How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

This is a fantastic option for coffee shops and cafes that wish to attract customers who are enthusiastic about espresso and barista abilities. It's the official machine for World Barista Championships and it really does show.

It has a water reservoir to ensure that the barista only has to refill it during their shift. The machine has a tea hot water tap and Bean To Cup Espresso Machine cool-touch steam wands.

Water

A commercial espresso machine needs to 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 robust and resistant to scratches and breaks. These espresso machines are also easy to maintain and clean.

A good machine will have a separate shut off valve for the water line in order to prevent the formation of limescale. This will ensure any repairs are only limited to the affected components of the machine and won't affect the operation of the rest.

When selecting your water be sure to test it and treat it correctly to get the best results. For example distilled water may be refining by adding a small amount of minerals back into it. It can improve the taste of the water and eliminate its erosive properties, but can also harm certain machines. This is because the remineralized water will cause the boiler sensor to think that the machine is fully stocked, but it is not. This can cause the machine to overheat and be damaged.

Grinder

The grinder is a crucial element of an espresso machine that works. It is a process that takes a raw, unground Bean to cup espresso machine and turns it into finely ground coffee that can then be placed into the filter basket, resulting in an excellent extraction.

Professional commercial grade machines include grinders that are programmed for different drink sizes. This guarantees consistency in results each 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.

Semi-automatic and manual machines require more work from the barista but often the results are worth the effort. This model won a 2022 Good Housekeeping Coffee Award for its smart dosing feature that weighs and distributes the correct amount of ground coffee each time. It also comes with the ability to use a low pressure pre-infusion to ensure well-balanced extraction, as well as a milk frother that made rich, thick steamed-milk in our tests.

Temperature

When it is about espresso temperature plays a huge impact on the flavor and quality of your espresso. If the temperature of the water is not at a suitable level, it could result in a slower extraction and could result in an unpleasant cup.

Espresso machines that are of high-quality come with tools that help you maintain the correct temperature of your water. One method of doing this is by utilizing PIDs that monitor and adjusts the temperature of the water. Another option is making use of a double boiler. This allows you to use a single boiler to steam and tea while the second one heats water to brewing temperatures.

Carles explains that these systems can make a difference for large companies as well as baristas at home. They make it easier for newbies to make the perfect espresso shot since they can keep an exact temperature and eliminate some of the factors that can alter the flavor profile. It's also easier for baristas with more experience to make their shots just the way they prefer.

Pressure

The amount of pressure an espresso machine uses is another factor that contributes to the quality of the coffee it makes. Many espresso drinkers notice that their drinks taste different based on the amount of pressure that is used, even though all other factors remain the same.

Most commercial machines use 9 bars of pressure to make espresso. These machines also tend to be driven by pumps rather than steam-driven. While there are higher-pressure machines they generally require a more complex group head design to handle the higher pressure levels.

While you may see espresso machines that advertise 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars is generally regarded as the gold standard for consistently great brews. These machines with higher pressures are generally more affordable and are designed for home use.

In comparison, 9 bars of pressure is 4 times more than the pressure exerted by your car tire. The greater pressure a professional espresso coffee machine machine can exert to the coffee, the better it will be at removing the flavor from your favorite coffee beans. This is why it's worth investing in a high-end machine that will deliver the highest quality results.

Barista Skills

A barista should be able to take and process customer orders quickly and accurately. This is particularly important in busy times at the coffee shop. Having good customer service skills is also crucial for establishing customer relationships and increasing business for the shop. This includes recognizing frequent customers, working efficiently to resolve issues and staying positive and friendly even in the most difficult of situations.

The ability to multitask is a must for baristas, since they could be required to take orders, operate the cash register and then communicate orders to coworkers and take calls at the same time. This skill helps keep orders moving quickly to the customer and allows them to have an enjoyable time in the coffee shop.

It is important for baristas to know the various types of drinks that can be made with an espresso machine. You can find out about the various types of espresso by reading up on them, trying them in person, and watching online videos. Many baristas consider it beneficial to attend classes on the subject, which are offered by various organizations.