Tchibo Coffee Machine Review 2024: Simplest One-Touch Fully Automatic German Engineering

Discover this German-made full-automatic machine that both grinds and brews in one go. Tchibo is the father of a German coffee beans brand that has been around forever. This coffee machine is a single-serve fully automated appliance that makes coffee without using coffee pods.  In our Tchibo Espresso Machine review, we’ll find out everything there is to know about this German-engineered one-step seamless machine. So, let’s not wait anymore…

Simplest 1-Step Coffee Making

Already carrying an undeniable reputation, this Tchibo coffee and espresso maker is designed with typical German efficiency. For example, most single-cup coffee makers with grinders typically have a standard 2-step brew-and-grind formula. But Tchibo’s single-step formula consists of loading the coffee beans and selecting a drink option on the user panel. And that’s it! Now you just wait for the grinding and brewing to end. This is why it’s called a seamless 1-step machine. If you like your coffee more concentrated, you can select the ‘boost’ button for that extra strength too! All of the Tchibo coffee machine reviews out there have unanimously highlighted and praised this specific feature even though ultimately ruling mixed verdicts on the machine itself.

Easy But Effective User Panel

The control buttons are only visible once you turn ON the machine. And it has a clear icon-based touchscreen button. You have pretty much a self-explanatory Espresso button, a Regular Coffee button, and a Large Coffee button on the screen. Other than these coffee recipe buttons there are 2 other buttons also. The Rinsing/ Heat cup button and the Boost button. There are also a few warning lights (orange-colored) too. The warning lights only flash when the machine requires related maintenance. These notifications are Refill water, Refill beans, the Brewing unit, Descale, Empty coffee grounds, and the Empty system.

Coffee Making

For those who crave strong coffee and espresso, this is an incredible coffee maker that offers several custom options. If you want to increase strength press the Boost button. If you want to change your drink size, just hold down your selected drink option for several seconds. The coffee brews pretty quickly and makes a good layer of crema on top. And there’s no need for frequent clean-up either. It’s more like once a week with this machine. Besides the machine performs auto rinsing every now and then by itself.  

Adjustable Bean Hopper Capacity

On the top of this coffee maker, lies the coffee hopper and it comes with aroma protection sealing. However, you have the option to expand and adjust the capacity from 5.6 oz. to 10.6 oz. Note though, you will hardly get the need to use the 10.6 oz. capacity, especially if you have the coffee machine all by yourself.

Standby mode

Tchibo even inducted a standby mode to limit the energy consumption level. Tchibo recommended that a user should always switch the machine into standby mode. You can do it by pressing the ON/OFF switch after each session. Even if the user forgets and presses no button after 10 minutes, the machine will automatically switch itself to standby mode. Thus, it is both a safety function and a way to preserve energy. You also have the convenience to choose between 4-time lengths (10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, and 120 minutes) after which the machine should switch off automatically.

Pros

• Quality single servings cups of coffee and espresso
• Nifty boost button to amplify the strength of coffee
• The compact size machine with an uber-looking kitchen appliance
• Clear and intuitive LED panel that can be operated via its touchscreen
• Eco-friendly and energy-saving functions and don’t favor coffee pods

Cons

• Noisy while operational
• Can’t make any milk-based drinks
• The water reservoir has a limited capacity
• Coffee grounds can’t grind finer settings accurately

This super ergonomic modern-looking coffee machine has a dimension (W x D x H) of 7.1 x 15.7 x 12.4 inches while it weighs 16.5 lbs. (7.5 kg). It’s only available in Black color.

We’ve already stated in our Tchibo bean-to-brew machine review that it’s a finely tuned machine that focuses on conservative power and electricity usage. Because it runs on 120 V ~ 60 Hz and 1350 Watts (0.5 Watts in standby mode).

Before brewing, you’ll have its water tank capable of holding 37 oz. (1.1 liters) of water. Then the beans hopper will provide 5.5 oz. – 10.6 oz. (160 – 300 g) fresh beans which will be ground by stainless steel cone grinder. You can also change up to 5 varying levels of grinds. Before pouring you can adjust the spout height up to 6.1 inches (15.5 cm) also.

For all types of brewing it uses 19 bar pump pressure and while brewing the standard noise level stays around 80 dB. You’ll have 3 different drink options and sizes and the coffee grounds container can hold about 10 portions of grounds to avoid frequent cleaning. Once you’re done with the brewing you can apply an Automatic switch-off after 10/ 20/ 30/120 minutes of inactivity.

Setting Up

Setting up a machine sometimes can be confusing. Thus we’ve included this section in our Tchibo fully automatic coffee machine review.

1. Place the machine on a flat surface, to begin with
2. Push the drip bowl and its grid all the way inside the machine. Magnets hold the drip bowl in place
3. Bring the water reservoir out of the machine
4. Fill the water tank with cold fresh tap water up to the MAX mark

Always avoid filling water directly into this water tank while the tank is still inside the machine! Otherwise, this machine will be damaged.

Rinsing Before First Use

This rinsing requires 2 cups of water to flow through the machine.

1. Turn the machine ON. Slide and adjust the coffee spout height as required. Check if the water tank has enough water for the rinse cycle
2. Place an empty bowl under the spout and press the Rinsing/Hot Water button
3. The pump will begin flushing the water through the system. It will be dispensed into the bowl under the spout
4. Repeat steps 2 – 3 if necessary and pour out the water if necessary

If this machine is unused for longer than 2 days, this rinsing is also applicable to such a case.

Brewing Coffee

Default cup sizes: Espresso 2 oz. (59 ml), Regular coffee 6 oz. (177 ml), and Large coffee 8 oz. (237 ml).

1. Turn on the machine and adjust the coffee spout height if required
2. Place a cup/mug/glass under the spout. Select any of the Espresso, Regular, or Large coffee options
3. A small amount of coffee will be pre-brewed to unfold the best aroma. You can identify it by the short pause at the start
4. The grinding and brewing begin and end automatically

If there is insufficient water in the tank before making coffee, the machine will stop brewing. The brewing will automatically resume when you refill the tank.

If you want to stop the brewing prematurely, simply press the same coffee button mid-brewing.

RECOMMENDED READ: Tchibo Coffee Reviews.

Cleanable Components And Their Routine

Components	Daily	Weekly	If Required
Filter		Yes
Casing		Yes	Yes
Brewing Unit		Yes
Water Reservoir		Yes
Water Reservoir Rinse	Yes
Grounds Container, Drip Bowl, and Left-over Water Tray	Yes		Yes

Descaling

Descale only when the machine notifies you. This ensures its service life as well as saves energy.

Do not use any formic acid-based descaling agents. Use any standard, liquid, descaling agent certified for coffee machines. Otherwise, it would damage the machine’s inner components.

Descale immediately once alerted or within the next few days. If you wait any longer the descaling agent will no longer have any effect. The descaling cycle needs 15 minutes.

Steps

1. Turn the machine ON. Detach the water tank out of the machine
2. Pour the descaling agent into the empty tank. Now pour water up to the MAX mark
3. Reinsert the tank back into the machine
4. Place an empty 500 ml (17 oz.) bowl under the coffee spout
5. Now remove the drip bowl. You will need to empty it several times during the descaling cycle. We recommend using 2 containers. It facilitates the emptying process
6. Press and hold both the ON/OFF switch and the Espresso button for 5 seconds. Release when you hear the 2 beeps
7. Press the Espresso button to begin the descaling
8. Pour out the dispensed water. At this stage, the “Descaling” symbol will light up, and the “Fill water” symbol of the Espresso button will keep flashing
9. Take out the water tank and thoroughly clean it
10. Again place the empty bowl (500 ml) under the coffee spout. Also, remove the drip bowl if required
11. Fill the water tank with fresh water to the MAX mark and reinsert the tank in the machine. The “Refill water” symbol won’t flash anymore if everything goes right
12. Rinsing phase resumes automatically after a few seconds
13. About half of the water from the tank will be poured through the machine. The machine rest for 1 minute
14. Now the remaining water in the tank will be poured
15. The machine will switch into standby mode automatically. The descaling process is finished

Tchibo is absolutely easy to use like a Keurig machine but minus the bad coffee or plastic. Since it’s easy to clean and use, from a user’s point of view you’ll have a better chance to run the machine for the longest term possible.

Fantastic coffee quality for its price. We’ve already addressed how so in this Tchibo bean-to-cup coffee machine review. Not only the drink options but also you get to control the strength and size of your drinks too!

On top of it not only you can grind your own beans in it but also switch between 5 different grind settings. This small full-automatic machine packs one hell of a punch.

Cleanup is not a daily but a weekly chore with this machine. With 1 step seamless brewing your coffee routine will save a lot of time and stress for sure.

It has a minimalist look and reduced functionality embracing the uber-contemporary trend. The compact dimensions are a big plus and overall add an upgraded impression in kitchen settings.

For experienced drinkers, this coffee could be left wanting. It’s not as full-bodied as you may think. Also, the lack of a milk frothing system in a full-automatic machine is a turn-off too for our liking.

Its tank is small and requires detachment away from the main body for refilling and cleaning purposes which can be viewed as a problematic issue.

It’s a smart investment for a dorm room or even jazz up in a vacation rental house best. If you’re looking for a machine that’s for your family or office this machine will simply fall short.

It’s true that you won’t be getting the “Creme de la Creme” espresso and coffee from this machine. But when consumers considered the quality it offered juxtaposed to its price and brew features, it has overwhelmingly positive feedback.

The machines’ dimension is a big plus as it adds to the aesthetic. But it also highlighted to the critics and consumers that this machine is for solo users. It’s a pro and con at the same time for the mass.

One of the surprising features according to all of the respectable Tchibo machine reviews is its bean grinder. The bean holder capacity can be adjusted while you’ll have very good quality coarser grinds. Folks loved the coffee and espresso pulled from the ground.

Everyone who looked at this machine has said one thing in common – “it lacks a frother”. Milk-based drinks would have an interesting prospect with this machine even though it seems the added price wouldn’t be a problem for the consumers.

Finally, the grinder’s “Finest” setting isn’t fine enough. Those who pointed this issue out also correlated how it brought the overall coffee taste with this machine. So, Tchibo must improve on this.

We loved the overall features and how seamlessly it operates as a Fully Automatic Coffee Machine. So, even if you need your daily fix of espresso and coffee but don’t bother about the brewing intricacies this machine will be your best friend. Also, the pod-free operation is a big plus and the right step taken by Tchibo. For any solo drinkers, this will be a source of consistently delicious tasting coffee every day. So if you’re in the market for cheaper full-automatic machines, we hope our Tchibo Coffee Maker review will guide you to the best possible decision.

Happy Brewing!