The Most Effective Professional Espresso Machine Tricks To Transform Your Life

How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

This is a great choice for coffee shops and cafes which want to draw customers who are passionate about barista and espresso. It's the official machine used for World Barista Championships and it really shows.

It also has a reservoir for water to ensure that the barista only requires refilling it throughout their shift. The machine also features steam wands with cool-touch technology and a hot water tap for tea.

Water

A commercial espresso machine needs to create a huge amount of espresso based drinks in an efficient manner. They are typically made of stainless steel, which is strong and resistant to cracks and scratches. Espresso machines are also easier to maintain and clean.

A high-quality machine should have a separate shut-off valve for the water pipe, to prevent limescale build-up. This will ensure any repairs are restricted to the affected components of the machine and not impact the rest your operation.

Test your water and make sure that it has been treated properly. For example the distilled water can be recycled by adding a small amount of minerals back to it. It can enhance the taste and negate its erosive characteristics, but can also harm certain machines. This is because the remineralized fluid will cause the boiler sensor to think that the machine is full, even though it's not. This could cause excessive heat and damage to the machine.

Grinder

The grinder is an essential component of a successful coffee maker. The grinder turns the unground, raw coffee bean into finely-ground coffee that can be properly tamped into the filter basket to ensure an efficient extraction.

Professional espresso machines of commercial grade typically have a built-in grinding unit that can be programmed to grind different sizes of drinks, ensuring that the results are consistent every time. Super-automatic machines go a step further and automatize the entire process, from brewing to grinding and dispensing. These types of machines are able to score high scores in Lab tests for their hands-off simplicity of use.

A semi-automatic or manual espresso machine requires more involvement from the barista, but the quality of the final result is often worth the effort. This model earned a 2022 Good Housekeeping Coffee Award for its smart dosing feature that weighs and dispensing the correct amount of ground coffee every time. It also comes with a low pressure pre-infusion system that allows for balanced extraction and an ice cream wand that did well in our tests for producing rich, thick steamed milk.

Temperature

When it is time to make espresso, temperature plays a major role in the taste and quality of your coffee. If the water temperature is not at its ideal level, it could cause extraction to be hindered and may even result in bitter coffee.

Fortunately, high-quality espresso machines come with tools that will allow you to ensure that your water is at the right temperature. One method of doing this is by utilizing PIDs, which monitors and adjusts the temperature of the water. Double boiler systems are another way to accomplish this. You can use one boiler to heat steam and water for tea, and use another to heat the water to brewing temperature.

Carles explains how these systems can make a difference for large companies as well as baristas who work from home. They can make it much easier for novices to determine the ideal shot of espresso because they can maintain an accurate temperature and avoid many of the variables that can alter the flavor profile. It helps experienced baristas to make their shots exactly how they would like them.

Pressure

The pressure that an espresso machine employs is another factor that contributes to the quality of the coffee it makes. Many espresso drinkers notice that their beverages taste different based on the pressure they use, even if all other elements remain the same.

The majority of commercial machines utilize 9 bars of pressure to make espresso. These machines are also likely to be pump-driven instead of steam-driven. Although higher-pressure machines are available however, they typically require a more intricate group head design that can manage the higher pressure levels.

While some espresso machines advertise 15 or 18 bars of pressure on their machines 9 bars are typically considered to be the gold standard for creating consistently great brews. These machines with higher pressure tend to be less expensive and designed for home use.

In comparison, 9 bars of pressure is four times greater than the pressure exerted by your car tire. The greater pressure a professional espresso machine can put on, the better it will be at extracting flavor from your favorite coffee beans. Therefore, it's worth investing in a premium machine that can deliver the most effective results.

Barista Skills

A barista should be able to espresso machines take orders and handle them quickly and precisely. This is particularly important when there is a lot of activity at the coffee shop. Excellent customer service skills are crucial to build relationships with customers and boosting the sales of the coffee shop. This could include recognizing regular customers, working efficiently to resolve issues, and remaining friendly and positive when faced with difficult situations.

Baristas are often able to multitask, as they are expected to take orders as well as operate a cash register, communicate orders with coworkers and respond to phone calls at the same time. This ability allows customers to enjoy a pleasant coffee shop experience by ensuring that orders get delivered quickly.

It is helpful for a barista to have knowledge of the various types of drinks that can be prepared using an espresso machine. You can find out about the different types of espresso by studying about the various types, trying them in person, and watching online videos. Many baristas find it helpful to take classes offered by various organizations.