How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine
For coffee shops and cafes seeking to attract customers with an interest in barista and espresso skills, this is a great option. It's the official machine used for World Barista Championships and it truly shows.
It is equipped with a reservoir of water to ensure that the barista only has to refill it 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 needs to produce a high volume of espresso based drinks in an efficient manner. That's why these machines 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 keep clean and maintained.
Lastly, a good quality machine will have a separate shut-off valve for the water line in order to prevent the formation of limescale. This will ensure any repairs are limited to affected components of the machine, and will not affect the rest of your operation.
When selecting your water make sure you test it and treat it appropriately to ensure the best results. For example, distilled water can be recycled by adding a small amount of minerals back into it. This can reduce its erosive properties and improve its taste, however it can also damage some machines. This is because the remineralized water can cause the boiler sensor to think that the machine is full when it's not. This could cause the machine to overheat, and eventually be damaged.
Grinder
The grinder is an essential element of a successful espresso maker. The grinder turns an unground, raw coffee bean into a finely ground coffee which can be tamped correctly into the filter basket to ensure an outstanding extraction.
Professional commercial grade machines include grinders that can be programmed to work with different sizes of drink. This guarantees consistent results every time. Super-automatic machines go a step further and automate the entire process, from brewing to grinding and dispensing. These machines are often praised during Lab tests for their ease to use.
Manual or semi-automatic machines require more work from the barista but often the results are worth the effort. This model was awarded an award known as the Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 for its clever dosing system that is able to measure and delivers the correct amount of coffee every time. It also comes with a low pressure pre-infusion system that allows for smooth extraction and the milk frothing tool that excelled in our test for producing thick, rich steamed milk.
Temperature
When it comes to espresso temperature, it plays a significant impact on the flavor and quality of your coffee. If the water isn't at its ideal temperature, it may slow the extraction process and lead to a bitter cup of coffee.
Luckily, the
best Espresso machine espresso machines include tools that allow you to ensure that your water is at the right temperature. One method to achieve this is by utilizing PIDs, which monitors and adjusts the temperature of the water. Double boiler systems are a second method to do this. You can use one boiler to heat water and steam for tea, and use the other to heat water to brewing temperature.
Carles explains that these systems can be beneficial for large companies as well as baristas who work from home. They can make it easier for novices to determine the ideal espresso because they can maintain an accurate temperature and avoid a lot of the variables that can alter the flavor profile. It is also easier for baristas with more experience to make their espressos just the way they want.
Pressure
The pressure that an espresso machine is using can also impact the quality of the coffee it makes. Many espresso drinkers have noticed that their drinks taste different based on the amount of pressure used, even if all other factors are constant.
The majority of commercial machines utilize 9 bars of pressure to make espresso. These machines are also more likely to be steam-driven rather than pumps-driven. Although there are machines with higher pressures, they often require a more complicated group head design to handle the increased pressure levels.
Although you might see espresso machines advertising 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars are generally considered to be the gold standard for making consistently excellent brews. These machines that are higher pressure are typically less expensive and are designed for home use.
In comparison, 9 bar of pressure is four times greater than the pressure exerted by your car tire. The more pressure an experienced espresso machine can apply and the more effective it will be at removing the flavor from the coffee beans you love. For this reason, it's worth investing in a high-end machine that will deliver the best results.
Barista Skills
A barista must be able to take and process orders from customers quickly and accurately. This is especially 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 includes acknowledging regular customers, resolving problems efficiently, and remaining positive and friendly even in challenging situations.
Baristas are often capable of multitasking, as they have to take orders, operate a cash register and communicate orders with coworkers, and answer telephone calls at the same time. This ability allows orders to be moving quickly to the customer and gives them an enjoyable time in the
coffee espresso machines shop.
It is important for baristas to know the various styles of drinks that can be made using an espresso machine. This can be accomplished by studying the various kinds of coffees, trying them out in person and watching videos online. Many baristas also consider it beneficial to attend classes on the topic, which are offered by a variety of organizations.