Articles >> Coffee Makers - Choosing a Semi-Automatic Coffee MachineCoffee Makers - Choosing a Semi-Automatic Coffee Machine
Traditionally, an espresso coffee maker was completely manual, but the invention of the piston and advances in technology, means it's possible to extract espresso from coffee beans using a fully automated coffee maker. There are a wide variety of coffee makers available to choose from, some are semi-automated, allowing for some input and control by the barista, others are fully-automated and require no skills whatsoever. The type of coffee maker you choose naturally depends on the market you are providing for - if you're a busy, commercial caterer, you'll need a coffee maker that is speedy, reliable, easy to use and maintain and yet produces consistently good espresso.
Coffee Makers - Ease of Use and User Control
Semi-automatic coffee makers are suitable for home and commercial use. These coffee makers evolved from the manual lever espresso coffee machines . Gaggia invented an electric pump that meant using the coffee machine was easier. The pump provided consistent pressure, rather then the inconsistent manual pressure applied by the baristas. The baristas still controlled the amount of water flowing through the coffee grind, which is why these coffee machines are known as semi-automatic. Semi automatic coffee machines are a good compromise for coffee makers that want ease of use, but still want to maintain some control over the coffee making process.
Advantages of the Semi-Automatic Espresso Coffee Machines
The semi-automatic coffee machines meant the user could have more control over the amounts of water that could be used to flow through the coffee grinds. This added feature historically led to the greater variety of espresso-based coffees that we know today, and unlimited water supply allowed for increased capacity - making these coffee machines ideal for busy cafè environments. Semi-automated espresso coffee makers are also designed to produce instant steam in the commercial machines.
Who is best suited for the Semi-Automatic Coffee Maker?
The semi-automatic coffee makers are overall best suited to those who want to produce a high quality cup of espresso, while still maintaining control over the end result. The semi-automatic coffee machine offers greater consistency then a manual one, and cleaning and maintenance is on a monthly basis, making it easy to maintain.
The Fully Automatic Coffee Machine
For those coffee makers who want a fully automatic espresso coffee machine, the fully automatic machine offers all the qualities of a semi-automatic but also controls the amount of water used to pass through the coffee grind. It's recommended that commercial environments looking for consistency and speed opt for the fully automated coffee machines. Most commercial machines give the users the option to switch to semi-automatic mode if they are looking for more control.
Coffee Xclusive supplies a wide range of top-quality coffee machines for use in the home, the office, or for commercial purposes. We also provide coffee beans, pods and capsules along with all the accessories you need. To find out more, or to order online, just browse our website. We're always happy to answer any questions you might have - just fill in our online enquiry form on the Contact Us page.
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