How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

For cafes and coffee shops looking to attract customers who have a passion for espresso and barista skills this is an excellent choice. It's the official machine for the World Barista Championships, and it demonstrates.

It comes with a water reservoir to ensure that the barista only has to refill it during their shift. The machine has a hot water tap for tea and steam wands that cool-touch.

Water

A commercial espresso machine needs to make a large amount of espresso-based drinks efficiently. This is why they are typically built from stainless steel which is more durable and resistant to scratches and break. These espresso machines are easier to maintain and keep clean.

A high-quality machine should have a separate shut-off valve to the water pipe in order to prevent the build-up of limescale. This will ensure that any repairs are isolated to the specific machine components and won't impact the rest of your operation.

When you select your water make sure you test it and treat it properly to ensure the best results. Remineralize distilled water by adding some minerals. It can improve the taste and lessen its erosive properties, but can also damage certain machines. The remineralized wate will make the boiler sensor professional espresso maker think the machine is full, even though it isn't. This could cause overheating and damage the machine.

Grinder

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

Commercial-grade professional espresso machines typically come with a built-in grinder that can be programmed to grind different drink sizes, ensuring consistent results each time. Super-automatic espresso machines go one step further, by automating and programming the entire process from brewing to grinding to dispensing. These machines are often praised by Lab tests for being easy to use.

A manual or semi-automatic retro espresso maker machine requires more involvement by the barista, but the quality of the final result is often worth it. This model won a Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 for its smart dosing system that is able to measure and dispenses the right amount of coffee every time. It also features an infusion with low pressure for an even extraction, and a milk frother that produced rich, thick steamed-milk during our tests.

Temperature

When it is time to make espresso temperature, it plays an important factor in the taste and quality of your espresso. If the water isn't at its ideal temperature, it may affect extraction and can cause a bitter cup of coffee.

High-end espresso machines have tools that can help you keep the proper temperature of your water. One method to achieve this is by utilizing a PID, which monitors and adjusts the temperature of the water. Double boiler systems are another method to achieve this. This lets you make use of one boiler for steam and tea, while the other heats water to brewing temperatures.

Carles states that these systems can make a difference for large businesses and baristas at home alike. They can make it easier for novices to determine the ideal shot of espresso because they can maintain an accurate temperature and avoid some of the factors that can alter the flavor profile. It's also easier for baristas with more experience to dial in their shots just the way they would like.

Pressure

The pressure an espresso machine uses can also impact the quality of coffee it produces. Many top espresso machines drinkers have noticed that their coffee tastes differently based on the pressure they use, even if all other factors are constant.

In general, commercial grade machines use nine bars of pressure to brew espresso. These machines are also more likely to be steam driven than pumps-driven. While higher-pressure machines exist however, they typically require a more complex group head design that can handle the higher pressure levels.

While some espresso machines advertise 15 or 18 bars of pressure in their machines 9 bars are typically considered to be the standard when it comes to creating consistently great brews. The higher-pressure machines tend to be cheaper and designed for home use.

In comparison, 9 bar of pressure is four times higher than the pressure exerted by your car tire. The more pressure that a professional espresso maker can apply, then the better it is in bringing out the flavor of the coffee beans you love. It's worth investing in high-quality machines that will give you the highest quality results.

Barista Skills

A barista needs to be able to accept orders from customers quickly and efficiently. This is particularly important during busy times at the coffee shop. A good customer service skill is essential for building relationships with customers and increasing the sales of the coffee shop. This includes recognizing frequent customers, working efficiently to resolve issues, and staying positive and friendly even when faced with difficult situations.

Baristas often need to be capable of multitasking, as they must take orders and operate a cash register, communicate orders with coworkers, and answer telephone calls all at once. This ability allows customers to enjoy an enjoyable coffee shop experience by making sure that orders are delivered promptly.

It is beneficial for a barista to be aware of the various types of drinks that can be made by an espresso machine. This can be mastered by reading up on the different kinds of coffee, testing them in person, and watching videos on the internet. Many baristas find it helpful to attend classes offered by various organizations.