How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

For cafes and coffee shops looking to attract customers who have a love of barista and espresso skills, this is a great option. It's the official machine for World Barista Championships and it really shows.

It comes with a water reservoir which means that the barista needs to refill it once during their shift. The machine is equipped with a hot water tap for tea and steam wands that cool-touch.

Water

A commercial espresso machine needs to create a huge amount of espresso-based drinks in an efficient manner. They are usually constructed of stainless steel, which is durable and quality Espresso machine resistant to cracks and scratches. These espresso machines are also simpler to maintain and clean.

A high-quality espresso machine (made a post) machine should include a separate shut-off valve to the water pipe to avoid limescale build-up. This will ensure that any repairs are confined to the affected parts of the machine and won't affect the rest of your operation.

When you select your water make sure you test it thoroughly and treat it in a way to ensure the best results. For instance distilled water may be recycled by adding a small amount of minerals back into it. This can reduce its anti-erosive properties as well as improve its taste, but it may also damage machines. The remineralized wate can make the boiler sensor believe that the machine is full even though it's not. This can cause the machine to overheat, and eventually be damaged.

Grinder

The grinder is an essential component of a successful espresso maker. The grinder turns the raw, unground coffee bean into finely-ground coffee that can be tamped properly into the filter basket to ensure an efficient extraction.

Commercial-grade professional espresso makers machines typically have a built-in grinder which can be programmed to grind various sizes of drinks, providing consistency in results every time. Super-automatic espresso machines go one step further, by automating and programmable the whole process from brewing to grinding to dispensing. These machines are frequently praised in Lab tests for their ease to use.

Semi-automatic and manual machines require more work from the barista but often the results are worth the effort. This model was awarded the Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 due to its sophisticated dosing system that measures and dispensing the correct amount of coffee each time. It also comes with 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 is time to make espresso, temperature plays a major influence on the taste and quality of your coffee. If the water isn't in its ideal temperature, it may affect extraction and can lead to an unpleasant cup of coffee.

Fortunately, high-quality espresso machines include tools that allow you to ensure that your water is at the right temperature. A PID monitors and regulates the temperature of water. Another method is using a double boiler system. You can use one boiler to heat water and steam for tea, and use the second to heat the water to brewing temperature.

Carles explains how these systems can make a difference for large companies as well as baristas who work from home. They can help novices dial in the perfect mini espresso machine drink because they can keep a precise temperature and avoid many variables that can affect the flavor quality. It also makes it easier for experienced baristas to get their shots exactly as they want them.

Pressure

The pressure that an espresso machine uses is another factor that influences the quality of the coffee it makes. Many espresso coffee makers drinkers have noticed that their drinks taste different depending on the pressure used, despite the fact that all other variables remain the same.

The majority of commercial machines utilize 9 bars of pressure to make espresso. These machines are also more likely to be steam-driven than pumps driven. Although there are machines with higher pressures however, they typically require a more intricate group head design that can handle the increased pressure levels.

While some espresso machines advertise 15 or 18 bars of pressure in their machines 9 bars are typically considered to be the standard for creating consistently great brews. These machines espresso machines with higher pressure tend to be more affordable and designed for home use.

In comparison, 9 bar of pressure is four times greater than the pressure exerted by your car tire. The greater the pressure that a professional espresso machine can put on, the better it will be at extracting flavor from the coffee beans you love. It's worthwhile to invest in high-end machines that produce the highest quality results.

Barista Skills

A barista must be able to accept and process customer orders quickly and efficiently. This is especially crucial during busy times at the coffee shop. Good customer service skills are crucial to build relationships with customers as well as increasing sales for the coffee shop. This includes recognizing frequent customers, working efficiently to resolve issues and remaining friendly and positive in challenging circumstances.

A strong ability to multitask is usually required for a barista as they may have to take orders as well as operate the cash register and communicate orders to colleagues and take calls at the same time. This skill allows them to keep orders moving quickly to the customer and ensures that customers have a pleasant experience in the coffee shop.

It is essential for baristas to have knowledge of the various types of drinks that can be prepared with an espresso machine. You can find out about the various types of espresso by reading about them, trying them in person, or watching online videos. Many baristas find it beneficial to attend classes provided by various organizations.