If you are considering buying a coffee machine for your kitchen you might be a little overwhelmed at the choice which is available. If you are a big fan of cappuccino you may especially be pondering over whether it is worth the extra money to actually buy a cappuccino machine rather than a normal filter coffee machine. To help you out a little in making your decision, here I will talk you through the pros and cons of investing in a cappuccino maker so that you can decide whether it is something which you want to do.

Coffee Preparation

What makes a good cappuccino? Well the most important feature of a cappuccino, and that which sets it apart from other styles of coffee, is the foam topping. While this keeps the coffee warmer for longer and can add a unique taste to the coffee, it is traditionally quite difficult to prepare. If you only have a filter coffee maker the only real way of preparing the foam would be to do it with a hand-held steamer, but this may be quite awkward and may not produce the desired results every time. This is really only an option if cappuccino is something you drink only rarely. Most cappuccino machines have the facility to prepare the topping at the same time as the coffee, which makes life a little easier. If you choose a fully-automated cappuccino machine then it is even easier, as the machine will take care of everything, including the foam topping, all at the push of only one button.

Espressos as well?

While you may think that you have to sacrifice drinking other styles of coffee if you get a cappuccino machine this is not necessarily the case. Many models of cappuccino maker which are currently available on the market recognise that people probably don’t want to drink cappuccino all the time. Traditionally, Italians only drink cappuccino and other milk-based coffees in the morning, and stick to espresso later on in the day. So, if you want to follow their excellent example, it makes sense to be able to make the same choices when making coffee at home. Many models now offer the facility to create different styles of coffee with a combination cappuccino machine, without sacrificing any of the quality of either drink. The way that this is done is similar to the process which is used by a real barista. These combination machines are essentially espresso machines with an expanded range of capabilities. Each different drink begins life as an espresso, with different discs or pods then added to the machine afterwards to create the desired finish. So to produce a cappuccino, an espresso is made, and then a separate milk disc or pod is added to the machine to create the foam topping as a second step.

Price

While in the past you may have had to invest in a proper commercial machine to get great cappuccinos, this isn’t the case anymore. There are now mass-produced cappuccino machines which have been designed specifically for the home market and at a much lower cost than commercial machines. In fact many of these machines do not actually cost any more than a good quality filter coffee machine. When you consider how much you use your machine, if you are a regular cappuccino drinker then it is probably still only going to work out costing you a few pence extra per drink over the life of the cappuccino machine.

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.