9 Lessons Your Parents Teach You About Machine Espresso

How Does Machine Espresso Work?

Machine espresso makes use of precise pressure and mind-blowing filter technology to make the coffee we love. How exactly does it work?

Espresso is made by pushing hot water at high pressure through finely ground coffee. The process is similar to making drip coffee, but the difference is in the pressure.

The Head of the Group

The group head is the portafilter you put in when making espresso. It is responsible for dispersing water into the portafilter before controlling the pressure that results from the extraction. There are a variety of types of group heads each with its distinct advantages and drawbacks. Some are designed to provide the stability of temperature while some are built to handle pre-infusion. Some are designed to control the lever. Some have a combination of features, like the E61 one, which is to be the most popular among baristas due to its capacity to provide multiple benefits in a single package.

As you can see in the above photo the group head is made up of several notches to place your portafilter and twist it by hand to secure it. A gasket made of rubber is positioned in the notches to create a seal when you insert your portafilter. The notches on the head allow for a precise placement of the portafilter, which is vital to ensure an efficient extraction.

Apart from allowing you easily place your portafilter in, the group head is also responsible to ensure that the temperature remains even. This is accomplished by cycling hot water around the portafilter, and through the brew-basket, ensuring that the temperature is constant to extract the coffee. This is important because even a small difference in temperature can make the difference between excellent and great espresso coffee machines uk.

The Pump

The motorized pumps used in espresso machines that rotate provide the nine atmospheric bar pressure that is required to extract espresso. This is different from manual piston machines that rely on a lever. This pressure builds up by drawing tap water from a reservoir and pumping it through a heat exchanger prior to being shot through the ground coffee in the group head.

Pumps are generally less expensive and last longer than piston-driven machines. However, both kinds of machines may degrade due to overuse and insufficient cleaning. Pumps are also more complicated mechanically, which can increase the cost of even most basic models.

Some espresso machines make use of steam pressure instead of a pump to make espresso. This can cause over-extraction because the boiler that makes steam also causes the water to boil. These machines also have to constantly rebuild their pressure in between cups. This takes energy and time.

Many espresso machines use an rotary or a vibration pump. A vibration model makes use of a rotating disk to generate pressure, while a rotary model pushes hot water through the ground at a rapid speed. Both machines can make great espresso however rotary machines tend to be more quiet, durable and less likely to break down.

The Boiler

The boiler is the one that makes the water warm to the ideal temperature for extraction. The resultant steam then reaches the portafilter, which contains the ground espresso and is then pumped into the cup. The steam creates enough pressure to push the grounds of the coffee through. This produces a layer of crema on top. This is a sign of a great professional espresso maker.

There are three kinds of espresso makers, and they differ in the type of pump they employ and how hot the espresso is. There are various ways in which the brew could be controlled and the dimensions of the cup the machine can make.

The first espresso machines were steam-type. They utilized only one boiler to make steam and brew, however the pressure they were able to produce was very low - just two bars of atmospheric pressure maximum. The coffee tasted bitter and burned. This is the reason Milanese producers Luigi Bezzerra and Desiderio Pavoni created the modern espresso machine.

The most common espresso maker is a semiautomatic machine that has an electric pump. This is what people envision when they think of an espresso maker. With a semi-automatic machine you have to grind the beans and tamp them by hand, but the pump controls the flow of water and pressure. This is an excellent compromise between human touch and the mechanised consistency.

The Filter

Espresso machines typically use filters that separate the grounds of the coffee espresso machines from hot water. The filter is also an important part of the temperature control system, because it stops the machine from overheating.

It also aids in flavor, since a filter allows for a more prolonged bloom time. This lets the beans release their flavor and also allows for better extraction.

It is important to remember that even the most efficient filter can result in a bad cup of coffee. The quality of the beans and the extraction, remain crucial.

It's in this area that the magic takes place. This is what makes espresso taste so delicious. The grouphead, often called the brewhead, is where the portafilter (the device you put the ground coffee into) is placed when you're making espresso coffee machines for sale.

In a steam-driven espresso machine, hot water is heated in an airtight tank to produce steam, which is then pushed through the grounds at high pressure. These machines are less expensive and easier to maintain than pumps-driven models. However, they are limited in their capacity to create the perfect conditions for brewing, since they are only operating at 1-1.5 bars of pressure, while the perfect shot requires 9-10 bar.

In recent times, barista espresso coffee machine machines powered by a compressed air pump have become increasingly popular. They utilize an air compressor to push hot water into the grounds and are much more portable than steam-driven electric machines.