How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

For cafes and coffee shops that want to attract customers with an interest in barista and espresso, this is a great choice. It's the official machine for World Barista Championships and it really does show.

The barista is able to refill the reservoir with water throughout their shift. The machine has a hot water tap for tea and cool-touch steam wands.

Water

A commercial espresso machine should be able to produce an enormous amount of espresso-based drinks in a timely manner. This is why they are typically built from stainless steel, which is more durable and resistant to breaks and scratches. These espresso machines are also easier to maintain and clean.

A good machine will have a separate shut off valve for the water line to avoid limescale build up. This will ensure that any repairs are only limited to the affected components of the machine, and will not affect the operation of the rest.

When selecting your water ensure that you test it thoroughly and treat it in a way to ensure the best results. For instance the distilled water can be recycled by adding a small amount of minerals back to it. This could reduce its negative erosive properties and enhance its flavor, but it could also harm certain machines. The remineralized wate will make the boiler sensor believe that the machine is full however it's not. This can cause excessive heat and damage to the machine.

Grinder

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

Commercial-grade professional espresso machines usually include a built-in grinder that can be programmed to grind different sizes of drinks, providing the same results every time. Super-automatic espresso machines take this one step further, automating and programmable the entire process from brewing to grinding to dispensing. These types of machines usually get high scores in Lab tests due to their hands-free simplicity of use.

A semi-automatic or manual espresso machine requires more involvement from the barista, but the quality of the end result is often worth it. This model was awarded the Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 for its intelligent dosing mechanism that measures and dispensing the correct amount of coffee each time. It also comes with a low-pressure pre-infusion mechanism for an even extraction, as well as the milk frothing wand, which did well in our tests for producing thick, rich steamed milk.

Temperature

When it is about espresso, temperature plays a major impact on the flavor and quality of your coffee. If the water isn't at its ideal temperature, it can cause a delay in extraction, and could result in a bitter cup of coffee.

Luckily, the Best espresso machine espresso machines include tools that allow you to keep your water at the correct temperature. A PID monitors and regulates temperature of water. Double boiler systems are a second method to accomplish this. You can use one boiler to heat steam and water for tea, and use the other for heating water to brewing temperature.

Carles explains how these systems can make a difference for both large businesses and baristas at home. They can assist novices get the perfect espresso coffee makers shot since they are able to maintain an exact temperature while avoiding many variables that can affect the flavor of the flavor. It helps experienced baristas to make their shots exactly how they would like them.

Pressure

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

In general, most commercial-grade machines utilize nine bars of pressure to brew compact espresso machine. They 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 increased levels of pressure.

While some espresso machines advertise 15 or 18 bars of pressure in their machines 9 bar espresso machine bars are typically considered to be the standard for making consistently excellent espressos. These machines that are higher pressure are generally less expensive and are intended for use at home espresso machine.

In comparison, 9 bars of pressure is four times greater than the pressure applied by your car tire. The greater the pressure an espresso maker with professional quality can apply, the better at extracting flavor out of your favorite coffee beans. This is why it's worth investing in a premium machine that will deliver the most effective results.

Barista Skills

A barista must be able to take orders and handle them quickly and accurately. This is particularly important during busy periods in the coffee shop. A good understanding of customer service is essential to build customer relationships and increasing sales for the shop. This includes acknowledging regular customers, resolving problems efficiently, and remaining positive and helpful in difficult situations.

Baristas typically need to be able to multitask, as they are required to take orders and operate a cash counter and share orders with colleagues and handle phone calls all at once. This skill helps keep orders moving quickly to the customer, and gives them an enjoyable experience in the coffee shop.

It is helpful for a barista to be knowledgeable about the various types of drinks that can be prepared with an espresso machine. You can find out about the various types of espresso by reading up on them, trying the drinks in person and by watching online videos. Many baristas find it helpful to attend classes run by various organizations.