How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine
This is an excellent choice for coffee shops and cafes that wish to attract customers who are enthusiastic about espresso and barista skills. It's the official barista machine for World Barista Championships and it really shows.
It has a water reservoir so that the barista only has to refill it 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 is required to create a huge amount of espresso based drinks efficiently. This is why they are usually constructed of stainless steel, which is more robust and resistant to breakage and scratches. Espresso machines made of stainless steel make it easier to keep clean and maintained.
A good quality machine should have an additional shut-off valve that is connected to the water pipe, to prevent the accumulation of limescale. This will ensure that any repairs are made to the affected parts of the machine and won't impact the rest of your operation.
When you select your water make sure you test it and treat it properly to get the
best espresso machine under 500 results. For example distillate water can be restored by adding a tiny amount of minerals back into it. It can enhance the taste and reduce its erosive characteristics, but could also cause damage to certain machines. This is because the remineralized water can cause the boiler sensor to think that the machine is fully stocked, but it is not. This can cause overheating and possibly damaging the machine.
Grinder
The grinder is a crucial component of a successful coffee maker. It takes a raw, unground bean and turns it into finely ground coffee that can be put into the filter basket to create an excellent extraction.
Commercial-grade professional espresso machines typically have a built-in grinder which can be programmed to grind various drink sizes, ensuring that the results are consistent every time. Super-automatic machines go further and automatize the entire process from brewing to grinding and dispensing. These machines are often praised during 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 final result is often worth it. This model won a Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 for its intelligent dosing system that is able to measure and dispenses the right amount of coffee every time. It also comes with a low pressure pre-infusion system that allows for an even extraction, as well as a milk frothing wand that did well in our tests for producing thick, rich steaming milk.
Temperature
Temperature is a key factor in espresso. If the water isn't at its optimal temperature, it could cause a delay in extraction, and could lead to the coffee being bitter.
Luckily, the best espresso machines come with tools that enable you to keep your water at the right temperature. A PID monitors and regulates the temperature of the water. Double boiler systems are another way to do this. One boiler can be used to heat steam and water for tea, while using the second to heat water to brewing temperature.
Carles explains that these systems can make a difference for both large-scale businesses as well as home-based baristas. They make it easier for beginners to make the perfect espresso shot because they maintain an exact temperature and eliminate many of the variables that can throw off the flavor profile. It's also much easier for baristas with more experience to get their shots just the way they would like.
Pressure
The pressure that an espresso machine uses is another aspect which affects the quality of the coffee it produces. Many espresso drinkers have noticed that their drinks have a distinct taste different based on the amount of pressure used, even if all other factors are constant.
In general, commercial grade machines use nine bars of pressure to create espresso. They also tend to be pump-driven rather than steam-driven. While higher-pressure machines are readily available but they require a group head that is more sophisticated to handle the higher levels of pressure.
While you may find espresso machines advertising 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars are generally considered the most reliable standard for producing consistently excellent brews. These machines with higher pressure are typically less expensive and designed for home use.
In comparison, 9 bars of pressure is four times greater than the pressure applied by your car tire. The greater the pressure that a professional espresso machine can put on to the coffee, the better it will be at extracting flavor from the coffee beans you love. It's worth investing in high-quality machines that produce the most effective results.
Barista Skills
Baristas must be able to take and process customer orders quickly and efficiently. This is especially important when there is a lot of activity at the coffee shop. Being able to provide excellent customer service is also essential for building relationships with customers and generating more business for the shop. This could include recognizing regular customers, resolving issues efficiently and remaining optimistic and helpful in difficult situations.
Baristas frequently need to be skilled at multitasking, since they are required to take orders and operate a cash register, communicate orders with coworkers and handle phone calls at the same time. This skill allows the customer to enjoy a pleasant coffee shop experience by ensuring that orders are served promptly.
It is helpful for a barista to be knowledgeable about the different styles of drinks that can be prepared with an
electric Espresso Maker machine. This can be learned by reading up on the different kinds of coffees, trying them out in person, or watching videos on the internet. Many baristas also consider it beneficial to attend classes on the topic, which are provided by various organizations.