In this age and day, working from home is becoming increasingly popular, especially after the world was almost brought to its knees by the covid-19 pandemic. Many companies now give their employees the option to work remotely, prompting most people to set up home offices. To get your home office up and running, however, you need several items, including a quiet space, comfy furniture, workspace equipment, and a way to prepare your favorite refreshments.
Speaking of refreshments, coffee has proven to be among the most beloved beverages in any workplace, thanks to the many health benefits it provides. Now, to brew your favorite coffee cup from your home office, a coffee machine is one of the basic things you will need. There are many types of coffee machines to pick from depending on your favorite coffee drink and brewing method, among other factors.
In this piece, we shall be comparing two of the most popular options for a home office – mono espresso machine vs. coffee maker.
What’s An Espresso Maker?
As you can tell from the name, an espresso machine is used to make espresso coffee. The Italian quintessential beverage, espresso, is among the most beloved coffee drinks on the planet these days. This is why the espresso machine is considered among the first choices when picking a coffee machine. Basically, an espresso machine brews coffee by forcing or expressing a significant amount of water (near boiling point) through fine coffee grounds under high pressure.
The resulting coffee is usually thick and creamy, with 3 different layers: Heart, Body, and Crema from bottom to top. The heart is the bottom layer, often a bit bitter with a deep brown color. The middle layer is the caramel brown-colored body, whereas the crema is the topmost layer where rich aromas and flavors are. The latter is more common in the latte, and cappuccinos you come across in coffee shops.
The Standard Coffee Maker
The standard coffee maker brews coffee by simply passing hot water through coffee grounds. As it drips down into a container below, the hot water absorbs oils and flavors from the ground coffee beans, creating a hot aromatic beverage. Well, this is basically what happens with drip coffee makers, some of which can be seen on the Smeg’s kettle collection. The company also stocks espresso machines and other coffee-making tools, including milk frothers, kettles, coffee grinders, and mixers.
Mono Espresso Maker
Coffee machines vary widely in terms of how they work and the amount of coffee they can brew in a single instance. This includes giant or commercial espresso makers that can hold multiple tanks and outlets for brewed coffee. Mono espresso makers use a single water tank, although some versions also contain a vibration pump and volumetric pump.
The name mono espresso can also be taken to refer to what most people know as the single-serve espresso maker. As the name suggests, this is the smaller version of the espresso machine that only allows you to brew a single cup at a time.
They’re exceedingly popular these days, especially in offices and homes, as well as among travelers due to their added portability. They are also available in a wide range of variants these days, including pod systems, capsule systems, and versions compatible with E.S.E pods. This is not to forget proprietary systems like Nespresso, Tassimo, and Keirug, among other brands from specific manufacturers.
The Main Differences between Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker
At this point, it is safe to assume one thing. You know that a mono espresso machine is simply a smaller version of the standard espresso maker, making a single cup of coffee at a time. Of course, the machine may lack some of the features present in the standard espresso maker.
If you’re a coffee enthusiast, you may also know that there are different coffee brewing methods, from pour-over to siphon, French press, aero press, and cold brew, among others. Both espresso machines and coffee makers vary widely in terms of features, performance, and design.
However, the major difference between these two variants is the brewing method, as we saw above. But the big question remains, which one between the two should you choose for your home office?
Here are some other factors to consider before making the decision:
- Pricing
Coffee makers are simpler to use and don’t have as many functions as the mono espresso machine. For this reason, they tend to be the more affordable option between the two. If you’d like to make barista-level coffee from your office, however, a quality espresso machine can be a good idea.
- Coffee roasts
Different brewing methods require different types of coffee roasts. In our case, espresso machines require darker and more flavorful roasts, whereas coffee makers use lighter bean roasts.
The caffeine strength of espresso roasts makes them suitable for cappuccinos and lattes. This is also perhaps why espresso machines produce higher caffeine content per cup to keep you productive while working from home.
- Grinding
The other huge yet important difference between the two coffee-making machines is the type of coffee grounds used. With a mono espresso machine, you will need fine and powder-like coffee grinds. For a coffee maker, you will need coarse grinds.
- Coffee consumption needs
Last but not least, it pays to consider your needs in terms of the amount of coffee (and caffeine) you need to get through each day. Is a single cup in the morning enough or do you need a hot cup of ‘Jo several times during the day?
On this front, the standard coffee maker could be the best option for you if you occasionally need several cups brewed for moments when you have guests or clients in the office. If it’s just you, then a mono espresso machine would make more sense.
In summary, the best option between these two coffee-making machines will depend on your specific needs. Your budget, desired strength, and coffee-making method will all determine your decision. All in all, a mono espresso machine holds the upper hand for any coffee enthusiast who likes their drink stronger and more flavorful. On the other hand, a coffee maker is budget-friendly and can be a great pick if you don’t like your coffee too strong.
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