How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

This is a fantastic option for cafes and coffee shops that wish to attract customers who are passionate about barista and espresso. It's the official machine for World Barista Championships and it really shows.

It also has a reservoir for water which means that the barista has to refill it during their shift. The machine also has steam wands with cool-touch technology and a hot water tap for tea.

Water

A commercial espresso machine must be able to create a huge amount of espresso-based drinks in a timely manner. These machines are usually made of stainless steel, which is tough and resistant against breaks and scratches. Stainless steel espresso machines also make it easier to clean and maintain.

Finally, a high-quality machine has a shut-off valve for the water line to prevent limescale build up. This will ensure that any repairs will be isolated to the affected machine components and won't affect the rest of your operation.

When selecting your water, make sure to test it and treat it appropriately to get the best results. Remineralize water that has been distilled by adding some minerals. It can improve the taste and negate its erosive properties, however it can also damage certain machines. Remineralized wate makes the boiler sensor believe that the machine is full even though it's not. This could cause the machine to overheat and become damaged.

Grinder

The grinder is a key element of a successful espresso machine. The grinder converts the raw, unground coffee bean into a finely-ground coffee that can be tamped properly into the filter basket for the best extraction.

Commercial-grade professional espresso machines usually include a built-in grinder that can be programmed to grind different sizes of drinks, which ensures consistency in results every time. Super-automatic espresso machines take this one step further by automating and programmable the whole process from brewing to dispensing. These machines are often praised during Lab tests for being easy to use.

A semi-automatic or manual Compact Espresso Machine (Isingna.Lncorp.Kr) machine requires more involvement from the barista but the quality of the end result is often worth it. This model won the Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 for its intelligent dosing mechanism that measures and dispensing the correct amount of coffee each time. It also features the ability to use a low pressure pre-infusion to ensure well-balanced extraction, as well as an milk frother that created thick, rich steamed milk in our tests.

Temperature

The temperature is a crucial aspect in espresso. If the water temperature is not at a suitable level, it may result in a slower extraction and can even lead to an unpleasant cup.

Fortunately, espresso machines of high-end quality come with tools that will allow you to ensure that your water is at the right temperature. A PID monitors and regulates the temperature of water. Double boiler systems are a second method to accomplish this. One boiler can be used to heat steam and water for tea, while using the second to heat water to brewing temperature.

Carles points out that these kinds of systems can make the difference for large corporations and baristas at home alike. They can make it easier for novices to determine the ideal espresso shot since they can keep an exact temperature and eliminate some of the factors that can alter the flavor profile. It also makes it easier for experienced baristas to make their shots exactly how they want them.

Pressure

The pressure an espresso machine employs is another factor that contributes to the quality of the coffee it produces. Many espresso drinkers have noticed that their drinks taste different based on the pressure that is used, even though all other elements remain the same.

In general, commercial grade machines utilize nine bars of pressure to create espresso. These machines are also likely to be pump-driven rather than steam-driven. While higher-pressure machines are readily available however they require a group head that is more complicated to handle the increased levels of pressure.

While you may find espresso machines that advertise 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars are generally considered the most reliable standard for producing consistently excellent espressos. These higher-pressure machines tend to be cheaper and designed for home use.

To put 9 bars of pressure into perspective, it's four times the pressure that is exerted by the air in your car tire. The more pressure an experienced espresso machine can apply more pressure, the better it'll be at capturing the flavor of the coffee for espresso machine beans you love. It's worth investing in high-quality machines that can produce the highest quality results.

Barista Skills

A barista needs to be able take and process orders quickly and precisely. This is particularly important in busy times in the coffee shop. Having good customer service skills is also crucial for establishing customer relationships and increasing business for the shop. This can include recognizing regular customers, working effectively to resolve issues, and staying positive and friendly even in challenging circumstances.

Baristas are often capable of multitasking, as they are expected to take orders, operate a cash register and communicate orders with coworkers and handle phone calls all at once. This ability allows orders to be moving quickly to the customer and ensures that customers have a pleasant experience in the coffee shop.

It is vital for baristas to be able make various drinks using an espresso machine. You can learn about the different types of espresso by reading about their characteristics, tasting them in person and watching online videos. Many baristas also find it beneficial to take classes on the topic, which are offered by many organizations.