How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

For cafes and coffee shops looking to attract customers who have a love of small espresso machine (check out this one from Awaker) and barista abilities, this is a great option. It's the official machine used for World Barista Championships and it really does show.

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

Water

A commercial espresso machine needs to be able to make an enormous amount of espresso-based drinks efficiently. That's why they are usually constructed of stainless steel, which is more durable and resistant to scratches and breaks. Espresso machines are also easier to maintain and clean.

A high-quality machine should 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 will be isolated to the affected machine components and won't impact the remainder of your operation.

Check your water and make sure that it has been treated properly. For example, distilled water can be restored by adding a tiny amount of minerals back to it. This can negate it's anti-erosive properties as well as improve the taste, but it may also damage machines. This is because the remineralized water can cause the boiler sensor to believe that the machine is fully stocked, but it is not. This can lead to overheating and possibly damaging the machine.

Grinder

The grinder is an essential element in a successful espresso machine. The grinder transforms the raw, unground coffee bean into finely-ground coffee that can be properly tamped into the filter basket to ensure an efficient extraction.

Commercial-grade professional machines include a grinder that can be programmed for different drink sizes. This guarantees the same results every time. Super-automatic espresso machines go one step further, automating and programmable the entire process from brewing to dispensing. These types of machines typically get high marks in Lab tests due to their hands-free ease of use.

A semi-automatic or manual espresso machine requires more involvement from the barista, however the quality of the end product is often worth it. This model was awarded an award known as the Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 for its intelligent dosing system that measures and delivers the correct amount of coffee each time. It also features an infusion with low pressure for well-balanced extraction, as well as the milk frother produced dense, thick steamed milk during our tests.

Temperature

When it is about espresso, temperature plays a major influence on the taste and quality of your espresso. If the water temperature isn't at a good level, it can cause extraction to be hindered and can even lead to an unpleasant cup.

High-end espresso machines have tools to help you maintain the proper temperature of your water. A PID monitors and regulates temperature of water. Double boiler systems are a second method to accomplish this. This allows you to utilize one boiler for tea and steam and the other one to heat water to brew temperatures.

Carles explains that these systems can make a difference for large corporations as well as baristas at home. They can make it much easier for novices to get the perfect espresso drink since they can keep an exact temperature and small espresso machine eliminate a lot of the factors that can alter the flavor profile. It's also simpler for baristas with more experience to dial in their espressos just how they want.

Pressure

The pressure an espresso machine uses can also impact the quality of coffee it produces. Many espresso drinkers notice that their drinks taste different based on the pressure that is used, even though all other elements remain the same.

Most commercial machines use 9 bars of pressure in order to make espresso. These machines are also likely to be pump-driven, not steam-driven. Although higher-pressure machines are available however they require a group head that is more intricate to handle the higher levels of pressure.

While you may see some espresso machines that advertise 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars is generally considered the gold standard for creating consistently excellent brews. These machines with higher pressure are generally smaller and designed for use at home.

In comparison, 9 bars of pressure is four times higher than the pressure that is exerted by your car tire. The more pressure that an espresso maker that is professional can apply, then the better at separating flavor from your favorite coffee beans. It's worth investing in a high-end machine that will deliver the best coffee espresso machine results.

Barista Skills

Baristas must be able to accept and process orders of customers quickly and accurately. This is especially important during busy times at the coffee shop. Being able to provide excellent customer service is also vital to establishing customer relationships and increasing sales for the shop. This could include recognizing regular customers, working effectively to resolve issues, and being positive and helpful even in challenging circumstances.

Baristas frequently need to be skilled at multitasking, since they are required to take orders, operate a cash register, communicate orders with coworkers and take phone calls at the same time. This ability allows orders to be moving quickly to the customer and allows them to have a pleasant experience in the coffee shop.

It is vital for a barista's knowledge to be able to prepare various drinks using an espresso machine. You can get acquainted with the different types of retro espresso machine by reading up on their characteristics, tasting them in person and watching online videos. Many baristas find it helpful to attend classes provided by various organizations.