An All-Inclusive List Of Professional Espresso Machine Dos And Don'ts

How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

This is an excellent choice for coffee shops and cafes which want to draw customers who are passionate about barista and espresso skills. espresso coffee machines 's the official barista machine for World Barista Championships and it really does show.

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

Water

A commercial espresso machine has to be able to make an enormous amount of espresso-based drinks in a timely manner. This is why they are usually constructed of stainless steel which is more robust and resistant to breaks and scratches. These espresso machines are also easy to maintain and clean.

A top-quality machine should include a separate shut-off valve to the water pipe in order to prevent limescale build-up. This will ensure that any repairs are isolated to the affected machine components and won't impact the rest of your operation.

When choosing your water be sure to test it and treat it correctly to ensure the best results. You can remineralize distilled water by adding a few minerals. This could reduce its erosive properties and improve its taste, but it may also damage machines. This is because the remineralized fluid will cause the boiler sensor to think that the machine is full, even though it's not. This can cause the machine to overheat and cause damaged.

Grinder

The grinder is a crucial element for an espresso machine that works. It grinds a raw bean and transforms it into a finely ground coffee that can be properly put into the filter basket for an excellent extraction.

Professional commercial grade machines include grinders that can be programmed to work with different sizes of drink. This guarantees consistency in results each time. Super-automatic espresso machines take this one step further, by automating and programmable the whole process from brewing to dispensing. These machines are often praised in Lab tests for being easy to use.

Semi-automatic and manual machines require more work from the barista, but the results are worth it. This model was awarded a Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 due to its sophisticated dosing mechanism that measures and dispenses the right amount of coffee each time. It also has a low-pressure pre-infusion system that allows for balanced extraction and a milk frothing wand that performed well in our tests for producing thick, rich steaming milk.

Temperature

When it comes to espresso temperature, it plays an important role in the taste and quality of your shots. If the temperature of the water is not at a suitable level, it could cause extraction to be hindered and may even result in a bitter cup.

High-end espresso machines have tools that can help you keep the proper temperature of your water. One method to achieve this is by utilizing PIDs that monitor and adjusts the temperature of the water. Another method is using a double boiler system. One boiler can be used to heat steam and water for tea, and use the second boiler to heat water to the brewing temperature.

Carles explains how these systems can be beneficial for both large businesses and home-based baristas. They can make it simpler for novices to make the perfect espresso shot because they can maintain an exact temperature and eliminate many of the variables that can throw off the flavor profile. It's also simpler for baristas with more experience to dial in their espressos just the way they would like.

Pressure

The pressure an espresso machine uses can also impact the quality of coffee it produces. Many espresso drinkers notice that their beverages taste different depending on the amount of pressure employed, even when all other factors remain constant.

Most commercial machines use 9 bars of pressure in order to make espresso. These machines are also more likely to be steam-driven than pump-driven. Although higher-pressure machines are available they generally require a more sophisticated group head design to manage the higher pressure levels.

While some espresso machines advertise 15 or 18 bars of pressure on their machines 9 bars are typically considered to be the gold standard when it comes to making consistently excellent espressos. These machines that are higher pressure are typically less expensive and designed for use at home.

To put 9 bars of pressure in perspective, it's more than four times the pressure that is exerted by the air in your car tire. The more pressure an experienced espresso machine is able to apply and the more effective it will be at removing the flavor from the coffee beans you love. It's worthwhile to invest in high-end machines that can give the most effective results.

Barista Skills

A barista needs to be able to take and process customer orders quickly and efficiently. This is particularly crucial when there is a lot of activity at the coffee shop. Good customer service skills are crucial to build relationships with customers as well as increasing sales for the coffee shop. This includes recognizing regular customers, resolving issues quickly and remaining positive and helpful in difficult situations.

Baristas typically need to be adept at multitasking as they are expected to take orders as well as operate a cash register and communicate orders with coworkers and take phone calls at the same time. This skill allows the customer to enjoy an enjoyable experience at the coffee shop by ensuring that orders are delivered quickly.

It is important for a barista to have knowledge of the different styles of drinks that can be made using an espresso machine. This can be accomplished by researching the different kinds of coffees, trying the drinks in person and watching videos on the internet. Many baristas find it beneficial to attend classes offered by various organizations.