11 Ways To Completely Revamp Your Machine Espresso

How Does Machine Espresso Work?

The machine espresso makes use of precise pressure, as well as a filter technology that is awe-inspiring to make the coffee you enjoy. How exactly does it work?

Espresso is made by forcing hot water under high pressure through finely ground coffee. The process is similar to making drip coffee, however the main difference lies in the pressure.

The Head of the Group

As the name implies, the group head is the place you place your portafilter while brewing espresso. It disperses water into the portafilter and controls the pressure of the extraction. There are many different types of group heads, each with its own advantages and drawbacks. Some are focused on temperature stability, while others on pre-infusion capabilities, while others are designed to control the lever. Some come with a combination of both, like the E61. This is a popular choice among baristas because it offers multiple advantages in a single package.

As you can see in the image above, the group head has many notches in which you can place your portafilter and then twist it with your hands to secure it. There is also a gasket of rubber in the notches, which helps create an airtight seal when you insert your portafilter into the machine. The notches on the head allow for a precise location of the portafilter which is essential for an efficient extraction.

The group head not only lets you to insert your portafilter easily however it also keeps a constant temperature. This is done by cycling hot water around the portafilter, and through the brew basin, ensuring that the temperature is at the right level for extraction. This is important because just a few degrees could make the difference between excellent and great espresso.

The Pump

Contrary to manual piston machines which rely on a lever to pressurize water, the rotary espresso machines use motorized pumps to supply the nine atmospheric bars of pressure required to extract espresso. The pressure builds by removing tap water from a reservoir, and pumping it through a heat exchanger prior to being pushed through the ground coffee in the group head.

Pumps tend to be cheaper than piston-driven machines, and tend to last longer, however both types of machines can become damaged due to excessive use and poor cleaning. Pumps are also more complicated mechanically, and can add to prices of even simpler models.

Some espresso machines remove the pump completely and instead use steam pressure to brew espresso. The downside is that the same boiler that produces steam also increases the temperature of water until it reaches boiling which could lead to over-extraction. They also have bean to Cup espresso Machines continuously rebuild their pressure between cups. This takes energy and time.

A majority of espresso machines utilize the rotary or vibration pump. A vibration model makes use of the vibrating disk to create pressure, while the rotary model pushes hot water through the ground at a high speed. Both machines can make great espresso, however rotary machines are more stable, quieter and less likely to break down.

The Boiler

The boiler is the element that heats water to an ideal temperature for extraction. The steam created gets to the portafilter which is a container for espresso grounds. It is then pumped into the cup. During this process the steam causes enough pressure to push the grounds of the coffee through. This results in a whipped-up the top espresso machines of the italian espresso machines. This is a sign of a good espresso.

There are three types of espresso makers. They differ in the kind of pump they use and the degree of heat that the coffee is. There are different ways to control the amount of brew, as well as the size of cup that can be produced by the machine.

The earliest espresso machines were steam type. They had one boiler to make both brew and steam, however, the pressure they could create was minimal - two bars of atmospheric pressure, at most. This resulted in the coffee tasting bitter and burnt. This is the reason why Milanese manufacturers Luigi Bezzerra and Desiderio Pavoni developed the modern espresso machine.

The most common espresso machine is a semiautomatic with an electric pump. This is what people envision when they think of an espresso machine. With a semi-automatic machine you grind the beans and tamp them yourself but the pump regulates the flow of water and pressure. This is a fantastic combination of human control and mechanized consistency.

The Filter

Espresso machines typically use a filter that separates the grounds of coffee from hot water. The filter is also a vital part of the machine's temperature control, since it stops overheating.

A filter also helps with flavor because it allows for a longer flowering phase. This helps the beans release their flavors and provides an opportunity to improve extraction.

It is important to remember that even the finest filter can produce a bad cup of coffee. The quality of the beans and the extraction process remain vital.

It's here that the magic takes place. This is what makes espresso taste so good. The grouphead, sometimes called the brewhead, is where the portafilter (the container you place the coffee grounds into) is placed when you're making espresso.

Steam-driven espresso machines make use of hot water heated in an airtight vessel to create steam. The steam then moves hot water through the coffee grounds under high end espresso machine pressure. These machines are cheaper and easier for the user to maintain than pumps-driven models. However, they are limited in their ability to provide the ideal brewing conditions, since they operate at 1-1.5 bars of pressure. However, the perfect shot requires 9-10 bars.

In recent years, compressed air pump-driven espresso machines have become more popular. They make use of an air compressor to push hot water across the ground. They are also more mobile than steam-driven electric espresso machines.