Which coffee maker is better with a boiler or thermoblock

The heating element in coffee makers can be made in the form of a boiler or a thermoblock. And the difference between them is not only in price. In fact, these are two fundamentally different heating elements that have a different principle of operation and are designed for different purposes. Although, of course, the result of their activity is always the same — boiling water, which is served through pressed coffee, brewing it.

Let’s figure out which coffee maker is better — with a boiler or a thermoblock.

How the boiler works in coffee makers

A boiler, as the name implies, is a boiler in which water is heated to a very high temperature — usually up to 80-90 degrees. When it is required to prepare a cup of espresso, the liquid is additionally heated, and boiling water is supplied to the outlet.

The main advantage of the boiler is its large volume. It is able to store hot from 100 ml of almost boiling water, depending on the model of the coffee machine. This is enough to prepare several servings of espresso at once and at the same time to “boil” milk through an automatic cappuccinatore. Therefore, coffee machines with boilers are especially widely used in coffee houses, cafes and similar catering establishments.

All this makes boiler coffee machines a good solution for catering establishments, but redundant for a home or small office.

How does a thermoblock work in coffee makers

Thermoblock structurally is a system of powerful heating elements. Water, passing between them, instantly boils, and then goes to the pressed coffee. Thermoblocks are focused on heating small volumes of liquid to a boil. On average, they are designed for 15-30 ml of water, which is enough to prepare one serving of espresso. The next one requires more fluid.

This principle of operation is not without drawbacks. Despite the fact that the water boils quickly, it is pumped up and pumped out slowly, as a result of which it takes a lot of time to prepare several shots of espresso. And if at home there is nothing wrong with this, then when there are queues of people who want to drink coffee, this becomes a problem.

The second drawback is that the thermoblock constantly experiences temperature changes. As a result, its operational period is quite short — up to 3-5 years. In addition, it is important to pay attention to the material from which it is made:

1. Steel are highly reliable and have excellent heat capacity, but are easily covered with scale, as a result of which they need to be cleaned regularly;

2. Aluminum ones do not differ in such reliability, their operational period is about 2-3 years with active use, but they are not covered with scale;

3. Brass are highly reliable, can scale and do not hold heat very well.

The retention of heat (heat capacity) reduces the time it takes to prepare a second cup of coffee. So it is useful for families with two or three members and small offices.

Thermoblock coffee machines are a good solution for home use or installation in a small office.

Which coffee maker is best?

For home use or to the office, you should take a coffee machine with a thermoblock. Its main advantages in this case are low price and energy efficiency. And lovers of an invigorating drink will like the instant bringing water to a boil — you press the button and the drink is ready.

But in catering establishments — coffee houses, cafes, restaurants — as well as in large offices, it is worth taking a coffee machine with a boiler. Despite its relative high cost, it will delight you with the quick preparation of drinks in the “streaming mode”, when you need to brew cup after cup.