Features of choice
If you are tired of making coffee with your own hands every morning, it's time to choose a coffee machine for your home
The main difference between the equipment and the coffee maker is the complete automation of the process, but in order to get a tasty and high-quality drink, it is important to make the right choice
Criteria for choosing the best coffee machine:
- price;
- availability of a warranty period of operation;
- design and dimensions - it makes no sense to choose a solid large device for a home, a small home model will harmoniously fit into the kitchen interior;
- performance;
- ease of use;
- variety of options.
Be prepared for the fact that the most reliable coffee machine will cost an order of magnitude more than a coffee maker. The range of prices for equipment depends on the type and features of the model and varies from 15 to 200 thousand rubles. If you want to enjoy the taste and aroma of a quality drink, you shouldn't skimp on equipment. The most reliable equipment is sold, as a rule, with a guarantee.
A certain set of functionality is included in the cost of each automatic model of a coffee machine for the home:
- display with built-in programming system;
- the presence of an additional boiler and fast steam function;
- the ability to maintain a constant temperature of the platform for the cups;
- built-in automatic cappuccino preparation;
- material of manufacture of the device.
Heating mechanism, power and performance
The heating system of the coffee machine can be based on a boiler or thermoblock.
Boiler
With a boiler device, the water is always heated in the same amount. In the course of the next cooking, the leftovers are replenished with a new portion, and the heating is repeated.
Tip: if you plan to frequently prepare cappuccino or coffee with milk, it makes sense to choose a model with two boilers: one of them will be responsible for heating the water, and the other for supplying steam to form the froth.
Thermoblock
Unlike a boiler, the thermoblock heats up exactly as much liquid as is needed for one portion - the drink turns out to be more tasty, since fresh water is used every time. This approach is more beneficial from the point of view of saving electricity (if coffee is not prepared for a large company) and does not lead to early appearance of limescale.
The speed of preparation of a drink is largely determined by the power of the device - it fluctuates in the range of 135 - 10,000 watts. With regard to simple home models, the "golden mean" is considered to be 750-800 W, in the case of an espresso harvester, it is advisable to choose a model whose capabilities exceed 1000 W.
Another characteristic that cannot be neglected is the level of performance. "Hardworking" car is, of course, good, but it is not cheap at all. Family needs will be fully satisfied by a unit that produces up to 30 cups a day, with a volume of 0.75 - 1 liter.
Types of coffee machines
Capsule
The most automated coffee machines are capsule ones. These models use ready-made pressed coffee tablets - capsules. They must be placed in a special compartment where piercing and filling under pressure of hot water will occur.
Next, the freshly brewed drink is dispensed into cups. Capsule devices do not require setting separate parameters, such as temperature and strength, because all this is determined by the capsules that are used.
Advantages:
- low cost;
- speed and convenience of preparation;
- silent operation due to the lack of a grinding process;
- long shelf life of coffee capsules (1-2 years);
- small dimensions.
Disadvantages:
- immutable parameters;
- small field for experiments;
- high cost of coffee pills.
Drip
Drip coffee machines are ideal for those who like to drink large quantities of weak coffee. Steam is generated in the machines, it condenses and, reaching a certain temperature, the drops begin to pass through the ground coffee.
It is thanks to this technology that the strength of the drink remains quite small. Most drip coffee machines have a heated container, which is very convenient when brewing a coffee pot for several people.
Advantages:
- acceptable cost;
- ease of use and maintenance;
- larger portions;
- heating function;
- the ability to make both coffee and tea.
Disadvantages:
- the need to wash after each use;
- low temperature and strength;
- inability to prepare espresso and cappuccino.
Pump (carob)
The water heated to over ninety degrees passes with a certain pressure through the horn in which the coffee is poured, thus taking away the aroma, which makes the drink very tasty. The power of such devices ranges from 1.200 to 1.900 W, and the cooking time takes only half a minute.
Advantages:
- fast cooking;
- rich and bright taste;
- aroma of the drink.
Disadvantages:
high price.
Steam (carob)
Unlike the previous one, this coffee machine uses steam with a temperature of about one hundred degrees. It also goes through the coffee in the horn. Due to the higher temperature, the steam reduces the aroma, but absorbs more caffeine, due to which the drink turns out to be stronger. Steam machines have a power of 1,200 to 1,500 W and are capable of preparing coffee in a few minutes.
Advantages:
- low cost;
- high strength of coffee.
Disadvantages:
- relatively low cooking speed;
- the drink is less aromatic.
Features of the care of coffee machines
The brewing mechanism of coffee machines can be either removable or static. The first option involves manual cleaning of the device, that is, from time to time you have to rinse the device under the tap - of course, troublesome, but “cheap and cheerful”. Various tubes and hoses should be cleaned with special tablets, so be sure to read the manual for the model - it is necessary that it has an automatic cleaning mode for the hydraulic system.
Advice: do not postpone the hygiene of the coffee machine - particles of oil and dirt gradually accumulate inside the tubes, which negatively affects the taste and useful properties of the drink.
The non-removable mechanism copes with washing on its own, also with the help of tablets
Having counted a certain number of dispensed portions (usually about two hundred), the unit signals readiness for water procedures - after pressing the appropriate button, it will begin to self-clean, not bypassing the hydraulic system
The best coffee makers from popular manufacturers
In the ranking of the most popular and purchased coffee makers for the home, 5 models of different manufacturers can be distinguished.
Top 5 best coffee makers:
- Drip - Melitta Optima Glass Timer. The model is equipped with all possible functions, such as: delayed start, auto shut-off, cleaning indicator and water hardness regulator. Control is carried out using buttons and a display on a plastic case. The water tank has a capacity of 1.1 liters, which allows you to prepare 2 to 8 cups at a time. The disadvantage is the lack of a built-in coffee grinder.
- Open-end automatic - Delonghi ECAM 22.360. The body of the model is made of high quality plastic. The external panel contains control buttons, a brew group and a cappuccino maker. Equipped with maximum functionality. Here you can adjust the hardness, volume and temperature of the water, control the strength of the coffee and prepare drinks with the addition of milk foam in automatic mode. Equipped with a built-in coffee grinder with adjustable grinding coarseness, as well as a self-cleaning option.
Capsule - Krups KP 2201/2205/2208/2209 Dolce Gusto
The attractive design, ease of use, and fast brewing speed have drawn everyone's attention to the coffee maker. You only need to insert the capsule into a special compartment and press the start button
The machine can prepare 20 types of coffee and other hot or cold drinks in just a few minutes. The kit includes 6 trial capsules.
- Geyser - KitchenAid 5KCM0812EOB. Outwardly, it looks very stylish thanks to the glass body. Works from the mains. Up to 8 cups of coffee can be prepared at a time, as the tank has a volume of 1 liter, which is also equipped with a measuring scale and an ergonomic handle. Supplied with cloth and steel filters, measuring spoon and cleaning brush.
- Electric Turk - SINBO SCM-2916. The case is made of stainless steel and equipped with a plastic handle. Control is carried out using the power button, while the device turns off by itself after cooking. A 0.4 liter capacity is enough to make 4 small cups of coffee at a time. Also, the coffee maker is equipped with a double protection system against overheating and work without water.
Drip
It is the most common type, is inexpensive and very easy to use, and it works on a filtration basis. The principle of operation is as follows: hot water passes through the coffee in the filter segment. It flows drop by drop - this is where the name came from
Please note that this device is only capable of preparing "Americano", so espresso lovers need to turn their attention to other types of coffee makers, which are described below.
When buying this unit, it is important to note some aspects. First of all, this is power, fans of strong coffee can buy not too powerful (about 700 W)
Despite the fact that it will take a little more time to prepare, the resulting drink will turn out to be stronger. There are models that are equipped with automatic control of the strength, they are certainly very convenient, since they control the strength of the user selected, but their cost is slightly higher. The flask for the finished drink can be glass or metal, with a volume of 5 to 18 cups.
Another point when choosing is a filter, they are in the main three types, let's look at each one.
- Paper. They do not need to be cleaned, but after each use you have to change them, but financially they are not as profitable as others, and it is simply troublesome to change them every time.
- Nylon. Most often, they are supplied with a coffee maker and they last from 60 to 90 times of use, it all depends on how you handle them.
- Gold. They are also nylon, but with a special titanium neutride coating, they are the most durable and last about 150 uses.
The only aspect is that the coffee in the coffee maker is filtered drop by drop and, as a result, this process cannot be called fast, and the main disadvantage for me is the less aromatic coffee that is obtained as a result. It's just that more essential oils in coffee beans are filtered and we don't get such tasty and aromatic coffee that we can get in more expensive coffee machines.
Capsule
This type is often called "for the lazy". The fact is that the principle of operation of such a device is quite simple. The user only needs to place the capsule with coffee in a special container, close it and start the process of preparing the drink by pressing a button.
Note that in many models of such devices are also designed for the preparation of coffee and milk drinks, tea and various herbal drinks. To do this, you just need to put a capsule with the appropriate filling in the compartment.
The power of such devices should be at least 1000 W, since the coffee preparation time depends on it. The volume of the water container is at least 1-1.5 liters.The main advantages of these are that they turn off automatically after preparation of drinks and have a self-cleaning function.
Coffee machine manufacturers - which ones are better?
Belonging to a popular brand naturally affects the cost of equipment, and coffee machines are no exception. At the same time, the "promoted" name guarantees reliability, high quality and comfort in operation - after all, only the most gifted manufacturers can win the trust of popular critics.
Swiss and Italian companies are the most respected among the developers of coffee machines, although there are also very worthy representatives among other Europeans.
- SAECO is considered the “pioneer” in the mass production of home coffee machines - Italian developers have created a compact model “Incanto” that meets absolutely all the basic needs of coffee lovers. Over the years, to the delight of consumers, the functionality began to expand rapidly.
- The products of the Swiss company JURA initially belong to the "luxury" category, and therefore receive a rather high cost. The design of the instruments is updated with commendable regularity - every two to three years, with each piece being hand-assembled. After the release of the budget line "Ena" was launched in 2011, the brand became much more accessible and closer to the average consumer.
- Another well-known Italian brand, GAGGIA, in fact copies the SAECO models - the differences between them can be traced only in the outer "shell".
- The most popular Swedish company ELECTROLUX has a not very rich history of "coffee" production, but has already won the sympathy of consumers. The company is especially proud of its compact built-in models.
- The German brand MIELE produces premium cars. Among the appliances, there is a built-in one, from the number of capsule models, the Nespresso line stands out.
- The Italian company SMEG produces expensive luxury models, bringing to the market both freestanding and built-in cars. The functionality of the devices is at the highest level.
- German technology KRUPS embodies original design ideas combined with exemplary quality and advanced manufacturability. Most of the representatives of this brand are distinguished by high energy efficiency - in case of forced “idle”, the system puts the devices into standby mode. The most famous is the capsule model "Nespresso".
- Many people know about the advantages of BOSCH corporation firsthand. With regard to the coffee industry, the Tassimo model, a machine with a state-of-the-art intelligent system, is honored. The use of capsules makes it possible to prepare drinks for any, even the most sophisticated, taste.
- SIEMENS coffee machines are characterized by compactness (a number of models are less than 30 cm wide), elegant design, economy and decent functionality. The company actively cooperates with BOSCH developers, which gives every reason to expect an excellent result of its work.
- DELONGHI models are a smart choice for those who prefer to keep up with the times and do not want to overpay for a status brand. The devices of this brand have adequate cost, high-class performance and good dexterity - preparing a portion of latte or espresso takes only one minute. The company's reserve also includes elite capsule models - in particular, "Lattissima Plus 4".
The cost of home coffee machines is determined not only by the involvement in a particular brand, but also by the range of functions that they can implement.
Carob-type machines start from 5 thousand rubles and can grow up to 20, capsule models are estimated at 8-20 thousand, and espresso harvesters "grow" already up to 10 - 25 000 rubles.In the case of advanced automation, you need to be prepared for more significant spending - at least 15,000, while the "ceiling" can even reach an impressive 300 thousand rubles.
Types of coffee makers
A modern coffee maker is quite expensive and the range is so great. To get the option you want, you often have to try more than one coffee maker. The main types of coffee makers for making your favorite drink at home:
- Carob.
- Capsule.
- Geyser.
- Drip.
- Electric Turks.
- Automatic.
Each type has its own characteristics and method of preparing a drink. Let's take a closer look at all of the above devices.
An electric turkey is not quite your usual coffee maker; rather, it works like a regular electric kettle. It does not provide an automatic shutdown function when the water boils, so you will need to be nearby and look after it.
How much does a coffee machine cost
1. A good capsule coffee machine can be bought at 10 thousand rubles. A good choice would be such a device for an office with a small number of employees.
2. Over 10 and up to 50 thousand rubles will cost a drip coffee machine or espresso. Such machines will significantly save on coffee compared to capsule ones. Buy a carob at home, as it often has a milk container, warming cups, and many other features that allow you to enjoy great drinks.
3. From 50 to 200 thousand rubles, you can buy coffee machines with a high resource, additional functions such as a display, grinding adjustment, simultaneous brewing of two portions and automatic cleaning of equipment.
The best capsule and pod machines
To prepare coffee in capsule and pod coffee makers, special sachet tablets or sealed capsules are used. They are thrown into the tank of the machine, where the ground coffee is brewed. After use, the casings are thrown into a waste container.
Bosch TAS 6002/6003/6004 My Way - multifunctional machine
4.9
★★★★★
editorial estimate
89%
buyers recommend this product
See overview
Tassimo capsules are best suited for this coffee maker, and any - you do not need to reconfigure the machine on purpose. Bosch has already equipped its new 1.3L model with an intelligent barcode reader, so the coffee maker selects the correct brewing mode on its own.
This did not prevent the manufacturer from providing 4 additional profiles in the device's memory, where you can save the portion size, temperature and strength for your favorite types of coffee.
Advantages:
- Cool design;
- Fast heating thanks to a flow-through boiler;
- Self-cleaning from scale;
- Height-adjustable cup holder;
- Automatic and manual adjustment of brewing parameters.
Disadvantages:
Expensive and hard-to-find capsules.
Bosch TAS, thanks to its compact dimensions, does not take up much space even in a small kitchen. So if you have the opportunity to buy Tassimo capsules, this coffee maker is a great choice.
Gretti NR-101 - large heated coffee maker
4.8
★★★★★
editorial estimate
88%
buyers recommend this product
Outwardly, this coffee machine looks more like a jug coffee maker, but it only works with pods with a diameter of 44 mm. It's even easier with them: as soon as the light of the heating indicator stops blinking, you can throw the tablets into a special funnel and put a cup on the platform. In less than a couple of minutes, it will be filled with a fragrant drink.
The device with the design in the spirit of industrial has a capacious tank of 2.8 liters. And the built-in pump delivers hot water at a pressure of 15 bar, revealing all the nuances of the coffee taste in "tablets".
Advantages:
- Durable metal body;
- Cup warming area;
- Keeps the temperature in the boiler for a long time;
- There is a water level indicator.
Disadvantages:
No automatic features - not even a timer.
Gretti, similar to a transformer mini-booth, will be appreciated by creative youth.This is the very place somewhere in the office of IT specialists, advertisers and other creative people who consume liters of coffee.
Nespresso C30 Essenza Mini - cozy baby
4.7
★★★★★
editorial estimate
87%
buyers recommend this product
See overview
Everything happens much faster in this typewriter. A 600 ml tank heats up in about 30-40 seconds, however, it cools down quickly. But the compact device takes up a minimum of space on the table due to the narrow elongated body. Essenza allows you to adjust the volume of water supply, can prepare espresso and lungo (just press or hold the button for this).
When filling each new capsule, the spent shells are automatically dumped by the machine into a separate container. The technical characteristics of the Nespresso crumbs are also impressive: water is supplied under a pressure of 19 bar, the power of the built-in heating element is 1.3 kW.
The machine turned out to be powerful and at the same time economical, since it is equipped with an auto-off function, and after making each portion of coffee, it immediately goes into energy-saving mode.
Advantages:
- Compactness;
- Doesn't require complicated setup;
- "Friends" with any capsules in aluminum shells;
- Even large glasses fit under the nozzle.
Disadvantages:
The shallow drip tray overflows quickly.
Lovers of really good coffee will definitely like this model. Especially if there is no time to run into a cafe in the morning, and there is not so much space for a coffee maker in the home kitchen.
The best coffee maker manufacturers - which company to choose
The home appliance market is replete with coffee makers of all shapes and designs in the widest price range.
Purchasing a model from a well-known brand guarantees you a long service life of the machine, although, of course, you will have to overpay for the brand name. However, many well-known companies have lines of affordable coffee makers for customers with different income levels.
You definitely won't be mistaken if you choose a model of any company from the five leaders in the small kitchen appliances market:
- Delonghi;
- Bosch;
- Philips;
- Krups;
- Panasonic.
You can learn more about the most popular coffee makers of these companies in our rating. But in order to make a final decision, you should first study the varieties and the principle of operation of these devices, because the taste of your coffee will depend on this.
Which coffee maker is right for home
When choosing a coffee maker for your home, you should consider the following recommendations:
First of all, start from the number of coffee drinkers in your family.
If more than 2 people pamper themselves with an invigorating drink in the morning, pay attention to the automatic espresso machine that can make coffee without your participation in a couple of minutes. Also take a look at drip or geyser coffee makers with a capacity of 1.5 liters or more.
If you don't want to bother cleaning the appliance, a capsule coffee machine is an excellent option.
If you are on a budget, take a look at drip coffee makers, geyser coffee makers, or an electric tour.
No need to buy a car with maximum functionality
Think about which options you will use and make a choice based on your preferences.
Having chosen the model you like, compare it with others and read the reviews on the coffee lovers' forums.
Coffee machine selection options
Power
Not only the speed of preparation of the drink depends on it, but also its strength, and often the volume of the finished product. The higher this indicator, the less time it will take for the machine to brew you a portion of coffee, and its taste will be richer.
1. If you like very strong coffee, choose a device with a power of 800 W or more;
2. For a large family of coffee lovers or for an office, a more serious device is needed, consuming at least 1 kW;
3. If the cooking speed is not critical for you, a 400-500 W device will suffice.
Nuance: when buying a drip coffee maker, it is better to choose a model of low power, not exceeding 700-750 watts.Yes, it will cook more slowly, but it will have time to collect the maximum amount of substances contained in the ground grains.
Pressure
This indicator is important for carob machines, as it affects the speed of preparation and strength of the drink.
Manufacturers of some machines indicate in the accompanying documentation the ability to raise the pressure to 17 bar, but in fact, even at 7-9, you will get an excellent espresso. So don't chase big numbers if you don't want to overpay.
Tank volume
The capacity of the hot water chamber should be paid attention to those who are going to make coffee often and in large quantities. 1
In offices, units are installed that are capable of dispensing at least 2 liters of ready-made drink at one gas station
1. In offices, units are installed that are capable of dispensing at least 2 liters of ready-made drink at one gas station.
2. For home use, models with a volume of up to 400-500 ml are usually enough - they are more economical both in terms of energy consumption and the consumption of coffee powder.
The volume of the tank is especially important for a geyser coffee maker - you must not pour less water into it than is necessary to push through the inner tube. That is, if you buy a 500 ml machine, you will always have half a liter of coffee at the exit.
Additional functions
1. "Drop-stop" stops the preparation of the drink when you remove the coffee pot or cup from the drip tray. The work will continue as soon as you put them in place. A handy feature for those who cannot wait for the whole portion, but especially needed in drip models.
2. The “Timer” works as a delayed start, that is, it allows you to set the start time of the coffee maker, so that a fragrant drink is ready for you to wake up.
3. "Strength control" - this function will be useful for a family of coffee lovers, where everyone has their own requirements for coffee.
4. "Overfill protection" will shut off the appliance if the pot is full and there is still water in the tank.
5. The "Auto-Warm" function will keep the drink warm for 30 minutes after the end of the brewing process.
Features of choosing a coffee maker
What coffee makers and how to choose for the home so as not to regret your purchase? For the right choice, you should keep in mind some of the features of the operation of these devices:
Consider the number of members in your family. Carob models are considered universal, capable of preparing the right amount of drink in a short time.
It is also recommended to purchase a carob machine for those people who have an obvious shortage of time.
If the lack of maintenance of the device is important to you, choose a capsule device.
For lovers of espresso or cappuccino, we recommend the carob apparatus.
Americano coffee is obtained more successfully in drip machines.
If you like rich drinks, then a geyser-type device may be the most successful for you.
The most affordable are drip and geyser coffee makers.
The cost of a coffee maker depends on its many features. Some of them may not be useful at all, so it is not worth paying money for them.
There are also combined coffee makers that combine the functions of the horn and drip models.
Having listened to the above tips, you can quite easily choose for yourself the option of a coffee maker that suits you. When choosing, proceed from your desires and available opportunities.
The principle of operation and the device of coffee machines
A coffee machine is a special automated machine for making coffee from both ground product and whole beans. Brewing a drink in a coffee machine requires minimal participation from a person.
The apparatus consists of several important parts: a boiler, a heating element, a heat exchanger, a pump, a system of valves and sensors, as well as a dispensing group and a boiling water tap.
The principle of operation of the coffee machine is technologically complex, if you go into details and subtleties. Without them, everything looks much simpler.The user pours a portion of the product into a special compartment (cone, filter holder), pressing the tablet with tempera, and then puts the holder in place.
Further, by pressing a button, water is spilled through the group, at the outlet the coffee is poured into the cup. Steam is dispensed from the boiler, with the help of which the milk is either whipped manually, or the drink is warmed up.
Some models have a cup warmer function. Heating comes from a boiler or electricity.
The principle of operation and the device of the coffee maker
The coffee maker can be automatic or semi-automatic - the principle of its operation does not change much from this. As stated, she simply brews coffee, that is, heats the water and drives it through the layer of ground beans, forcing them to give the drink their taste and aroma.
How exactly this will happen depends on the chosen design of the coffee maker: some models simply pour boiling water over a strainer with granules, others supply hot water under high pressure.
One thing remains unchanged - a set of basic elements of the machine:
1. Water tank;
2. Horn, filter or coffee strainer;
3. Heating element;
4. Power button or full control panel.
Pressurized coffee machines may also have pumps and electromagnetic pumps, and the most advanced models even have built-in grinders and cappuccinatores.
What to choose for home: a coffee maker or a coffee machine
Inevitably, you get lost when you stand in a store with a huge selection of household appliances. Functionality and design make an impression - there are so many interesting things. But you need to buy one, and a quality one.
What is more useful at home for ground coffee: a coffee maker or a coffee machine? Of course, a coffee machine is the best choice for making coffee, however, its cost is much higher than a conventional coffee machine.
The machine is quite complex and large in size, but the possibilities are impressive! This is an amazing achievement for engineering professionals. This multifunctional device combines the following:
- coffee grinder;
- coffee maker;
- filter;
- tank for spent suspension.
The action of grinding coffee, as well as lowering it into an ultrafilter and passing through layers of ground and pressed coffee, eliminating residues, occurs automatically.
In this machine, coffee of very good quality is prepared, this is achieved by direct grinding of the beans. This machine has a microprocessor that controls all functions. These devices are very good, but not cheap and take up a lot of space.
Carob coffee maker
The coffee maker, passing heated steam through the layer of ground coffee, prepares a drink in just one step. But this is the central procedure in making coffee. This machine has several subspecies: with low pressure and with high pressure.
In a high-pressure machine, the coffee has a distinct aroma and a lot of foam. Under high pressure, approximately 25% of the substance is extracted from the ground coffee, and 15-18% under low pressure.
Summing up, it is worth noting that these devices are more in demand compared to coffee machines. The drink is obtained with almost the same qualities as in expensive devices.
Of course, if you have the opportunity to purchase a multifunctional coffee machine and the size of the kitchen allows, then this is a wonderful technique for you.
Capsule coffee machine for home
This coffee maker is also called a pod. It is identical to the horn-type device. Let's outline some details, the capsule coffee maker prepares coffee according to the rules of the carob.
However, this device requires certain hermetically sealed capsules, each serving contains a coffee grind.
The container is inserted into the tank of the machine and pierced during preparation. Capsule device manufacturers create different sizes of these capsules.The nuance lies in the fact that you can purchase encapsulated coffee of those brands that are presented by the manufacturer.
Convenience and manufacturability are a privilege, you do not have to wash the ultrafilter from the ground coffee residues. Coffee pods are a type of packaging for ground coffee, which is intended for single use in this type of device.
According to the main parameters, it is a paper bag with small holes, in layers there is ground coffee pressed into a tablet. It is believed that coffee in capsules is better than in tablets, because it retains aroma and taste qualitatively, and the capsules are more airtight.
Consumers who do not want to spend time grinding and loading coffee into the filter of the machine and other coffee preparation activities will be pleased with this simple and convenient coffee maker. Of the shortcomings, it is worth noting - there is no holding device for the horn.
In such a capsule coffee maker, the preparation of a flavored drink takes place in a few simple steps. Place the capsule in the brewing tank, close and turn on the water supply. The process is simple, even for a teenager.