10 Professional Espresso Machine Techniques All Experts Recommend

How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

This is a fantastic option for coffee shops and cafes that want to attract customers who are enthralled by espresso and barista abilities. It's the official barista machine for World Barista Championships and it really does show.

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

Water

A commercial espresso machine needs to be able to create a huge amount of espresso-based drinks with efficiency. 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.

Additionally, a top quality machine has a shut off valve for the water line to prevent limescale build up. This will ensure that any repairs are made to the affected machine components and won't impact the rest of your operation.

Check your water and ensure that it has been treated properly. For instance distillate water can be remineralized by adding a small amount of minerals back into it. It can enhance the taste of the water and eliminate its erosive qualities, but can also damage certain machines. The remineralized water will make the boiler sensor believe that the machine is full and it isn't. This could cause overheating and possibly damaging the machine.

Grinder

The grinder is an essential component of a successful coffee maker. The grinder turns the raw, unground coffee bean into a finely-ground coffee which can be tamped correctly into the filter basket to ensure the best espresso machine under 200 extraction.

Professional espresso machines of commercial grade typically have a built-in grinding unit that can be programmed to grind various sizes of drinks, providing consistency in results every time. Super-automatic machines go one step further and automatize the entire process, from brewing to grinding and dispensing. These kinds of machines tend to earn high marks in Lab tests due to their hands-off accessibility.

Semi-automatic and manual machines require more effort from the barista, but the results are worth it. This model was awarded the 2022 Good Housekeeping Coffee Award for its intelligent dosing system which weighs and delivers the correct amount of ground coffee every time. It also comes with a low pressure pre-infusion for well-balanced extraction, as well as a milk frother that made rich, thick steamed-milk in our tests.

Temperature

Temperature is an important aspect in espresso. If the water isn't operating at an optimal temperature, it can affect extraction and can result in an unpleasant cup of coffee.

Fortunately, high-quality espresso machines have tools that allow you to keep your water at the correct temperature. A PID monitors and regulates the temperature of the water. The other way is by using a double boiler. This lets you use a single boiler to tea and steam while the second one heats water to brew temperatures.

Carles says that these types of systems can be beneficial for large corporations and baristas working at home. They can help novices create the perfect espresso because they can keep the exact temperature and prevent many variables that can affect the flavor of the flavor. It also makes it easier for experienced baristas to make their shots exactly as they would like them.

Pressure

The amount of pressure an espresso machine employs is another factor which affects the quality of the coffee it makes. Many best cheap espresso machine drinkers have noticed that their drinks taste different depending on the amount of pressure used, even when all other elements remain the same.

In general, commercial grade machines use nine bars of pressure to brew espresso. These machines are also more likely to be steam-driven than pumps-driven. Although there are machines with higher pressures however, they typically require a more complex group head design that can handle the higher pressure levels.

While some espresso machines advertise 15 or 18 bars of pressure on their machines Nine bars are generally considered to be the gold standard for making consistently great espressos. These machines that are higher pressure tend to be less expensive and designed for home use.

To put 9 bars of pressure in perspective, it's over four times the amount of pressure that is exerted by the air in your car tire. The more pressure an espresso maker with professional quality can apply, then the better it will be at capturing the flavor of the coffee beans you love. This is why it's worth investing in a high-end machine that can give you the most effective results.

Barista Skills

A barista must be able to accept and process orders of customers quickly and efficiently. This is particularly crucial during busy times in the coffee shop. Being able to provide excellent customer service is essential to build customer relationships and increasing business for the shop. This could include recognizing regular customers, resolving issues quickly and remaining positive and welcoming even in stressful situations.

Baristas typically need to be skilled at multitasking, since they must take orders, operate a cash register, communicate orders with coworkers and handle phone calls at the same time. This skill helps keep orders moving quickly to the customer and allows them to have an enjoyable experience in the coffee shop.

It is crucial for a barista's education to be able to make different types of drinks using an espresso machine. This can be gained through reading up on the different kinds of coffee, testing them out in person and watching videos on the internet. Many baristas find it beneficial to attend classes offered by various organizations.