Pressure coffee makers are most often used to make various types of coffee, which offer many possibilities to adapt the brewing process itself. However, it should be remembered that they come in several varieties.
In this respect, they are much more sophisticated than the transfer devices. Thanks to this, we have access to many models from which we can choose the one that will not only suit us in terms of price, but will also meet all requirements related to the convenience of preparing a black drink. All this makes them all worthy of a brief description.
What's a pressure cooker?
In the case of each model we are dealing with a structure consisting mainly of a water tank, heating elements, as well as a coffee container with a sieve and filter. When the heater is activated, the water in the tank is heated to 100 degrees Celsius. This creates steam, which enters the coffee container and is liquefied there to end up in a liquid form in the jug.
The steam-based system is not the only one used in pressure machines. Many appliances also have a pump that produces pressure, so that water is forced into the coffee container. It is worth remembering that the devices in question are divided into low-pressure and high-pressure coffee machines. In the former, a pressure lower than 5 bar is used, in the latter, it can reach up to 15 bar.
Cafes
Since we have already discussed what are and how pressure expressors work, we can deal with the characterization of their different types.
The coffee machine, as you can easily guess, is one of the simpler devices of its kind. It is classified as a low-pressure machine and is used to make Italian coffee, a strong, aromatic drink without foam. The coffee machine is distinguished by its simple, standard design - it consists of a coffee jug, a coffee strainer and a jug into which water is poured.
The coffee machine is placed on a stove where water is heated, so that the steam produced can pass through a coffee strainer. The whole process takes from a few to several minutes. However, it is worth noting that there are electric cafes on the market, which look like a kettle. Regardless of the model, these devices are easy to use and relatively cheap. On the side of their defects, the need for frequent washing and the possibility of preparing a small amount of coffee should be noted.
When buying a cafe, pay attention to the material from which it is made. The good quality models have a steel housing, while the cheaper ones are aluminium.
Flask displays
These are so-called semi-automatic coffee machines, which require us to participate in the coffee making process. It is worth noting at this point that in the case of flask models (similarly as in cafés) only ground coffee can be used, as they do not have a built-in grinder.
The coffee sieve is located in the flask of the machine - after pouring in the measured portion, it will also be necessary to press it so that the brewing process runs properly (in the case of loosely poured coffee, the brewing will be too fast, so that the full taste is not achieved and some of the aroma values will be lost).
The pressure produced in the flask machines can reach about 10 bar, so they are recognized with high-pressure models. When selecting a device, it is worth checking what type it is. On the market we can find both home and professional coffee makers, allowing us to adjust the generated temperature. Many models are equipped with a special manual milk foaming mechanism.
Automatic pressure displays
We move on to the most advanced devices, which are divided into two types - with and without a built-in mill.
The first models will allow you to prepare coffee in beans, so that you get the best taste and aroma of the black drink. The brewing process itself is also very simple, as our participation is kept to a minimum. The mill had coffee right before it was made. It should be remembered that automatic machines use two types of mills - impact and broom mills.
The former have built-in blades that cut the coffee beans (the longer, the finer the grinding). Such mills are cheap, but they generate heat during operation, which leads to a loss of aroma and depth of taste. In this respect, the mills that crush the grain without generating excessive temperature do much better. The mills are also divided into ceramic (quiet in operation) and steel (very durable).
The biggest advantage of automatic machines is the speed of coffee making, as well as the possibility to use many additional functions. They have a milk frothing system, as well as regulation mechanisms, thanks to which we can set the most important parameters of the device. All this makes it possible to make exactly the coffee we wanted.
Importantly, many automatic machines have a self-cleaning system as well as many safety functions.
Automatic pressure machines without a mill
Finally, we move on to the machines, which also guarantee fast and trouble-free preparation of coffee, which must be served in a special form. Such devices include a capsule coffee maker.
It stands out for its banal service. Simply insert the capsule and press the button. When it is emptied after a few cups, the capsule must be replaced. We don't have to worry about the fuses and other dirt. Some models also have power regulation mechanisms and a self-cleaning function. The sachets machines work in a very similar way, but instead of capsules they use special coffee pads (sachets).
As you can see, there are quite a few types of pressure equipment, so we can choose a model that suits us not only in terms of the way it works, but also in terms of price. The cost of pressure equipment may range from PLN 100 to even PLN 10 thousand. When selecting specific models, you should also pay attention to the power of the unit, the pressure generated and any additional functions.
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