How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

For coffee shops and cafes looking to attract customers who have passion for espresso and barista skills this is a great option. It's the official machine used for World Barista Championships and it really does show.

It is equipped with a reservoir of water so that the barista just has to refill it during their shift. The machine comes with hot water for tea and steam wands with cool-touch.

Water

A commercial espresso machine should be able to create a large volume of espresso-based drinks effectively. That's why these machines are generally constructed from stainless steel which is more robust and resistant to breaks and scratches. These espresso machines are easy to maintain and clean.

A good machine will have a separate shut off valve for the water line to prevent the buildup of limescale. This will ensure that any repairs are made to the affected components of the machine and won't impact the remainder of your operation.

When selecting the water you want to drink, make sure to test it and treat it properly to ensure the best results. For instance distilled water may be refining by adding a small amount of minerals back to it. It can enhance the taste and reduce its erosive qualities, but can also damage certain machines. Remineralized wate makes the boiler sensor think that the machine is full however it's not. This can lead to overheating and even damage to the machine.

Grinder

The grinder is a key element in the success of an espresso machine. It is a process that takes a raw, unground bean and transforms it into a finely ground coffee that can be properly put into the filter basket to create an excellent extraction.

Professional commercial grade machines include grinders that can be programmed for various sizes of drinks. This ensures consistent results every time. Super-automatic espresso machines take this one step further, implementing automation and programming the entire process from brewing to grinding to dispensing. These machines are often praised during Lab tests for being easy to use.

A manual or semi-automatic espresso machine requires more involvement from the barista but the quality of the final product is often worth it. This model won an award known as the Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 for its smart dosing system that is able to measure and dispensing the correct amount of coffee each time. It also has an infusion with low pressure for well-balanced extraction, as well as a milk frother that made dense, thick steamed milk during our tests.

Temperature

The temperature is a crucial factor in espresso. If the temperature of the water isn't at a good level, it can cause extraction to be hindered and could result in a bitter cup.

Espresso machines that are of high-quality come with tools that can help you keep the right temperature of your water. A PID monitors and regulates temperature of water. Double boiler systems are another way to accomplish this. read more This allows you to use one boiler for tea and steam, while the other heats water to brew temperatures.

Carles explains how these systems can make a difference for large corporations as well as baristas at home. They can assist novices get the perfect espresso because they are able to maintain an exact temperature and eliminate various variables that can alter the flavor profile. It is also easier for baristas with more experience to make their espressos just the way they prefer.

Pressure

The pressure an espresso machine uses also affects the quality of coffee it makes. Many espresso drinkers notice that their drinks taste different based on the amount of pressure employed, even when all other factors remain constant.

In general, most commercial-grade machines use nine bars of pressure to create espresso. These machines are also more likely to be steam-driven rather than pump-driven. While higher-pressure machines are readily available however they require a group head that is more complicated to handle the higher levels of pressure.

While some espresso machines advertise 15 or 18 bars of pressure in their machines, nine bars are generally considered to be the gold standard for making consistently excellent espressos. These higher-pressure machines tend to be less expensive and designed for home use.

In comparison, 9 bars of pressure is four times greater than the pressure exerted by your car tire. The more pressure a professional espresso machine can exert to the coffee, the better it will be at capturing the flavor of your favorite coffee beans. It's worth investing in a premium machine that can give you the best possible results.

Barista Skills

Baristas must be able to accept orders from customers quickly and efficiently. This is particularly crucial when there is a lot of activity at the coffee shop. A good understanding of customer service is also crucial for establishing relationships with customers and generating more business for the shop. This can include recognizing regular customers, working efficiently to resolve issues and being positive and helpful even in the most difficult of situations.

A strong ability to multitask is a must for baristas, since they may be required to take orders and operate the cash counter and communicate orders to colleagues and respond to phone calls simultaneously. This ability allows customers to enjoy a pleasant coffee shop experience by ensuring that orders are served quickly.

It is beneficial for baristas to be knowledgeable about the various styles of drinks that can be made by an espresso machine. This can be accomplished by studying the various kinds of coffee, testing them in person, and watching videos online. Many baristas find it beneficial to attend classes run by various organizations.