I tried bean to cup coffee machine that could save £500 a year on takeaways
The average Brit is spending over £500 each year on takeaway coffees. That’s what a report conducted by Beans Coffee Club revealed earlier this year. The actual figure was approximately £530, based on shoppers buying on average three cups per week at a cost of £3.40 each - the UK average.
Now we’ve heard money-savers harp on about making your coffee at home being cheaper, but instant coffee made with your average kettle doesn’t hit the same as a caramel latte from your favourite coffee shop. While pod machines are relatively affordable to buy, with some models, like a Dolce Gusto pod machine, available , the cost of the pods can often prove to be expensive - we actually ditched a pod machine as a result of this.
However, while they may prove to be a costly investment, bean to cup coffee machines eventually pay for themselves while providing great-tasting coffee to rival Starbucks and Costa. And of course, I did the #girlmath to prove it.
Take the brand new for example. It’s a top of the range bean to cup device that comes in at a cool £449.99 - it’s not the sort of money that most people would be able to justify unless they were really into their coffee. But immediately I notice that it’s less than what the average Brit spends on takeaway coffee per year, which puts you around £80 up.
The Beko CaffeExperto Bean To Cup Coffee Machine comes in at £449.99Sainsbury’s espresso beans cost £2.80 for 30 cups - but you can get larger bags that are more cost effective too, alternatively you can shop around for cheaper brands. But based on the smaller Sainsbury's bag you’d spend around £14.50 on beans to make 156 cups of coffee, which is reportedly what the average Brit is buying.
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Then there’s things like milk and any fancy syrups you want to add, which would vary depending on what kind of coffee you’re drinking, but either way, you’re still looking at less than £500 for the year. It’s a big layout for sure, but actually would save you more money in the long run compared to multiple trips to the coffee shop each week.
This pack of Sainsbury's coffee beans cost £2.80 and features enough to make 30 cups of coffeeAssuming an average cost of £3.40 per coffee at a coffee shop, the would pay for itself after approximately 147 coffees, based on the plus £50 for a year’s worth of beans or other ingredients, divided by the cost per coffee. Of course, individual spending habits may vary, but this device would effectively pay for itself in less than a year.
But, surely it’s only worth it if the coffee at home is better than what you would consider a ‘treat’ out of the house, right? Well it turns out, it is, and I don’t think I’ll get hot drinks from a chain store ever again. Here’s what I thought when I tried out the
Firstly, the device is a really nice size. It’s not too big and cumbersome taking up too much space on the counter, not does it look lost or flimsy. It’s sleek with a black exterior and silver hardware with a colour touch control display that adds a modern element that tech fans will love.
The , with a two litre water tank that is fully removable so you can fill it up in the sink rather than run multiple jugs of water to and from the machine. On top of the Beko coffee machine there are compartments for beans or pre-ground coffee, so you can really customise your cuppa depending on your preference. You can even adjust the grinder for how finely ground you want your coffee, meaning you can find your favourite and enjoy it to taste.
The coffee machine from Beko can be used with beans or ground coffeeNavigating through various settings and options is a breeze on the bright touchscreen, which I found to be highly responsive but not so sensitive that you accidentally click the wrong things. It offers five pre-set coffee options, including . Coffee aficionados will be glad to know it has ‘19 BAR pressure’ that ensures that each cup is full-bodied and rich - this is essentially the pressure at which water is forced through the coffee beans, which can affect how the coffee tastes.
After selecting which coffee you’d like, you can place your cup under the , which means you can brew two coffees at the same time, if you so wish. As the beans grind, the machine isn’t overly loud or annoying, and there’s a very handy cup warmer built into the coffee machine for preparing fresh mugs, or for keeping the coffee warm while you steam your milk with the wand.
The and removes the need for additional milk frothing devices that have previously been used to help people achieve a frothy texture. I’ve found that these kinds of low cost devices don’t get your milk to a warm enough temperature for a cosy cuppa and you find yourself rushing to sup up never really savouring it.
The dual nozzle means you can make two cups of coffee at once, or five yourself a double shotThe steam nozzle can be used to achieve milk heated to your desired temperature, whether it be extra hot or ready to drink, complete with a foamy finish perfect for practising latte art at home.
While some of the inner workings of the machine will need a thorough clean from time to time, the device does have automated cleaning programs, including an auto rinse function, which makes maintenance nice and simple, with no fear of coffee build-up affecting the taste of my drink.
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But it’s not just coffee that you can make with the . Hot chocolate fans can use the steam nozzle to heat and foam milk to add to their favourite hot chocolate flavours, while the nozzle also has a function to just release hot water for a cup of tea. Admittedly, the water is slow to pour out of this in comparison to a kettle, but if you have a little bit of patience, you could potentially ditch your kettle or one-cup and just use the machine’s features.
The steam wand on the Beko bean to cup machine can also be used to steam milk for hot chocolates, or produce hot water for teaI think the Beko CaffeExperto Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machine is a costly but worthy investment for anyone who appreciates high-quality coffee and wants the convenience of crafting their favourite drinks at home. With its impressive features, sleek design, and potential cost savings, this machine provides an in-home barista experience and quickly earned a permanent spot in my kitchen while elevating my hot drinks game.
You can shop the on Amazon.
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