How to judge the quality of a coffee machine?

Judging the quality of a coffee machine can be verified through five core dimensions: stability, material and safety, core performance indicators, maintenance design, after-sales service, and brand, making it easy to distinguish between good and bad.

Stability: Consistent cup quality is the core

A good Italian coffee machine must be able to stably output an extraction pressure of around 9 bar, not the higher the peak value (most advertised 15/19 bar is the peak value, and the actual stable pressure affects the quality), and continuously serving more than 5 cups will not significantly change the taste; The dual boiler model is more stable than a single boiler, and there is no need to wait for the temperature to rise when making milk and coffee. The failure rate of high-quality machines should be controlled below one thousandth, and they should be able to work stably for a long time without sticking cups or lids, avoiding missing peak usage periods.

Material and safety: The bottom line cannot be saved

Safety is the first requirement, first identify the CCC mandatory certification mark, pay attention to food contact materials: the internal pipelines, water tanks, and brews of coffee machines are exposed to hot water and oil for a long time, and must pass food contact material testing. Priority should be given to selecting 304 stainless steel or food grade plastic materials to avoid the release of harmful substances from inferior materials. Major brands will provide relevant testing reports, which can be requested proactively when making purchases.

The core performance indicators meet the requirements of the national standard

For mainstream Italian coffee machines, products that meet national standards are considered qualified

Noise: with grinding function ≤ 80dB (A), without grinding function ≤ 65dB (A), will not excessively disturb the public

Milk foam quality: Models with steam frothing, milk foam moisture content ≤ 15%, the lower the moisture content, the denser and more durable the milk foam, and the better the latte effect

Extraction standard: Good Italian concentration extraction rate is between 18% -22%, coffee concentration is between 8% -12%, extraction temperature is about 92 ℃, extraction time is 25-30 seconds, and the resulting coffee is rich in oil and balanced in acidity and bitterness

Maintenance design determines service life

A good machine will facilitate daily cleaning, and the preferred choice is a detachable and washable design for the brewer, which facilitates regular flushing of coffee grounds and residual oil, avoiding the impact of odor residue on health; Some models come with a descaling reminder function, which can extend the lifespan of the machine. In addition, priority should be given to models with filtered water design, using purified water and regular descaling to extend the lifespan of heating elements

After sales and brand are guarantees

Don't be tempted by cheap options and choose miscellaneous brands, as the cost of repairing damaged core components can be high; Priority should be given to brands that are covered by national warranty. In case of any problems, they can be quickly repaired on-site to avoid the embarrassment of being unable to afford repairs. Try not to purchase second-hand models as the lifespan of core components such as water pumps cannot be visually assessed, and subsequent maintenance costs may exceed the price difference of new products.