How to choose the best coffee machine and grinder?

One might think that choosing a coffee machine is a remarkably easy decision – after all, it’s ‘only’ meant to brew your favourite drink. However, it turns out that the sheer variety of these beloved gadgets makes the decision much harder. The most popular types include:
• filter coffee machines – an ideal and affordable solution for black coffee lovers, consisting of a water tank, a heating plate, and a carafe;
• manual espresso machines – a budget-friendly option equipped with a grinder and a portafilter for coffee, and sometimes a milk frother;
• automatic espresso machines – advanced devices that guarantee a perfect espresso, latte, or cappuccino with milk foam;
• lever espresso machines – simple-design devices operating on a lever principle, known since the 1940s;
• pod coffee machines – an easy-to-use solution that supports pods from dozens of different manufacturers.

Which type of this beloved equipment you decide on depends solely on your needs and preferences. An espresso machine is an ideal choice for lovers of various milk-based coffees. A filter coffee machine, on the other hand, is perfect for brewing a flawless 'small black' – so if you don't fancy coffee with milk, you already know which one to pick! And what about a pod coffee machine? It will prove to be a good choice if you want to drink flavoured coffees from your favourite cafés at home – you can often buy specific pods there! At FormAdore, you will find coffee machines from renowned brands – including La Pavoni, Zwilling, and WMF – which are sure to serve you for years to come.

Among coffee lovers, we find an equal number of fans of bean coffee as enthusiasts of pod coffee. There's nothing wrong with that – after all, each of us wants to drink what tastes best! Both types of machines – for ground coffee and pod – have their advantages and some drawbacks.

Coffee pods contain a pre-measured blend of specific ground coffee. What's more, this coffee comes in a wide variety of aromas and flavours – even gingerbread or pumpkin. When preparing it at home, we can feel as if we're in our favourite coffee shop, where we usually ordered seasonal coffee drinks. A wide selection of coffee flavours is one of the biggest advantages of a pod coffee machine. An undeniable asset of this solution is also ease of use and an affordable price for the appliance. A pod coffee machine is also easy to keep clean. However, a disadvantage of this type of machine is often the lack of a milk frother. Most often, we have to invest in one separately or opt for pods with powdered milk. Some also believe that pod coffee will never measure up to coffee made from freshly ground beans. In many cases, the quality of such coffee is not as good as bean coffee. What's more, by choosing a particular pod coffee machine, we are compelled to buy pods of the same brand.

And what about a ground coffee machine?

Without a shadow of a doubt, its greatest advantage is the perfect taste and aroma of coffee. Beans are readily available, and most importantly – we don't have to match them to a specific brand of appliance. Moreover, the price of bean coffee is – surprisingly – much lower than the price of dedicated pods. Bean coffee machines allow for the preparation of many types of coffee and are most often equipped with a milk frother. It's worth remembering that they are more expensive than pod machines – but the price goes hand in hand with top quality and taste!

Choosing a coffee machine that is meant to serve you for many years is, surprisingly, no mean feat. When looking for the ideal appliance, it's worth paying particular attention to several specific features. First and foremost, the quality of the coffee machine's craftsmanship and the materials it's made from are crucial. It's important that all moving parts of the appliance are robust and durable. In the case of ground coffee machines, the sharpness of the blades for grinding coffee beans and the quality of the coffee grinder also play a significant role. The pressure at which the machine operates is also important – it's this pressure that allows the essence of the coffee to be extracted and influences the taste of the beverage.

Ideally, the coffee machine shouldn't be too noisy and should look good. After all, we usually place it in a central spot in the kitchen – for example, on the countertop – and use it every day. When properly matched to the interior design, it can be a beautiful decoration. When choosing your dream coffee machine, it's also worth paying attention to its operation. If it's intuitive and not too complicated, preparing coffee will be much more enjoyable. Dozens of mysterious buttons, which we often don't even use, usually only discourage us from using the machine. Also important for this type of appliance is the ease of keeping them clean and quick maintenance. When deciding on a particular coffee machine, it's also a good idea to check if assembling it – for example, after cleaning or to install the milk container – doesn't pose too many difficulties. Daily coffee making should bring maximum pleasure!

Brands have long known that a coffee machine must not only be practical but also look beautiful! A perfect example here is the Italian brand La Pavoni, about which you can read in our magazine 'La Pavoni. A cult brand for coffee connoisseurs'.

If you value the ideal taste of coffee, you can also get yourself a bean grinder – this is also a good solution for coffee lovers. When choosing this practical accessory, it's worth paying attention to what brewing method it's intended for. It's also important to remember to check the grinding coarseness that the device provides. Coffee grinders can be divided into manual and electric – the choice of a specific model depends solely on personal needs. A traditional crank-operated grinder is cheaper than its electric 'brother'. Most importantly, it makes the ritual of preparing coffee almost magical – no denying that! However, grinding beans with it is not as simple as with an automatic grinder. A manual grinder is therefore ideal when you want to brew single coffees – cranking the handle to prepare ten cups can be tiresome. However, this type of grinder is exceptionally compact and does not require access to electricity.


If the topic of coffee is close to your heart and you want to learn more, then read our magazine 'Small, black... coffee'.

Electric models, on the other hand, are an incredibly convenient option that requires no effort from the user and guarantees quick results. To grind beans, simply press the appropriate button and wait a few seconds – ground coffee, ready! Particularly recommended are the automatic grinders available at FormAdore from brands like Smeg and KitchenAid. If, however, you dream of a classic manual grinder from yesteryear, you'll love the exceptionally elegant offerings from Peugeot!

Excellent alternatives to a coffee machine are Moka pots and French presses. You can also prepare an ideal aromatic beverage using them – so if you don't want to invest in equipment costing several hundred zlotys, this is the perfect solution for you. Our grandparents reached for the most popular angular aluminium Moka pots – they genuinely possess a unique charm. Currently, many versions of this appliance are available on the market – including slimmer, more modern shapes. Depending on the model, an aluminium or steel Moka pot can be used on a gas hob or induction plate. Importantly, it is an exceptionally attractive solution in terms of price, which will guarantee you wonderful coffee in the morning – even without access to a coffee machine!

French presses, on the other hand, are vessels resembling a jug. Unlike Moka pots, they don't need to be placed on a hob. To brew your favourite coffee, simply pour the right amount of ground coffee into the bottom, then add boiling water and leave it to steep completely under the lid. In the FormAdore assortment, both Moka pots and coffee presses are available – take your pick! You'll even find models with a grinder or travel versions among them. If you choose one of these devices instead of a coffee machine, it's worth investing additionally in a milk frother. This small accessory will enable you to prepare perfect milk foam, thanks to which your coffee will taste even better!

You already know a thing or two about coffee brewing methods – but what about serving it properly? It's no secret that coffee in a beautiful, original mug or an elegant cup tastes much better than when served in a random glass. Therefore, to properly complement the ritual of brewing an aromatic beverage, it's worth getting yourself a dream set of crockery. At FormAdore, there's no shortage of stylish cups and mugs that will make every morning or afternoon coffee more enjoyable – whether you're drinking it alone or with company! And if you like sipping your favourite drink during a walk or taking it to work, a good thermal mug is a real essential.

Our offer includes both minimalist vessels in universal colours and designs with irregular shapes and unique patterns – for example, from brands like Iittala or Seletti. Choose those that speak to you most and enjoy the perfect taste of coffee in your new favourite mug!