10 Things That Your Family Teach You About Machine Espresso

How Does Machine Espresso Work?

Machine espresso employs precise pressure and mind-blowing filter technology to make the delicious coffee we enjoy. How exactly does it work?

Espresso is made by forcing hot water under high pressure through finely ground coffee. The process is similar to that of making drip coffee. However it is the pressure that makes the main difference.

The Group Head

The group head is the portafilter that is inserted when you are making espresso machines for home. It is responsible for dispersing the water into the portafilter and controlling the pressure of the resulting extraction. There are a variety of types of group head, each with their distinct advantages and drawbacks. Some are focused on temperature stability, others on pre-infusion features, and others are designed to control the lever. Some have a combination of features, such as the E61 one, which is the most popular choice among baristas due to its capacity to offer multiple benefits in one package.

As you can see in the image above The group head features many notches in which you can put your portafilter, then twist it manually to lock it in. There is also a gasket made from rubber that resides inside the notches and helps create the seal when you insert your portafilter into the machine. The notches on the head allow for an exact placement of the portafilter, which is vital to ensure a consistent extraction.

The group head not only allows you to put in your portafilter easily, but it also maintains an even temperature. It does this by cycling hot water through the brew pan and around the portafilter, making sure that it's always at the right temperature to extract. This is important, as just a few degrees could make the difference between a excellent and great espresso.

The Pump

Motorized pumps in rotary espresso machines supply the nine atmospheric bar pressure that is required to extract travel espresso maker. This is different from manually operated piston machines that employ a lever. This pressure is built up by pumping water through a heat-exchanger and then through the ground coffee.

Pumps are generally less expensive and last longer than piston-driven machines. However, both kinds of machines are susceptible to degrading due to overuse and poor cleaning. They also make mechanically complex, which can result in an expensive price for even the simplest models.

Some espresso machines make use of steam pressure instead of a pump to brew espresso. The downside is that the boiler that produces steam also increases the temperature of water to the point of boiling which can cause over-extraction. The machines also need to constantly rebuild their pressure between cups. This requires energy and time.

A majority of retro espresso maker machines use an rotary or vibrating pump, which has a vibration model that uses a vibrating disc to create the pressure and an rotary model that pushes hot water through the grounds under high speed. Both models can make excellent espresso, but rotary machines are quieter and more durable than vibration pumps.

The Boiler

The boiler heats the water to the right temperature to extract. The resulting steam is then transferred to the portafilter containing the ground espresso and is then pumped into the cup. During this process, the steam creates pressure that pushes through the coffee grounds. This results in a whipped-up the top of the espresso. This is the hallmark of a good espresso.

There are three kinds of espresso makers, and they differ in the kind of pump they use and the degree of heat that the coffee is. There are different ways to control the strength of the brew and the size of cup that can be made by the machine.

The earliest espresso machines were steam type. They used one boiler to create both brew and steam, however, the pressure they could produce was not very high - two bars of atmospheric pressure at the most. The coffee tasted bitter and burned. The modern retro espresso machine machine was developed by the Milanese makers Luigi Bezzerra & Desiderio Pavoni.

The most commonly used espresso maker is a semi-automatic device that has an electric pump. When people think of espresso machines, they envision these machines. With a semi-automatic machine you need to grind the beans and then tamp them yourself but the pump provides regulated water flow and pressure. This is an excellent compromise between human touch and the mechanized consistency.

The Filter

Espresso machines typically use a filter that separates the grounds of the coffee from the hot water. The filter is also an important component of the temperature control system since it helps prevent the machine from overheating.

A filter also improves flavor because it allows for a longer flowering period. This lets the beans let their nuances out, and improves extraction.

However it is crucial to remember that even a good filter can produce a bad cup of coffee, since the quality of the beans and extraction is vital.

This is where the magic happens, it's what makes espresso taste great. The grouphead (also known as the brewhead) is where you put the portafilter, the device that you use to put the grounds of coffee into when making espresso.

Steam-driven espresso machines make use of hot water that is heated inside an airtight container to make steam. The steam then pushes hot water through grounds of the coffee under pressure. These machines are less expensive and easier to maintain than pumps-driven models. However, they are not as efficient in their ability to create the ideal conditions for brewing since they are only operating at 1-1.5 bars of pressure. However, the perfect shot requires 9-10 bars.

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