How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine
This is a great option for cafes and coffee shops that wish to attract customers who are enthralled by barista and espresso skills. It's the official machine for World Barista Championships, and it displays.
It also has a reservoir for water which means that the barista requires refilling it throughout their shift. The machine also comes with cool-touch steam wands and hot water taps for tea.
Water
A commercial espresso machine must be able to produce a high volume of espresso-based drinks in an efficient manner. This is why these machines are usually constructed of stainless steel, which is more robust and resistant to breaks and scratches. Espresso machines made of stainless steel make it easier to keep clean and maintained.
A top-quality machine should have an additional shut-off valve that is connected to the water pipe to prevent the accumulation of limescale. This will ensure that any repairs are limited to affected parts of the machine and won't affect the operation of the rest.
When selecting your water make sure you test it and treat it properly to get the best results. For example the distilled water can be refining by adding a small amount of minerals back to it. This can negate it's negative erosive properties and enhance the taste, but it can also damage some machines. This is because the remineralized water will cause the boiler sensor to think that the machine is fully stocked, but it is not. This could cause the machine to overheat, and eventually be damaged.
Grinder
The grinder is an essential element in an espresso machine that works. It grinds a raw bean and turns it into finely ground coffee that is then placed into the filter basket, resulting in an excellent extraction.
Professional-grade commercial machines include grinders that can be programmed for various sizes of drinks. This guarantees consistent results every time. Super-automatic espresso machines take this one step further, implementing automation and programming the entire process from brewing to dispensing. These kinds of machines are able to score high marks in Lab tests for their hands-off ease of use.
Semi-automatic or manual machines require more effort from the barista, but the results are worth it. This model was awarded an 2022 Good Housekeeping Coffee Award for its dosing technology that weighs and distributes the correct amount of ground coffee each time. It also comes with a low-pressure pre-infusion system that allows for balanced extraction and an ice cream wand that excelled in our test for producing thick, rich steaming milk.
Temperature
Temperature is a major aspect in espresso. If the water temperature isn't at a good level, it can cause extraction to be impeded and can even lead to an unpleasant cup.
Fortunately, top-quality espresso machines include tools that allow you to keep your water at the right temperature. One method of doing this is with a PID, which monitors and adjusts the temperature of the water. Double boiler systems are a second method to do this. This allows you to make use of one boiler for steam and tea, while the other heats water to the right temperature for brewing.
Carles says that these kinds of systems can be beneficial for large corporations and baristas at home alike. They make it easier for novices to make the perfect espresso drink since they can keep an accurate temperature and avoid all the factors that can affect the flavor profile. It can also make it easier for experienced baristas to make their espressos exactly how they would like them.
Pressure
The pressure an espresso machine utilizes also affects the quality of the coffee it produces. Many espresso drinkers have noticed that their drinks have a distinct taste different based on the amount of pressure used, even if other factors remain constant.
Most commercial machines use 9 bars of pressure to make espresso. These machines also tend to be driven by pumps rather than steam-driven. While higher-pressure machines exist but they usually require a more complex group head design that coffee for espresso machine can take on the higher pressures.
While you may see some espresso machines advertising 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars is generally considered to be the gold standard for creating consistently excellent brews. These higher-pressure machines tend to be less expensive and designed for use at home.
In comparison, 9 bars of pressure is four times greater than the pressure exerted by your car tire. The more pressure an experienced espresso machine can put on, the better it will be at capturing the taste of the coffee beans you love. This is why it's worth investing in a premium machine that will deliver the best possible results.
Barista Skills
A barista should be able take orders and process them quickly and accurately. This is especially crucial during busy periods at the coffee shop. A good understanding of customer service is also vital to establishing relationships with customers and increasing sales for the shop. This could include recognizing regular customers, working efficiently to resolve issues and being positive and helpful even in difficult situations.
Baristas often need to be skilled at multitasking, since they are expected to take orders and operate a cash register as well as communicate orders to coworkers, and answer telephone calls all at once. This skill allows them to keep orders moving quickly to the customer and ensures that customers have an enjoyable time in the coffee shop.
It is important for a barista to have knowledge of the various styles of drinks that can be made with an espresso machine. This can be mastered by reading up on the different types of coffee, attempting the drinks in person and watching videos online. Many baristas also find it beneficial to take classes on the topic, which are offered by various organizations.