How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

For coffee shops and cafes seeking to attract customers with a passion for barista and italian espresso machines, this is a great choice. It's the official machine used for World Barista Championships and it really shows.

It has a water reservoir so that the barista just requires refilling it throughout their shift. It also has cool-touch steam wands and a hot water tap for tea.

Water

A commercial espresso machine should be able to make an enormous amount of espresso-based drinks with efficiency. This is why these machines are typically built from stainless steel which is more durable and resistant to breaks and scratches. Stainless steel espresso machines also make it easier to clean and maintain.

Lastly, a good quality machine will have a separate shut-off valve for the water line in order to prevent the build-up of limescale. This will ensure that any repairs are confined to the affected machine components and won't impact the rest of your operation.

When selecting the water you want to drink, make sure to test it thoroughly and treat it in a way to get the best results. For instance the distilled water can be restored by adding a tiny amount of minerals back into it. It can enhance the taste and negate its erosive properties, but can also harm certain machines. This is because the remineralized water will cause the boiler sensor to believe that the machine is fully stocked, but it is not. This can cause the machine to overheat and become damaged.

Grinder

The grinder is a crucial component of a successful coffee maker. It grinds a raw bean and transforms it into a finely ground coffee that can be placed into the filter basket to produce an excellent extraction.

Commercial-grade professional espresso machines typically include a built-in grinder that can be programmed to grind for various sizes of drinks, which ensures consistent results each time. Super-automatic espresso machines go one step further, implementing automation and programmable the entire process from brewing to grinding to dispensing. These machines are frequently praised in Lab tests for being easy to use.

Semi-automatic or manual machines require more work from the barista but often the results are worth it. This model was awarded an award called the Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 for its smart dosing system that is able to measure and distributes the right amount of coffee every time. It also has a low pressure pre-infusion for balanced extraction, and an milk frother that created thick, rich steamed milk in our tests.

Temperature

Temperature is a key element in espresso machine coffee. If the water temperature is not at the right level, it may result in a slower extraction and could result in a bitter cup.

Fortunately, high-quality espresso machines include tools that allow you to keep your water at the correct temperature. One method for doing this is by using PIDs that monitor and adjusts the temperature of the water. Double boiler systems are a second method to achieve this. This lets you make use of one boiler for tea and steam while the second one heats water to brew temperatures.

Carles explains that these systems can make a difference for both large businesses and baristas at home. They can help novices create the perfect espresso drink because they are able to maintain the exact temperature and prevent many variables that can affect the flavor quality. It can also make it easier for baristas with experience to get their shots exactly as they would like them.

Pressure

The pressure an espresso machine is using can affect the quality of the coffee it produces. Many espresso drinkers have noticed that their coffee tastes different depending on the pressure used, even if all other variables remain the same.

Most commercial machines use 9 bars of pressure to brew espresso. These machines are also likely to be pump-driven rather than steam-driven. Although higher-pressure machines are available, they require a group head that is more sophisticated to handle the higher levels of pressure.

While you may see some espresso machines advertising 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars is generally regarded as the most reliable standard for producing consistently great brews. These machines that are higher pressure are generally cheaper and intended to be used at home.

To put 9 bar of pressure into perspective, it's over four times the amount which is emitted by the air in your car tire. The more pressure a professional espresso machine is able to apply, the better it will be at extracting flavor from your favorite coffee beans. It's worth investing in a high end espresso machine-end machine that can deliver the best cheap espresso machine possible results.

Barista Skills

A barista must be able to take and process orders from customers quickly and efficiently. This is especially crucial during busy times at the coffee shop. Good customer service skills are essential for building relationships with customers and boosting sales for the coffee shop. This can include acknowledging regular customers, working to resolve problems efficiently, and remaining positive and welcoming even in stressful situations.

Having strong multitasking skills is usually required for baristas, since they might be required to take orders as well as operate the cash register and also communicate orders to their coworkers and handle phone calls simultaneously. This skill allows them to keep orders moving quickly to the customer, and ensures that customers have an enjoyable experience at the coffee shop.

It is crucial for baristas to be able make different types of drinks using an espresso machine. This can be gained through reading about the various kinds of coffee, testing the drinks in person and watching videos on the internet. Many baristas find it helpful to take classes offered by various organizations.