How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

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

It comes with a water reservoir to ensure that the barista only has to refill it during their shift. The machine also comes with cool-touch steam wands and hot water taps for tea.

Water

A commercial espresso machine must be able to make a large volume of espresso-based drinks with efficiency. That's why these machines are typically built from stainless steel which is more durable and resistant to breakage and scratches. Espresso machines made of stainless steel make it easier to keep clean and maintained.

Additionally, a top quality machine will have a separate shut off valve for the water line in order to prevent limescale build up. This will ensure any repairs are limited to the affected parts of the machine and not impact the rest your operation.

Check your water and ensure that it has been treated properly. You can remineralize distilled water by adding some minerals. This can negate it's erosion properties and improve its flavor, but it could also harm certain machines. The remineralized wate will make the boiler sensor think the machine is full and it isn't. This could cause excessive heat and damage to the machine.

Grinder

The grinder is a crucial component of a successful espresso maker. The grinder turns the unground, raw coffee bean into a finely-ground coffee which can be tamped correctly into the filter basket for an outstanding extraction.

Professional commercial machines come with a grinder that can be programmed to accommodate different sizes of drinks. This ensures the same results every time. Super-automatic machines go one step further and automate the entire process from brewing through grinding and dispensing. These kinds of machines tend to earn high marks in Lab tests due to their hands-off simplicity of use.

Semi-automatic or manual machines demand more work from the barista, but the results are worth the effort. This model won the 2022 Good Housekeeping Coffee Award for its smart dosing feature that weighs and dispenses the correct amount of ground coffee every time. It also comes with an low-pressure pre-infusion system for an even extraction, and the milk frother produced thick, rich steamed milk in our tests.

Temperature

When it is time to make espresso temperature, it plays a significant influence on the taste and quality of your espresso. If the water isn't in its ideal temperature, it can cause a delay in extraction, and could cause the coffee being bitter.

Fortunately, espresso machines of high-end quality come with tools that will allow you to keep your water at the right temperature. One method for doing this is by using an PID, which monitors and adjusts the temperature of the water. Double boiler systems are a different click here way to accomplish this. You can use one boiler to heat steam and water for tea, while using the second for heating water to brewing temperature.

Carles explains that these systems can make a difference for both large-scale businesses as well as baristas at home. They make it easier for newbies to determine the ideal espresso drink because they maintain an accurate temperature and avoid some of the factors that can affect the flavor profile. It's also much easier for baristas with more experience to get their shots just the way they prefer.

Pressure

The pressure an espresso maker uses is another factor that affects the quality of the coffee it produces. Many espresso drinkers have observed that their drinks taste differently depending on the amount pressure they use, even if all other variables remain the same.

In general, commercial grade machines use nine bars of pressure to brew espresso. These machines are also likely to be pump-driven instead of steam-driven. Although higher-pressure machines are available however, 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 to be the gold standard for making consistently excellent brews. These machines that are higher pressure are generally more affordable and are designed for use at home.

In comparison, 9 bars of pressure is four times greater than the pressure applied by your car tire. The more pressure a professional espresso machine can apply, the better it will be at capturing the flavor of your favorite coffee beans. It's worth investing in top-quality machines that will give you the highest quality results.

Barista Skills

A barista should be able take orders and handle them quickly and accurately. This is especially crucial in busy times at the coffee shop. Excellent customer service skills are essential for building relationships with customers and increasing the sales of the coffee shop. This can include acknowledging regular customers, resolving issues efficiently and remaining positive and helpful in difficult situations.

Baristas often need to be skilled at multitasking, since they are required to take orders and operate a cash register, communicate orders with coworkers and take phone calls at the same time. This ability allows customers to enjoy a pleasant experience in the cafe by ensuring that orders get delivered promptly.

It is crucial for a barista's knowledge to be able to prepare various types of coffee using an espresso machine. Learn about the different types of espresso by studying about the various types, trying them in person, or watching online videos. Baristas often find it beneficial to take classes on the subject, which are offered by many organizations.