Abstract: A machine for preparing coffee or the like. The machine includes a pump supplying water; a unit for preparing and dispensing of coffee, with a dispensing seating, and an upstream electric heater for heating the water passing through the heater; a hydraulic circuit which connects the pump to the inlet of the heater and which includes solenoid valves assuming a rest configuration in which the heater is substantially emptied of water, and a working configuration in which the heater is enabled to receive and be traversed by a flow of water sent by the pumping devices for the preparation of the coffee; and a control unit (ECU) arranged for activating the heater and causing the solenoid valves to change to the working configuration only when a command is issued for the preparation and dispensing of coffee.

Abstract: The machine (1) comprises pumping devices (2, 3; 10) for the controlled supply of a flow of water, at least one unit (16) for the preparation and dispensing of coffee or the like, with at least one dispensing seating (17), and with an electric heater (40), located upstream of the seating (17) and suitable for heating up to a predetermined temperature a flow of water passing through the heater; a hydraulic circuit (14, 29; 30, 36) which connects the pumping devices (2, 3, 10) to the inlet of the heater (40) and which comprises solenoid valves (36, 30, 45, 59, 62) capable of assuming a rest configuration in which the heater (40) is substantially emptied of water, and a working configuration in which the heater (40) is enabled to receive and be traversed by a flow of water sent by the pumping devices (2, 3; 10) for the preparation of the coffee or the like; and a control unit (ECU) arranged for activating the heater (40) and causing the solenoid valves (30, 36, 45, 59, 62) to change to the working configurati