How Does Machine Espresso Work?

The machine Sage BES810BSS Duo Temp Pro Espresso Machine Silver uses precision pressure, and filter technology that is awe-inspiring to create the coffee you enjoy. How exactly does it work?

Espresso is produced by pushing hot water under high pressure through finely ground coffee. The process is similar to making drip coffee, but the difference is in the pressure.

The Head of the Group

As the name suggests, the group head is the place you insert your portafilter when brewing espresso. It is responsible for dispersing the water into the portafilter before controlling the pressure of the extraction. There are many different types of group heads, each with its own advantages and drawbacks. Some are specifically designed for stability in temperature, while others are designed to handle pre-infusion. Others are built to control the lever. There are also some that come with a range of features, such as the E61, which is the most popular choice among baristas due to its ability to offer multiple perks in a single package.

As you can see from the picture above the head of the group is fitted with several notches. You place your portafilter into these notches and twist the head to lock it. A gasket of rubber is situated in the notches to create a seal while you insert your portafilter. The notches on the head allow for an exact location of the portafilter which is vital to ensure an efficient extraction.

The group head does not just allow the portafilter to be inserted easily however, it also keeps a constant temperature. It does this by cycling hot water through the brew container and around the portafilter, cs.xuxingdianzikeji.com making sure that it is always at the right temperature for extraction. This is important because just a few degrees could make the difference between excellent and great espresso.

The Pump

Unlike manual piston machines, which rely on a lever to pressurize water, Rotary espresso machines rely on motorized pumps to provide the nine atmospheric bars of pressure necessary for espresso extraction. The pressure builds up by drawing tap water from a reservoir, and pumping it through a heat exchanger prior being pumped through the ground coffee inside the group head.

Pumps tend to be more affordable and last longer than piston-driven machines. However, both types of machines can degrade due to excessive use and inadequate cleaning. Pumps are also more complicated mechanically, which can increase prices of even simple models.

Some espresso machines use steam pressure instead of a pump for brewing espresso. This can result in over-extraction because the boiler that makes steam also warms the water to boil. They also have to constantly rebuild their pressure in between cups. This requires energy and time.

Many espresso machines make use of the rotary or vibration pump. A vibration model employs a rotating disk to generate pressure, while a rotary model pushes hot water through the ground at high speed. Both models can make excellent espresso, however the rotary pumps are quieter, and more durable than vibration pumps.

The Boiler

The boiler is the one that will heat the water to the ideal temperature to extract. The steam produced will eventually reach the portafilter, which holds the espresso grounds. It is then poured into the cup. During this process the steam creates enough pressure to push the grounds of coffee through. This results in a whipped-up top of the espresso. This is one of the hallmarks of a good espresso.

There are three kinds of espresso machines, each having different pumps and the temperature of the brew. There are also different ways in which the brew could be controlled, as well as the dimensions of the cup the machine is capable of making.

The first espresso machines were steam-types. They employed only one boiler to make both brew and steam, but the pressure they could produce was not very high - two bars of atmospheric pressure at most. This resulted in the coffee tasting burnt and bitter. This is the reason Milanese manufacturers Luigi Bezzerra and Desiderio Pavoni invented the modern Salter EK3131 Black Espresso Coffee Machine: Barista Style (www.coffeee.Uk) machine.

The most common espresso maker is a semi-automatic machine that has an electric pump. These are what people imagine when they think of an espresso machine. With a semi-automatic machine you must grind the beans and then tamp them by hand. However, the pump controls the flow of water and pressure. This is a great compromise between the human touch and the mechanised accuracy.

The Filter

Typically, espresso machines employ a filter to separate out the grounds of the coffee as they go through the hot water. The filter is also a vital part of the machine's temperature control, as it prevents overheating.

It also aids in flavor, cs.xuxingdianzikeji.com as a filter allows for a longer bloom phase. This allows the beans to release their flavor and also allows for better extraction.

However it is crucial to remember that even a top filter can make a terrible cup of coffee, since the quality of the beans and extraction is still vital.

This is where the magic happens, it's what makes an espresso really taste good. The grouphead, also called the brew head, is where the portafilter (the thingy you put the coffee ground into) is placed when making espresso.

In a steam-driven espresso machine hot water is heated in an airtight container to create steam, which is then pushed through the grounds at a high pressure. They are less expensive and easier for the user to maintain than pumps-driven models. However, they are limited in their ability to provide the perfect brewing conditions because they operate at 1-1.5 bars of pressure. While the perfect shot requires 9-10 bar.

In recent years, compressed air-pump-driven espresso machines have become more popular. They utilize an air compressor to force hot water through grounds and are significantly more portable than electric steam-driven machines.