How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

This is a fantastic option for cafes and fast Brewing coffee shops that want to attract customers who are passionate about barista and espresso skills. It's official machine for World Barista Championships, and it shows.

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

Water

A commercial espresso machine must be able to create a huge amount of espresso based drinks in an efficient manner. They are typically made of stainless steel, which is strong and resistant to cracks and scratches. Espresso machines made of stainless steel make it easier to maintain and clean.

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 are made to the affected parts of the machine and won't impact the remainder of your operation.

Check your water and make sure it is being treated correctly. For instance, distilled water can be recycled by adding a small amount of minerals back into it. It can enhance the taste and lessen its erosive qualities, but can also harm certain machines. The remineralized water will make the boiler sensor think the machine is full even though it's not. This can cause the machine to overheat and become damaged.

Grinder

The grinder is an essential component of a successful espresso maker. It is used to take a raw, unground bean and transforms it into finely ground coffee that can be properly placed into the filter basket to create an excellent extraction.

Commercial-grade professional machines include grinders that are programmed for different drink sizes. This ensures consistency in results each time. Super-automatic machines go further and automate the entire process from Fast Brewing, to grinding and dispensing. These types of machines tend to earn high scores in Lab tests for their hands-off user-friendliness.

Semi-automatic or manual machines require more work from the barista, but the results are worth it. This model earned an 2022 Good Housekeeping Coffee Award for its clever dosing feature that weighs and dispensing the correct amount of ground coffee every time. It also comes with a low pressure pre-infusion mechanism for smooth extraction and the milk frothing wand, which performed well in our tests for producing thick, rich steamed milk.

Temperature

Temperature is a key aspect in espresso coffee maker. If the temperature of the water is not at its ideal level, it can cause extraction to be hindered and can even lead to a bitter cup.

Fortunately, espresso machines of high-end quality have tools that allow you to ensure that your water is at the correct temperature. A PID monitors and regulates temperature of the water. Another method is using a double boiler system. You can use one boiler to heat water and steam for tea, and use the other to heat water to brewing temperature.

Carles mentions that these kinds of systems can make a big difference for large companies and home baristas alike. They can make it simpler for newbies to make the perfect espresso shot because they are able to maintain an exact temperature and eliminate many of the variables that can throw off the flavor profile. It is also simpler for baristas with more experience to dial in their shots just the way they would like.

Pressure

The pressure an espresso machine is using can affect the quality of the coffee it makes. Many espresso drinkers have noticed that their coffee tastes different based on the amount of pressure used, despite the fact that all other elements remain the same.

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

Although you might see espresso machines advertising 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars is generally considered to be the gold standard for creating consistently excellent espressos. These machines with higher pressure are generally less expensive and are intended to be used at home.

In comparison, 9 bars of pressure is four times greater than the pressure that is exerted by your car tire. The greater pressure a professional espresso maker can apply, the better it will be at extracting flavor out of your favorite coffee beans. It is worth investing in top-quality machines that will give you the highest quality results.

Barista Skills

A barista should be able to take orders and process them quickly and accurately. This is particularly crucial during busy periods at the coffee shop. A good understanding of customer service is also vital to establishing customer relationships and increasing business for the shop. This could include recognizing regular customers, working efficiently to resolve problems and being positive and helpful even in challenging circumstances.

Baristas frequently need to be able to multitask, as they are required to take orders and operate a cash register, communicate orders with coworkers and handle phone calls all at once. This ability helps keep orders moving quickly to the customer, and gives them an enjoyable time in the coffee shop.

It is vital for a barista's education in order to make various types of coffee using an espresso machine. Learn about the various types of espresso by reading up on the various types, trying them in person, or watching online videos. Many baristas find it beneficial to attend classes offered by various organizations.