How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

This is a fantastic option for cafes and coffee shops who want to attract customers who are passionate about espresso and barista abilities. It's the official machine for World Barista Championships, and it displays.

It has a water reservoir which means that the barista needs to refill it throughout their shift. The machine also features steam wands that are cool-touch and a hot water tap for tea.

Water

A commercial espresso machine is required to produce a high volume of espresso-based drinks efficiently. This is why these machines are built with stainless steel which is more durable and resistant to breakage and scratches. Espresso machines are also simpler to maintain and clean.

A high-quality machine must have a separate shut-off valve to the water pipe in order to prevent limescale accumulation. This will ensure that any repairs are isolated to the specific machine components and won't affect the rest of your operation.

When selecting the water you want to drink be sure to test it and treat it appropriately to get the best ground coffee for espresso machine results. You can remineralize the water you distill by adding a few minerals. It can enhance the taste and reduce 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 fully stocked, but it's not. This could cause overheating and espresso maker possibly damaging the machine.

Grinder

The grinder is a key element of a successful espresso machine. The grinder transforms an unground, raw coffee bean into a finely -ground coffee which can be tamped correctly into the filter basket for an excellent extraction.

Professional-grade commercial machines include grinders that can be programmed for different drink sizes. This ensures the same results every time. Super-automatic machines go a step further and automate the entire process from brewing, to grinding and dispensing. These machines are frequently praised in Lab tests for their ease to use.

A manual or semi-automatic espresso machine requires more involvement by the barista, but the quality of the end result is often worth the effort. This model won the Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 due to its sophisticated dosing system, which measures and distributes the right amount of coffee each time. It also has a low pressure pre-infusion for balanced extraction, and the milk frother produced dense, thick steamed milk during our tests.

Temperature

When it comes to espresso temperature, it plays an important role in the taste and quality of your shots. If the temperature of your water isn't at a good degree, it can result in the extraction being impeded and even result in bitter cups.

Espresso machines of the highest quality come with tools to help you maintain the correct temperature of your water. One method to achieve this is to use PIDs, which monitors and adjusts the temperature of the water. Another method is using a double boiler system. You can use one boiler to heat steam and water for tea, while using the second to heat water to brewing temperature.

Carles states that these kinds of systems can make a big difference for large-scale businesses and home baristas alike. They can make it easier for beginners to get the perfect shot of espresso because they can maintain an exact temperature and eliminate all the factors that can affect the flavor profile. It's also easier for baristas with more experience to dial in their espressos just the way they prefer.

Pressure

The pressure an espresso maker makes use of is another element that affects the quality of the coffee it produces. Many espresso machines for home drinkers have noticed that their coffee tastes differently based on the pressure used, despite the fact that all other factors are constant.

In general, commercial-grade machines utilize nine bars of pressure to create espresso. These machines tend to be pump-driven instead of steam-driven. While there are higher-pressure machines but they usually require a more complicated group head design to handle the increased pressure levels.

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

To put 9 bar of pressure into perspective, it's nearly four times the amount of pressure that's imposed by the air inside your car tire. The greater pressure a professional espresso maker can apply, then the more effective it is at separating flavor from your favorite coffee beans. This is why it's worthwhile to invest in a top-quality machine that can deliver the most effective results.

Barista Skills

A barista must be able to handle orders quickly and accurately. This is particularly crucial during busy times at the coffee shop. A good customer service skill is essential for building relationships with customers and boosting sales for the coffee shop. This can include acknowledging regular customers, resolving issues quickly and remaining positive and helpful in difficult situations.

Baristas often need to be capable of multitasking, as they are required to take orders, operate a cash register as well as communicate orders to coworkers and take phone calls at the same time. This skill allows them to keep orders moving quickly to the customer and will allow them to have an enjoyable time in the coffee shop.

It is essential for baristas to be knowledgeable about the various kinds of drinks that can be prepared by an espresso machine. This can be gained through reading about the various kinds of coffees, trying them in person, and watching videos on the internet. Many baristas find it helpful to attend classes run by various organizations.