Do Not Believe In These "Trends" About Machine Espresso

How Does Machine Espresso Work?

Machine espresso makes use of precise pressure and mind-blowing filter technology to make the perfect cup of coffee. How exactly does it work?

Espresso is created by forcing hot water under high pressure through finely ground coffee. The process is similar to making drip coffee but the difference is in the pressure.

The Head of the Group

As the name implies, the group head is the place you place your portafilter when making espresso. It disperses the water into the portafilter, and regulates the pressure of extraction. There are numerous kinds of group heads each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some are designed to provide temperature stability while others are built to handle pre-infusion. Others are made to control the lever. There are also some that contain a variety of features, such as the E61, which is the standard choice for many baristas due to its ability to offer multiple benefits in one package.

As you can see in the image above, the group head has many notches in which you can put your portafilter, then twist it with your hands to lock it in. A gasket made of rubber is positioned inside the notches to help create a seal while you insert your portafilter. The notches allow for an exact placement of the portafilter. This is vital for a consistent extraction.

In addition to allowing you to easily insert your portafilter, the group head is also responsible to ensure that the temperature remains even. This is accomplished by cycling hot water around the portafilter, and through the brew-basket, making sure that the temperature is at the right level for extraction. This is vital, because even a small difference in temperature can make the difference between good and great espresso.

The Pump

Motorized pumps in espresso machines that rotate provide the nine atmospheric bars of pressure required for espresso extraction. This differs from manual piston machines which use a lever. The pressure is built by pumping water through a heat exchanger and then through the ground coffee.

Pumps tend to be cheaper than piston-driven machines, and they tend to last longer, however both types of machines could become damaged due to excessive use and poor cleaning. Pumps are also more complicated mechanically, and can add to prices of even simpler models.

Some espresso machines make use of steam pressure instead of a pump to make espresso. This can result in over-extraction because the boiler that produces steam also causes the water to boil. In addition, these machines frequently have to rebuild their pressure between cups, which takes time and energy.

Many espresso machines use either a vibration or rotary pump. A vibration model employs an oscillating disk to create pressure, whereas a rotary model pushes hot water through the ground at a rapid speed. Both machines can make great espresso but rotary machines are more quiet, durable and less likely to break down.

The Boiler

The boiler is the one that will heat the water to the right temperature to extract. The steam produced gets to the portafilter which is a container for discount Espresso machines grounds. It is then pumped into the cup. The steam creates pressure and pushes through the grounds of the coffee. This creates a foam on the top of the espresso. This is one of the main characteristics of a great espresso.

There are three types of espresso makers, which differ in the type of pump they employ and the degree of heat that the espresso is. There are also different ways in which the brew can be controlled, as well as the size of the cup the machine can produce.

The first buy espresso machine machines were steam-types. The first espresso machines were steam-type machines. The coffee tasted bitter and burnt. This is why Milanese manufacturers Luigi Bezzerra and Desiderio Pavoni developed the modern espresso machine.

The most common espresso machine is a semiautomatic model with an electric pump. When people think of espresso machines, they envision these machines. Semi-automatic machines require you to grind and tamp the beans on your own while the pump controls the flow of water and pressure. This is an excellent compromise between human touch and the mechanized consistency.

The Filter

Typically, espresso machines employ a filter to separate out the grounds of coffee as they move through the hot water. The filter is also a vital part of the temperature control system as it prevents the machine from overheating.

A filter also helps with flavor as it allows for a longer flowering phase. This allows the beans to release their flavors and provides the chance for better extraction.

However, it is important to keep in mind that even a top espresso machines filter can make a terrible cup of coffee as the quality of the beans and extraction is important.

This is where the magic happens, it's the thing that makes espresso taste good. The grouphead (also called the brewhead) is where you put the portafilter - the thingy that you use to put the coffee grounds in, when making espresso.

Steam-driven espresso machines make use of hot water that is heated inside an airtight container to make steam. The steam then pushes hot water through grounds of coffee at high pressure. These kinds of machines tend to be cheaper and easier to maintain than pumps-driven models. They are however limited for creating the ideal brewing conditions as they only operate with 1-1.5 bar of pressure. The ideal shot requires 9-10 bars.

In recent years, compressed air-pump-driven espresso machines have become more popular. They utilize an air compressor to force hot water through the grounds and are much more portable than electric steam-driven machines.