15 Interesting Facts About Professional Espresso Machine That You Didn't Know

How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine This is a fantastic option for coffee shops and cafes that want to attract customers who are enthusiastic about barista and espresso. It's an official machine for World Barista Championships, and it shows. The barista is able to refill the water reservoir during their shift. The machine also has steam wands that cool-touch as well as a hot water tap for tea. Water A commercial espresso machine should be able to produce a large volume of espresso-based drinks with efficiency. That's why they are generally constructed from stainless steel which is more robust and resistant to breaks and scratches. Espresso machines made of stainless steel make it easier to maintain and clean. Lastly, a good quality machine has a shut-off valve for the water line to prevent the formation of limescale. This will ensure that any repairs are confined to the affected components of the machine and won't impact the remainder of your operation. When choosing your water, make sure to test it and treat it correctly to ensure the best results. Remineralize distilled water by adding some minerals. This could reduce its erosion properties and improve its taste, however it could also cause damage to certain machines. Additional Info remineralized water will make the boiler sensor believe that the machine is full even though it's not. This can lead to overheating and damage the machine. Grinder The grinder is an essential part of a successful espresso maker. It is used to take a raw, unground bean and turns it into a finely ground coffee that can be tamped into the filter basket for an excellent extraction. Professional-grade commercial machines include grinders that can be programmed for different drink sizes. This guarantees consistent results every time. Super-automatic espresso machines go one step further, by automating and programming the entire process from brewing to dispensing. These machines are often praised by Lab tests for being easy to use. Manual or semi-automatic machines require more work from the barista, but the results are worth the effort. This model earned a 2022 Good Housekeeping Coffee Award for its intelligent dosing system that weighs and dispensing the right amount of ground coffee each time. It also has a low-pressure pre-infusion system to ensure smooth extraction and the milk frothing wand, which excelled in our test for producing rich, thick steaming milk. Temperature The temperature is a crucial element in espresso. If the water temperature isn't at a good degree, it can cause extraction to be hindered and can even lead to bitter coffee. Espresso machines that are of high-quality come with tools that help you maintain the proper temperature of your water. A PID monitors and regulates temperature of the water. Another method is making use of a double boiler. This lets you use a single boiler to steam and tea and the other for heating water to the right temperature for brewing. Carles mentions that these types of systems can be beneficial for large companies and baristas at home alike. They can help novices dial in the perfect espresso shot since they can keep an exact temperature and eliminate several variables that can affect the flavor quality. It's also easier for baristas with more experience to dial in their espressos just the way they want. Pressure The pressure that an espresso machine uses is another factor that affects the quality of the coffee it produces. Many espresso drinkers have noticed that their drinks taste differently depending on the amount pressure that is used, even though all other variables remain the same. In general, commercial grade machines use nine bars of pressure to make espresso. These machines tend to be pump-driven instead of steam-driven. Although higher-pressure machines are available, they require a group head that is more complex to handle the increased levels of pressure. While some espresso machines advertise 15 or 18 bars of pressure on their machines Nine bars are generally considered to be the gold standard for making consistently excellent brews. These machines with higher pressure are generally smaller and designed for use at home. To put 9 bar of pressure in perspective, it's four times the amount that is exerted by the air inside your car tire. The more pressure that a professional espresso maker is able to apply, the better it is in bringing out the flavor of the coffee beans you love. It is worth investing in top-quality machines that can give the best results. Barista Skills A barista needs to be able take orders and handle them quickly and precisely. This is especially important during busy periods at the coffee shop. Being able to provide excellent customer service is essential to build customer relationships and increasing sales for the shop. This includes recognizing regular customers, resolving issues quickly and remaining positive and friendly even in challenging situations. A strong ability to multitask is a must for a barista, as they may have to take orders, operate the cash register and also communicate orders to their coworkers and answer phone calls at the same time. This ability allows customers to enjoy a pleasant experience in the cafe by ensuring that orders are delivered promptly. It is vital that a barista's skills are developed to be able make different drinks with an espresso machine. This can be accomplished by studying the various types of coffee, trying them in person, and watching videos online. Many baristas find it beneficial to attend classes run by various organizations.