Can a Superautomatic Espresso Machine Make a Drip or Regular Coffee?

Let’s face it, kitchen counter space is premium real estate in a home.

Imagine the dilemma for families who have varying requisites for their morning brew – he wants espresso and she wants drip and the kids need something else. What to do when there isn’t room or desire to have a multitude appliances?

Many people think that espresso machines are exclusively for making espresso.  That could not be further from the truth.  Read on to discover the how a superautomatic espresso machine in particular can satisfy everyone in the family – including the kids.

What is a Superautomatic Espresso Machine?

Automatic Espresso Makers,  Superautomatics or “Fully automatics”, as they are sometimes called, are espresso machines that are defined by their bean to cup capabilities. With a push of a button, the machine will grind a specified quantity of coffee beans, tamp the ground coffee, heat water on demand, and deliver a specified volume of coffee. 

Additionally, Superautomatics will eject spent coffee grinds known as dregs, into a dump box.  Typically, Superautomatics can make 10 to 20 consecutive coffees, depending on the machine, before additional beans and/or water must be added, or the dump box needs to be emptied.

Superautomatic espresso machines are really like having a live-in barista in your house. When you go to a café, you can ask the barista to make you anything you want right.  While traditional manual espresso machines are not designed to produce a “regular” drip style coffee, Superautomatic espresso machines fit the bill.

How to Make Drip Style Coffee with a Superautomatic Espresso Machine

While you can make both an espresso and regular coffee with a superautomatic espresso machine, you can’t make an espresso with any other coffee appliance.

Let’s define a “regular” coffee.  Most often what consumers are referring to is a cup of coffee which is approximately 8 oz in volume (length).  Regular is not defined by the coffee roast you are using.  

Most superautomatics can dispense up to 8 oz of coffee through one dose.  The beauty of fully automatic espresso machines is that it gives two to three coffee length options.  The user can determine the desired length for each option. Therefore, the consumer can, for example, program one option for a short espresso (2 oz.), the second option can be for a long espresso (3 oz.) and the third option can be for a long coffee of 8 oz. – a regular coffee like the one you can get from a drip machine. 

Once programmed, the desired length will remain in memory, so it is as simple as pressing the button programmed for the desired coffee length the next time you are ready to enjoy a coffee.   With these options everyone in the household is happy.

The fact that a coffee can be made on demand, with the push of a button means there is no waiting or waste.  You make what you want and need at the moment you want it. No more full pots of coffee that end up unused.

How Will a Regular Coffee from a Superautomatic Espresso Machine Taste?

A regular coffee made in an espresso machine will be have a deep rich taste because you will be using a whole bean (usually a darker roast required for espresso) that is ground on demand.  Usually coffee made in a drip coffee maker will use a lighter roast.  Many are pleasantly surprised to find that a regular coffee made by a Superautomatic is really full bodied and more pleasing that the one produced by their drip coffee maker.  They say the taste is more like a coffee produced in a French press.

For those who want even a stronger coffee, you can elect to program a long coffee on your Superautomatic to be 4 or 5 oz., and then make two coffees in one cup.  By minimizing the amount of water, the flavor will be intensified but the final total volume will still be 8-10 oz. of coffee. 

How Much Caffeine is there in a Coffee Produced by a Superautomatic Espresso Machine Compared to a Drip Coffee Maker?

A regular drip coffee (8 oz.) made from a light roast coffee will have approximately 120 mg of caffeine, while a long coffee made from an espresso machine will have approximately 80 mg of caffeine. Remember, the darker the roast of coffee you use, the less caffeine will be present!  The roasting process burns off some of the caffeine.

Another long coffee option is a beverage called an Americano.  This drink is comprised of a shot of espresso and 4 to 5 oz. of hot water.  This will produce a drink approximately 7 oz. in length.

Other Advantages of Using a Superautomatic Espresso Machine to Make a Regular Coffee

Here are three other features of superautomatic espresso machines that will satisfy all the users in the home:

1. Grinder Options
2. Grams of Coffee Per Cup
3. Bypass Doser

Superautomatics espresso machines have built-in grinders.  This option allows any user to really refine how their coffee is made by controlling the fineness or coarseness of how coffee beans are ground.  Anyone looking for a milder coffee can adjust the grind to a coarser setting. This simple maneuver will result in a less intense coffee whether the final beverage you prepare is an espresso or regular coffee. This permits an extreme personalization of the coffee preparation.

Second, Superautomatics allow the user to control the grams of coffee per cup.  That is the quantity of coffee that is ground for each cup.  In Superautomatics, the quantity of coffee can be adjusted from 6 to 9g of coffee per drink. This option permits the user to really control or define the intensity of the coffee and by extension control the amount of caffeine per cup.

Thirdly, many models of Superautomatics have a bypass doser. Why is this important?  Let’s say your spouse drinks decaf.  This requirement can still be satisfied with a Superautomatic espresso machine by using the bypass doser; simply measure and place ground decaf coffee in the bypass doser, press the long coffee program, and voilà – an 8 oz. decaf coffee is ready. 

The bypass doser can also be used for different varieties of coffee beans.  If you like to explore different type of coffees, a Superautomatic will allow you to do this easily.   Some superautomatic models, like the GranBaristo Avanti, for example, have two interchangeable bean hoppers  plus a bypass doser.  Similarly, JURA Giga 5 is a model that provide two bean containers that can be used for two individual coffee varieties.  This model lets you use the two bean hoppers either independently or simultaneously allowing you create your own blend.

Can a Superautomatic Espresso Machine Be Used By the Entire Family – Including the Kids?

In addition to making a variety of coffee-based drinks, Superautomatics give you the option of steaming milk.  This functionality significantly broadens the spectrum of drinks you can make.  In addition to those that have coffee as an ingredient like lattés or cappuccinos, frothed milk can be used to make hot-chocolates or flat whites, which can be enjoyed by all members of the family – especially the kids 

Imagine the convenience of having hot milk readily available in the morning.  It can be added to cereal, oats or enjoyed with breakfast cookies (as enjoyed by many Italian children).

Finally, Superautomatics can dispense hot water on demand. This means that those wanting to enjoy a tea in the morning are covered too.

Convenience of a Superautomatic for the Morning Rush

Many Superautomatics are designed to accommodate travel mugs.  Those in a hurry in the morning and need to make their coffee, tea or hot chocolate directly in a travel mug are covered too.

As you can see, a Superautomatic espresso machine can be the one and only coffee appliance needed on your kitchen counter.

 With this appliance, you can make espresso and all the drinks that use espresso as a base, regular coffee, hot milk and tea.   The simplicity of pushing a button will allow everyone in the family to help themselves, make what they want, when they want it.  Isn’t time to eliminate the clutter on your counter and get a Sperautomatic espresso machine? We think so!  If you are not convinced, let our experts answer any questions you may still have. A superautomatic will not only save you time but also money and having an espresso machine that uses real beans is great for the environment too.

What is your favorite brew?  Start making it today in a superautomatic espresso machine.