How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

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

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

Water

A commercial espresso machine must be able to create a huge amount of espresso-based drinks efficiently. They are usually constructed of stainless steel, which is durable and resistant to scratches and breaks. These espresso machines are also easier to maintain and keep clean.

Finally, a high-quality machine will have a separate shut-off valve for the water line, to prevent the formation of limescale. This will ensure any repairs are limited to affected parts of the machine, and will not impact the rest your operation.

Test your water to ensure that it has been treated properly. Remineralize distilled water by adding a few minerals. This can negate it's anti-erosive properties as well as improve the taste, but it may also damage machines. This is because the remineralized fluid will cause the boiler sensor to think that the machine is filled, when it's not. This can cause the machine to overheat and cause damaged.

Grinder

The grinder is a key element in an espresso machine that works. It takes a raw, unground bean and turns it into finely ground coffee that can be put into the filter basket for an excellent extraction.

Commercial-grade professional espresso machines usually include a built-in grinder that can be programmed to grind for different sizes of drinks, which ensures the same results every time. Super-automatic espresso machines go one step further, by automating and programmable the entire process from brewing to grinding to dispensing. These kinds of machines tend to earn high marks in Lab tests due to their hands-free ease of use.

Semi-automatic or manual machines require more work from the barista but often the results are worth it. This model was awarded an award called the Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 for its intelligent dosing mechanism that measures and dispensing the correct amount of coffee each time. It also comes with an infusion with low pressure for well-balanced extraction, as well as an milk frother that created dense, thick steamed milk during our tests.

Temperature

The temperature is a crucial aspect in espresso. If the water isn't operating at an ideal temperature, it may cause a delay in extraction, and could lead to bitter coffee.

Espresso machines of the highest quality come with tools that help you maintain the right temperature of your water. One method of doing this is by using PIDs, which monitors and adjusts the temperature of the water. Another option is utilizing a double boiler system. One boiler can be used to heat water and steam for tea, and use the second to heat water to brewing temperature.

Carles explains that these systems can be beneficial for large corporations as well as baristas working from home. They can make it simpler for beginners to get the perfect espresso shot because they maintain an accurate temperature and avoid all the variables that can alter the flavor profile. It is also easier for baristas with more experience to make their espressos exactly how they would like.

Pressure

The pressure an espresso machine utilizes can affect the quality of coffee it produces. Many espresso check here drinkers notice that their coffees taste different based on the pressure employed, even when all other factors remain constant.

Most commercial machines use 9 bars of pressure in order to brew espresso. These machines tend to be pump-driven, not steam-driven. Although higher-pressure machines are available however, they typically require a more complex group head design that can manage the higher pressure levels.

While you may find espresso machines advertising 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars is generally regarded as the gold standard for consistently excellent espressos. The higher-pressure machines tend to be less expensive and designed for home use.

To put 9 bars of pressure into perspective, it's nearly four times the amount of pressure that's imposed by the air in your car tire. The more pressure an experienced espresso machine is able to apply to the coffee, the better it will be at capturing the taste of your favorite coffee beans. It's worth investing in high-quality machines that can give the most effective results.

Barista Skills

A barista needs to be able take orders and handle them quickly and precisely. This is especially important in busy times at the coffee shop. Good customer service skills are crucial for establishing relationships with customers and increasing sales for the coffee shop. This can include acknowledging regular customers, working to resolve issues efficiently and remaining positive and helpful in difficult situations.

The ability to multitask is often necessary for baristas, since they could be required to take orders and operate the cash counter and communicate orders to colleagues and handle phone calls at one time. This skill allows them to keep orders moving quickly to the customer and ensures that customers have an enjoyable experience at the coffee shop.

It is helpful for a barista to know the various styles of drinks that can be prepared by an espresso machine. This can be accomplished by studying the various kinds of coffee, testing them in person, and watching videos online. Many baristas find it helpful to attend classes run by various organizations.