How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

This is an excellent choice for coffee shops and cafes which want to draw customers who are enthralled by barista and espresso. It's the official machine for World Barista Championships and it really shows.

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

Water

A commercial espresso machine should be able to create large quantities of espresso-based drinks efficiently. The machines are typically made of stainless steel, which is durable and resistant against scratches and breaks. These espresso machines are easier to maintain and clean.

A good machine has a shut-off valve for the water line in order to prevent the formation of limescale. This will ensure any repairs are restricted to the affected parts of the machine, and will not affect the operation of the rest.

When selecting the water you want to drink ensure that you test it and treat it appropriately to get the best coffee espresso machine results. Remineralize distilled water by adding a few minerals. It can enhance the taste and negate its erosive properties, but can also harm certain machines. The remineralized wate can make the boiler sensor think the machine is full, even though it isn't. This could cause the machine to overheat and become damaged.

Grinder

The grinder is a crucial component of the success of an espresso machine coffee machine. It is a process that takes a raw, unground bean and turns it into finely ground coffee that can be tamped into the filter basket for an excellent extraction.

Commercial-grade professional machines include a grinder that can be programmed for different drink sizes. This ensures consistency in results each time. Super-automatic machines go one step further and automate the entire process from brewing, to grinding and dispensing. These machines are often praised in 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 final result is often worth the effort. This model won an award known as the Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 for its smart dosing system that is able to measure and dispenses the right amount of coffee each time. It also has a low-pressure pre-infusion system that allows for smooth extraction and a milk frothing wand that was a success in our test for producing rich, thick steaming milk.

Temperature

Temperature is a key factor in espresso. If the water temperature is not at a suitable level, it can result in the extraction being impeded and may even result in bitter coffee.

Fortunately, high-quality espresso machines come with tools that will allow you to keep your water at the right temperature. One method to achieve this is with a PID, which monitors and adjusts the temperature of the water. The other way is by utilizing a double boiler system. One boiler can be used to heat steam and water for tea, while using another to heat the water to brewing temperature.

Carles explains how these systems can make a difference for large corporations as well as baristas who work from home. They make it easier for newbies to get the perfect espresso shot since they can keep an exact temperature and eliminate many of the factors that can affect the flavor profile. It is also easier for baristas who have more experience to dial in their shots just the way they prefer.

Pressure

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

The majority of commercial machines utilize 9 bars of pressure in order to brew espresso. These machines are also more likely to be steam driven than pumps-driven. Although higher-pressure machines are also available however, they require a group head that is more intricate to handle the higher levels of pressure.

Although you might see espresso machines that advertise 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars is generally considered to be the gold standard for consistently great brews. These machines with higher pressure are typically less expensive and designed for use at home.

In comparison, 9 bar of pressure is four times more than the pressure applied by your car tire. The more pressure a professional espresso maker can apply, the better at separating flavor from the coffee beans you love. This is why it's worth investing in a premium machine that will deliver the most effective results.

Barista Skills

Baristas must be able to take and process orders of customers quickly and accurately. This is particularly crucial in busy times at the coffee shop. Good customer service skills are also important for Commercial Espresso Machine building relationships with customers as well as increasing the sales of the coffee shop. This includes acknowledging regular customers, working effectively to resolve problems and remaining friendly and positive in difficult situations.

Having strong multitasking skills is often required for a barista, as they might be required to take orders and operate the cash counter and then communicate orders to coworkers and answer phone calls at the same time. This skill helps keep orders moving quickly to the customer and will allow them to have an enjoyable experience in the coffee and espresso maker shop.

It is crucial that a barista's skills are developed to be able to prepare different types of drinks using an espresso machine. Learn about the various kinds of buy espresso machine by studying them, experimenting with them in person and watching online videos. Baristas often find it beneficial to attend classes on the topic, which are offered by many organizations.