.

The majority have water tanks that can be taken off and filled from the tap (or with a jug if you prefer). Extras can include a cup hotplate.

Location and size

Before you buy, think where you’ll be keeping it. If this will be on your worksurface, make sure it’s not too large. If out of the way, check that it won’t be too heavy to take in and out fairly easily.

Automatic or not

An automatic machine will sense how much water has been through and stop at about 30ml for each cup.

Semi automatic machines use an electric pump rather than steam to force the hot water through the coffee grounds. They are considerably cheaper.

Milk

Any type of milk can be used as long as its fresh. Its the protein in the milk that makes the froth and this starts reducing after 4 days.