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Semi-Automatic vs Automatic Espresso Machine
About the different types of automatic espresso machine and tips for choosing the right one.
Published December 22, 2021
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Erik Hedlund
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
When buying a home espresso machine, exploring the different options that are available can be quite daunting. When choosing which espresso machine to get, whether you go for a semi-automatic, automatic, or even a super-automatic machine can cause some confusion if you’re not sure about the differences between each one. Each of these three types will come with a different set of advantages and benefits when using them, but if you are new to making your own espresso, it can sometimes be difficult to differentiate between each one. Keep reading to get a breakdown of all the differences between semi-automatic vs automatic espresso machine to help you understand which one is the right choice for your preferences and lifestyle.
How Espresso Machines Work
Before deciding on the right espresso machine for you, it’s a good idea to learn more about how they work. Whether you are using a manual, semi-automatic, or automatic espresso machine, they all use pressure to force hot water through a tamped puck of fine coffee grounds. The puck is placed in an accessory known as a portafilter, which allows the water to pass through the coffee grounds and into your cup. The process of brewing espresso will take between 25-30 seconds. There are various factors that impact this including the coffee ground size and your personal preferences. When done right, the result is a delicious, creamy shot of espresso that is high in caffeine.
Early Espresso Machines
While automatic espresso machines have now become the standard, especially in coffee shops and other commercial settings, the first espresso machines were operated manually. The barista would be required to manually pull a lever to generate the right amount of pressure and pull the shot of espresso. While you can still get manual espresso machines today, they are no longer as popular as they once were since they require quite a bit of effort to use. In the 1940s, the world of espresso was forever changed by an Italian inventor. A new, more user-friendly machine that was not quite as exhausting to use was brought to the market and began a new era of espresso. Today, we know this machine as the semi-automatic espresso machine.
What are Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines?
A semi-automatic espresso machine is different to a manual level machine in many ways. Rather than having to pull a lever down to activate the piston on the machine, these machines use an electric pump instead. Because of this, all you need to do is press a button, which pulls the shot for you. This enabled espresso to boom even more around the world as there was no longer such a large amount of physical endurance and strength needed to become a good barista.
However, one thing to note about this type of espresso machine is that it is not fully automatic, and the barista is still in charge of everything else such as grinding the coffee, loading the portafilter, tamping the coffee, and starting the shot by pushing the button. While there is some manual work involved in using a semi-automatic machine, many baristas and home baristas like this as it allows them a high level of control over the shot. This has led to semi-automatic espresso machines becoming the most common type in specialty coffee shops and for home use.
What are Automatic Espresso Machines?
What is an automatic espresso machine? For some people, the level of control that you get over the espresso made in a semi-automatic machine can be daunting, so an automatic machine might be better if this sounds like you. These machines are very similar to semi-automatic machines, however. You will still need to grind and tamp the coffee and press a button to get it started. However, the main difference between a fully automatic and semi-automatic coffee machine is that you do not need to time and stop the flow of water yourself, since these machines have a built-in timer that cuts the shot off after the right amount of time has passed. This makes them a convenient option as you can easily get on with something else while your espresso is brewing, and you won’t come back to an overflowing cup.
However, the downside of using an automatic machine is that you no longer have any control over the length of time that you pull the shot for. While the industry standard is 25-30 seconds, the five-second range either way can lead to huge differences in flavor. Since the automatic machine, rather than you, controls the time, there’s no way to experiment and explore how different extraction times impact your coffee.
What are Super Automatic Espresso Machines?
Super automatic espresso machines are a more modern version, which is often used in commercial settings. A super automatic machine is designed to be all-inclusive and will do everything for you including grinding the coffee, setting up the portafilter, tamping the coffee, pulling the shot, and steaming the milk.
When it comes to convenience, a super automatic machine is certainly the best choice since it is reliable when it comes to pulling the same shot every time. However, on the downside, there isn’t much that you will be able to do if you don’t like how the shot tastes. Some machines allow you to make some changes to factors like grind size, but bear in mind that these tend to be very limited. You might be able to make some changes to the shot time, for example, but you will usually be limited to around a five-second range, which might be good enough but won’t give you a lot of room for experimenting with different things.
One major downside of the super automatic espresso machine is that they won’t allow you to steam your own milk for creating latte art or cappuccinos. And no matter how close they might come or how well they are advertised, you can’t expect a super automatic machine to produce steamed milk that is as smooth or creamy compared to manual steaming.
Choosing the Right Espresso Machine for You
While all three of the main types of automatic espresso machine have a place in the world, there are different pros and cons of each one to consider when it comes to determining whether semi automatic vs fully automatic is the best for your preferences and lifestyle. If you want to get easy and consistent espresso and espresso drinks without the need to do anything to the machine or the coffee, then a super automatic machine might be an ideal choice for you. On the other hand, a semi-automatic coffee machine might be the best choice for you if you want more control over the espresso so that you can experiment and explore by playing around with the variables. Alternatively, go for an automatic machine if you want to have some control over the espresso without having to focus on it in the morning. Semi-automatic and automatic machines tend to have a steam wand for manual steaming, so either of these is a good choice if you want to make latte art. On the other hand, super automatic machines steam the milk for you, but they are often the most expensive of the three, so not the best choice for anybody on a budget.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Espresso Machine
Deciding whether a semi-automatic, automatic, or super automatic espresso machine is the best option for you can be tricky. To help you decide on the best one for you, consider the following factors:
Cost: How much you have to spend might influence which automatic espresso machine you go for. In general, you can usually expect to pay more for a super automatic machine compared to a semi-automatic machine, with fully automatic machines falling somewhere in the middle in terms of price. However, bear in mind that if you go for a semi-automatic machine, there may be additional costs for accessories, such as grinders.
Lifestyle: Consider your lifestyle to determine which type of coffee machine is going to be the best fit. If you’re super busy and don’t have a lot of time to make your coffee in the morning, grinding and tamping your beans might not be the best choice for you, and a super automatic machine might be the most convenient option. On the other hand, if you have some time to brew your espresso and like the idea of being able to savor the moment, a semi-automatic machine might work well for you, as you’re more involved and therefore more connected to the brewing experience. If you want something in the middle that offers the option of more convenience of more control, an automatic espresso machine with semi-automatic features is a good choice.
Semi-automatic and automatic espresso machines are the most popular choices for people who want to start making their own espresso at home. Super automatic machines are also becoming more popular due to the high level of convenience that they offer. If you want to make your own espresso at home, this is likely going to be one of the first choices that you make. Automatic or super automatic are great for anybody who values convenience and speed. On the other hand, if you want more control to experiment with how your espresso turns out, a semi-automatic machine will be ideal.
About the author
Erik Hedlund
With Era of We and The Coffee Lab, I hope to share knowledge, increase the value of coffee – and secure the future of coffee.
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