How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

This is a great choice for coffee shops and cafes that want to attract customers who are passionate about barista and espresso. It's the official barista machine for World Barista Championships and it truly shows.

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

Water

A commercial espresso machine needs to be able to make a huge amount of espresso-based drinks in a timely manner. This is why they are generally constructed from stainless steel which is more robust and resistant to scratches and breaks. These espresso machines are also easier to maintain and clean.

Finally, a high-quality machine has a shut-off valve for the water line to prevent limescale build up. This will ensure that any repairs are confined to the affected components of the machine and won't impact the remainder of your operation.

Test your water and make sure it's being treated correctly. For instance distilled water may be refining by adding a small amount of minerals back to it. This can diminish its anti-erosive properties as well as improve its taste, but it can also damage some machines. This is because the remineralized water can cause the boiler sensor to think that the machine is fully stocked, but it is not. This could cause the machine to overheat and cause damaged.

Grinder

The grinder is a crucial component of a successful coffee maker. The grinder transforms the raw, unground coffee bean to cup espresso machine into finely-ground coffee that can be properly tamped into the filter basket to ensure an efficient extraction.

Professional-grade commercial machines include a grinder that can be programmed for different drink sizes. This guarantees consistency in results each time. Super-automatic espresso machines go one step further, automating and programmable the whole process from brewing to grinding to dispensing. These machines are frequently praised in Lab tests for being easy to use.

A semi-automatic or manual espresso machine requires more involvement from the barista, however the quality of the final result is usually worth it. This model was awarded an award known as the Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 for its smart dosing system, which measures and delivers the correct amount of coffee every time. It also includes a low-pressure pre-infusion system to ensure an even extraction, as well as an ice cream wand that was a success in our test for producing thick, rich steamed milk.

Temperature

Temperature is an important factor in espresso. If the water temperature is not at its ideal level, it can cause extraction to be hindered and can even lead to a bitter cup.

Fortunately, high-quality espresso coffee maker machines have tools that allow you to ensure that your water is at the correct temperature. One method to achieve this is by using an PID, which monitors and adjusts the temperature of the water. Another option is making use of a double boiler. You can use one boiler to heat water and steam for tea, and use another to heat water to brewing temperature.

Carles explains that these systems can make a difference for bean to cup espresso machine large companies as well as baristas working from home. They can make it simpler for novices to determine the ideal espresso drink because they can maintain an accurate temperature and avoid a lot of the variables that can alter the flavor profile. It can also make it easier for baristas with experience to get their shots exactly the way they want them.

Pressure

The pressure the espresso machine makes use of can also impact the quality of coffee it produces. Many espresso drinkers have noticed that their coffee tastes differently depending on the amount pressure they use, even if other factors remain constant.

In general, most commercial-grade machines utilize nine bars of pressure to brew espresso. These machines are also more likely to be steam-driven than pump-driven. Although higher-pressure machines are also available but they require a group head that is more complex to handle the higher levels of pressure.

While you may see some espresso machines that advertise 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars is generally considered to be the gold standard for making consistently great brews. These machines with higher pressure are generally cheaper and bean to cup espresso machine intended for use at home.

To put 9 bars of pressure into perspective, it's nearly four times the pressure that's imposed by the air inside your car tire. The greater pressure a professional espresso maker can apply, the better it will be at separating flavor from your favorite coffee beans. This is why it's worthwhile to invest in a top-quality machine that will give you the most effective results.

Barista Skills

A barista needs to be able take orders and process them quickly and precisely. This is particularly crucial when there is a lot of activity at the coffee shop. Good customer service skills are crucial to build relationships with customers as well as increasing the sales of the coffee shop. This includes recognizing frequent customers, working effectively to resolve problems and remaining friendly and positive in the most difficult of situations.

Baristas often need to be adept at multitasking as they have to take orders and operate a cash register, communicate orders with coworkers, and answer telephone calls all at once. This skill allows the customer to enjoy a pleasant coffee shop experience by ensuring that orders are delivered quickly.

It is important for baristas to have knowledge of the different styles of drinks that can be prepared with an espresso machine. This can be mastered by reading up on the different types of coffee, trying them in person, and watching videos online. Many baristas find it beneficial to attend classes on the subject, which are offered by a variety of organizations.