Abstract: A beverage machine is provided that includes a grinder configured to grind coffee beans at a plurality of grind settings, a user interface configured to receive a user input corresponding to a beverage selection, at least one controller, and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the controller, cause the controller to perform one or more operations comprising: determining a recommended grind setting for the grinder based on the selected beverage and stored data characterizing the plurality of grind settings versus a plurality of brew times under fixed water delivery.

Abstract: A method can include dispensing a first portion of a supply of coffee beans from a hopper and into a grinder, and, as the first portion is dispensed into the grinder, grinding the first portion by the grinder, measuring, by a weight sensor, a total weight of the hopper and a second portion of the supply of coffee beans that is contained by the hopper and receiving, from the weight sensor, data characterizing the total weight, and determining, based on the received data, an amount of coffee beans in the first portion.

Abstract: Various illustrative systems, devices, and methods for beverage machines (e.g., drip coffee machines, espresso machines, etc.) are provided. In an exemplary implementation, an espresso machine is configured to brew and dispense espresso. In an exemplary implementation, the espresso machine is configured to determine a recommended coffee bean grind size for a beverage, e.g., an espresso or a sprover-style drink, selected by a user and to provide the recommended coffee bean grind size to the user.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of using an automated beverage machine can include causing coffee beans to be dispensed from a hopper configured to contain the coffee beans and into a grinder configured to grind the coffee beans. The method can further include receiving, from a weight sensor configured to measure a total weight of the hopper and the coffee beans, data characterizing a weight of the hopper, and determining, based on the received data, an amount of coffee beans dispensed into the grinder.

Abstract: Various illustrative systems, devices, and methods for beverage machines (e.g., coffee machines, espresso machines, etc.) are provided. In general, an espresso machine is configured to brew and dispense espresso. In one exemplary implementation, a system includes a boiler, a temperature sensor, a water outlet, a plumbing system, a housing, a controller, and a memory. The temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of the boiler. The plumbing system is configured to deliver water from the boiler to the water outlet. The housing includes a reservoir coupled thereto and configured to contain a cleaning liquid therein. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the controller, cause the controller to perform operations including measuring a temperature of the boiler, comparing the temperature of the boiler to a predetermined temperature, operating the pump, and terminating the operation of the pump.

Abstract: Various illustrative systems, devices, and methods for espresso machines are provided. In general, an espresso machine is configured to brew and dispense espresso. In an exemplary implementation, the espresso machine includes a grinder configured to grind coffee beans. The grinder is configured to be adjustable to allow for adjustment of coffee bean grind size, which may help that ensure that a particular beverage brewed and dispensed by the espresso machine is prepared using an optimal grind size. The espresso machine is configured to prevent jamming of the grinder automatically in response to grind size adjustment.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of using an automated beverage machine can include causing coffee beans to be dispensed from a hopper configured to contain the coffee beans and into a grinder configured to grind the coffee beans. The method can further include receiving, from a weight sensor configured to measure a total weight of the hopper and the coffee beans, data characterizing a weight of the hopper, and determining, based on the received data, an amount of coffee beans dispensed into the grinder.

Abstract: Various illustrative systems, devices, and methods for beverage machines (e.g., coffee machines, espresso machines, etc.) are provided. In general, an espresso machine is configured to brew and dispense espresso. In one exemplary implementation, a system includes a boiler, a temperature sensor, a water outlet, a plumbing system, a housing, a controller, and a memory. The temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of the boiler. The plumbing system is configured to deliver water from the boiler to the water outlet. The housing includes a reservoir coupled thereto and configured to contain a cleaning liquid therein. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the controller, cause the controller to perform operations including measuring a temperature of the boiler, comparing the temperature of the boiler to a predetermined temperature, operating the pump, and terminating the operation of the pump.

Abstract: Various illustrative systems, devices, and methods for espresso machines are provided. In general, an espresso machine is configured to brew and dispense espresso. In an exemplary implementation, the espresso machine includes a grinder configured to grind coffee beans. The grinder is configured to be adjustable to allow for adjustment of coffee bean grind size, which may help that ensure that a particular beverage brewed and dispensed by the espresso machine is prepared using an optimal grind size. The espresso machine is configured to prevent jamming of the grinder automatically in response to grind size adjustment.

Abstract: Various illustrative systems, devices, and methods for espresso machines are provided. In general, an espresso machine is configured to brew and dispense espresso. In an exemplary implementation, the espresso machine includes a grinder configured to grind coffee beans. The grinder is configured to be adjustable to allow for adjustment of coffee bean grind size, which may help that ensure that a particular beverage brewed and dispensed by the espresso machine is prepared using an optimal grind size. The espresso machine is configured to prevent jamming of the grinder automatically in response to grind size adjustment.

Abstract: A diffuser assembly for diffusing fluid in a brewed beverage system is provided. The diffuser assembly includes a diffuser housing having an inlet port configured to receive fluid from a fluid supply, a channel in fluid communication with the inlet port, and a cavity in fluid communication with the channel. The diffuser housing further includes multiple elongate openings formed in an inner surface of the diffuser housing for allowing fluid within the cavity to flow there through. The diffuser housing also includes multiple ridges projecting from the inner surface of the diffuser housing and positioned to distribute the fluid evenly across the inner surface prior to outputting the fluid via the plurality of elongate openings. The diffuser assembly can further include a cover removably coupled to the diffuser housing. Related systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Various illustrative systems, devices, and methods for beverage machines are provided. In one exemplary implementation, a system is provided that includes a beverage machine configured to brew a beverage and to froth milk. A user interface of the beverage machine is configured to receive a first user input requesting the beverage machine to start performing a first task and to receive a second user input requesting the beverage machine to start performing a second task. The performance of the second task is queued to begin automatically after the performance of the first task, and, after the first task has been performed, the beverage machine is prepared for the performance of the second task based on whether the first task is brewing the beverage or frothing the milk. The second task is the other of brewing the beverage and frothing the milk.

Abstract: Various illustrative systems, devices, and methods for beverage machines are provided. In one exemplary implementation, a system includes a steam frother arm of a beverage preparation machine, a hot water outlet of the beverage preparation machine, a group head of the beverage preparation machine, a housing of the beverage preparation machine, a controller, and a memory. The housing includes a reservoir coupled thereto and configured to contain a cleaning liquid therein. The housing also includes first, second, and third flow paths therethrough through which the cleaning liquid is configured to flow in a descaling operation.

Abstract: Various illustrative systems, devices, and methods for beverage machines (e.g., drip coffee machines, espresso machines, etc.) are provided. In an exemplary implementation, an espresso machine is configured to brew and dispense espresso. In an exemplary implementation, the espresso machine is configured to determine a recommended coffee bean grind size for a beverage, e.g., an espresso or a sprover-style drink, selected by a user and to provide the recommended coffee bean grind size to the user.

Abstract: Various illustrative systems, devices, and methods for beverage machines (e.g., coffee machines, espresso machines, etc.) are provided. In general, an espresso machine is configured to brew and dispense espresso. In one exemplary implementation, a system includes a boiler, a temperature sensor, a water outlet, a plumbing system, a housing, a controller, and a memory. The temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of the boiler. The plumbing system is configured to deliver water from the boiler to the water outlet. The housing includes a reservoir coupled thereto and configured to contain a cleaning liquid therein. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the controller, cause the controller to perform operations including measuring a temperature of the boiler, comparing the temperature of the boiler to a predetermined temperature, operating the pump, and terminating the operation of the pump.

Abstract: Various illustrative systems, devices, and methods for beverage machines are provided. In one exemplary implementation, a system is provided that includes a milk receptacle and a housing. A whisk is configured to agitate the milk held by the milk receptacle. The whisk includes a magnet. The housing has a steam frother arm with a fluid flow path configured to deliver steam into the milk receptacle. The housing also has a motor configured to drive the whisk. The motor has a motor magnet configured to magnetically interact with the magnet of the milk receptacle such that rotation of the motor magnet drives rotation of the whisk to agitate the milk held by the milk receptacle.

Abstract: A diffuser assembly for diffusing fluid in a brewed beverage system is provided. The diffuser assembly includes a diffuser housing having an inlet port configured to receive fluid from a fluid supply, a channel in fluid communication with the inlet port, and a cavity in fluid communication with the channel. The diffuser housing further includes multiple elongate openings formed in an inner surface of the diffuser housing for allowing fluid within the cavity to flow there through. The diffuser housing also includes multiple ridges projecting from the inner surface of the diffuser housing and positioned to distribute the fluid evenly across the inner surface prior to outputting the fluid via the plurality of elongate openings. The diffuser assembly can further include a cover removably coupled to the diffuser housing. Related systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Various illustrative systems, devices, and methods of beverage carbonation system flow control are provided. A carbonation system is one example of a treatment system to which the systems, devices, and methods described herein apply. In general, a carbonation system is configured to form a carbonated fluid and dispense the carbonated fluid in a controlled manner. In an illustrative embodiment, the carbonation system is configured to begin dispensing the carbonated fluid with a pressure in a chamber of the carbonation system, in which the carbonated fluid is formed, being above atmospheric pressure. A gas is introduced into the chamber after dispensing has already started via the pressure in the chamber to drive the flow of the carbonated fluid. The gas can be introduced into the chamber according to a predetermined pressure profile.

Abstract: Various illustrative systems, devices, and methods of beverage carbonation system flow control are provided. A carbonation system is one example of a treatment system to which the systems, devices, and methods described herein apply. In general, a carbonation system is configured to form a carbonated fluid and dispense the carbonated fluid in a controlled manner. In an illustrative embodiment, the carbonation system is configured to begin dispensing the carbonated fluid with a pressure in a chamber of the carbonation system, in which the carbonated fluid is formed, being above atmospheric pressure. A gas is introduced into the chamber after dispensing has already started via the pressure in the chamber to drive the flow of the carbonated fluid. The gas can be introduced into the chamber according to a predetermined pressure profile.

Abstract: Various illustrative systems, devices, and methods of beverage carbonation system flow control are provided. A carbonation system is one example of a treatment system to which the systems, devices, and methods described herein apply. In general, a carbonation system is configured to form a carbonated fluid and dispense the carbonated fluid in a controlled manner. In an illustrative embodiment, the carbonation system is configured to begin dispensing the carbonated fluid with a pressure in a chamber of the carbonation system, in which the carbonated fluid is formed, being above atmospheric pressure. A gas is introduced into the chamber after dispensing has already started via the pressure in the chamber to drive the flow of the carbonated fluid. The gas can be introduced into the chamber according to a predetermined pressure profile.