Expresso, ristretto, cappuccino … Fancy a coffee? Our advice on choosing the coffee machine model with bean grinder that suits you best.
A long coffee with a delicious aroma in the morning, a small ristretto espresso after lunch, a tasty macchiatto latte to taste it and, finally, a coffee with a knob of milk at the end of the afternoon. The dream, for many unconditional coffee lovers!
In parallel with capsule espresso machines, there are also much more sophisticated models, with integrated coffee bean grinder. The idea: to offer the quality of a hot drink made by a professional, at home.
These machines thus make it possible to make all kinds of drinks in a few moments – what is more, by instantly grinding the coffee beans necessary for preparation! On the program: an intoxicating smell and an incomparable flavor.
But these dream devices are often expensive! To safely buy an espresso machine with an integrated bean grinder, discover our practical guide.
Choose your machine according to your coffee consumption
Before choosing your coffee machine with integrated bean grinder, and sometimes spending large sums, you must “to look into his way of consuming coffee”, advises Florent Guilbert, e-commerce manager of the website Each his own café.com. Are you rather long coffee in the morning, espresso after lunch, or cappuccino evening?
In a filter coffee maker or an espresso machine, we pour the ground coffee at the time of use, and we dose it according to the number of cups to prepare. Conversely, in a coffee machine with an integrated grinder, the grain tank is filled with the same coffee. “So you can’t change coffee as easily as you want” emphasizes Florent Guilbert.
For those whose coffee cravings vary throughout the day, there are several solutions: “some machines have a hatch to slide ground coffee, so as to prepare a different cup from others” specifies Florent Guilbert. Other models have two bean containers, in which you can place two different coffees.
How many coffees per day?
Another question to ask: what will be the frequency of use of the machine? “It’s difficult, but you have to try to project yourself in relation to your actual consumption” advises Florent Guilbert. If you only drink 2 or 3 espressos a day, the size of the water and bean tanks is not important.
If, on the other hand, you like milky drinks or long coffees, be sure to choose a machine whose reservoirs are large enough so as not to have to fill them with each use …
Which power to choose?
Machines equipped with a grain mill can be of several types:
- filter coffee makers
- espresso machines
- multifunction machines for milk drinks
For the last two categories, it is important to check the pressure, in bars, of the device. “To obtain an espresso, your machine must deliver a pressure ofat least 9 bars at the machine outlet (either 15 bars displayed) and heated water between 90 and 92 ° C“, advises Gifam.
Also remember to check the electricity consumption of the appliance, which must be indicated on its energy label. This will allow you, with equal skills and options, to choose the machine that will cost you the least to use.
Which system for milk drinks?
Espresso and long coffee aren’t the only drinks a coffee machine with integrated grinder can make. “The French are becoming more and more familiar with milk drinks, and the machines adapt accordingly “ Florent Guilbert analysis. Two systems exist:
- Manual system : the models closest to professional machines have a nozzle, which blows air and thus allows the milk to be heated very quickly and to be frothed manually, to make milk drinks yourself. Be careful, you have to have a hand! Or rely on some demonstration videos available on the Internet.
- Automatic system : the less reckless will prefer to entrust this task to the coffee machine! The more sophisticated models offer a hose to immerse in a milk container, or even a separate reservoir connected to the coffee maker. In both cases, the milk drink is prepared in the blink of an eye. “Machines with a ‘one touch’ system provide appreciated versatility and simplicity” emphasizes Florent Guilbert. Be careful here, the price suffers!
Options for the perfect drink
If the simplest espresso machines have only one or two buttons (short coffee / long coffee), some devices push the development much further. “They make it possible to measure the quantity of ingredient used, to modulate the intensity of the coffee or the quantity of milk, or even to control the emulsion time, which affects the foam” specifies Florent Guilbert.
Most machines with a “milk drink” function offer a “one touch” system, ie the possibility of making a given drink (latte, cappuccino, etc.) at the touch of a button or almost. Others even give the possibility of modulate recipes (no more milk, double dose of espresso), or even save them, so that each user can quickly find their personalized recipe.
Finally, high-end coffee machines with grinder often offer a widescreen, in color and sometimes even tactile. Some brands also install a automatic cleaning, “which does not exempt users from taking good care of their machine and avoiding clogging the crusher” insists Florent Guilbert, however.
The latest trend? The device connected, controllable from your smartphone. If the interest of triggering your coffee machine from your phone or tablet seems limited, remote control applications mainly allow you to personalize your drinks, their intensity, their milk content, etc.
How much does it cost ?
The main manufacturers of coffee machines with integrated grinder are Jura, De’Longhi, Saeco Philips, Krups and Melitta. There are also a few models from Magimix, Cuisinart, Miele, Severin and Siemens. The difference is in the price, but also in the place of manufacture of the device (Italy, Switzerland, etc.) – some would say, in the culture of coffee!
- The most accessible coffee machines with integrated grinder are the filter coffee makers. We can thus find models between 60 to 130 €. However, this is not an espresso, but a more classic coffee.
- The espresso machines with integrated grinder, on the other hand, are more expensive. However, you can find simple models for 350 €, some of which are equipped with a milk nozzle.
- The technical criteria that drive up prices are the possibility of achieving milk drinks (from 420 €), the “one touch” option (from 500 €), the possibility of modulating and programming the recipes, or the presence of a screen or many buttons to facilitate use of the machine.
Aesthetics and technology
Aesthetics can also weigh down the bill: stainless steel or brushed steel finish, colored model, led lighting of the nozzle, etc. The more expensive models exceed 2,000 € but, for that price, you will have a machine with a very nice finish.
The quality of the grinder also comes into play. “Ceramic grinders are more expensive than steel grinders because they have more complex technology and are less noisy, explains Florent Guilbert. However, it’s hard to tell the difference unless you are a true specialist. “
In summary, count around 1.000 € for a quality model, with the possibility of personalizing your drinks via a color screen. And up to € 4,000 for a very high-end model.
| Machine type with grinder | Price |
| Filter coffee maker | 60 to 130 € |
| Espresso machine | from 350 € |
| Espresso machine with milk drink option | from 420 € |
| Connected machine with personalization of drinks | from 1.000 € |
Finally, advises us Florent Guilbert, “a good drink depends on the machine / coffee pair”. In other words, there is no need to spend a fortune on a high-end appliance if you do not choose your coffee beans conscientiously! Count 15 € per kilo, even 20 for a high quality coffee.
How to maintain your coffee machine with grinder?
Even if the machine has an automatic cleaning system, it should be taken care of to extend its life expectancy.
Think of descale the water circuit regularly, using products intended for espresso machines. Rinse also the brewing chamber from time to time.
“Chlorine, limestone and certain heavy metals alter the fragrance and flavor of coffee. To eliminate these taste alterers and also prevent the formation of scale, devices are fitted with a filter cartridge”, indicates the Gifam.
the crusher also requires specific cleaning. From lozenges to be inserted in the grain compartment allow this central element and often difficult to access to be cleaned without dismantling the machine. “In absolute terms, avoid clogging the grinder, by limiting the consumption of very strong or flavored coffee, which are more fatty” advises Florent Guilbert.
