Home Manual Coffee Machines

• Single Boiler: These machines are ideal for making one or two espressos or milk coffees daily. Suitable for those with limited space and who don't mind waiting for the machine to heat for steam.
• Heat Exchanger: These machines are perfect for occasional hosting, frequent milk drinks, and those who want speed without exceeding their budget.
• Dual Boilers: These machines are the best option for daily baristas, those who require precision, or those who regularly serve a crowd and have the additional budget required.
• Thermo-block: Available in single and dual versions, these machines are ideal for those who need a quick heat-up time, providing a morning coffee in just 5 minutes with maximum energy efficiency.

How they Work: One boiler heats water for both brewing (around 93–96°C) and steaming (around 120°C+ for steam pressure). You switch between modes manually, often with a toggle or button.

Practical Differences:

• Workflow: Slow and sequential. Brew a shot, wait 20–60 seconds to heat for steaming, then steam milk. After steaming, bring the boiler back down to coffee temperature ready for the next shot. This back-and-forth makes it impractical for multiple drinks in a row.
• Capacity: Limited to 1–2 drinks at a time. A small boiler size (often 0.3–0.5 litres) means it can’t sustain long sessions or big volumes.
• Temperature Stability: Decent for brewing if stabilised, but inconsistent shot-to-shot without a PID (temperature controller). Steaming power is weak—less pressure and volume than HX or dual boilers.
• Size/Cost: Compact and affordable such as the Lelit Anna, Lelit Victoria, Profitec Go.

Best For: Small households making one or two coffees at a time, on a budget, with patience for the wait.

How they Work: A larger boiler (1–2 litres) operates at steam temperature, while a tube (the heat exchanger) passes cold water through the steam boiler, heating it to coffee water temperature as it travels to the group head. No mode switching is required—brew and steam are available at the same time.

Practical Differences:

• Workflow: Much faster. Brew a shot while steaming milk, no delays. You can make back-to-back coffees, however, you will need a 5-second cooling flush (HX flush) to avoid overly hot brew water before each shot.
• Capacity: Handles 4–6 drinks easily before the boiler needs recovery time. Great for small gatherings or frequent use.
• Temperature Stability: Good, but not perfect. Brew temp depends on the HX design and boiler temp, so it can drift slightly without a PID. Steaming is strong—plenty of pressure for frothy milk.
• Size/Cost: Larger footprint and mid-range price such as the Lelit Mara X and Profitec Pro 400.

Best For: Home baristas who want speed and versatility for multiple drinks, without splurging on a dual boiler.

How they Work: Two separate boilers, one for brewing (around 93–96°C) and one for steaming (120°C+). Each boiler has a heating element, so both tasks run independently at optimal temps.

Practical Differences:

• Workflow: Seamless and instant. Brew and steam simultaneously with no wait, no flush, no compromise. Ideal for rapid-fire espresso drinks or entertaining.
• Capacity: High output. A larger brew boiler (0.5–1 litre) and steam boiler (1–2 litres) mean it can handle 6–10+ drinks without running low on steam or overheating. Recovery time is fast.
• Temperature Stability: Excellent. PIDs on both boilers lock in precise temps (e.g., 93°C for brewing, 130°C for steam), ensuring consistent shots and powerful steam every time.
• Size/Cost: Bulky and expensive. Machines like the Profitec 600/Drive, Lelit Bianca.

Best For: Espresso obsessives, frequent hosts, where precision and speed are non-negotiable.

Thermo-block machines heat water on demand, while boiler machines store and heat a water reservoir. Here are the pros and cons of thermo-block machines.

Advantages:

• Heat-up time: The thermo-block heats up in 60 seconds, but we recommend waiting 5 minutes for the portafilter to reach optimal temperature. In comparison, single boiler machines take 15 minutes to heat up, while E61 HX and dual boiler machines take 25 minutes.
• Energy efficiency: This system heats water on demand, rather than maintaining a hot reservoir reducing energy bills. Power is only consumed during the shot and when steaming. In contrast, boilers continuously keep water hot, consuming power even when idle. Dual boilers, with two heating elements, are particularly energy-hungry.
• Temperature stability for espresso: A high-quality thermo-block machine offers better temperature stability than a single boiler. A small boiler cools down as cold water is introduced during the shot. Although a PID can reduce this effect, some cooling still occurs. In contrast, a thermo-block heats cold water instantly on demand. With substantial thermal mass, a powerful element, and precise PID temperature control, ideally with a programmable offset, it maintains excellent temperature stability.

Disadvantage:

• Steam pressure: A quality thermo-block machine produces steam pressure comparable to a single boiler. However, it cannot achieve the pressure levels of heat exchange and dual boiler machines, which typically have a boiler capacity of 1.5 - 2.0 litres. Due to the lower steam pressure, these machines are ideal for making 1 to 2 coffees at a time using a 400 - 600ml milk jug.