Coffee is a favourite beverage for many worldwide, with over 166.63 million of 60 kg bags of coffee consumed in 2021 alone. This amount translates to over 400 billion cups consumed annually. These numbers are only achievable with high-quality coffee-making machines found in cafeterias, offices or institutions. There are numerous categories of coffee machines, each having distinct features for improving the taste of coffee.
Therefore, investing in a quality automatic coffee vending machine makes all the difference for businesses and consumers. The three common coffee machine types are semi-automatic, automatic and super-automatic. Here is a detailed breakdown highlighting the features of each coffee machine type and the best places to use it.
Semi-Automatic Coffee Machine
Semi-automatic coffee machines combine the best features of manual and automatic machines. While they are highly convenient, they require the operator’s input to make coffee. In addition, the machines have to be filled and operated manually.
A standby server will be responsible for starting and shutting off the machine for semi-automatic coffee vending machines. This way, they can ensure the coffee, milk, water and other additives are refilled appropriately. However, it lacks built-in timers for stopping the machine when dispensing coffee.
Automatic Coffee Machines
Automatic coffee machines differ slightly from semi-automatic coffee machines. While they still need an individual to load the filters and replenish the coffee beans/grind, they are easier to use. The difference is that the automatic coffee machine stops after filling the cup.
In addition, automatic coffee vending machines provide numerous options for brewing coffee. It can make coffee with up to three strength selections and flavours besides being easy to use and requiring minimal maintenance.
Even bean-to-cup machines can easily grind the coffee for consistent tastes. However, this machine needs more room for experimentation. Although it may achieve various coffee flavours, the establishment will have less control over its operations.
Super-Automatic Coffee Machines
Super-automatic coffee machines are more powerful than manual, semi-automatic and automatic machines. Once loaded with ingredients, these machines can make different types of coffee depending on user needs. In addition, modern super-automatic vending machines have interactive interfaces for easy selection of brew options.
Besides, they also grind coffee beans and steam milk for making instant cappuccino and lattes. The super-automatic coffee machine is ideal for high-traffic offices and high-traffic facilities. Modern coffee vending machines also have sensors for automatically dispensing coffee without pressing a button. The flow metre dispenses a measured amount of coffee per cup without exceeding limits.
How to Choose Between Semi-Automatic, Automatic and Super-Automatic Coffee Machines
A semi-automatic coffee machine allows the consumer to have some input into the coffee they are taking. Without the automatic timer, this machine provides more control over the amount of coffee one wants. In addition, the semi-automatic vending machine has a simple interface for selecting brew quantity, grind sizes and flavours. Lastly, these machines are reliable for small-scale operations since they require minimal maintenance.
Automatic coffee vending machines provide more freedom since it does most of the heavy lifting. Once filled with coffee beans, the machine automatically grinds them depending on the quality of the brew. After selecting the quantity of coffee, the flowmeter automatically shuts off without necessarily pressing a button. This machine is ideal for an organisation with a higher staff population to save time. It also minimises the number of people operating the machine, thus improving its longevity.
The super-automatic coffee machine offers more convenience by simplifying the coffee-making process. After adding the ingredients to the machine, it does everything from grinding coffee, frothing the milk, and making beverages. In addition, newer super-automatic coffee machines have a self-cleaning feature to improve their service life.
They also offer more coffee brewing options than manual, semi-automatic and automatic machines. This feature allows them to make up to 12 types of beverages. Furthermore, considering they can dispense up to three cups of hot beverage per minute, they are reliable for high-traffic institutions with more than 75 employees. Unfortunately, the vending machine price for these coffee makers is high, requiring professional maintenance and cleaning.
This guide shows that these machines have subtle differences that determine their performance. Coffee vending machine manufacturers always find new ways to improve the functionality of these machines. By doing this, the machines become more convenient and versatile for various applications. All these coffee machines are ideal for offices, premium cafes, stores, healthcare instructions, etc.
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