How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

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

It has a water reservoir so that the barista only needs to refill it once during their shift. The machine also features cool-touch steam wands and hot water taps for tea.

Water

A commercial espresso machine has to produce a large quantity of espresso-based drinks efficiently. These machines are usually made of stainless steel, which is durable and resistant to breakages and scratches. These espresso machines are easier to maintain and clean.

A good quality machine should include a separate shut-off valve for the water pipe in order to prevent the accumulation 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 you select your water, make sure to test it and treat it appropriately to get the best results. Remineralize water that has been distilled by adding a few minerals. This can diminish its erosive properties and improve its flavor, but it could also harm certain machines. Remineralized wate makes the boiler sensor believe that the machine is full even though it's not. This could cause excessive heat and damage to the machine.

Grinder

The grinder is an essential component of a successful electric espresso maker (this) machine. The grinder turns the unground, raw coffee bean into finely-ground coffee which can be tamped correctly into the filter basket to ensure an efficient extraction.

Professional commercial grade machines include grinders that are programmed for different drink sizes. This guarantees consistent results every time. Super-automatic espresso machines take this one step further, by automating and programmable the whole process from brewing to grinding to dispensing. These types of machines are able to score high marks in Lab tests due to their hands-off user-friendliness.

A semi-automatic or manual espresso machine requires more involvement from the barista, however the quality of the final product is often worth it. This model won an 2022 Good Housekeeping Coffee Award for its dosing technology that weighs and dispensing the right amount of ground coffee every time. It also comes with a low pressure pre-infusion for an even extraction, and an milk frother that created thick, rich steamed milk in our tests.

Temperature

When it comes to espresso temperature, it plays a significant influence on the taste and quality of your shots. If the water isn't in its optimal temperature, it could affect extraction and can cause bitter coffee.

High-quality espresso machines come with tools to help you maintain the correct temperature of your water. One way to do this is to use a PID, which monitors and adjusts the temperature of the water. The other way is by utilizing a double boiler system. This allows you to utilize one boiler for tea and steam, while the other heats water to brewing temperatures.

Carles points out that these kinds of systems can make a big difference for large corporations and home baristas alike. They can help novices create the perfect espresso shot since they maintain an exact temperature and eliminate numerous variables that could affect the flavor of the flavor. It helps experienced baristas to get their shots exactly as they would like them.

Pressure

The amount of pressure an espresso machine uses is another aspect which affects the quality of the coffee it produces. Many espresso drinkers have noticed that their drinks taste different based on the amount of pressure they use, even if all other factors remain the same.

The majority of commercial machines utilize 9 bars of pressure in order to make espresso maker for home. These machines also tend to be pump-driven, not steam-driven. While higher-pressure machines are readily available however they require a group head that is more complicated to handle the increased levels of pressure.

While some espresso coffee machine home machines advertise 15 or 18 bars of pressure in their machines 9 bars are typically considered to be the gold standard when it comes to making consistently excellent espressos. These machines that are higher pressure are typically less expensive and designed for home use.

To put 9 bars of pressure in perspective, it's more than four times the amount that is exerted by the air in your car tire. The greater the pressure a professional espresso maker is able to apply, then the better at separating flavor from the coffee beans you love. It's worthwhile to invest in high-end machines that will give you the most effective results.

Barista Skills

A barista must be able to accept orders from customers quickly and efficiently. This is particularly important in busy times at the coffee shop. Good customer service skills are also important for building relationships with customers as well as increasing sales for the coffee shop. This includes acknowledging regular customers, working efficiently to resolve issues, and being positive and helpful even in challenging circumstances.

Baristas often need to be able to multitask, as they are required to take orders and operate a cash counter and share orders with colleagues, and answer telephone calls at the same time. This ability helps keep orders moving quickly to the customer and will allow them to have a pleasant experience in the coffee shop.

It is vital for a barista's knowledge to be able to prepare various types of coffee using an travel espresso maker machine. Learn about the various types of espresso by studying them, experimenting with the drinks in person and by watching online videos. Baristas often find it beneficial to take classes on the matter, offered by several organizations.