Professional Espresso Machine It's Not As Hard As You Think
What to Look For in a Professional Espresso Machine
You'll require a machine that has the ability to control the pre-infusion. This is important for the development of flavor. PID temperature control is a feature that coffee experts are looking for in an espresso machine that is professional.
If you're planning to hire baristas with no experience, you'll require a machine that's easy to use and quick to instruct new staff members on. This is important if you plan to run an open-air coffee shop.
Easy to Use
As you could have guessed from the name the espresso machine is professional and is designed to be easy to operate and maintain. It has an integrated grinder that automatically grinds fresh coffee beans into the portafilter, digital temperature control to ensure optimal extraction and the manual steam wand that is used to create microfoam for making coffee art. It even comes with an experiment strip to help you assess the water's hardness and an AquaClean filter to help reduce scale buildup.
It is a great choice for home baristas since it offers a balance between automatic and manually operated operation. You can make a shot of coffee like professional baristas (although there is a slight learning curve). The built-in grinder allows you to play around with your coffee grind size and fine-tune the process while the manual steam wand allows you to create foamy milk for cappuccinos and lattes. The machine also has an easy-to-clean dishwasher-safe milk hopper that makes cleaning up after each use easy and easy.
Although this model is designed for home use, there are some advanced features that set it apart from espresso machines that are used by professionals. It has dual boilers, which allow the brewing function and steam function to be heated separately. This allows each function to be kept at the exact temperature you want. McCarthy says that this will ensure the espresso is extracted at the correct pressure (which is varying from 4 bars at beginning, and 14-16 bars after it is completed) while minimizing the chance 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 quicker recovery time between each cup of espresso.
It's also recommended to look for a machine that is able to be opened to carry out regular maintenance and repairs, since espresso drinkers are often interested in the workings of their equipment. This is particularly important for an espresso machine designed for professional use that is frequently used, as frequent use can result in wear and tear on components. 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 Made Simple
It is essential to keep the interior of a professional espresso machine clean. Over time, grounds, coffee oils and water mineral deposits can accumulate, affecting the quality of the final espresso cup and the overall performance of the machine. Regular cleaning will prevent these toxins and ensure constant flow of water and extraction pressure.
Utilizing a specially-designed group head cleaning brush that has bristles that reach crevices can assist in removing stubborn residue. Regular use of a cleaning solution can also help break down and dissolve coffee oils, ground particles and other contaminants. Additionally, certain espresso machines require periodic backflushing. This involves blocking the portafilter by blind filters and pushing water back through the system to clean the shower head, group head, screen, and valves. Using the proper tools and following the manufacturer's guidelines for backflushing can improve the overall cleanliness of your espresso machine and maintenance.
A tool that can be reused to clean the group head can make routine maintenance simpler for espresso drinkers. These brushes can be found in a variety of sizes and shapes to efficiently clean the various parts of the machine, like valves, ports, and gaskets. These brushes are usually made of stainless steel, and have an holder that is small enough to be easily filled or replenished as required. Some tools come with an in-built reservoir for storing the cleaning solution after it has been in use.
Descaling solutions can dramatically improve espresso machine performance and ease of operation, especially in high-volume settings. These liquid descalers get rid of calcium and limescale, which block water flow and decrease espresso taste. The user can soak the parts or backflush their system with these products that are more efficient than citric acid cleaners at getting rid of mineral buildup.
When deciding on the best espresso machine, think about the features that are most important for you and your business. For instance, if want to be able to adjust the temperature of your water and brew volume for certain beverages, you might prefer an espresso maker that has manual controls with more flexible settings. On the other hand, if you're an avid espresso drinker but would like to enjoy great-tasting coffee at home, a semi-automatic or fully automated espresso machine might be the ideal choice.
Easy Maintenance
The ease of maintenance of your espresso machine largely on the model. Certain machines require more manual labor while others are less demanding. The way to determine is to look at the level of automation. Espresso/cappuccino machine types are divided into three categories: semiautomatic, fully automated and superautomatic. Semi-automatic machines give the barista some control, but they do not offer much automation. Fully automated machines are less hands-on but still requires the operator to grind, tamp and pull the shot. A super-automatic machine is completely automated, making espresso and espresso-based drinks with one button press.
If you're buying a semi-automatic or fully automatic professional espresso machine, make sure to consider the number of customers your business anticipates serving at peak times. This will help you determine the size of an commercial espresso machine you should purchase. If you intend to serve 120 drinks from 8-10 AM, then you'll need a semi-automatic espresso machine that can handle the amount of orders.
It is also important to think about the frequency you should clean your coffee maker. Some manufacturers recommend descale the coffee maker at least once every week with vinegar and warm water. If you don't regularly clean your machine, it might develop issues such as obstruction or altered flavor.
Many of the more advanced espresso machines available come with a dual boiler system, with one boiler to make espresso and another one to steam. This allows the steam wand as well as the group head to be heated at separate temperatures, so you can continue to steam milk for drinks while your shots are being made. This is particularly useful for cafes with a lot of customers who need to serve lots of different kinds of cappuccino and coffee.
Other features you may discover in more sophisticated espresso machines include a hot water dispenser as well as an automatic rinsing process and user-programmable preferences for the type of cappuccino and coffee you are most likely to make. These features will save you time and money in large-scale settings where consistency is essential. You may also find that the machine comes with an integrated or attached coffee grinder and a nozzle that can be used to serve hot or frozen steamed milk.
Repair Ease
The durability and ease of maintenance are crucial when it is about commercial espresso machines. Commercial machines are designed to withstand the rigors of usage and are typically constructed with durable materials that last for a long time. machine espresso are also more likely to have warranties and other protections against damage. Espresso machines at home, on the other hand are usually constructed with less expensive materials and could fail more easily.
Many commercial espresso machines must be UL-listed as well as have a NSF seal in order to meet building and health department standards. These requirements ensure that the equipment will be safe for employees as well as customers. This is especially true for espresso machines that make an enormous amount of drinks. Choose a machine made of stainless steel or FDA-approved components to avoid chemical leaching into the coffee.
There are many different kinds of professional espresso machines, including manual, semi-automatic, and fully automatic. Each machine type has its distinct advantages and disadvantages, however, all are designed to brew delicious coffee.
A manual espresso machine requires the barista to generate the pressure with their own hands and arms which can be a challenge to master. They are also less popular, and therefore they could be more difficult to find parts for in the event that something goes wrong.
Semi-automatic espresso machines offer an excellent compromise between human control and mechanised consistency. The barista must 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 models, but they also have the ability to dispense steam and hot water at the push of one button. This will save energy and time, and also increase production capacity.
It is essential that your staff members know how to operate the espresso machine, irrespective of what type you choose. This will improve your coffee's quality and effectiveness. It may take some time for new staff to learn how to grind, tamp and extract the right shots however, the investment will pay off over time, as you can offer your customers an consistently high-quality cup of espresso.