How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

This is a great option for cafes and coffee shops that want to attract customers who are enthralled by espresso and barista abilities. It's the official barista machine for World Barista Championships and it really shows.

It also has a reservoir for water to ensure that the barista only needs to refill it throughout their shift. The machine is equipped with an hot water tap for tea and steam wands that cool-touch.

Water

A commercial espresso machine is required to produce a large quantity of espresso-based drinks efficiently. They are usually constructed of stainless steel, which is durable and resistant to cracks and scratches. Stainless steel espresso machines also make it easier to keep clean and maintained.

A high-quality machine should have an independent shut-off valve for the water pipe in order to prevent the accumulation of limescale. This will ensure that any repairs are isolated to the affected components of the machine and won't affect the rest of your operation.

When selecting the water you want to drink ensure that you test it and treat it correctly to get the best results. You can remineralize the water you distill by adding a few minerals. It can improve the taste and lessen its erosive qualities, but can also harm certain machines. The remineralized water will make the boiler sensor think that the machine is full however it's not. This could cause the machine to overheat, and eventually be damaged.

Grinder

The grinder is a crucial element for an espresso machine that is successful. The grinder turns the raw, unground coffee Bean to Cup espresso machine into finely-ground coffee that can be tamped properly into the filter basket to ensure an excellent extraction.

Professional espresso machines of commercial grade typically have a built-in grinding unit that can be programmed to grind for various sizes of drinks, providing consistency in results 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 being easy to use.

A semi-automatic or manual espresso machine requires more involvement from the barista, but the quality of the end product is often worth it. This model was awarded an award known as the Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 due to its sophisticated dosing system that measures and dispenses the right amount of coffee each time. It also comes with a low pressure pre-infusion mechanism for smooth extraction and the milk frothing wand, which excelled in our test for producing rich, thick steaming milk.

Temperature

Temperature is a major element in espresso. If the water isn't in its ideal temperature, it can slow the extraction process and cause the coffee being bitter.

Luckily, the best espresso machines come with tools that will allow you to keep your water at the right temperature. One method to achieve this is by using PIDs that monitor and adjusts the temperature of the water. The other way is by making use of a double boiler. This lets you use a single boiler to tea and steam, while the other heats water to brewing temperatures.

Carles explains how these systems can be beneficial for large corporations as well as home-based baristas. They can assist novices to dial in the perfect espresso because they are able to maintain an exact temperature while avoiding various variables that can alter the flavor quality. It helps experienced baristas to create their shots exactly as they would like them.

Pressure

The amount of pressure an espresso machine makes use of is another element that influences the quality of the coffee for espresso machine it produces. Many espresso drinkers have noticed that their drinks taste different based on the pressure that is used, even though all other factors remain constant.

The majority of commercial machines utilize 9 bars of pressure in order to brew espresso. These machines also tend to be pump-driven instead of steam-driven. While higher-pressure machines are readily available however, they require a group head that is more complicated to handle the higher levels of pressure.

While you may see some espresso machines that advertise 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars is generally regarded as the gold standard for creating consistently excellent brews. These machines that are higher pressure tend to be more affordable and designed for use at home.

To put 9 bars of pressure into perspective, it's nearly four times the pressure that's imposed by the air in your car tire. The greater the pressure that a professional espresso machine can exert and the more effective it will be at removing the flavor from the coffee beans you love. It's worth investing in top-quality machines that will give you the highest quality results.

Barista Skills

A barista needs to be able to accept and process orders of customers quickly and efficiently. This is particularly important during busy times in the coffee shop. Effective customer service skills are also important for building relationships with customers and boosting sales for the coffee shop. This includes acknowledging regular customers, working to resolve issues efficiently and remaining optimistic and welcoming even in stressful situations.

The ability to multitask is often necessary for baristas, since they may be required to take orders as well as operate the cash register and also communicate orders to their coworkers and take phone calls simultaneously. This ability allows customers to enjoy a pleasant experience in the cafe by making sure that orders are delivered promptly.

It is crucial for a barista's education in order to make different drinks with an espresso machine. You can learn about the different types of espresso by reading about their characteristics, tasting them in person, and watching online videos. Many baristas find it beneficial to attend classes offered by various organizations.