How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

For cafes and coffee shops looking to attract customers with passion for barista and espresso, this is an excellent choice. It's the official machine for World Barista Championships and it really shows.

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

Water

A commercial espresso machine has to produce a high volume of espresso based drinks efficiently. They are typically made of stainless steel, which is durable and resistant to scratches and breaks. These espresso machines are easier to maintain and keep clean.

A good machine has a shut off valve for the water line to avoid the formation of limescale. This will ensure that any repairs are confined to the affected components of the machine and won't affect the rest of your operation.

When selecting your water make sure you test it and treat it properly to ensure the best results. You can remineralize the water you distill by adding a few minerals. It can enhance the taste and lessen its erosive properties, but could also cause damage to certain machines. This is because the remineralized liquid will cause the boiler sensor to believe that the machine is fully stocked, but it is not. This can lead to excessive heat and damage to the machine.

Grinder

The grinder is an essential element in the success of an pro espresso machine machine. It is used to take a raw, unground bean and transforms it into finely ground coffee that can then be tamped into the filter basket for an excellent extraction.

Commercial-grade professional espresso machines typically come with a built-in grinder that can be programmed to grind for various sizes of drinks, which ensures the same results every time. Super-automatic mini espresso maker machines take this one step further by automating and programmable the entire process from brewing to dispensing. These machines are often praised in Lab tests for their ease to use.

A semi-automatic or manual espresso machine requires more involvement from the barista, but the quality of the end product is often worth it. This model won an award called the Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 due to its sophisticated dosing system that is able to measure and distributes the right amount of coffee each time. It also includes a low-pressure pre-infusion system for balanced extraction and the milk frothing tool that was a success in our test for producing rich, thick steamed milk.

Temperature

When it comes to espresso temperature, it plays an important impact on the flavor and quality of your shots. If the water isn't operating at an ideal temperature, it may affect extraction and can cause the coffee being bitter.

Luckily, the best espresso machines have tools that allow you to ensure that your water is at the right temperature. One method of doing this is with an PID, which monitors and adjusts the temperature of the water. Another method is using a double boiler system. This allows you to use a single boiler to steam and tea, while the other heats water to the right temperature for brewing.

Carles mentions that these systems can be beneficial for large businesses and baristas working at home. They can aid novices to dial in the perfect espresso drink because they can keep the exact temperature and prevent numerous variables that could affect the flavor of the flavor. It also makes it easier for experienced baristas to create their shots exactly how they want them.

Pressure

The amount of pressure an electric espresso maker machine uses is another factor that influences the quality of the coffee it makes. Many espresso coffee machine with milk frother drinkers notice that their beverages taste different depending on the amount of pressure used, even when all other factors remain the same.

In general, most commercial-grade machines utilize nine bars of pressure to brew espresso. These machines also tend to be pump-driven rather than steam-driven. Although there are machines with higher pressures but they usually require a more sophisticated group head design to manage the higher pressure levels.

Although you might see espresso machines advertising 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars are generally regarded as the gold standard for consistently excellent espressos. These higher-pressure machines are typically cheaper and intended for use at home.

In comparison, professional espresso maker 9 bar of pressure is four times higher than the pressure exerted by your car tire. The more pressure a professional espresso maker can apply, then the better it is in bringing out the flavor of your favorite coffee beans. This is why it's worth investing in a premium machine that can deliver the most effective results.

Barista Skills

A barista should be able to accept and process orders from customers quickly and efficiently. This is particularly crucial in busy times at the coffee shop. A good understanding of customer service is also vital to establishing customer relationships and increasing business for the shop. This could include recognizing regular customers, working to resolve issues efficiently and remaining optimistic and amiable in tough situations.

A strong ability to multitask is often required for baristas as they could be required to take orders and operate the cash counter and communicate orders to colleagues and respond to calls at the same time. This skill allows the customer to enjoy an enjoyable experience at the coffee shop by ensuring that orders are served quickly.

It is beneficial for a barista to know the various kinds of drinks that can be made by an espresso machine. Learn about the various kinds of espresso by reading about their characteristics, tasting them in person, and watching online videos. Many baristas find it helpful to attend classes offered by various organizations.