How To Know The Professional Espresso Machine To Be Right For You

How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

This is an excellent choice for cafes and coffee shops that want to attract customers who are enthusiastic about espresso and barista abilities. It's the official machine for the World Barista Championships, and it shows.

It has a water reservoir to ensure that the barista only has to refill it during their shift. The machine is equipped with a tea hot water tap and steam wands with cool-touch.

Water

A commercial espresso machine needs to create a huge amount of espresso coffee maker based drinks efficiently. The machines are typically made of stainless steel, which is strong and resistant against scratches and breaks. Stainless steel espresso machines also make it easier to maintain and clean.

A high-quality machine should include an independent shut-off valve for the water pipe, to prevent the build-up of limescale. This will ensure that any repairs are confined to the affected machine components and won't impact the remainder of your operation.

Test your water to ensure it is treated properly. For example, distilled water can be refining by adding a small amount of minerals back to it. This can reduce its negative erosive properties and enhance its flavor, but it could also cause damage to certain machines. This is because the remineralized water 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 a crucial component of a successful coffee maker. The grinder converts the unground, raw coffee bean into a finely -ground coffee which can be tamped correctly into the filter basket to ensure an efficient extraction.

Commercial-grade professional espresso machines typically have a built-in grinder which can be programmed to grind various sizes of drinks, providing the same results every time. Super-automatic espresso machines go one step further, by automating and programmable the whole process from brewing to grinding to dispensing. These types of machines usually get high scores in Lab tests for their hands-off accessibility.

Semi-automatic or manual machines require more effort from the barista, but the results are worth the effort. This model earned the 2022 Good Housekeeping Coffee Award for its intelligent dosing system that weighs and distributes the right amount of ground coffee each time. It also features an infusion with low pressure for well-balanced extraction, as well as an milk frother that created rich, thick steamed-milk during our tests.

Temperature

Temperature is a key aspect in espresso. If the water isn't operating at an ideal temperature, it can affect extraction and can lead to a bitter cup of coffee.

Fortunately, high-quality espresso machines come with tools that enable you to ensure that your water is at the correct temperature. One method for doing this is by using PIDs, which monitors and adjusts the temperature of the water. The other way is by utilizing a double boiler system. This allows you to make use of one boiler for tea and steam and the other for heating water to brew temperature.

Carles explains how these systems can make a difference for both large businesses and baristas working from home. They can aid novices dial in the perfect retro espresso machine drink because they can maintain an exact temperature while avoiding numerous variables that could affect the flavor quality. It helps experienced baristas to make their espressos exactly how they want them.

Pressure

The pressure an espresso machine utilizes can also impact the quality of coffee it makes. Many espresso drinkers notice that their drinks taste different depending on the amount of pressure employed, even when all other variables remain the same.

Most commercial machines use 9 bars of pressure to make espresso. They also tend to be pump-driven rather than steam-driven. While there are higher-pressure machines but they usually require a more intricate group head design that can handle the higher pressure levels.

Although you might see espresso machines that advertise 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars are generally regarded as the gold standard for making consistently excellent brews. These higher-pressure machines are typically more affordable and are designed for use at home.

In comparison, 9 bars of pressure is four times more than the pressure exerted by your car tire. The more pressure a professional espresso machine can exert more pressure, the better it'll be at removing the flavor from your favorite coffee beans. This is why it's worth investing in a high-quality machine that will give you the most effective results.

Barista Skills

A barista should be able to take and process orders quickly and accurately. This is especially important during busy times in the coffee shop. Excellent customer service skills are crucial for establishing relationships with customers as well as increasing the sales of the coffee shop. This includes recognizing frequent customers, working efficiently to resolve issues, and remaining friendly and positive in challenging circumstances.

The ability to multitask is usually required for a barista as they may be required to take orders and operate the cash register and also communicate orders to their coworkers and take phone calls at one time. This ability helps keep orders moving quickly to the customer and gives them an enjoyable time in the coffee shop.

It is important for baristas to have knowledge of the various kinds of drinks that can be made using an espresso machine. Learn about the various types of espresso by studying their characteristics, tasting the drinks in person and by watching online videos. Many baristas find it helpful to attend classes provided by various organizations.