If you are fascinated by the unmistakable aroma of freshly ground coffeeyou might be tempted to buy a bean-type coffee machine. However, before proceeding, there are some important details that sellers often tend to leave out. Find out the disadvantages of these machines to avoid surprises.
Bean Coffee Machine: The initial price may hold you back
One of the main obstacles is the initial cost of the investment. Although the result in the cup is of very high quality, the price of these machines is quite high. For a good quality automatic coffee grinder machine, you will have to spend at least 300 euros.
Despite the outlay, you could amortize this expense over time: coffee beans, in fact, are decidedly cheaper than pre-packaged doses in pods or capsules. However, many models include advanced features, such as the milk frother, which may prove impractical to use for those who do not frequently consume milk-based drinks.
Noisy machines: a problem for domestic tranquility
The noise is undoubtedly one of the most common disadvantages of grain machines. When the internal mechanism grinds the coffee for each cup, it produces a fairly loud sound that is impossible to ignore. If you plan to make an espresso while someone else sleeps, the noise from the machine could cause family tension. This aspect is often underestimated, but it is a factor to consider carefully.
Maintenance and cleaning: a constant commitment
A bean coffee machine requires regular cleaning and frequent maintenance. The ground coffee container must be emptied often to prevent it from becoming clogged or residues from dispersing into the machine. Furthermore, the deterioration of limestone requires scheduled descaling sessions. On average, you will need to descale your machine one or more times a month, depending on usage. To avoid being caught unprepared, always keep a special detergent or classic white vinegar on hand.
Environmental impact: a new perspective
A study published in Sustainable Production and Consumption analyzed the emissions of CO2 and different coffee preparation methods. Automatic capsule and pod machines generate a larger carbon footprint than the traditional moka. For each cup, emissions can reach 96 g of CO2eagainst i 45-57 g of mochamainly due to the impact of packaging and waste disposal. Considering the Italian daily consumption of approximately 80 million cupsthis surplus generates a significant environmental impact.
