How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

For coffee shops and cafes seeking to attract customers with an interest in barista and espresso, This is a great option. It's the official machine used for the World Barista Championships, and it displays.

The barista is able to refill the water reservoir during their shift. The machine also has steam wands that are cool-touch and hot water taps for tea.

Water

A commercial espresso machine has to produce a high volume of espresso based drinks efficiently. They are usually constructed of stainless steel, which is durable and resistant against breakages and scratches. Espresso machines are also easier to maintain and clean.

Lastly, a good quality machine will have a separate shut off valve for the water line to prevent the build-up of limescale. This will ensure that any repairs are only limited to the affected components of the machine, and will not affect the operation of the rest.

When you select your water make sure you test it thoroughly and treat it in a way to ensure the best results. For instance distillate water can be refining by adding a small amount of minerals back into it. This can reduce its erosive properties and improve its flavor, but it could also harm certain machines. The remineralized wate will make the boiler sensor think the machine is full and it isn't. This can cause the machine to overheat and become damaged.

Grinder

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

Commercial-grade professional espresso machines usually have a built-in grinder which can be programmed to grind different sizes of drinks, ensuring consistency in results every time. Super-automatic machines go a step further and automatize the entire process, from brewing to grinding and dispensing. These machines are often praised during Lab tests for being easy to use.

Manual or semi-automatic machines require more effort from the barista, but the results are worth the effort. This model won an award called the Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 for its clever dosing system that is able to measure and delivers the correct amount of coffee every time. It also comes with a low-pressure pre-infusion system to ensure an even extraction, as well as a milk frothing wand that excelled in our test for producing thick, rich steamed milk.

Temperature

Temperature is an important element in espresso. If the water isn't in its ideal temperature, it can hinder extraction and even result in a bitter cup of coffee.

High-quality espresso machines come with tools that can help you keep the proper temperature of your water. A PID monitors and regulates temperature of the water. Another method is using a double boiler. You can use one boiler to heat water and steam for tea, while using the other to heat the water to brewing temperature.

Carles explains that these systems can be beneficial for large companies as well as baristas who work from home. They can assist novices create the perfect espresso shot since they are able to maintain an exact temperature while avoiding several variables that can affect the flavor of the flavor. It's also easier for baristas with more experience to make their espressos just the way they want.

Pressure

The pressure that the espresso machine makes use of can affect the quality of coffee it produces. Many espresso drinkers have noticed that their coffee tastes different depending on the pressure used, despite the fact that all other variables remain the same.

In general, commercial-grade machines use nine bars of pressure to make espresso. These machines are also more likely to be steam-driven rather than pump-driven. While higher-pressure machines are readily available but they require a group head that is more intricate to handle the higher levels of pressure.

While you may see some espresso more info machines advertising 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars are generally considered to be the gold standard for consistently excellent espressos. These machines with higher pressure are generally smaller and designed for use at home.

In comparison, 9 bar of pressure is four times more than the pressure that is exerted by your car tire. The more pressure a professional espresso maker is able to apply, the better it is at extracting flavor out of your favorite coffee beans. Therefore, it's worth investing in a premium machine that will deliver the most effective results.

Barista Skills

A barista should be able to accept and process orders from customers quickly and efficiently. This is particularly important when there is a lot of activity at the coffee shop. Good customer service skills is essential to build relationships with customers and increasing sales for the shop. This includes recognizing frequent customers, working efficiently to resolve issues and staying positive and friendly even in difficult situations.

Baristas often need to be able to multitask, as they must take orders and operate a cash counter, communicate orders with coworkers and take phone calls all at once. This skill allows the customer to enjoy a pleasant coffee shop experience by ensuring that orders get delivered quickly.

It is important for baristas to be able to make various types of coffee using an espresso machine. This can be gained through researching the different kinds of coffees, trying the drinks in person and watching videos on the internet. Many baristas find it beneficial to attend classes on the topic, which are provided by a variety of organizations.