7 Things You'd Never Know About Professional Espresso Machine

How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

For cafes and coffee shops looking to attract customers who have an interest in barista and espresso skills, This is a great option. It's an official machine for the World Barista Championships, and it shows.

It also has a reservoir for water which means that the barista requires refilling it throughout their shift. The machine also features steam wands that are cool-touch and hot water taps for tea.

Water

A commercial espresso machine has to create a huge amount of espresso-based drinks in an efficient manner. The machines espresso are typically made of stainless steel, which is tough and resistant to breaks and scratches. Espresso machines made of stainless steel make it easier to maintain and clean.

Additionally, a top quality machine has a shut-off valve for the water line to avoid limescale build up. This will ensure that any repairs will be isolated to the affected parts of the machine and won't impact the rest of your operation.

When you select your water, make sure to test it and treat it properly to ensure the best results. For example distilled water may be recycled by adding a small amount of minerals back to it. This can negate it's negative erosive properties and enhance its taste, but it could also harm certain machines. This is because the remineralized water can cause the boiler sensor to think that the machine is filled, when it's not. This can lead to overheating and even damage to the machine.

Grinder

The grinder is an essential component of a successful espresso machine. It takes a raw, unground bean and transforms it into finely ground coffee that can then be tamped into the filter basket, resulting in an excellent extraction.

Commercial-grade professional espresso machines usually come with a built-in grinder that can be programmed to grind for different drink sizes, ensuring that the results are consistent every time. Super-automatic machines go one step further and automate the entire process from brewing, to grinding and dispensing. These machines are often praised during Lab tests for their ease to use.

Manual or semi-automatic machines require more work from the barista but often the results are worth it. This model won an award called the Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 for its intelligent dosing mechanism that measures and dispensing the correct amount of coffee every time. It also has a low-pressure pre-infusion system to ensure well-balanced extraction as well as a milk frothing wand that excelled in our test for producing rich, thick steamed milk.

Temperature

Temperature is a key factor in espresso. If the water temperature is not at the right level, it can result in the extraction being impeded and may even result in a bitter cup.

Fortunately, top-quality cheap espresso machine machines come with tools that will allow you to ensure that your water is at the correct temperature. One way to do this is by using PIDs, which monitors and adjusts the temperature of the water. Double boiler systems are another way to accomplish this. This lets you make use of one boiler for steam and tea and the other for heating water to brew temperatures.

Carles explains that these systems can be beneficial for both large businesses and baristas at home. They can assist novices create the perfect espresso shot because they maintain an exact temperature and eliminate various variables that can alter the flavor profile. It's also much easier for baristas with more experience to get their shots just the way they want.

Pressure

The pressure an espresso machine uses also affects the quality of the coffee it makes. Many mini espresso machine drinkers notice that their coffees taste different based on the pressure used, even when all other factors remain constant.

The majority of commercial machines utilize 9 bars of pressure in order to make espresso. These machines also tend to be pump-driven rather than steam-driven. Although higher-pressure machines are available they generally require a more complex group head design to take on the higher pressures.

While some espresso machines advertise 15 or 18 bars of pressure on their machines 9 bars are typically considered to be the gold standard for making consistently excellent espressos. These machines that are higher pressure tend to be cheaper and designed for use at home.

To put 9 bar of pressure into perspective, it's over four times the pressure which is emitted by the air in your car tire. The greater the pressure a professional espresso maker can apply, the better it will be at capturing the flavor of your favorite coffee beans. It's worth investing in a premium machine that can deliver the best home espresso machine results.

Barista Skills

A barista must be able to take and process orders from customers quickly and efficiently. This is especially crucial during busy times in the coffee shop. Having good customer service skills is essential to build relationships with customers and generating more business for the shop. This can include acknowledging regular customers, resolving problems efficiently, and remaining positive and friendly even in challenging situations.

Having strong multitasking skills is often required for baristas as they may have to take orders and operate the cash counter and communicate orders to colleagues and handle calls at the same time. This ability helps keep orders moving quickly to the customer, and ensures that customers have an enjoyable experience at the coffee shop.

It is important for baristas to be knowledgeable about the different styles of drinks that can be prepared with an espresso machine. This can be learned by reading about the various types of coffee, trying them in person, and watching videos on the internet. Many baristas find it beneficial to attend classes run by various organizations.