How to Maximise Your Coffee Machine’s Functionality

Whether you’ve just bought your first coffee machine or have been using one for a while, it’s worth knowing how to maximise its potential so that it can produce delicious beverages for you whenever you need a little pick-me-up.

If you’ve invested in one, it’s likely that you, or someone who lives with you, drinks coffee on a regular basis, so why not ensure that you’re getting the most out of it?

Read on for our tips to create coffee that is reminiscent of what they serve up in Starbucks before sugar, milk, and stirring come to the fore.

Find Your Favourite Coffee Beans

Just as a cappuccino differs from an Americano, coffee beans themselves come in a variety of options.

Arabica beans have 1.4% caffeine; if you prefer to sip on a smooth cup of coffee, they should suit your taste preference.

For a stronger-tasting and higher caffeine concentration, Robusta beans offer a more bitter taste and are nearly double the strength of Arabica, with up to 2.7% of caffeine.

The difference between these two examples is significant, so beans do make a big difference when it comes to taste. Find the best option for you to ensure consistent enjoyment with your drinks.

Whole beans typically provide more longevity than ground beans because they are less exposed to air, moisture, and heat. To preserve your beans, it is advisable to store them in an airtight container.

Grind Beans to Correct Consistency

Use a burr grinder to make sure that the grounds align with your brewing method.

The grind size depends on the brewing method you use. For example, espresso uses a fine size, typically between 0.2mm and 0.5mm, while a French press uses a more coarse grind that is between 0.8mm and 1.2mm.

Enhance Taste with Filtered Water

Using good coffee beans and fresh milk but left with a bad taste in your mouth?

The cause of this could be the tap water you’re using. It’s just as important to have good, clean water as it is to brew your coffee with quality beans.

If you already have a water filtration system, the bad tasting water that is tarnishing your coffee could be a sign that you need a replacement water filter.

Filtered water effectively removes contaminants for healthier and more drinkable water. A cup of coffee is around 98% water so using clean water to brew your coffees can make a world of difference.

Find the Right Temperature

Another important aspect of producing premium coffee is making sure that the water temperature is at the right level.

In terms of temperature, the sweet spot tends to be around the 93°C range.

Standard drip and espresso coffee machines generally function best between 90-96°C.

Nespresso and other single-serve pod machines have a lower optimal temperature due to a faster brewing process, ranging between 88-93°C.

Falling below the ideal range causes under-extraction, leaving coffee weak or acidic. Going over leads to a harsher tasting cup of coffee.

Keep on Top of Cleaning

For starters, uncleaned machines can lead to unhygienic and highly unpleasant tasting cups of coffee.

However, a lack of necessary maintenance can also clog up and damage the coffee machine. 

Cleaning will be an easier and quicker process if done regularly; remember to empty used coffee grounds and rinse all removable parts of the machine, such as the drip tray and the water tank on a daily basis.

Wipe the outside of the machine each week and complete a monthly deep clean for nice tasting coffee and a functioning machine.

The deep clean should involve:

• Removing the build up of minerals with water and vinegar and then running the solution through the machine, before flushing with clean water.
• Giving the removable parts a thorough clean using warm soapy water.
• Cleaning the outer machine and any internal parts you can access thoroughly, before flushing out any residue that’s left over.

While maintenance may not be the most appealing factor regarding the purchase of a coffee machine, it is a key part of ensuring successful long-term use.

Start Brewing at Home!

Now you know how to maximise your coffee machine to produce better tasting drinks, you’re all set.

All that’s left to do now is pour, add your sugars and sweeteners and stir! Get the best out of your machine to enjoy delicious coffee at any time.