12 Companies Setting The Standard In Machine Espresso

How Does Machine Espresso Work?

Machine espresso makes use of precise pressure and amazing filter technology to make the delicious coffee we enjoy. How does it work exactly?

Espresso is made by pushing hot water at high pressure through finely-ground coffee. The process is similar to making drip coffee. However the pressure is the major difference.

The Head of the Group

As the name suggests the group head is where you put your portafilter in when brewing espresso. It is responsible for dispersing water into the portafilter, and controlling the pressure of the extraction. There are a variety of group heads, each with its own advantages and drawbacks. Some are designed for stability of temperature while others are built to handle pre-infusion. Others are made to control the lever. Some are a combination, such as the E61. This is a very popular choice for baristas due to the fact that it has multiple advantages in a single package.

As you can see in the above image, the group head has many notches in which you can place your portafilter before twisting it with your hands to secure it. There is also a rubber gasket which is located inside the notches and helps create the seal when you insert your portafilter into the machine. The notches permit the precise placement of the portafilter. This is crucial to ensure an even extraction.

Aside from allowing you to easily connect your portafilter, the group head is responsible for maintaining a consistent temperature. This is accomplished by cycling hot water around the portafilter, and through the brew basin, ensuring the temperature is always right for extraction. It is important to realize that even a slight variation can mean the difference between a great and a great espresso maker for home.

The Pump

Motorized pumps in rotary espresso machines provide the nine atmospheric bar pressure needed to extract espresso. This differs from manual piston machines that use a lever. This pressure builds up by drawing tap water from a reservoir, and pumping it through a heat exchanger prior to being pumped through the ground coffee machines espresso inside the group head.

Pumps tend to be less expensive than piston-driven machines, and tend to last longer, however both types of machines can become damaged due to excessive use and poor cleaning. Pumps are also more complicated mechanically, which could increase the cost of even simplest models.

Certain espresso machines utilize steam pressure instead of a pump to make espresso. The drawback is that the boiler that produces steam also raises the temperature of the water until it reaches boiling and can result in over-extraction. Additionally, these machines frequently have to restore their pressure between cups, which takes time and energy.

Many best espresso machine uk machines make use of the rotary or vibration pump, which is a vibration model using a rotating disc to generate the pressure, and rotating models that push hot water through the grounds at high speed. Both types of machine can make a great espresso, but the rotary pumps are quieter, and more durable than vibration pumps.

The Boiler

The boiler is the one that will heat the water to a temperature that is ideal for extraction. The resulting steam is then transferred to the portafilter that contains the ground espresso coffee and gets funnelled down into the cup. The steam creates pressure to push through the grounds of the coffee. This results in a crema on top of the buy espresso makers. This is one of the hallmarks of a good espresso.

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

The first espresso machines were steam-types. The first espresso machines were steam types. This led to the coffee tasting bitter and burnt. This is the reason why Milanese makers Luigi Bezzerra and Desiderio Pavoni invented the modern espresso machine.

The most popular espresso machine is a semiautomatic with an electric pump. When people think of espresso machines, they envision these machines. With a semi-automatic machine you grind the beans and tamp them by hand. However, the pump regulates the flow of water and pressure. This is a great compromise between the human touch and mechanized consistency.

The Filter

Typically, espresso machines have filters to separate the coffee grounds as they pass through the hot water. The filter is also an essential part of the temperature control system, because it stops the machine from overheating.

It also helps with flavor as a filter allows for a longer bloom time. This allows the beans to release their nuances and gives an opportunity for a better extraction.

It is important to remember that even the finest filter can produce a bad cup of coffee. The quality of the beans, and the extraction, are still very important.

This is where the magic happens, it's the thing that makes espresso taste great. The grouphead (also known as the brewhead) is where you place the portafilter, the thingy which you put the coffee grounds in, while making espresso.

Steam-driven espresso machines make use of hot water that is heated inside an airtight container to create steam. The steam then pushes hot water through grounds of the coffee under pressure. These types of machines are typically less expensive and simpler to maintain than pump-driven models. They are however limited 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 coffee machines machines have been gaining popularity. They utilize an air compressor to push hot water through the grounds and are more portable than steam-driven electric machines.