10 Meetups About Machine Espresso You Should Attend

How Does Machine Espresso Work?

The machine espresso uses precise pressure, as well as a filtering technology that is amazing to create the coffee you love. What exactly is it?

Espresso is made by forcing hot water at high pressure through finely-ground coffee. The process is similar to making drip coffee but the key difference is in the pressure.

The Head of the Group

As the name suggests the group head is where you put your portafilter in when brewing espresso. It is responsible for dispersing the water into the portafilter and then controlling the pressure that results from the extraction. There are many different types of group heads, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some are designed for stability in temperature, while others are specifically designed to handle pre-infusion. Others are made to control the lever. Some come with a combination of both, like the E61. This is a preferred choice for baristas because it offers multiple benefits in one package.

As you can see in the photo above The group head features many notches in which you can put your portafilter, then twist it with your hands to secure it. There is also a gasket made of rubber in the notches and helps create an airtight seal when you insert your portafilter into the machine. The notches allow for precise placement of the portafilter. This is crucial to ensure a consistent extraction.

Aside from allowing you to effortlessly insert your portafilter the group head is responsible to ensure that the temperature remains even. It does this by circulating hot water through the brew container and around the portafilter, ensuring that it is always at the right temperature for extraction. It is important to remember that even a slight variation can mean the difference between a good and a great espresso.

The Pump

Motorized pumps in rotary espresso machines provide the nine atmospheric bar pressure that is required to extract espresso. This is different from manually operated piston machines that employ levers. This pressure is generated by pumping water through a heat exchanger and then through the ground coffee.

Pumps are typically less expensive and last for longer than piston-driven machines. However, both kinds of machines may degrade due to overuse and inadequate cleaning. They also create mechanical complexity that can lead to costly prices for even the most basic models.

Certain espresso machines do away with the pump completely and employ steam pressure to create espresso. The drawback is that the same boiler that produces steam also increases the temperature of the water until it reaches boiling, which can lead to over-extraction. Additionally these machines typically have to rebuild their pressure between cups, which takes time and energy.

Many espresso machines make use of the rotary or vibration pump, which is a vibration model that uses a vibrating disc to create pressure, and the rotary model pushing hot water through the grounds at high speed. Both machines can produce excellent 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 a temperature that is ideal for extraction. The resulting steam reaches the portafilter, which contains the ground espresso coffee, and is then funneled down into the cup. During this process the steam is able to create enough pressure to push the grounds of the coffee through. This creates a crema on the top of the espresso. This is the hallmark of a great espresso.

There are three kinds of espresso makers, and they differ in the kind of pump they use and the degree of heat that the coffee is. There are a variety of ways in which the brew could be controlled and the size of the cup the machine is capable of making.

The first espresso machines were steam type. The first espresso machines were steam types. This led to the coffee tasting burnt and bitter. This is why Milanese manufacturers Luigi Bezzerra and Desiderio Pavoni created the modern espresso machine.

barista espresso coffee machine is a semiautomatic model with an electric pump. These are the images people have when they think of an espresso machine. Semi-automatic machines require you to grind and tamp the beans yourself The pump, however, regulates the water flow and pressure. This is a great compromise between human control and mechanised accuracy.

The Filter

Espresso machines typically use a filter that separates the grounds of coffee from hot water. The filter is also a vital element of the machine's temperature control, since it stops overheating.

A filter can also help with flavor, as it permits an extended flowering time. This lets the beans release their nuances, and also allows for better extraction.

It is important to remember that even the best filter can make a bad cup of coffee. The quality of the beans, and the extraction process, remain crucial.

It's in this area that the magic happens. This is what makes espresso taste so good. The grouphead, often called the brew head, is the place where the portafilter (the thing you put the ground coffee into) is placed when making espresso.

Steam-driven espresso machines make use of hot water that is heated in an airtight container to make steam. The steam then pushes hot water into the grounds of coffee under high pressure. These kinds of machines are typically less expensive and easier to maintain than pump-driven models. However, they are limited in their ability to provide the perfect conditions for brewing, as they only operate at 1-1.5 bars of pressure. However, the perfect shot requires 9-10 bars.

In recent years, compressed air pump-driven espresso machines have been gaining popularity. They utilize an air compressor to force hot water into the ground, and are more mobile than electric steam-driven espresso machines.