7 Helpful Tips To Make The Most Of Your Professional Espresso Machine

How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

This is a great option for coffee shops and cafes that want to attract customers who are enthralled by barista and espresso skills. It's an official machine for the World Barista Championships, and it demonstrates.

It has a water reservoir so that the barista only needs to refill it throughout their shift. The machine also comes with steam wands that cool-touch as well as hot water taps for tea.

Water

A commercial espresso machine must be able to produce a large volume of espresso-based drinks efficiently. This is why they are built with stainless steel which is more robust and resistant to scratches and breaks. Stainless steel espresso machines also make it easier to maintain and clean.

A good quality machine should include an independent shut-off valve for the water pipe in order to prevent the build-up of limescale. This will ensure any repairs are limited to affected parts of the machine and will not affect the operation of the rest.

Test your water and ensure it is being treated correctly. For best coffee espresso machine distilled water can be restored by adding a tiny amount of minerals back into it. This can diminish its erosive properties and improve its taste, however it could also cause damage to certain machines. The remineralized wate will make the boiler sensor think the machine is full, even though it isn't. This can cause the machine to overheat and be damaged.

Grinder

The grinder is a crucial element for an espresso machine that is successful. It is used to take a raw, unground bean and turns it into a finely ground coffee that can be properly tamped into the filter basket to create an excellent extraction.

Commercial-grade professional espresso machines usually have a built-in grinder which can be programmed to grind various drink sizes, ensuring that the results are consistent every time. Super-automatic machines go one step further and automatize the entire process, from brewing to grinding and dispensing. These machines are often praised in Lab tests for being easy to use.

A semi-automatic or manual espresso machine requires more involvement from the barista, but the quality of the end result is usually worth it. This model won an 2022 Good Housekeeping Coffee Award for its intelligent dosing system that weighs and distributes the correct amount of ground coffee every time. It also has a low pressure pre-infusion for an even extraction, and a milk frother that made thick, rich steamed milk in our tests.

Temperature

When it is time to make espresso, temperature plays a major role in the taste and quality of your shots. If the temperature of your water is not at its ideal degree, it can result in a slower extraction and can even lead to a bitter cup.

Fortunately, top-quality espresso machines have tools that allow you to ensure that your water is at the right temperature. One method to achieve this is with an PID, which monitors and adjusts the temperature of the water. Double boiler systems are another way to accomplish this. This allows you to utilize one boiler for tea and steam and the other for heating water to brew temperatures.

Carles mentions that these systems can make the difference for large businesses and home baristas alike. They make it easier for novices to dial in the perfect shot of espresso since they can keep an exact temperature and eliminate all the factors that can affect the flavor profile. It can also make it easier for experienced baristas to get their espressos exactly how they want them.

Pressure

The pressure an espresso machine is using also affects the quality of the coffee it produces. Many espresso drinkers have noticed that their coffee tastes different depending on the pressure they use, even if other factors remain constant.

In general, commercial grade machines use nine bars of pressure to create espresso. These machines tend to be pump-driven instead of steam-driven. While higher-pressure machines exist they generally require a more complicated group head design to manage the higher pressure levels.

While you may find espresso machines that advertise 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars is generally regarded as the most reliable standard for producing consistently excellent espressos. These machines with higher pressure are typically less expensive and designed for home use.

To put 9 bar of pressure in perspective, it's more than four times the amount that's imposed by the air inside your car tire. The greater the pressure an espresso maker that is professional can apply, then the better at separating flavor from the coffee beans you love. It's worthwhile to invest in high-end machines that will give you the highest quality results.

Barista Skills

A barista should be able to take and process orders quickly and accurately. This is particularly crucial during busy times in the coffee shop. Being able to provide excellent customer service is also vital to establishing relationships with customers and generating more business for the shop. This includes recognizing frequent customers, working efficiently to resolve problems and being positive and helpful even in challenging circumstances.

Baristas typically need to be capable of multitasking, as they are required to take orders and operate a cash counter and communicate orders with coworkers and take phone calls all at once. This skill helps keep orders moving quickly to the customer and will allow them to have an enjoyable experience in the coffee shop.

It is essential for baristas to have knowledge of the different styles of drinks that can be prepared using an espresso machine. This can be accomplished by reading up on the different kinds of coffee, testing them out in person, or watching videos online. Many baristas find it helpful to attend classes run by various organizations.