Automatic vs. Manual Espresso Machines
You’ve seen the consumer trends, like this one by the Canadian Coffee Association, and know the facts. Canadians love their coffee and gone are the days of the drab, drip coffee that’s been sitting all morning.
Today’s consumers are increasingly choosing specialty beverages like cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos, but where do you start? What’s the difference between automatic vs. manual espresso machines?
Automatic Espresso Machine
Think of an automatic espresso machine as a sort of barista in a box. A fully auto espresso machine will handle everything from grinding the beans to steaming & dispensing the milk, while ensuring all parameters such as coarseness of grind, water temperature and pressure, and tamp are all set to deliver that perfect cup of coffee. And it’s as easy as pushing a button!
Manual Espresso Machine
On the other side of the coin, a manual espresso machine requires the user to grind the beans properly, tamp the beans, and steam milk for the beverage. Details like the coarseness of grind, water temperature & pressure, etc., are all handled by the operator which is no easy task. In fact, baristas train for years developing the skills required to deliver the perfect cup of coffee.
Why Choose Automatic?
- Convenience – easy to use (push of a button) and takes seconds to get a gourmet cup of coffee.
- Cleaning – cleaning is easy on an automatic machine with many units featuring automatic cleaning.
- No barista training – gourmet coffee is available at the push of a button saving labor costs and time training a professional barista.