If you want to buy a new coffee machine, you will be faced today with a wide choice of different systems. Learn here the pre& know the disadvantages.
Fully automatic coffee machines and portafilter machines are for example. Then above all interesting, if one sets on coffee benefit, which lies clearly over the level of a filter machine. But when should you buy a portafilter and when would you rather buy a fully automatic coffee maker?? We looked into this question and examined both systems according to the following points: suitability for everyday use, ease of maintenance, coffee enjoyment, and costs.
everyday usability: point for the fully automatic coffee maker
In terms of everyday usability, we have put our focus on the operation of the two coffee machines. While the coffee is brewed simply by pressing a button on a fully automatic machine, the preparation on a portafilter is more like a small ceremony. The coffee beans are freshly ground into the sieve directly in the espresso grinder. Press the coffee powder firmly with the tamper and then attach it to the outlet of the machine. You can clearly see here that the amount of work required for a cup of coffee is significantly less with a fully automatic coffee maker.
This changes only slightly when milk-based beverages come into play. Even mid-range fully automatic coffee machines usually have their own steam circuit which, after a short heating phase, can automatically froth milk using a cappuccinatore. Different with the portafilter – whether a single or dual circuit system is used, the milk is foamed by hand and represents another step in the coffee preparation process.
Maintenance effort: the correct cleaning of coffee machines is important!
When it comes to maintenance, the portafilter scores over the fully automatic coffee maker. While the coffee filter of a portafilter has to be cleaned after each cup (by tapping), the cleaning steps of a portafilter are much easier, since the "inside" of the espresso machine only comes into contact with hot water, it is sufficient to rinse the machine briefly with water – of course, a portafilter also has to be decalcified from time to time. The brewing group should also be regularly cleaned of coffee residues and coffee oils.
the fully automatic coffee machine requires more intensive care. Since the beans are ground directly in the machine, coffee dust is formed which contaminates the fully automatic machine. In addition, the moist pomace is collected in a bowl and thus provides a good breeding ground for mold. A daily emptying of the tester bowl as well as a regular cleaning (1-2 times a month) of the brewing group and at best a daily emptying of the water tank are therefore almost inevitable. As soon as milk is involved, the milk system must also be cleaned daily, whereas with the portafilter, you simply clean the steam nozzle with a damp cloth directly after frothing the milk.
Coffee enjoyment: clear point in favor of the portafilter
As mentioned above, both systems deliver a much better quality of coffee than a simple filter machine. But there is also another difference between the two systems.
Both fully automatic coffee machines and portafilter machines grind the beans directly. The difference in taste is therefore in the preparation of the coffee. In both systems, the water is "pressed" through the coffee powder at high pressure. This results in a coffee that has only been in contact with the powder for a short moment and can therefore absorb few bitter substances. In a direct comparison, this is more successful with a finely adjusted portafilter than with a fully automatic coffee machine, which brews according to standard and does not have the fine options of an espresso machine.
In addition, there is another (subjective) reason that speaks for the portafilter – the smell. The smell of freshly brewed coffee, which, in addition to the "adventure" of preparation, probably increases the pleasure of a freshly brewed coffee speciality the most.
Cost factor: quality is the most important factor!
The cost factor is an important decision criterion. While a good fully automatic coffee machine from jura can be purchased for about. 600 euros, the cost of a solid portafilter, including espresso grinder, tamper and other accessories, can quickly reach 2000 euros.
The running costs for coffee beans, cleaning agents, etc. Both systems are more or less the same, whereby the costs for a cup of coffee are somewhat lower with the portafilter due to the usually somewhat smaller quantity of coffee powder.
Summary: fully automatic coffee machine vs. portafilter
Even though both systems make coffee, each appeals to its own audience. If you want to drink good coffee quickly and are also prepared to clean your machine regularly, a fully automatic coffee machine is a good idea.
If, on the other hand, you want to experience coffee drinking as a unique pleasure, if you enjoy preparing coffee and like to spend time with your cup of coffee, then a portafilter machine is the right choice for you.
Because all in all, the coffee enjoyment with the portafilter appeals to all senses.
In addition to the direct preparation of the coffee powder, you can really feel and hear how the water is pressed through the sieve, you can see how the espresso slowly flows into the cup. You can smell the aroma of the espresso, and ultimately you taste what coffee pleasure you have created yourself.
Kai rasp actually studied business administration and has been working at kaffeetechnik seubert since 2014. besides his love for cappuccino and latte macchiato, his passion lies in online marketing. For this reason he founded the kaffeetechnik-blog, which has since become kaffee journal. Having shifted his responsibilities somewhat, he now writes infrequently for the journal and tends to support colleagues from behind the scenes.