12 Companies Setting The Standard In Machine Espresso

How Does Machine Espresso Work?

Machine espresso employs precise pressure and amazing filter technology to make the perfect cup of coffee. How does it work exactly?

To make an espresso hot water is pushed under pressure through finely ground coffee. The process is similar to making drip coffee. However the pressure is the major difference.

The Group Head

As the name suggests, the group head is the place you place your portafilter while making espresso. It is responsible for dispersing the water into the portafilter and then controlling the pressure of the extraction. There are various kinds of group head each with its own advantages and drawbacks. Some are designed to provide temperature stability while others are specifically designed to handle pre-infusion. Some are designed to control the lever. There are some that have a combination of features, such as the E61 that is the standard choice for many baristas due to its capacity to offer multiple benefits in one package.

As you can see from the image above the group head has a number of notches. It is possible to place your portafilter inside these notches, and then twist the head to secure it. There is also a gasket made from rubber that resides inside the notches and helps to create an airtight seal when you insert your portafilter into the machine. The notches permit the precise placement of the portafilter. This is essential for an even extraction.

Aside from allowing you to easily insert your portafilter, the group head is responsible to ensure that the temperature remains even. This is done by cycling hot water around the portafilter and through the brew basin, ensuring that the temperature is constant for extraction. This is important, as just a few degrees could be the difference between a good and great espresso.

The Pump

Motorized pumps in espresso machines rotary provide nine atmospheric bars of pressure required for espresso extraction. This is different from manual piston machines which use a lever. This pressure is built up by pumping water through a heat-exchanger and then through the ground coffee.

Pumps tend to be less expensive than piston-driven models, and they tend to last longer, however both types of machines could be damaged by excessive use and inadequate cleaning. They also make mechanically complex which can result in the cost of even the simplest models.

Certain espresso machines can eliminate the pump completely and instead use steam pressure to brew espresso. The downside is that the boiler that produces steam also increases the temperature of water to boiling, which can lead to excessive extraction. The machines also need to constantly rebuild their pressure between cups. This takes energy and time.

A majority of professional espresso machine machines utilize the rotary or vibration pump. A vibration model utilizes an oscillating disk to create pressure, whereas a rotary model pushes hot water through the ground at a high speed. Both machines can make excellent espresso however rotary machines tend to be quieter, more durable and less likely to fail.

The Boiler

The boiler is what heats the water to the perfect temperature to extract. The steam that is created reaches the portafilter, which is the container that holds the espresso coffee grounds. It is then pumped into the cup. During this process the steam generates enough pressure to push the grounds of coffee through. This creates a layer crema that is then poured over. This is one of the hallmarks of a good espresso.

There are three types of espresso makers. They differ in the type of pump they use and how hot the coffee is. There are various ways to control the amount of brew, as well as the size of cup that can be made by the machine.

The earliest espresso machines were steam type. They had one boiler to create steam and brew, however, the pressure they could create was minimal - two bars of atmospheric pressure at most. The coffee tasted bitter and burnt. This is why Milanese makers Luigi Bezzerra and Desiderio Pavoni invented the modern espresso machine.

The most commonly used espresso maker is a semiautomatic machine that has an electric pump. When people think of espresso machines, they imagine these machines. Semi-automatic machines require you to grind and tamp the beans yourself while the pump controls the water flow and pressure. This is an excellent compromise between human touch and the mechanised consistency.

The Filter

Espresso machines typically use a filter that separates the coffee grounds from the hot water. The filter is also an essential part of the machine's temperature control, since it stops overheating.

A filter can also help with flavor Travel Espresso Maker since it allows for the beans to flower for a longer period of time. This allows the beans to release their nuances, and allows for better extraction.

It is important to keep in mind that even the best filter can make a bad cup of coffee. The quality of the beans and the extraction, are still very important.

This is where the magic happens, Travel Espresso Maker it's what makes an travel espresso maker really taste good. The grouphead, also referred to as the brew head, is where the portafilter (the device you put the ground coffee into) sits when you're making home espresso machine.

In the steam-driven espresso machine hot water is heated in an airtight container to create steam, which then pushes the hot water through the grounds at a high pressure. These types of machines are usually less expensive and easier to maintain than pumps-driven models. They are however limited in their ability to create the perfect conditions for brewing, as they operate with 1-1.5 bar of pressure. The perfect shot requires 9-10 bars.

In recent years, compressed air-driven espresso machines have been gaining popularity. They utilize an air compressor to push hot water through the grounds, and are far more portable than electric steam-driven machines.