What Are the Parts of a Coffee Machine?

Whether it’s first thing in the morning or a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, a hot cup of coffee is a daily ritual for many people. A coffee machine can make the process faster, more consistent, and easier but getting the best results means knowing how your machine works and what each part does.
Different machines have different features, but most share a core set of components. Let’s look at the most common coffee machine parts and their purpose.
 

Common Coffee Machine Parts

Power Switch / Power Button
The on/off control is one of the most basic features of any coffee machine. On some models, it’s a button on the front; on others, it’s a switch at the back. In most cases, an indicator light will turn on when the machine is powered and heating.

Tamper
A tamper is used to compress coffee grounds evenly in the filter basket before brewing. While some entry-level machines include a built-in or clip-on tamper, most baristas prefer a separate, manual tamper for more consistent results.

Grouphead
The grouphead is where brewing happens. It’s the part of the machine that water flows through to reach the coffee in the portafilter. It also holds the shower screen and gasket, ensuring water is evenly distributed over the coffee grounds.

Portafilter
The portafilter is a handle with a locking mechanism that holds the filter basket containing the ground coffee. It locks into the grouphead during brewing. Filter baskets can vary in size depending on the shot volume you want.

 
Removable Drip Tray
The drip tray catches spills, splashes, and excess water during brewing. On many machines, it’s removable for quick cleaning. For example, Nespresso coffee machines have slide-out drip trays to make cleaning easy.

Accessory or Storage Tray
Some machines have a storage area (often under the cup-warming surface) to hold accessories like the tamper, cleaning brush, or spare baskets. This isn’t present on every model but can be handy for keeping everything in one place.

Steam Wand
The steam wand froths and heats milk for drinks like cappuccinos and lattes. It’s connected to the boiler or thermoblock heating system and is controlled by a steam valve knob or lever.

Hot Water Outlet
Many espresso machines include a hot water tap or wand, often used for making Americanos, tea, or other hot beverages. This is typically controlled by a separate knob or button.

Programmable Shot Buttons
Instead of a “cups button,” most modern espresso machines have programmable shot volume buttons. These allow you to choose between single or double shots and can be set to deliver precise volumes of water.

Indicator Lights
Machines may include lights for heating, cleaning reminders, or hot water/steam readiness. For example, some De’Longhi models have a “clean me” light that signals when descaling or deep cleaning is needed. Not all machines include this feature.

Pressure Gauge
Often found on higher-end models, the pressure gauge shows the boiler pressure, pump pressure, or both. This helps monitor performance and diagnose issues.

Power Switch:
The power switch or the main switch is located on the back side of the coffee maker. It has 2 types, a simple on-off type and a second one with 3 options. The 3 options consist of 0- 1- 2 options, where 2 is used generally for full operation.

Bean Hopper
On machines with built-in grinders, the bean hopper stores coffee beans before they’re fed into the burrs for grinding. Separate standalone grinders also have their own hoppers, which are replaceable in some brands like Bosch.

Bean Hopper:
A bean hopper is a big plastic container. It holds all the coffee beans and is situated on top of the coffee grinder. It holds the beans and then transfers them to the burrs. Bosch coffee machine parts provide a bean hopper as a spare part as well.

Burrs
Burrs are two abrasive surfaces, flat or conical, that grind coffee beans to a consistent size. Consistent grind size is crucial for even extraction.
 

Coffee Machine Pumps:

Pumps push water through the coffee puck at the correct pressure for brewing. Two main types are common:

Rotative Pumps – Durable, quiet, and capable of producing consistent pressure for commercial or high-end home machines. Often require a direct water line connection. Common brands include Procon and ODE. 

Vibratory Pumps (Solenoid Pumps) – More compact and affordable, commonly used in home machines. Well-known brands include ULKA and CEME, which manufacture many vibratory pumps used in consumer coffee makers.

How It All Comes Together

A great cup of coffee starts with cold water in the reservoir. The heating system, either a boiler or thermoblock, heats the water to the correct brewing temperature. When you start the brew cycle, the pump pushes hot water through the coffee grounds in the portafilter, extracting the flavors into your cup. If you’re steaming milk, the steam wand uses the same heating system to produce pressurized steam for frothing.