Maisie Birdwood

How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

For cafes and coffee shops that want to attract customers with a passion for espresso and barista skills this is a great choice. It's the official machine used for the World Barista Championships, and it demonstrates.

The barista is able to refill the water reservoir during their shift. The machine also comes with steam wands that are cool-touch and a hot water tap 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 against breakages and scratches. Espresso machines are also easy to maintain and clean.

Additionally, a top quality machine espresso has a shut-off valve for the water line to avoid 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.

Check your water and ensure it is being treated correctly. You can remineralize the water you distill by adding a few minerals. It can enhance the taste and lessen its erosive qualities, but could also cause damage to certain machines. This is because the remineralized water can cause the boiler sensor to believe that the machine is full, even though it's not. This can cause the machine to overheat and become damaged.

Grinder

The grinder is an essential component of a successful espresso maker. It grinds a raw bean and turns it into finely ground coffee that can be placed into the filter basket to produce an excellent extraction.

Professional commercial machines come with grinders that can be programmed to accommodate different sizes of drinks. This ensures constant results every time. Super-automatic machines go further and automatize the entire process from brewing, to grinding and dispensing. These machines are frequently praised in Lab tests for their ease to use.

A manual or semi-automatic espresso machine requires more involvement from the barista, however the quality of the end result is usually worth it. This model was awarded the 2022 Good Housekeeping Coffee Award for its smart dosing feature that weighs and dispenses the right amount of ground coffee each time. It also has a low-pressure pre-infusion system that allows for an even extraction, as well as the milk frothing wand, which performed well in our tests for producing rich, thick steaming milk.

Temperature

When it comes to espresso temperature, it plays a significant impact on the flavor and quality of your espresso. If the temperature of the water is not at the right level, it may result in the extraction being impeded and could result in a bitter cup.

Fortunately, espresso machines of high-end quality have tools that allow you to ensure that your water is at the correct temperature. A PID monitors and regulates the temperature of water. Another option is using a double boiler system. One boiler can be used to heat steam and water for tea, while using another to heat the water to brewing temperature.

Carles explains that these systems can be beneficial for both large businesses and home-based baristas. They can make it easier for newbies to determine the ideal espresso shot because they maintain an exact temperature and eliminate a lot of the variables that can throw off the flavor profile. It can also make it easier for baristas with experience to get their shots exactly as they want them.

Pressure

The pressure that an espresso machine uses can affect the quality of the coffee it makes. Many espresso drinkers notice that their coffees taste different based on the amount of pressure they use, even if all other elements remain the same.

The majority of commercial machines utilize 9 bars of pressure in order to make espresso. These machines tend to be pump-driven instead of steam-driven. While higher-pressure machines exist however, they typically require a more intricate group head design to take on the higher pressures.

While you may find espresso machines advertising 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars are generally considered to be the gold standard for making consistently excellent espressos. These higher-pressure machines tend to be more affordable and are designed for home use.

To put 9 Bar Espresso Machine bar of pressure into perspective, it's nearly four times the amount that's imposed by the air inside your car tire. The more pressure that an espresso maker that is professional can apply, the better it will be at capturing the flavor of your favorite coffee beans. It's worth investing in a high-end machine that can give you the best home espresso machine results.

Barista Skills

Baristas must be able to accept and process orders from customers quickly and efficiently. This is particularly important when there is a lot of activity in the coffee shop. A good customer service skill is crucial for establishing relationships with customers and boosting the sales of the coffee shop. This could include recognizing regular customers, working effectively to resolve issues, and remaining positive and friend even in the most difficult of situations.

Being able to multitask is often required for a barista as they might be required to take orders and operate the cash register and then communicate orders to coworkers and answer phone calls at one time. This skill helps keep orders moving quickly to the customer, and gives them an enjoyable time in the coffee shop.

It is essential for a barista's education to be able make different drinks with an espresso machine. This can be gained through studying the various kinds of coffees, trying them out in person, or watching videos on the internet. Many baristas find it helpful to attend classes offered by various organizations.