10 Professional Espresso Machine Hacks All Experts Recommend

How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

For coffee shops and cafes that want to attract customers with a love of barista and espresso skills, This is a great option. It's the official machine of the World Barista Championships and it really shows.

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

Water

A commercial espresso machine has to produce a large quantity of best espresso machine based drinks efficiently. They are usually constructed of stainless steel, which is tough and resistant against cracks and scratches. These espresso machines are also easy to maintain and clean.

A top-quality machine should have an additional shut-off valve that is connected to the water pipe, to prevent limescale accumulation. This will ensure that any repairs are limited to the affected components of the machine, and will not affect the rest of your operation.

Test your water to ensure it is being treated correctly. You can remineralize distilled water by adding some minerals. This can diminish its erosive properties and improve its taste, but it can also damage some machines. The remineralized wate will make the boiler sensor think that the machine is full, even though it isn't. This can cause the machine to overheat, and eventually be damaged.

Grinder

The grinder is a vital element in the success of an espresso machine. It grinds a raw bean and turns it into finely ground coffee that can be placed into the filter basket for an excellent extraction.

Commercial-grade espresso machines usually have a built-in grinding unit that can be programmed to grind various sizes of drinks, which ensures consistent results each time. Super-automatic machines go further and automatize the entire process from brewing through grinding and dispensing. These machines are often praised by Lab tests for their ease to use.

A semi-automatic or manual espresso machine requires more involvement from the barista, but the quality of the end result is often worth it. This model earned a 2022 Good Housekeeping Coffee Award for its smart dosing feature that weighs and distributes the correct amount of ground coffee every time. It also has an low-pressure pre-infusion system for an even extraction, and an milk frother that created rich, thick steamed-milk during our tests.

Temperature

When it is about espresso temperature plays a huge role in the taste and quality of your espresso. If the water isn't at its optimal temperature, it can affect extraction and can cause bitter coffee.

High-end espresso machines have tools that help you maintain the proper temperature of your water. A PID monitors and regulates temperature of the water. Double boiler systems are another method to do this. You can use one boiler to heat steam and water for tea, and use the other to heat the water to brewing temperature.

Carles states that these systems can make a difference for large companies and home baristas alike. They make it easier for novices to make the perfect espresso because they are able to maintain an exact temperature and eliminate a lot of the factors that can affect the flavor profile. It also makes it easier for experienced baristas to make their espressos exactly how they want them.

Pressure

The amount of pressure an espresso machine uses is another aspect that affects the quality of the coffee it makes. Many espresso drinkers have noticed that their drinks taste differently based on the pressure used, even if all other variables remain the same.

The majority of commercial machines utilize 9 bars of pressure in order to brew espresso. These machines are also likely to be driven by pumps rather than steam-driven. While there are higher-pressure machines, they often require a more sophisticated group head design that can manage the higher pressure levels.

While you may see espresso machines advertising 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars are generally regarded as the gold standard for consistently excellent brews. These machines with higher pressure are generally smaller and designed for use at home.

To put 9 bars of pressure into perspective, it's over four times the amount of pressure which is emitted by the air in your car tire. The more pressure an experienced espresso machine can exert to the coffee, the better it will be at removing the flavor from your favorite coffee beans. Therefore, it's worthwhile to invest in a top-quality machine that can deliver the highest quality results.

Barista Skills

A barista must be able to accept and process customer orders quickly and accurately. This is particularly crucial during busy times in the coffee shop. Good customer service skills are crucial for establishing relationships with customers as well as increasing sales for the coffee shop. This can include recognizing regular customers, working efficiently to resolve issues, and remaining positive and friend even in the most difficult of situations.

Baristas typically need to be able to multitask, as they have to take orders and operate a cash counter as well as communicate orders to coworkers, and answer telephone calls at the same time. This ability allows customers to enjoy a pleasant coffee shop experience by ensuring that orders get delivered quickly.

It is crucial for a barista's knowledge in order to make various types of coffee using an espresso coffee machine with milk frother machine. Learn about the various kinds of buy espresso makers by studying about them, trying the drinks in person and by watching online videos. Many baristas find it beneficial to attend classes provided by various organizations.