How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

For cafes and coffee shops looking to attract customers with an interest in barista and espresso, this is a great choice. It's the official barista machine for World Barista Championships and it really does show.

The barista can refill the water reservoir throughout their shift. The machine has a hot water tap for tea and cool-touch steam wands.

Water

A commercial espresso machine needs to produce a large quantity of espresso-based drinks in an efficient manner. The machines are typically made of stainless steel, which is tough and resistant to scratches and breaks. Espresso machines are also easy to maintain and clean.

Lastly, a good quality machine has a shut-off valve for the water line to prevent limescale build up. This will ensure any repairs are only limited to the affected parts of the machine espresso and not affect the rest of your operation.

When choosing your water make sure you test it and treat it properly to get the best results. For example distillate water can be restored by adding a tiny amount of minerals back into it. It can improve the taste and reduce its erosive characteristics, but can also damage certain machines. This is because the remineralized fluid will cause the boiler sensor to 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 a crucial element of a successful espresso coffee machine for home maker. The grinder transforms the raw, unground coffee bean into a finely-ground coffee that can be properly tamped into the filter basket for the best extraction.

Commercial-grade espresso machines usually come with a built-in grinder that can be programmed to grind for different sizes of drinks, ensuring consistent results each time. Super-automatic espresso machines go one step further, implementing automation and programmable the whole process from brewing to grinding to dispensing. These types of machines are able to score high marks in Lab tests for their hands-off ease of use.

Semi-automatic or manual machines require more effort from the barista, but the results are worth it. This model won an 2022 Good Housekeeping Coffee Award for its dosing technology that weighs and dispensing the correct amount of ground coffee each time. It also comes with a low-pressure pre-infusion system for an even extraction, as well as the milk frothing wand, which did well in our tests for producing thick, rich steaming milk.

Temperature

When it is about espresso temperature, it plays a significant influence on the taste and quality of your coffee. If the temperature of your water is not at the right level, it may result in the extraction being impeded and could result in a bitter cup.

Espresso machines of the highest quality come with devices that allow you to maintain the right temperature of your water. A PID monitors and regulates the temperature of the water. Double boiler systems are a different way to accomplish this. One boiler can be used to heat steam and water for tea, and use the second boiler to heat the water to brewing temperature.

Carles explains how these systems can be beneficial for both large businesses and baristas working from home. They can make it simpler for beginners to determine the ideal espresso machine coffee because they are able to maintain an exact temperature and eliminate many of the factors that can affect the flavor profile. It helps experienced baristas to get their shots exactly how they want them.

Pressure

The amount of pressure an espresso machine uses is another aspect that influences the quality of the coffee it produces. Many espresso drinkers have noticed that their drinks have a distinct taste differently based on the pressure used, even if other factors remain constant.

Most commercial machines use 9 bars of pressure in order to brew espresso. These machines are also more likely to be steam-driven than pumps-driven. While higher-pressure machines exist, they often require a more sophisticated 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 is generally considered the gold standard for making consistently great brews. These machines with higher pressure tend to be more affordable and designed for use at home.

To put 9 Bar espresso machine bar of pressure in perspective, it's nearly four times the amount which is emitted by the air in your car tire. The more pressure that a professional espresso maker can apply, then the more effective it is at extracting flavor out of the coffee beans you love. It is worth investing in top espresso machines-quality machines that will give you the highest quality results.

Barista Skills

A barista must be able to take and process orders of customers quickly and accurately. This is especially crucial during busy times at the coffee shop. Effective customer service skills are crucial to build relationships with customers and boosting the sales of the coffee shop. This can include recognizing regular customers, working efficiently to resolve issues, and staying positive and friendly even in the most difficult of situations.

A strong ability to multitask is often necessary for baristas, since they may have to take orders, operate the cash register and also communicate orders to their coworkers and take phone calls simultaneously. This ability helps keep orders moving quickly to the customer and will allow them to have an enjoyable experience at the coffee machine espresso shop.

It is essential for a barista to have knowledge of the various types of drinks that can be prepared using an espresso machine. You can get acquainted with the various kinds of espresso by studying them, experimenting with them in person and watching online videos. Baristas often find it beneficial to attend classes on the topic, which are offered by several organizations.