How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

For cafes and coffee shops looking to attract customers with passion for espresso and barista abilities, this is an excellent choice. It's the official machine of the World Barista Championships and it really shows.

It has a water reservoir to ensure that the barista only needs to refill it once during their shift. The machine also has steam wands that are cool-touch and a hot water tap for tea.

Water

A commercial espresso machine has to create a huge amount of top espresso machines-based drinks efficiently. That's why these machines are usually constructed of stainless steel which is more durable and resistant to breakage and scratches. Espresso machines are also easier to maintain and clean.

A good quality machine should include a separate shut-off valve for the water pipe in order to prevent the accumulation of limescale. This will ensure that any repairs are isolated to the affected machine components and won't impact the rest of your operation.

When selecting your water, make sure to test it and treat it properly to ensure the best results. Remineralize water that has been distilled by adding some minerals. This can diminish its erosion properties and improve its flavor, but it could also cause damage to certain machines. This is because the remineralized water can cause the boiler sensor to think that the machine is fully stocked, but it is not. This can cause the machine to overheat, and eventually be damaged.

Grinder

The grinder is a vital element in an espresso machine that is successful. The grinder converts a raw, unground coffee bean into a finely ground coffee that can be tamped properly into the filter basket for an efficient extraction.

Professional espresso machines of commercial grade typically include a built-in grinder that can be programmed to grind different drink sizes, ensuring the same results every time. Super-automatic machines go a step further and automate the entire process from brewing, to grinding and dispensing. These machines are often praised during Lab tests for their ease to use.

Semi-automatic or manual machines demand more effort from the barista, but the results are worth it. This model was awarded a Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 for its intelligent dosing mechanism that measures and dispensing the correct amount of coffee every time. It also includes a low-pressure pre-infusion mechanism for balanced extraction and the milk frothing wand, which excelled in our test for producing rich, thick steaming milk.

Temperature

Temperature is a major factor in espresso. If the water isn't at an optimal temperature, it could affect extraction and can cause the coffee being bitter.

Luckily, the best espresso machines come with tools that will allow you to ensure that your water is at the right temperature. One method for doing this is to use a PID, which monitors and adjusts the temperature of the water. Double boiler systems are another way to do this. One boiler can be used to heat steam and water for tea, while using the other to heat water to the brewing temperature.

Carles explains that these systems can make a difference for both large-scale businesses as well as home-based baristas. They can make it much easier for newbies to determine the ideal espresso because they can maintain an accurate temperature and avoid a lot of the factors that can alter the flavor profile. It's also much easier for baristas with more experience to get their espressos just how they want.

Pressure

The pressure the espresso machine makes use of can also impact the quality of the coffee it makes. Many espresso drinkers notice that their drinks taste different based on the amount of pressure they use, even if all other factors remain constant.

In general, most commercial-grade machines utilize nine bars of pressure to brew espresso. They also tend to be driven by pumps rather than steam-driven. While higher-pressure machines are readily available, they require a group head that is more intricate to handle the higher levels of pressure.

While you may find espresso machines advertising 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars is generally considered to be the gold standard for consistently great brews. These higher-pressure machines tend to be more affordable and designed for use at home.

In comparison, 9 bars of pressure is 4 times more than the pressure applied by your car tire. The more pressure a professional espresso machine can put on, the better it will be at capturing the taste of the coffee beans you love. It's worthwhile to invest in high-end machines that can produce the most effective results.

Barista Skills

A barista needs to be able to take and process customer orders quickly and efficiently. This is particularly important in busy times at the coffee shop. A good customer service skill is crucial to build relationships with customers and increasing sales for the coffee shop. This includes recognizing frequent customers, working efficiently to resolve issues and staying positive and friendly even when faced with difficult situations.

Having strong multitasking skills is a must for baristas as they may have to take orders, operate the cash register and then communicate orders to coworkers and handle phone calls at the same time. This ability allows orders to be moving quickly to the customer and allows them to have an enjoyable time in the coffee shop.

It is important for baristas in order to make various types of coffee using an espresso machine. This can be gained through researching the different types of coffee, attempting them in person, and watching videos online. Baristas often find it beneficial to take classes on the matter, offered by many organizations.