Coffee is not just a beverage, to some it is a hobby that they spend a lot of time perfecting. It is something that everyone likes in a very specific way that they enjoy. Some enjoy a simple black coffee with maybe a little sugar, some like it with milk and some nice latte art that you can get only when you froth it correctly. But artisanal machines can get very expensive and require a lot of accessories for someone who is just getting into coffee. Getting coffee gear at a budget of Rs 15,000 is a little awkward. It is too much for a gadget you will abandon in a month and too little for a machine that pulls shots like the café down the road. What you can buy are three different philosophies of brewing coffee. Pump espresso for people who love the ritual. Drip with a grinder for people who want a full carafe and no fuss. A portable machine for people who refuse to drink bad coffee on the move.
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Cheapest of all and it includes a 20-bar pump. The 1,100W machine includes a steam wand that is used for frothing the milk, 1.5 liters water tank, and one button control system for making both single and double shots. There are no timers to take care of. Just press and you’re ready to drink your coffee. The machine has a removable drip tray so your cleaning process becomes easy; just a few refills of the water tank will help you brew many cups.
Here comes the first budget machine to look like a budget machine! The Rinaldi comes with 20-bar pressure, 1200W heating element, metal portafilter and temperature indicator. Two separate thermostats keep coffee and froth of milk at their desired temperatures, an added touch that makes it seem more costly than it really is. Cappuccino and latte come by way of steamer, while a switch called Espresso Cool gives you cold espresso for iced coffee – great during an Indian summer! This machine is designed to work with fine grind powder, so make sure your roaster gives you an espresso grind. The 1.5-litre water tank and 2-year warranty complete the package.
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Looks like a gimmick. Acts like a gadget you will use. The BrewGo is a portable espresso machine that heats its own water, delivers 20 bars of pressure and takes capsules or ground coffee. It is leak-proof and small enough to sit in a car cup holder. Think road trips, hotel rooms, and the office desk where the pantry coffee is a crime. Pack it with your own grounds and you skip the airport coffee queue and the airport prices. Expect single servings, so skip it if you host often. For anyone who travels, nothing else here comes close.
Those who drink espresso will scoff at this drip option. But they should be ignored. The Victory features an internal mill which grinds the beans in varying degrees of coarseness, after which the machine drips into a 1.5 litre carafe, which can provide up to 12 cups. Because the mill is included within the machine, there is no need for a separate device. It has a 24-hour timer so that your coffee is brewed before you get up. With Quiet Brew Technology, the mornings remain peaceful, a keep-warm option maintains the heat, and there is a permanent filter. This is the machine for a family.
Most expensive, and also the most manual. The Bolt is a semi-automatic machine with a 19-bar pump, a thermoblock that provides instant heat, and a portafilter. There is also a steam wand that can froth milk to make lattes and cappuccinos. It works with ground coffee and Nespresso-compatible pods, and a timer allows setting up a brew time between 10 and 90 seconds. The machine is semi-automatic because it requires you to pull the shot yourself, and it is your responsibility if it fails. This is the idea. Available in red, this model fits perfectly in a black kitchen environment.
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