15 Gifts For The Professional Espresso Machine Lover In Your Life
What to Look For in a Professional Espresso Machine
You'll need a machine that can control the pre-infusion, which is essential to develop aroma and flavor. Many coffee experts also look for PID temperature control in a professional machine.
If you plan on hiring baristas with no experience, you'll need a machine that is easy to use and quick to train new employees on. This is crucial when you are planning to operate a drive through coffee shop.
Easy to Use
This professional espresso machine, as you could have guessed from its name, is designed to be simple to use and maintain. It comes with an integrated grinder that automatically grinds fresh coffee beans right into the portafilter. It also has a digital temperature control to ensure the best extraction, and an automatic steam wand for creating microfoam, ideal for making coffee art. It even includes a test strip that helps you gauge water hardness and an AquaClean filter to prevent the buildup of scale.
It's a great option for home baristas because it offers a balance between the manual and automated operation. You can make a shot of coffee like professional baristas (although there is a small learning curve). The built-in grinder lets you to play around with the size of your coffee grind and fine-tune the process while the manual steam wand allows you to create frosty milk for your lattes and cappuccinos. The machine comes with a removable, dishwasher-safe milk hopper that makes cleaning up after use easy and convenient.
It's worth mentioning that while this model is primarily designed to be used at home, it has some advanced features that differentiate it from other espresso machines for professional use. It has two boilers, which permit the brewing function and steam function to be heated independently. This allows each function to be kept at the precise temperature that is desired. McCarthy explains that this helps ensure that the espresso is extracted at the proper pressure (which can vary from 4 bars at the beginning, and 14-16 bars after it is completed) while minimizing the risk of over-extraction.
In addition, the machine has a "proportional-integral-derivative" or PID control that monitors and stabilizes the boiler or thermoblock temperature more accurately than a simple electromechanical thermostatic switch. This means more consistent shots and a faster recovery time between each cup of espresso.
It's also recommended to find a machine that is able to be opened to perform routine maintenance and repairs, because espresso lovers are frequently fascinated by the inner workings of their equipment. This is particularly important for a machine that is frequently used, as the constant use can cause components to wear out. For instance the espresso machine we tested can be opened to replace the drip tray and brew basket to ensure quick and easy cleaning.
Cleaning is easy
A professional espresso machine has a lot of chambers and passageways inside which is why it is important to keep them clean. Coffee oils, coffee grounds used, and water minerals can accumulate over time, impacting the quality of the final cup of espresso and the overall performance of the machine. Regular cleaning can eliminate these toxins and guarantee a consistent water flow and extraction pressure.
A specialized cleaning brush with bristles that are designed to reach crevices will help remove stubborn stains. Regular cleaning products can aid in dissolving and breaking down coffee oils, particles and other contaminants. Certain espresso machines require periodic backflushing. This is done by blocking the portafilter with blind filters and pushing water through the system in order to clean the shower screen, group head, and valves. Backflushing is much easier if you use the right tools and follow the instructions of the manufacturer.
A tool that can be reused to clean the group head can make routine maintenance simpler for espresso users. These reusable brushes are available in different sizes and shapes to efficiently clean various components of the machine, such as valves, ports and gaskets. The brushes are typically made of stainless steel and come with an holder that is small enough to be filled and refillable whenever required. Some tools come with an integrated reservoir for storing the cleaning solution after it has been being used.
Descaling solutions enhance the performance of espresso machines and their user-friendliness, especially when they are used in high-volume settings. These liquid descalers eliminate calcium and limescale that hinder water flow and diminish espresso taste. These products can be used to backflush or soak areas of the system. They are more effective in removing mineral buildup than citric acid.
Take into consideration the features that are most important to you and your business when selecting the ideal espresso machine. If you're looking to control the temperature of your water and the amount of brew you can use for certain drinks such as a manual espresso maker with more adjustable settings might be the best option. On the other side, if you're an occasional espresso drinker and need a convenient method to enjoy great-tasting coffee at home, a semi-automatic or fully automatic espresso machine might be the ideal choice.
Easy Maintenance
The ease of maintenance of your espresso machine is dependent on the type. Certain machines require an extensive amount of hands-on effort while others require less hands-on. It is evident by looking at the degree of automation. Espresso and cappuccino machines fall into three categories: semi-automatic fully automatic and super-automatic. Semi-automatic machines offer the barista some control, but they do not offer much control. A fully automated machine is more hands-free, but requires the operator to grind, tamp and pull the shot. Super-automatic machines are fully automated and can make espresso drinks and other espresso-based drinks with a single push of the button.
When purchasing a semiautomatic or fully automated professional espresso machine, you must consider the number of customers your business expects to serve during peak times. This will help you decide the size of commercial espresso machine you should purchase. If coffee machines espresso are planning to serve 120 drinks daily from 8-10 AM, then you will require a semi-automatic machine capable of handling the volume of orders.
You'll also need to consider how often you need to remove the scale from your coffee maker. Some manufacturers recommend descaling at least once per month using a mix of warm water and vinegar. If you don't frequently descal your machine, it may be affected by issues like clogging or altered flavor.
The most modern espresso machines feature a dual boiler system. One boiler is used for brewing, and the other for steaming. The steam wand is heated independently from the group head and allows you to continue steaming milk while your shots are brewing. This is particularly useful for busy cafes that require a variety of different types of cappuccino and coffee.
Other features you can get on a higher-end espresso machine are a hot water dispenser as well as an automatic rinse cycle and user preferences that are programmable for the type and quantity of cappuccino or coffee you typically make. These can save time and money, particularly in a high-volume setting where consistency is essential. You may also find a coffee grinder integrated into the machine or attached to it, and an nozzle to dispensing hot or frozen milk.
Ease of Repair
Durability and ease of maintenance are crucial when it is about commercial espresso machines. Commercial espresso machines are designed to withstand heavy usage and are made of robust materials. These machines are more likely to have warranties as well as other protections against damage. Espresso machines at home, on the other hand are usually constructed with less expensive materials and could break down more easily.
Many commercial espresso machines require UL-listed and come with an NSF seal in order to meet building and health department standards. These requirements ensure that the equipment is safe for employees as well as customers. This is particularly relevant for espresso machines that produce a large volume of drinks. It is also crucial to choose a machine that uses stainless steel or other FDA-approved materials because they won't release chemicals into the coffee.
There are various types of professional coffee machines, such as semi-automatic and fully automated. Each model has its particular advantages and disadvantages but all are built to make delicious coffee.
A manual espresso machine requires the barista to generate the pressure using their own hands and arms, which can be difficult to master. These machines aren't as popular and are more difficult to find replacement parts for in the event of an issue.
Semi-automatic espresso machines provide an ideal compromise between human-controlled control and mechanised consistency. The barista has to grind and tamp the beans but the pump regulates the pressure and temperature of the water to prevent over-extraction.
Fully-automatic espresso machines are similar to semi-automatic machines however they also have the ability to dispensate steam and hot water at the touch of the button. This helps save energy and time and allows for greater production capacity.
It is crucial that your staff understand how to use the espresso machine, irrespective of the model you choose. This will increase the quality of your coffee as well as increase efficiency. It could take some time for new staff to learn how grind, tamp and extract shots properly However, the investment will pay off in time by providing your customers a consistently good cup of espresso.