How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

This is a great choice for coffee shops and cafes that want to attract customers who are passionate about barista and espresso skills. It's the official machine of the World Barista Championships and it really shows.

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

Water

A commercial espresso machine needs to be able to make a huge amount of espresso-based drinks in a timely manner. That's why these machines are built with stainless steel which is more durable and resistant to scratches and break. Espresso machines are also easier to maintain and keep clean.

Lastly, a good quality machine will have a separate shut-off valve for the water line in order to prevent the build-up of limescale. This will ensure that any repairs are confined to the specific machine components and won't impact the remainder of your operation.

Test your water and make sure that it has been treated properly. You can remineralize distilled water by adding some minerals. It can improve the taste of the water and eliminate its erosive qualities, but can also damage certain machines. The remineralized wate will make the boiler sensor believe that the machine is full and it isn't. This can cause the machine to overheat and become damaged.

Grinder

The grinder is a crucial element for the success of an espresso machine. It is a process that takes a raw, unground bean and turns it into a finely ground coffee that can be tamped into the filter basket to produce an excellent extraction.

Commercial-grade professional machines include a grinder that can be programmed to work with different sizes of drink. This guarantees consistency in results each time. Super-automatic espresso machines take this one step further, implementing automation and programmable the entire process from brewing to grinding to dispensing. These kinds of machines usually get high scores in Lab tests due to their hands-free accessibility.

Semi-automatic or manual machines require more effort from the barista, but the results are worth it. This model earned the 2022 Good Housekeeping Coffee Award for its intelligent dosing system that weighs and dispensing the right amount of ground coffee every time. It also comes with an infusion with low pressure for an even extraction, and an milk frother that created thick, rich steamed milk in our tests.

Temperature

The temperature is a crucial element in espresso. If the temperature of the water isn't at a good level, it could result in the extraction being impeded and may even result in an unpleasant cup.

Espresso machines that are of high-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 another method to accomplish this. One boiler can be used to heat water and steam for tea, while using the second to heat espresso machines uk the water to brewing temperature.

Carles explains that these systems can make a difference for large companies as well as home-based baristas. They can aid novices create the perfect espresso because they are able to maintain an exact temperature while avoiding many variables that can affect the flavor profile. It is also much easier for baristas with more experience to get their espressos exactly how they want.

Pressure

The amount of pressure an espresso machine uses is another factor that influences the quality of the coffee it makes. Many espresso drinkers notice that their drinks taste different based on the pressure employed, even when all other factors remain constant.

The majority of commercial machines utilize 9 bars of pressure in order to make espresso. They also tend to be driven by pumps rather than steam-driven. While higher-pressure machines exist they generally require a more complicated 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 when it comes to making consistently excellent brews. These higher-pressure machines are typically less expensive and are intended to be used at home.

In comparison, 9 bar of pressure is four times higher than the pressure that is exerted by your car tire. The greater pressure a professional espresso maker is able to apply, the better it will be at capturing the flavor of your favorite coffee beans. It's worth investing in a high-end machine that will deliver the most effective results.

Barista Skills

A barista should be able to take orders from customers quickly and accurately. This is particularly crucial during busy times at the coffee shop. Good customer service skills is also vital to establishing customer relationships and increasing business for the shop. This includes acknowledging regular customers, working effectively to resolve problems and remaining positive and friend even in challenging circumstances.

A strong ability to multitask is a must for a barista as they could be required to take orders and operate the cash counter and then communicate orders to coworkers and handle phone calls simultaneously. This skill helps keep orders moving quickly to the customer, and allows them to have a pleasant experience in the coffee shop.

It is vital for baristas to be able make different drinks with an espresso machine. This can be accomplished by reading up on the different kinds of coffees, trying them in person, and watching videos online. Many baristas find it beneficial to take classes on the topic, which are offered by many organizations.