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Two separate thermostats control brew temperature and frothing
temperature. When the button is pressed, the pump activates
and an espresso is pulled or milk is frothed.
The first pump machines operated with a boiler; however, it took up to ten minutes to heat the water in it. The next series of pump machines included a heating element, which could heat the water in a matter of few minutes. Modern pump machines, equipped with heating elements, usually take between thirty to fifty seconds to heat the water.
Semi-Automatic Pump Machine
Semi-automatic pump machines were first introduced by Gaggia in the 1940's. One of the most popular home espresso machines available, it is called semi-automatic because the electric pump does the work that the hand used to in the electric piston machines. The extraction typically takes about 20 to 25 seconds. The semi-automatic espresso machine contains a porta-filter handle, which is filled with coffee grinds. Additionally, it contains either large reservoirs or direct feed lines for water, which allows it to brew more cups of coffee.
Most machines use a boiler, which also have an overheating protection device, like a thermal fuse to protect the machine as well as the user. The newer generation heating devices use a thermoblock or thermocoil system instead of a boiler.
Frothing on these machines vary from simple to those requiring some skill. The machines with frothing adapters help in the aeration process; however, those with more traditional steaming wands are easier to master once the user becomes familiar with the technique.
Popular semi-automatic coffee machines are
listed below:
* Capresso: Capresso EspressoPro, Capresso FrothXpress, Capresso Ultima, and Espresso Classic Luxe
* Gaggia: Gaggia Carezza, Gaggia Classic, Gaggia Coffee, Gaggia Coffee de Luxe, Gaggia Evolution, Gaggia Baby and Gaggia Paros
* Bodum: Bodum Granos
* ECM: ECM Giotto, ECM Giotto Cellini, and ECM Giotto Premium
* Expobar: Expobar Athenea, Expobar Brewtus, Expobar Office Control, and Expobar Office Pulser
* Francis: Francis X1. Francis X2, Francis X3, and Francis X5
* Isomac: Isomac Relax, and Isomac Zaffiro
* Krups: Krups Allegro, Krups Café Bistro, and Krups Café Centro Time
* la Pavoni: la Pavoni Espresso Si, la Pavoni Lusso, and la Pavoni Pisa
* Grimac Royal Falcon: la Valentina Semi-Auto
* Nespresso: Nespresso C190 Concept, Nespresso D150 and Nespresso D250
* Saeco: Saeco Magic Cappuccino, Saeco Classico SS, and Saeco Aroma SS
Automatic Pump Machine
The automatic pump machine is very similar to the semi-automatic, with the exception that it has a one-touch system. This implies that the machine will continue to extract until a predetermined volume of espresso has been satisfied and then it will stop on its own. This is very helpful for when the user has other tasks to perform. Fully automatic machines are preferred in cafes and restaurants but are also available for the home. The selection available for home use is very limited and are based on modified semiautomatic modes.
Frothing and nearly all other commentary on the semi-automatics can be applied to the fully-automatics
While some coffee purists prefer the versatility in brewing that a semi automatic espresso machine gives them, others enjoy the consistency and efficiency of the fully automatic espresso machine.
Super-Automatic Pump Machine
These do everything from grinding, tamping, pre-infusing and brewing through disposing of the used grinds. They have built-in grinders and various levels of pre-programmable features. The super-automatics often have many other added features, like strength settings, temperature settings, digital displays, powder quantity settings, grinder size selections, and bypass doser. Additionally, super-automatic espresso coffee makers come with a number of special features that are designed to give its user the option to brew a number of specialty coffee drinks such as an espresso, a cappuccino, and a latte.
Maintenance and cleaning of the super-automatics is on the lowest end of the scale for comparison purposes. They take the used grounds and place them into an internal dump box, and indicate when this box becomes full. The machine also indicates when it is out of water. Some models have their own cleaning cycles, decalcification cycles, and auto-rinse cycles.
A concern for some users is that the super-automatics take away the control that one gets with the other styles. This could be considered true as the user looses the ability to control the brew pressure manually. Another concern is the tamp pressure. The consistency of tamp pressure is vital, and this can be maintained by periodically changing the fineness of the grind to suite the tamp.
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
- There is much less user error with these push button-based machines compared to electric piston machines.
- The super automatic pump machines are less messy than others.
- Proper pressure is always achieved in quality pump machines, which means simple brewing and usually easy frothing.
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- Like many owners of manual transmission automobiles, many people prefer the control of electric piston machines or semi-automatics to automatics or super automatics.
- Most automatics and super-automatics have a plastic hull, which is less sturdy and more easily damaged than metal machines.
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Popular brands for super-automatic espresso machines include:
* Capresso: Capresso 130, Jura Capresso E8, Jura Capresso E7, and Jura Capresso F9
* Gaggia: Gaggia Compact, Gaggia Compact Digital, Gaggia Syncrony, and Gaggia Titanium
* Saeco: Saeco Charisma, Saeco Magic Comfort +, Saeco Vienna, Saeco Royal Coffee Bar, and Saeco V'spresso
* Bosch
* Krups
* Solis
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