5 Professional Espresso Machine-Related Lessons From The Professionals

How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

This is a great option for coffee shops and cafes who want to attract customers who are passionate about espresso and barista skills. It's an official machine for World Barista Championships, and it shows.

It is equipped with a reservoir of water so that the barista just needs to refill it once during their shift. The machine comes with a hot water tap for tea and steam wands that cool-touch.

Water

A commercial espresso machine needs to produce a high volume of decent espresso machine-based drinks efficiently. That's why these machines are typically built from stainless steel, which is more robust and resistant to scratches and breaks. Stainless steel espresso machines for home machines also make it easier to maintain and clean.

A good machine will have a separate shut off valve for the water line, to prevent the formation of limescale. This will ensure that any repairs are confined to the affected machine components and won't affect the rest of your operation.

Test your water to ensure it is being treated correctly. Remineralize distilled water by adding some minerals. It can enhance the taste and negate its erosive qualities, but can also harm certain machines. This is because the remineralized liquid will cause the boiler sensor to think that the machine is filled, when it is not. This can lead to excessive heat and damage to the machine.

Grinder

The grinder is a crucial element of a successful espresso machine. It grinds a raw bean and transforms it into a finely ground coffee that can be tamped into the filter basket for an excellent extraction.

Professional espresso machines of commercial grade typically come with a built-in grinder that can be programmed to grind for different sizes of drinks, ensuring that the results are consistent every time. Super-automatic machines go one step further and automate the entire process, from brewing to grinding and dispensing. These kinds of machines typically get high scores in Lab tests due to their hands-free simplicity of use.

Semi-automatic and manual machines require more effort from the barista but often the results are worth it. This model won the Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 due to its sophisticated dosing system that is able to measure and distributes the right amount of coffee each time. It also features an low-pressure pre-infusion system for an even extraction, and an milk frother that created rich, thick steamed-milk in our tests.

Temperature

When it is about espresso temperature plays a huge factor in the taste and quality of your espresso. If the water temperature is not at the right level, it could result in the extraction being impeded and may even result in an unpleasant cup.

High-end espresso machines have tools to help you maintain the right temperature of your water. One method of doing this is with a PID, which monitors and adjusts the temperature of the water. The other way is by using a double boiler system. This lets you use one boiler for steam and tea while the second one heats water to brew temperature.

Carles explains how these systems can make a difference for large corporations as well as baristas who work from home espresso machine. They can aid novices to dial in the perfect espresso machine with frother shot since they can maintain an exact temperature and eliminate several variables that can affect the flavor profile. It can also make it easier for baristas with experience to get their shots exactly the way they want them.

Pressure

The pressure that an espresso machine is using can also impact the quality of coffee it makes. Many espresso drinkers have observed that their drinks taste differently depending on the amount pressure used, even if other factors remain constant.

In general, commercial-grade machines utilize nine bars of pressure to make espresso. These machines also tend to be driven by pumps rather than steam-driven. While there are higher-pressure machines they generally require a more complex group head design that can take on the higher pressures.

While some espresso machines advertise 15 or 18 bars of pressure in their machines 9 bars are typically considered to be the standard for making consistently great espressos. These machines that are higher pressure tend to be cheaper and are designed for home use.

To put 9 bar of pressure into perspective, it's nearly four times the amount of pressure that is exerted by the air inside your car tire. The greater pressure a professional espresso machine is able to apply to the coffee, the better it will be at capturing the flavor of the coffee beans you love. It is worth investing in top-quality machines that will give you the best results.

Barista Skills

Baristas must be able to take and process orders from customers quickly and efficiently. This is particularly important during busy times at the coffee shop. Good customer service skills is essential to build customer relationships and increasing sales for the shop. This includes acknowledging regular customers, resolving problems efficiently, and remaining positive and friendly even in challenging situations.

Baristas typically need to be able to multitask, as they have to take orders, operate a cash register as well as communicate orders to coworkers and respond to phone calls at the same time. This skill allows the customer to enjoy an enjoyable experience at the coffee shop by making sure that orders are delivered quickly.

It is crucial for a barista's education to be able to make different types of drinks using an espresso machine espresso. This can be mastered by researching the different types of coffee, attempting them out in person, or watching videos online. Baristas often find it beneficial to attend classes on the topic, which are offered by many organizations.