How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine
This is a great choice for cafes and coffee shops who want to attract customers who are passionate about espresso and barista skills. It's the official machine used for World Barista Championships and it really shows.
It also has a reservoir for water so that the barista just requires refilling it throughout their shift. The machine comes with a hot water tap for tea and cool-touch steam wands.
Water
A commercial espresso machine must be able to make an enormous amount of espresso-based drinks effectively. This is why these machines are typically built from stainless steel which is more durable and resistant to scratches and break. Espresso machines made of stainless steel make it easier to keep clean and maintained.
A high-quality machine must include an additional shut-off valve that is connected to the water pipe in order to prevent the accumulation of limescale. This will ensure that any repairs are confined to the affected machine components and won't impact the rest of your operation.
When you select your water, make sure to test it and treat it properly to ensure the best bean to cup espresso machine results. For instance the distilled water can be refining by adding a small amount of minerals back into it. This can negate it's negative erosive properties and enhance its flavor, but it may also damage machines. This is because the remineralized liquid will cause the boiler sensor to think that the machine is fully stocked, but it's not. This could cause overheating and possibly damaging the machine.
Grinder
The grinder is a crucial component of a successful coffee maker. It is a process that takes a raw, unground bean and transforms it into finely ground coffee that is then tamped into the filter basket for an excellent extraction.
Professional commercial grade machines include grinders that can be programmed for various sizes of drinks. This ensures consistency in results each time. Super-automatic machines go further and automatize the entire process from brewing to grinding and dispensing. These machines are often praised by Lab tests for being easy to use.
Semi-automatic and manual machines require more effort from the barista but often the results are worth the effort. This model won an award called the Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 for its clever dosing system that measures and dispenses the right amount of coffee each time. It also includes a low-pressure pre-infusion mechanism for balanced extraction and the milk frothing tool that did well in our tests for producing thick, rich steamed milk.
Temperature
The temperature is a crucial element in espresso. If the water isn't at its optimal temperature, it could slow the extraction process and lead to an unpleasant cup of coffee.
Fortunately, top-quality espresso machines include tools that allow you to ensure that your water is at the correct temperature. A PID monitors and regulates temperature of the water. Double boiler systems are another way to achieve this. One boiler can be used to heat water and steam for tea, and use the second to heat the water to brewing temperature.
Carles says that these kinds of systems can be beneficial for large corporations and baristas at home alike. They can assist novices create the perfect espresso shot because they maintain the exact temperature and prevent several variables that can affect the flavor of the flavor. It helps baristas with experience to get their shots exactly how they would like them.
Pressure
The pressure an espresso machine uses can affect the quality of coffee it produces. Many espresso drinkers notice that their drinks taste different depending on the pressure that is used, even though all other variables remain the same.
Most commercial machines use 9 bars of pressure in order to make espresso. These machines espresso machines also tend to be pump-driven instead of steam-driven. While higher-pressure machines are readily available however they require a group head that is more sophisticated to handle the increased levels of pressure.
While some espresso machines advertise 15 or 18 bars of pressure in their machines nine bars are usually considered to be the standard for making consistently great espressos. These machines that are higher pressure are typically less expensive and designed for use at home.
To put 9 bar of pressure into perspective, it's over four times the amount of pressure that is exerted by the air inside your car tire. The more pressure a professional espresso machine can put on and the more effective it will be at removing the flavor from your favorite coffee machines espresso beans. Therefore, it's worth investing in a high-quality machine that will give you the highest quality results.
Barista Skills
A barista must be able to accept and process orders of customers quickly and efficiently. This is especially crucial during busy times at the coffee shop. Having good customer service skills is also vital to establishing relationships with customers and generating more business for the shop. This includes recognizing regular customers, resolving problems efficiently, and remaining positive and helpful in difficult situations.
Having strong multitasking skills is usually required for a barista, as they may have to take orders and operate the cash counter and then communicate orders to coworkers and take calls at the same time. This ability allows orders to be moving quickly to the customer, and will allow them to have an enjoyable time in the coffee shop.
It is important for a barista's education to be able to prepare different drinks with an espresso machine. This can be accomplished by reading about the various kinds of coffees, trying them out in person and watching videos on the internet. Many baristas find it helpful to take classes offered by various organizations.