Barista himself: TOP-5 carob-type coffee makers

The affordable model of the Vitek VT-1523 carob coffee maker will allow you to treat yourself to delicious espresso and cappuccino at home. The device is made with an emphasis on practicality and is inferior in design to the best examples of European brands. The stainless steel case has plastic inserts, and on the front panel there are 3 buttons with LED indicators: turning on the device, water supply and steam supply. Under the control panel is a manual cappuccinatore with a removable plastic nozzle. Changing the intensity of steam supply is carried out by a rotary regulator on the side of the body. To obtain high-quality espresso, the Italian Ulka pump is used in the coffee maker, which provides stable pressure in the flow channel.

The thermoblock has a low power of 850 W, which is why it takes a little longer to heat water and steam generation than most analogues. After the drink has been prepared, the boiler continues to operate and the heating must be turned off manually to save energy. A capacious removable water tank made of translucent plastic (1.5 l) allows you not to worry about frequent topping up. In a metal holder with a plastic surface of the handle, you can install one of the complete filters that differ in volume (for 1 or 2 servings of espresso). The kit also comes with a combined measuring spoon with a "tamper". Please note that the space between the port filter and the removable drip tray is small, so a tall cup cannot be installed here. And another disadvantage of the model is the lack of a platform for heating and drying cups, which have long become standard equipment for coffee makers.

The classic coffee maker De'Longhi EC 235.BK is an operational update of the previous model De'Longhi EC EC 230.BK. This is a solid middle peasant in its category, which is distinguished by a pleasant design, high-quality materials and reliable operation. The matte black plastic of the body, mechanical controls and removable drip tray maintains the unity of the strict style, which is emphasized by the steel sheen of the manual pannarello and the horn filter holder. With the hand frother steam wand, which is highly movable thanks to the ball joint, you can turn your original espresso into a cappuccino. The rotary dial on the front of the coffee maker allows you to choose one of 2 operating modes - preparing hot water for coffee or supplying steam to the cappuccinatore. And the side lever is responsible for adjusting the steam pressure.

The device is able to prepare drinks from ground and tablet coffee (pod). Included with the holder are 2 cream filters for 1 and 2 servings of espresso, as well as a traditional tamper with a measuring spoon. Let's write down the high power of the thermoblock with a 1100 W boiler, which quickly heats the water coming from the liter tank, as an asset. The tank has a cutout in the body that allows you to control the water level. On the lid of the coffee maker there is a heated grate for preparing cups, and at the very bottom there is a removable tray with a stand. With the tray installed, a cup 7 cm high is placed under the drain nozzles, and if it is removed, a cup up to 11 cm high can also be placed.

The Gaggia Gran Style RI 8423/21 coffee maker for manual espresso preparation is distinguished by excellent ergonomics, compact dimensions of 20x30x27 cm and a light weight of 3.9 kg, due to the execution in an ABS plastic case. The coffee machine is able to prepare drinks from ground coffee powder and pressed tablets (pods). This model is available in white and black. The Gran Gaggia DeLuxe with a stainless steel front is available in red and black, while the all-steel Gran Gaggia Prestige is available in silver. In addition to the design materials and body color, the modifications have no differences.

The coffee machine contains a built-in heater with a power of 950 W, a productive pump and a removable water tank with a capacity of 1.25 liters. On the upper platform of the device there is a grate for drying and heating cups / coffee pot (bain-marie). And the bottom cup holder covers the drip tray. The control panel with three indicator lights (power, water heating and steam ready) and 2 buttons (drink and steam) is intuitive and easy to use. But the mains power button is located on the back of the device, which is not very convenient for the user. The holder (horn) is equipped with 3 high-pressure aluminium filters "Crema Perfetta" and tamper, which can be stored in a compartment under the top cover of the case. There is a stainless steel cappuccinatore for preparing milk foam. In addition to preparing coffee drinks, the model is equipped with a separate hot water supply and is an excellent replacement for a traditional kettle.

The Sencor SES 4010SS manual espresso coffee maker is a simple and practical device for preparing aromatic coffee drinks, as well as brewing tea, herbal preparations and cocoa. The obvious advantage of the device, which immediately attracts attention, is a stylish case and most of the elements made of stainless steel. This makes the device resistant to wear and mechanical damage, and also simplifies its maintenance. The machine is designed to work only with ground coffee powder, for which it comes with 2 stainless steel filters for 1 or 2 cups and a tamper with a measuring spoon. The rectangular design with a fairly wide base (29 cm) allows you to conveniently place large cups on the drip tray and top plate for warming dishes.

Boiler heater with a power of 1050 W provides fast preparation of hot water. A removable water tank with a capacity of 1.5 liters is installed at the rear of the device. Although there is no water level indicator on the front panel, it can be monitored from the side thanks to the translucent plastic of the tank. The side steam wand with swivel nozzle allows you to manually froth milk for cappuccino, as well as prepare hot water for brewing tea. On the front panel there is a power button and a coffee / steam heating temperature switch button (both with light indication). And to the right of them is a rotary switch for operating modes, which allows you to choose between coffee preparation, standby mode, steam supply. It remains a mystery why the manufacturer duplicated the mode switching on the function button and the rotary dial. At the same time, the coffee maker does not have a steam supply intensity regulator, which should be considered a minus of the model.

The De'Longhi ECP 33.21.BK carob espresso coffee maker from a well-known Italian manufacturer has an angular shape of a black plastic case with silvery metal surfaces of the facade, a passive cup heating platform and a drip tray stand. The model is designed for preparing espresso and hot water for brewing tea, as well as manual heating of milk for latte macchiato and frothing milk for cappuccino. The appliance has 2 operating modes that can be set with the rotary control: panarello mode and coffee/hot water mode. Espresso is prepared in the usual way after the preheating of the boiler (the green “OK” indicator lights up), and for working with milk, you need to set the side lever to the appropriate mark. At the same time, steam of different temperatures will be supplied through the tube of the cappuccinatore to heat or froth milk.

The volume of the removable water tank is 1.1 liters, and its filling level can be monitored by a vertical cut-out indicator through which a translucent reservoir is visible. The high power of the heating element of 1100 W quickly prepares the machine for operation, and the pump, which gives an outlet pressure of 15 bar, ensures good extraction of the powder and a rich taste of the drink. The coffee maker has an auto-shutoff function that works if it is not used. The device is equipped with a dosing spoon with a rammer and 3 cream filters: for preparing tablets from ground coffee (single and double portion) and for using ready-made pressed tablets (pods). The clever design allows you to use cups with a maximum height of 13 cm (with the tray removed) for your drink. In addition to this model, customers are also offered modifications of white and red colors.