Coffee specialties at the touch of a button – that’s what a fully automatic coffee machine offers, and the machines are finding their way into more and more German kitchens. Whether it’s cafe crema, espresso, latte macchiato or cappuccino, with a fully automatic coffee machine you can prepare your favorite coffee drink in no time at all and with an incomparable taste and aroma that only a pressure-brewed coffee made from freshly ground beans can provide.
But not least because of the usually high purchase costs, the purchase of a fully automatic coffee machine wants to be well considered. What can the machines, what do you have to pay attention to when buying and for whom is the purchase of a fully automatic coffee machine worthwhile? What to consider when cleaning the machine and what are the alternatives to the fully automatic coffee machine?? The answers to these and many other questions can be found in this guidebook. We have also taken a look at the test winners and test results of stiftung warentest.
The best 4 fully automatic coffee machines in a detailed comparison
More interesting product comparisons around your coffee
1. The philips EP5310/10 fully automatic coffee maker with memo function brews your favorite coffee at the touch of a button
The philips EP5310/10 fully automatic coffee machine is equipped with a 100% ceramic grinder. It prepares coffee enjoyment from fresh beans simply at the touch of a button and the absolutely tasteless ceramic ensures that you taste nothing but the pure and unadulterated taste of the coffee beans. the grinder can be adjusted individually and delivers both a full-bodied espresso and a light coffee.
The philips EP5310/10 fully automatic coffee maker has a user-friendly display with clear and simple navigation that allows you to easily select and customize your favorite drinks. With the steam milk frother, you can make classic, creamy milk foam just like a barista and prepare a delicious cappuccino or latte macchiato in no time at all.
In terms of hygiene and cleaning, the philips EP5310/10 fully automatic coffee maker convinces with its removable brewing group, which can be easily cleaned under running water. The integrated aquaclean technology ensures that the water is reliably decalcified and that you can use up to 5.you can brew 000 cups of coffee before the machine needs to be descaled.
2. The saeco picobaristo SM5473/10 fully automatic coffee machine with the practical, removable milk carafe
The saeco picobaristo SM5473/10 fully automatic coffee machine delivers specialty coffees such as espresso, cappuccino, latte macchiato or a simple, full-bodied coffee at the touch of a button. The removable milk carafe ensures creamy milk foam and the machine offers you the option to automatically rinse and clean the milk-carrying parts after each use. This guarantees the highest level of hygiene and you can easily store leftover milk in the milk carafe in the refrigerator.
The saeco picobaristo SM5473/10 automatic coffee maker is equipped with an aquaclean filter that uses ion-exchange technology and a micropore filter to remove limescale and fine dirt particles from the water. This will make the coffee taste even better and you can save up to 5.make 000 cups of coffee without descaling the machine. On the clearly arranged control panel, you can select your desired coffee speciality and adjust the strength and temperature of your coffee speciality via the practical display.
3. The melitta caffeo CI E970-101 fully automatic coffee maker stores individual presets for four users
The melitta caffeo CI E970-101 fully automatic coffee maker offers you the option of saving individual presets for up to four users via the my-coffee-memory function, so that each member of the family gets their favorite coffee. The fully automatic coffee maker prepares different coffee variations with milk or milk foam and follows the original italian recipes in the sequence of the ingredients.
The melitta caffeo CI E970-101 fully automatic coffee maker has a milk system with a separate milk container that is easily removable and produces both hot milk and milk foam. the milk container is dishwasher safe and all milk carrying parts can be cleaned quickly and hygienically with steam and hot water automatically.
The brewing group can be removed for cleaning. The melitta coffee maker is easy to use with an LCD text display and one touch operation, and the machine comes with a welcome pack consisting of a water filter, a coffee spoon/screw-in aid for the water filter and water hardness test strips.
4. The de’longhi magnifica ESAM 3200 S automatic coffee maker is equipped with a particularly quiet grinder
The de’longhi magnifica ESAM 3200 S fully automatic coffee maker has a quiet, 13-stage cone grinder, the grinding degree of which you can set individually. This makes it easy to adjust the aroma of the fresh coffee beans to your individual preferences. In addition to freshly ground beans, the machine can also process coffee powder.
Whether espresso, latte macchiato or cafe latte, with the de’longhi magnifica ESAM 3200 S fully automatic coffee maker, all coffee specialties are a success and the special stainless steel milk frothing nozzle ensures perfectly tempered milk and creamy milk foam.
The de’longhi magnifica ESAM 3200 S fully automatic coffee maker is equipped with a low-maintenance brewing group that can be completely removed and easily cleaned under running water. The interior of the machine is also easy to clean once the brew group has been removed, and the machine is equipped with a fully automatic rinsing and descaling program.
The hot water function also makes it possible to prepare tea, and the machine is easy to use thanks to the direct selection buttons and rotary controls that allow you to adjust the strength and quantity of the coffee at the touch of a button.
5. The de’longhi magnifica ESAM 3000.B fully automatic coffee machine prepares delicious coffee specialties using the direct selection button
The de’longhi magnifica ESAM 3000.B coffee machine has a large 1.8 liter water tank and a pump pressure of 15 bar. With the two-cup function and the 13-stage, quiet cone grinder, you can prepare delicious speciality coffees in no time at all.
With the direct selection button you can choose your favorite drink and also milk coffee specialties such as a cappuccino, latte macchiato or cafe latte succeed perfectly thanks to the various setting options. The milk is brought to the optimal temperature and the milk frother ensures a creamy milk foam.
The de’longhi magnifica ESAM 3000.B coffee machine is equipped with a height-adjustable coffee spout, a cup warmer and an automatic shut-off function. The large water tank is removable from the front and thanks to the hot water function you can also prepare tea. The brewing unit can be easily removed for cleaning and a fully automatic rinsing and descaling program ensures the necessary hygiene.
6. With the krups EA8108 fully automatic coffee maker, you can enjoy hot coffee from the first to the last cup thanks to CTS
The krups EA8108 fully automatic coffee maker is a compact coffee maker with a three-position adjustable metal cone grinder. The patented compact thermoblock system (CTS) ensures hot coffee from the first cup and you can make individual settings for the amount of water, the temperature and the coffee strength. The cappuccino plus milk frothing nozzle froths the milk directly in the cup and ensures that your milk coffee specialties such as cappuccino, latte macchiato or cafe latte turn out perfectly.
Multifunctional knobs provide intuitive operation of the krups EA8108 automatic coffee maker and offer many setting options. The fully automatic coffee machine is equipped with a high-quality brewing group with a stainless steel chamber, which, like all other components, is cleaned fully automatically by a highly efficient self-cleaning system.
The machine has a height-adjustable spout, a two-cup function and a hot water function that also allows you to make tea. The water tank with a capacity of 1.8 liters can be easily removed and the claris aqua filter system prevents rapid calcification of the fully automatic coffee maker.
7. The delonghi magnifica S ECAM 22.110.B fully automatic coffee maker processes coffee beans and powdered coffee
The delonghi magnifica S ECAM 22.110.B fully automatic coffee machine has a special milk frothing nozzle that makes Italian coffee specialties such as cappuccino, latte macchiato or cafe latte a perfect success, and even a simple coffee or a cup of tea, prepared with the hot water function, promise great enjoyment. The integrated cone grinder is extra quiet and grinds the fresh coffee beans for each individual brewing process.
The aroma protection cover ensures that the aroma of the beans is preserved, and the grinder can be adjusted from coarse to fine to suit your preferences. The machine can also process coffee powder in an extra compartment.
Cleaning the delonghi magnifica S ECAM 22.110.B fully automatic coffee maker is very easy to use thanks to the removable, compact brewing group. It can be rinsed under running water and the interior of the machine can also be easily cleaned when the brew group is removed. All milk-carrying parts can be rinsed fully automatically.
8. the melitta caffeo solo E950-322 fully automatic coffee maker fits into the smallest kitchen
The melitta caffeo solo E950-322 fully automatic coffee maker is only 20 centimeters wide, making it one of the smallest fully automatic coffee makers and thus fits perfectly into a small kitchen. Its simple design with chrome-plated elements makes it a real eye-catcher and its pre-brewing function ensures optimum coffee enjoyment.
It has a 3-stage adjustable aroma intensity that allows you to prepare your favorite coffee and the beans are freshly ground for each coffee by a steel cone grinder that is also adjustable in 3 stages. The coffee spout is height-adjustable up to 135 millimeters and you can prepare two cups of coffee or espresso at the same time.
The water tank of the melitta caffeo solo E950-322 fully automatic coffee maker has a capacity of 1.2 liters and is equipped with an automatic water level monitor. The tank is easy to remove, so cleaning and refilling is simple.
9. The siemens EQ.9 s500 TI915531DE fully automatic coffee machine is super-silent
The siemens EQ.9 s500 TI915531EN fully automatic coffee maker offers perfect coffee enjoyment with maximum and individual aroma. The worldwide unique sensoflow system ensures a constant ideal brewing temperature between 90 and 95° C, at which all aromatic substances are gently released from the coffee. This way, the fully automatic coffee machine ensures maximum aroma and taste in every cup.
Milky coffee specialties such as cappuccino or latte macchiato turn out perfectly thanks to the integrated milk system, and with just one touch of a button you can choose whether you want to brew one or two cups at the same time. Thanks to supersilent, the coffee maker is the quietest fully automatic coffee maker from siemens and it ensures relaxation even during the preparation of the coffee.
With the baristamode, you can individually set the five most important parameters for optimal coffee taste. Temperature, fill level, coffee strength, coffee-milk ratio and brewing speed can be easily adjusted to your preferences and the machine stores up to 10 individual coffee settings.
The siemens EQ.9 s500 ti915531e automatic coffee maker is equipped with a brita intenza water filter that reduces the lime content of the water, and it is easy to clean thanks to the fully removable brewing unit.
10. The jura impressa C60 – fully automatic coffee maker with the largest brewing chamber on the market
The jura impressa C60 fully automatic coffee maker has a clear text display with simple menu navigation and 3 touch fields for the care, steam preselection and programming functions. The amount of coffee water and the coffee strength can be programmed in four stages and the fully automatic coffee maker works with an intelligent pre-brewing system.
The machine has a variable brewing chamber with a capacity of between 5 and 16 grams, which makes it the largest brewing chamber on the market. The coffee spout is height adjustable from 65 millimeters to 111 millimeters and you can make two cups of coffee at the same time.
A fine foam nozzle ensures fine-pored milk foam, so that milk coffee specialties such as latte macchiato or cappuccino are always a success with the jura impressa C60 fully automatic coffee maker. The machine is equipped with a filter and maintenance programs and can be adjusted to the water hardness.
11. The krups EA815070 automatic coffee maker has a long service life
The krups EA815070 automatic coffee maker is equipped with a high quality brewing group with stainless steel chamber, which ensures a long life of the machine. An extra large LC display ensures a simple and intuitive operating concept, with the help of which parameters such as temperature, coffee strength or water quantity can be individually set. In the favorites menu, two favorite preparations can be programmed and saved, so that you can quickly call up your favorite coffee again and again.
The krups EA815070 automatic coffee maker has a water tank with a capacity of 1.8 liters, a steam and hot water function, a coffee spout adjustable in height between 60 and 105 millimeters, an automatic double grinder function for a large coffee, a programmed automatic shut-off and a triple-adjustable metal cone grinder.
The patented compact thermoblock system (CTS) ensures fast heating and hot coffee from the first cup and the system reduces calcification, thus extending the life of the coffee maker. Cleaning of all components, including the brew group, is fully automatic thanks to a highly efficient self-cleaning system.
12. The saeco HD8927/01 picobaristo fully automatic coffee maker makes all settings very simple
The saeco HD8927/01 picobaristo fully automatic coffee maker provides clear and easy navigation with its intuitive high-performance display. With the help of symbols and text overlays, you can easily set and save parameters such as the quantity, temperature and strength of your coffee individually. The 100% ceramic grinder is absolutely tasteless and ensures a pure coffee taste. You can adjust the grind strength individually and thus adjust the aroma of the freshly ground coffee beans to your preferences.
The saeco HD8927/01 picobaristo coffee maker is easy to clean thanks to its removable brew group. The aquaclean technology also ensures that you can enjoy up to 5000 cups of coffee specialties without having to descale the fully automatic coffee maker.
13. The bosch TIS30159DE fully automatic coffee maker verocup 100 is well suited for small kitchens
The bosch TIS30159DE verocup 100 fully automatic coffee maker is equipped with a long-lasting ceramic grinder that ensures maximum aroma from freshly ground coffee beans. The small fully automatic coffee maker has a removable water tank with a capacity of 1.4 liters and it is particularly space-saving and therefore also fits well into a smaller kitchen.
All elements are easily accessible from the front, so that no space needs to be taken up at the sides. Thanks to milkmagic pro, the fully automatic coffee machine prepares a fine-pored milk foam directly in the cup, without the need for an extra milk container. This way, even milk coffee specialties like latte macchiato or cappuccino succeed.
The brewing unit, drip tray and coffee grounds container can be easily removed from the front for cleaning. The components can be rinsed under running water and then put back in place. Before switching off, the machine also carries out an automatic rinsing process.
14. The miele CM 6350 fully automatic coffee maker with aromatic system brews perfect coffee
The miele CM 6350 fully automatic coffee maker is equipped with an aromatic system that perfectly mixes coffee and water in the brewing chamber. This is how a fully automatic coffee maker ensures an intense coffee aroma for maximum coffee enjoyment. The cappuccinatore delivers creamy milk foam or hot milk for cappuccino or latte macchiato in the blink of an eye and after preparing milk coffee specialties, the milk line is rinsed automatically.
With the one touch and onetouch for two function, you can prepare one or two cups of delicious coffee specialties at the touch of a button. For even more convenience, there is a heated cup tray, on which preheated cups are always ready to hand. The easily removable brewing unit, which can be easily cleaned under running water, ensures quick and easy cleaning, optimal hygiene and durability of the fully automatic coffee maker.
What is a fully automatic coffee machine?
The fully automatic coffee machine is much more than a simple coffee machine and it prepares many different coffee specialties at the push of a button. The following features distinguish a fully automatic coffee machine from a coffee maker, a capsule machine or a pad machine:
- The coffee maker is equipped with a grinder and grinds the fresh coffee beans before each brewing process
- The fully automatic coffee maker can produce different coffee specialties such as espresso or cafe crema
- Most fully automatic coffee machines are equipped with a milk frother and can also prepare milk coffee drinks such as latte macchiato or cappuccino
- Fully automatic coffee machines work similarly to espresso machines with pressure
- With a good fully automatic coffee maker, you can manually set parameters such as coffee quantity, water quantity, temperature and grinding degree, and with many models you can also save these settings
- In contrast to the coffee machine, the fully automatic coffee maker is used to prepare individual cup servings
Unlike a conventional coffee maker, a fully automatic coffee maker is a much more versatile device that offers more options for making coffee drinks and also works differently than a conventional coffee maker.
How the coffee maker works?
Everyone is familiar with the way a conventional coffee machine works. Water is poured into the water tank, it is heated and then passes through the filter with the coffee powder. The pot under the filter feels with the coffee and is kept warm by a hot plate.
However, the fully automatic coffee machine works completely differently, because here pressure comes into play. But let’s take a look at the preparation of a coffee drink in a fully automatic coffee maker from the beginning. Unlike a conventional coffee machine, a fully automatic coffee machine does not work with coffee powder, even though some models also offer the option of processing powdered coffee.
After you have selected your coffee drink, the first thing to do is to grind the fresh coffee beans in the required quantity. In addition, every fully automatic coffee machine has a grinder that can often be adjusted individually, because the degree of grinding of the coffee beans has an effect on the aroma.
While the coffee beans are being ground, the coffee maker heats the required amount of water. As a rule, fully automatic coffee machines operate at a temperature of between 90 and 95° C, as this is the temperature at which the aromas of the coffee can best be extracted. The ground coffee powder now falls out of the grinder directly into the brewing chamber.
There, the coffee powder is pressed together until a certain contact pressure is reached. The heated water is now also pressed into the brewing chamber and when a certain pressure is reached, a valve with a small opening opens at the end of the brewing chamber. The coffee is now pressed through this opening and flows through the coffee spout into the cup. The coffee powder is held back by a sieve.
The valve creates the so-called crema on the coffee, which is why the valve is also called a crema valve. When the preset amount of water has been pressed through the valve, the coffee machine finishes the brewing process. As a final step, the used coffee powder, the so-called pomace, is ejected into a collection container that must be emptied and cleaned regularly.
If the fully automatic coffee maker is to be used to prepare milk-based coffee drinks, the corresponding steps are added, in which the milk is heated and foamed and mixed with the coffee.
The history of the fully automatic coffee machine
The inventor of the first fully automatic coffee machine with integrated coffee grinder is the german entrepreneur otto bengtson. He invented the machine in the 1960s, having previously invented, among other things, the GDR’s first coffee machine, a fully automatic large-scale coffee brewing system for the catering industry and a self-service coffee machine. His invention of a fully automatic coffee machine with an integrated coffee grinder is the basis for all fully automatic coffee machines today.
In the 1970s, swiss engineer arthur schmed also developed a fully automatic coffee machine after he had been involved in the repair of a defective espresso machine. Schmed’s fully automatic coffee machine was presented at a trade fair in 1985, and the swiss manufacturer subsequently founded the well-known saeco company, which still produces fully automatic coffee machines today.
Fully automatic coffee machines quickly became a permanent fixture in the catering industry, and smaller machines have been making their way into private households since the turn of the millennium.
What are the differences between a coffee machine and a fully automatic coffee maker??
The most important difference between a coffee machine and a fully automatic coffee maker lies in the heart of the fully automatic coffee maker, in the brewing group. In contrast to a conventional coffee machine, a pressure is generated which is used to prepare espresso and other coffee specialties. Other differences lie in the versatility of the fully automatic coffee maker, which, depending on the equipment, can be different coffee beverages can prepare, such as:
- Espresso
- Cafe crema
- Cappuccino
- latte macchiato
- Cafe au lait
- Viennese melange
- Tea and other hot beverages with the hot water function
The fully automatic coffee maker also differs from the coffee maker in that,
- That it has an integrated grinder and uses freshly ground beans,
- That single servings are prepared,
- that parameters such as water quantity, temperature and coffee quantity can be adjusted,
- That these parameters can be stored,
- That there is a separate milk system and
- That fully automatic cleaning can be performed.
Who is a fully automatic coffee maker suitable for??
Coffee is one of the world’s most popular drinks, and for many people it is much more than just a caffeinated beverage to wake them up in the morning. If you are one of those coffee lovers and connoisseurs who can’t get enough of the aromatic beverage in its different variations, a fully automatic coffee machine is certainly just right for you.
Whether a fully automatic coffee machine is suitable for you and whether it makes sense to buy one depends, among other things, on how much coffee you drink and how important the taste is to you. If you drink a cup of instant coffee in the morning when you’re half asleep, you certainly won’t need a fully automatic coffee maker costing several hundred euros. If, on the other hand, you love an aromatic coffee in the morning and regularly enjoy one or the other coffee speciality during the course of the day and attach great importance to taste and aroma, a fully automatic coffee machine is actually indispensable.
When there are two coffee lovers in the household, the investment becomes even more worthwhile. Whether you are a heavy coffee drinker or a light coffee drinker is a question you should ask yourself when considering whether a fully automatic coffee machine is right for you.
However, a fully automatic coffee maker is not the right choice everywhere where a lot of coffee is drunk. The fully automatic coffee maker is rather impractical for regular coffee get-togethers with several people, because unlike conventional coffee makers, it is not possible to prepare coffee in larger quantities. The fully automatic coffee machines have a maximum capacity of two cups, and if you want to serve 15 or even 20 people in a larger party, the first cup of coffee may be cold or drunk before the last ones get theirs.
In terms of variety, however, fully automatic coffee machines are virtually unbeatable. An aromatic cafe crema in the morning, a delicious latte macchiato or cappuccino in the afternoon and a strong espresso after a meal – it’s no problem with a fully automatic coffee machine, provided it has the necessary equipment, such as a milk frother or milk system.
And when it comes to enjoyment, most coffee lovers agree: the taste of coffee prepared under pressure from a fully automatic coffee maker is just as inferior to that of drinks from a conventional coffee maker as it is to drinks from pad or capsule machines. In short, fully automatic coffee machines are suitable for all those who love coffee in all its variations and who attach great importance to taste and aroma.
Alternatives to the fully automatic coffee maker
of course, a fully automatic coffee maker is not the only way to prepare coffee. If you are satisfied with a filter coffee in the morning, the conventional coffee machine or a manual coffee press is usually quite sufficient. If you like to drink a latte macchiato or cappuccino from time to time, pad or capsule machines are an alternative or you can simply make the drink yourself.
This is a little more time-consuming, but it usually works quite well and you can quickly find many instructions on the internet. For the more undemanding, there is also the option of using a ready-made blend that is simply infused with hot water. With this method, however, in comparison with an original must be made usually significant sacrifices in taste. If you prefer a strong espresso after a meal, but do not value milk coffee specialties, a simple espresso machine is a good alternative.
In view of the variety of coffee specialties that can be prepared at the touch of a button, the fully automatic coffee maker is and remains the only alternative.
Questions and answers about the fully automatic coffee maker
Especially if you are dealing with a fully automatic coffee maker for the first time, many questions usually arise and we would like to answer the most important ones here in our guidebook.
What to look for in a grinder?
The most important thing about the grinder of the fully automatic coffee machine is that it can be adjusted individually. The grind of the beans has an influence on the aroma and not only are tastes different, but different coffee beans may require different grinds. There are also differences in the grinder in terms of design and material. For the design, a distinction is made between cone grinder and disc grinder. In most cases, a conical grinder is installed.
These grinders take up little space and the coffee beans are hardly heated during grinding. Disc grinders are used much less frequently, but they offer the advantage of being quieter than cone grinders. As a material is usually used ceramic or hardened steel. Both materials have their advantages and disadvantages. Ceramic is absolutely tasteless, but if a foreign object gets between the coffee beans, chipping can occur. Hardened steel is much more robust, but heats up more during grinding.
Which coffee beans are needed for the fully automatic coffee maker??
Aromatic beans with a not too light roast are best suited for the fully automatic coffee maker. You should also make sure that the coffee beans are not too oily, which can best be recognized by the roasting profile.
Light roasts such as the so-called cinnamon roast are rather unsuitable and suggest oil-containing beans, while the Italian roast or espresso roast is usually well suited for the fully automatic coffee machine. You should also avoid using flavored coffee beans, as they can clog the grinder just as much as beans containing oil.
What is the brew group all about??
The brew group is the heart of the fully automatic coffee machine. The actual brewing of the coffee under pressure takes place in this component. In order to clean the coffee machine, the brewing group of many machines is removable. Other models rely on fully automatic self-cleaning, which you as the user cannot check, however. Many owners of a fully automatic coffee machine therefore prefer a removable brewing group that can be cleaned under running water.
What is the difference between a milk system and a milk frother??
To make milk coffee specialties such as latte macchiato or cappuccino, the fully automatic coffee maker must have at least one milk frother. With this milk frother, the milk is frothy in the cup and it does not run through the machine, but the milk frother emits hot steam which froths the milk.
If the coffee maker is equipped with a milk system, the milk is sucked in either via an integrated milk container or via an external vessel, heated and foamed as needed. To prevent the formation of harmful germs in such a milk system, it requires a great deal of cleaning. In many machines with milk system, an automatic cleaning is performed immediately after use. If this is not the case, it is essential that the milk system is thoroughly cleaned manually every day.
How much pressure should the coffee maker generate??
The optimum pressure for preparing an espresso is 9 bar. This is the pressure a good fully automatic coffee maker should provide. However, this value should not be confused with the output pressure, which should generally be around 15 bar to ensure that the required 9 bar arrives in the brewing chamber.
Does the coffee maker need a water filter??
Many fully automatic coffee machines are equipped with a water filter. This is particularly useful if the water in your home has a very high lime content. Information about the lime content of the drinking water can be obtained from your water supplier, where you can find out the regional water hardness. The harder the water, the more useful the water filter and the less often the machine needs to be descaled.
Which parameters can be set on a fully automatic coffee maker??
Almost all fully automatic coffee makers have certain parameters that can be set to brew coffee exactly the way you like it. The exact parameters that can be set vary from model to model. As a rule, the following values can be set:
- Grinding degree
- Water quantity
- Coffee quantity
- Temperature
What is the memory function of an automatic coffee maker??
You can use the memory function to save the settings for your favorite coffee so that you don’t have to enter them every time you brew it. Depending on the model, up to 10 settings can be saved.
What is the difference between a fully automatic coffee machine and an espresso machine??
The difference between a fully automatic coffee machine and an espresso machine lies mainly in the way it works. Although both machines work differently than a conventional coffee machine with pressure, an espresso machine works only semi-automatically. In the espresso machine, the freshly ground coffee is poured into a portafilter and then hot water is forced through the coffee grounds under high pressure.
Today, this is usually done by an electric pump, but real baristas still use machines with a manual lever, where the pressure is generated manually. The fully automatic coffee machine, on the other hand, works, as the name suggests, fully automatically and you only have to fill in water and beans and the machine does all the work on its own. Depending on the model, you can also prepare latte drinks in addition to espresso.
Maintenance and care of the fully automatic coffee machine
Fully automatic coffee machines require a lot of cleaning, especially if they have an internal milk system. Even without an internal milk system, the machines must be cleaned regularly and thoroughly, as otherwise bacteria can quickly multiply and even mold can grow. Some components of the fully automatic coffee maker must be cleaned daily, others weekly, and for still others, monthly cleaning is sufficient.
You should clean the following parts of your fully automatic coffee maker every day:
The water tank
the water tank should be rinsed out once a day under running water and then dried thoroughly. The water should not be left in the container for too long, as fungi and bacteria can quickly grow, so you should get into the habit of cleaning the water container after the last use of the day and only fill it with fresh water the next time you use it. In this way, you will not accidentally use water that has been in the machine for a day or two.
The milk system
If your coffee maker is equipped with an internal milk system, it is essential to clean all milk-carrying parts every day. With some machines, this cleaning takes place automatically after each use, with others you must remember to do it yourself. Daily cleaning is really essential here, because milk residues in particular provide an ideal breeding ground for germs, bacteria, mold and fungi.
The milk frother
If your coffee machine is equipped with a milk frother instead of a milk system, it must also be cleaned daily. Here, too, many machines offer automatic cleaning, in which the milk frother is rinsed through with hot water. Alternatively, this cleaning must be done manually.
The pomace container
the used, wet coffee grounds are stored in the pomace container. To prevent the formation of mold and a breeding ground for bacteria, you must empty the pomace container daily, rinse it out and dry it thoroughly.
Drip tray and collecting grid
the drip tray and the drip grid should also be cleaned daily with water and then dried.
Coffee spout
The coffee spout should also be wiped daily with a damp cloth.
Automatic cleaning
Many modern fully automatic coffee machines are equipped with an automatic cleaning system. If the cleaning system does not start fully automatically, you should run it once a day.
Weekly cleaning
Weekly cleaning is especially important for the brew group. It can be removed from most modern coffee machines and rinsed under running water. After removing the brew group, you can also carefully wipe out the interior of the machine with a damp cloth.
For models that do not allow the brew group to be removed, this component can only be cleaned using the machine’s internal cleaning program. This cleaning should also be carried out at least once a week. You should also clean the coffee machine’s bean hopper about once a week. To do this, wipe it with a damp cloth and then dry it thoroughly. It is important that you remove the coffee grease completely.
Monthly maintenance and care
If the machine is not equipped with a water filter, it must be descaled once a month. For this purpose, you should use a special descaler that is expressly suitable for descaling fully automatic coffee machines. Home remedies such as vinegar and the like should not be used. For coffee machines equipped with a filter system, it is important to change the filter at the appropriate intervals. Details can be found in the operating instructions for your fully automatic coffee maker.
Further maintenance and care
You should use cleaning tablets at regular intervals to clean the fully automatic coffee maker. The tablets dissolve the coffee fats that escape during the grinding and pressing of the coffee beans and that can accumulate in the grinder and in the small sieves and clog them. You should use the cleaning tablets about every 10 to 14 days or after making about 50 cups of coffee.
The external cleaning of the fully automatic coffee maker should be done with a soft, if necessary damp cloth. This will allow you to wipe the coffee machine and keep it clean, as fingerprints, dust and dirt easily accumulate there. A microfiber cloth is particularly suitable for removing these residues.
Accessories for the fully automatic coffee maker
The trade offers a number of accessories for fully automatic coffee machines. This includes for example wear parts such as hoses, seals and the like. But also cups and glasses as well as cup warmers are offered as accessories. If the coffee machine is broken, there are many spare parts on the market that can be used to get the machine up and running again. However, if you do not have the necessary technical know-how, it is better to leave the repair to a professional. You can also find many cleaning and care products for fully automatic coffee machines in the trade.
What you need to consider when buying a fully automatic coffee machine
An aromatic espresso or delicious milk coffee specialties at the touch of a button – that and much more is what a fully automatic coffee maker offers.
- The fully automatic coffee machine offers different coffee specialties at the touch of a button
- The taste and aroma of the coffee are significantly better than, for example, with capsule machines or pad machines
- Compared to capsule machines and pad machines, a fully automatic coffee machine has a low price per cup
- Many parameters such as grind, temperature and coffee strength can be set and often stored in memory
- High purchase costs
- Cleaning intensive
For real coffee lovers, a fully automatic coffee maker has many advantages, and the low price per cup makes the purchase worthwhile, especially in comparison with pad and capsule machines for frequent coffee drinkers. If you have decided to buy a fully automatic coffee maker, there are a few things you should bear in mind to ensure that you can really enjoy your new machine to the full. The most important factors that you need to consider when buying a coffee machine, we have compiled here in our guide for you.
Cleaning
fully automatic coffee machines require a lot of cleaning, and for the sake of both health and taste, they need to be cleaned thoroughly every day. When buying a fully automatic coffee machine, you should therefore make sure that the machine is equipped with a fully automatic cleaning and descaling function and that the brewing group can be removed for regular cleaning.
With or without milk system?
If you like to drink latte macchiato or cappuccino, the coffee maker must have a milk system for preparing these drinks. Fully automatic coffee machines for preparing milk-based coffee beverages are available in two variants: with an internal milk system that draws the milk from an integrated carafe or an external container, heats it and froths it, or with a milk froth nozzle that froths the milk with hot steam only, without it passing through the machine.
Which fully automatic coffee machine is better for you depends very much on your personal preferences. If you don’t care much for latte specialties, a milk frother is usually sufficient, and if you don’t want to prepare latte drinks at all, you can even do without it altogether.
For lovers of latte macchiato& co. Are fully automatic coffee machines with integrated milk system just right. With these machines, however, you must be aware that cleaning the milk system in particular is quite time-consuming and must not be neglected under any circumstances for reasons of hygiene. Many machines therefore offer a function that flushes the milk system fully automatically before and after each use.
The size of the machine
fully automatic coffee machines bring a certain size with them and therefore unfortunately do not fit easily into every kitchen. Especially if you have a small kitchen and little space, you should therefore opt for a smaller machine and make sure that all the important components, such as the water tank, the pomace container and the brew group, can be removed from the front. Before buying, you should definitely take measurements in the kitchen so that the new fully automatic coffee maker really fits in its planned place.
The operation
modern fully automatic coffee makers often come with many setting options that allow you to tailor your coffee beverages to your preferences. However, the operation of the fully automatic coffee machine should not degenerate into a science and should be simple and intuitive. Many fully automatic coffee machines have a large display or practical control knobs for this purpose.
The grinder
aromatic coffee from freshly ground beans, that’s one of the main arguments for the fully automatic coffee maker. Accordingly, the machine must be equipped with a good grinder, which should be adjustable, because the degree of grinding also has a great influence on the aroma. If you want to avoid loud noises when grinding the beans, a fully automatic coffee machine with a disc grinder may be more suitable, because these grinders are less noisy than the more commonly used cone grinders. The grinder should be made of 100% ceramic or hardened steel.
With or without powdered coffee compartment
although the fully automatic coffee maker works primarily with freshly ground beans, it may be practical to have an additional compartment for powdered coffee. You can use it, for example, to prepare decaffeinated coffee drinks.
The variety of drinks
depending on the equipment, a fully automatic coffee machine can prepare different beverages. Espresso and cafe crema are part of the absolute basic equipment. To prepare milk coffee specialties such as cappuccino and latte macchiato, the fully automatic coffee maker needs a milk system or at least a milk foam nozzle. Many machines are also capable of preparing hot water for brewing tea or other hot beverages, and some fully automatic coffee machines can even prepare chocolate drinks.
Performance and pressure
the pressure plays an essential role in the preparation of the coffee in the fully automatic coffee maker and is partly responsible for the good aroma. The ideal pressure for a cappuccino is 9 bar, and to ensure that this pressure reaches the brewing chamber, the outlet pressure should be around 15 bar. The power of a fully automatic coffee machine is usually about 1.500 watts.
With or without water filter
many modern fully automatic coffee machines are equipped with a water filter. It reduces the lime content in the water and prevents the smallest dirt particles from entering the water-carrying system. Especially if you have hard, chalky drinking water coming out of your tap, an automatic coffee maker with a water filter is the better choice. The hardness of the water you can ask your local water supplier. coffee machines without water filter need to be decalcified about once a month.
capacity of the water tank
most fully automatic coffee machines have a water tank with a capacity of between 1.2 and 1.8 liters. Whether a smaller or larger water tank is more suitable depends primarily on how often the fully automatic coffee maker is used. However, the water should not be left in the tank for too long and should be changed daily. The capacity of the water tank also has an influence on the size of the machine, so that a smaller capacity is often better suited for small kitchens.
Bean hopper capacity
the capacity of the bean hopper in most fully automatic coffee machines is between 200 and 300 grams. Some machines offer a bean hopper with different compartments, so you can fill in different types of coffee beans.
Adjustable coffee spout
many machines are equipped with a height-adjustable coffee spout so that a wide variety of containers, from small espresso cups to tall latte macchiato glasses, can be placed under the coffee spout. Especially if you want to prepare a latte macchiato that not only tastes good but also looks visually appealing, you have to make sure when buying that the coffee spout is adjustable enough to put a latte macchiato glass under it.
Is there a fully automatic coffee test of the foundation warentest?
stiftung warentest regularly conducts a fully automatic coffee machine test. The last update was in november 2020, so that there are now 67 different espresso machines in the test database. The fully automatic coffee machines tested by stiftung warentest included de’longhi, jura, krups, melitta, miele, philips and saeco brands.
56 of the fully automatic coffee machines tested were equipped with an automatic milk frother and the test criteria included safety, reliability, handling, environmental characteristics and sensory evaluation. The test winner in the fully automatic coffee machine test of the foundation warentest can only be viewed for a fee, due to the topicality of the test.
Already in the years 2016 and 2014 there was a fully automatic coffee machine test of the foundation warentest, but also these test results, which are included in the current test, can only be unlocked for a fee. For this reason, we cannot present you with the test winners and test results from the stiftung warentest fully automatic coffee machine test here, but you can access all the results online here for the appropriate fee.
In addition, in february 2021, stiftung warentest investigated the question of what the repair service companies for fully automatic coffee machines are actually capable of. The sobering result: eight machines were completely repaired, but 19 only partially or not at all. All details of the test can be found here.
Coffee machines in the test at oko test
In december 2014, the consumer magazine oko test tested six coffee machines with grinders. However, these machines from philips, AEG, russell hobbs, cuisinart, beem and petra are not really fully automatic coffee makers and the test results and test winners are only available from oko test for a fee, so we cannot present you with any results here either. You can see the test here.
Should okotest carry out a test of fully automatic coffee machines in the future, we will inform you here about all the results and test winners in the fully automatic coffee machine test.