There isn’t much in the way of kitchenware equipment that the good people at KitchenAid haven’t nailed.
I’ve been using the brand’s blender for years and have been recently introduced to the Cordless Go range, which allows me to food prep without plugging any tech into a wall socket.
The Stand Mixer is a step above the rest, that goes without saying, but could KitchenAid’s latest foray into automatic coffee machine’s also live up to — and exceed — the hype?
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First hitting our Australian shores in September the range, which includes four state-of-the-art espresso makers, range in price and ability, with the most expensive option ($2,599) allowing you to make more than 40 different styles of coffee (who knew there even were that many!).
I tested out the mid-range fully automatic K7 which is usually priced at $2,199 but is currently on sale for $1,899.
The K7 is actually much smaller than you might imagine, it doesn’t take up nearly as much space on your kitchen countertop as a typical barista-style machine, and it blends right in with our benchtop.
I like how the majority of gadgets needed to actually make the coffee are internal, with only a milk frother to plug into the side of the device — so it remains neat throughout the entire coffee-making process.
You can adjust everything about the machine to make it 100 per cent unique to your coffee needs: Water temperature, grind, strength of the coffee and the level of water and milk.
What’s more you can even scoop in your own pre-grinded coffee if that’s what you have at home and skip the grinding process altogether.
The main difference between the K7 and it’s more expensive older brother — the K8 — is that the latter is able to steam, heat and froth plant-based milk as well as regular milk.
I drink regular milk at the moment so this wasn’t so much a consideration for me.
I’ve made coffees for my partner and for guests that come over since setting it up and the overarching feedback seems to be: “How did you make this so quickly?”
While the price certainly places the KitchenAid appliance in the luxury category, it’s the ultimate time saver when it comes to making your favourite coffees, fast.
Running out the door to work? Use the pre-set menu to select the coffee you want, to go. Have some extra time up your sleeve? Set about reconfiguring the menu and mixing it up.
With each price increase shoppers get a broader range of features in the Espresso Collection but that doesn’t mean the cheapest option skimps out on any of the premium factors that still make it top of the range.
“The new KitchenAid Espresso Collection was created to elevate your coffee ritual, bringing together cutting-edge technology and timeless design,” KitchenAid Australia & New Zealand marketing director Rebecca Edwards said.
“These thoughtfully designed semi-automatic and fully automatic espresso machines are a testament to the brand’s commitment to delivering unparalleled quality and style in every cup.”
The semi-automatic espresso machine is designed for you to plug and play like a barista would, complete with a multi-angle steam wand, easy tamp portafilter and a burr grinder.
It’s for the coffee maker who doesn’t mind performing the actual act of making a coffee, with the ability to fully customise your espresso drink to your exact specification.
Meanwhile the fully automatic espresso machines, of which there are three, allow you to enjoy all of your favourite espresso drinks at the touch of a button instead.
You can create personalised drinks and choose from 15+ (K6), 20+ (K7) or 40+ (K8) recipe options such as espresso, Americano, latte and cappuccino.
They have different sized screens depending on price, with the most expensive option giving the customer the opportunity to touch (the others are run by left and right buttons).
All of the coffee machines are incredibly easy to clean so you don’t have to slave away at the counter when all you want to do is drink.
All offerings in the KitchenAid Espresso Collection are certified by Quiet Mark as some of the quietest machines in the category, allowing you to start your mornings peacefully with an espresso machine that grinds and brews quietly.
“Sound profoundly affects our stress levels and productivity, making investing in world class acoustic design in the hub of your home an investment in the health and happiness of your loved ones,” Quiet Mark Certification founder and CEO Poppy Szkiler said.
“The KitchenAid brand’s shared passion and achievement in pioneering very quiet sound levels in the new KitchenAid Espresso Collection shows a mutual understanding of what consumers now need — innovative solutions designed to integrate seamlessly into the home.”
Each machine can be purchased in four colours — or three for the K6 — giving you the freedom to match your new KitchenAid appliance to your kitchen, just like you would a Stand Mixer.
Want to see what all the hype is about while it’s on sale? You can shop the coffee machines on KitchenAid’s website and at Myer.