How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

This is a great choice for cafes and coffee shops which want to draw customers who are enthusiastic about barista and espresso skills. It's the official machine of the World Barista Championships and it truly shows.

It has a water reservoir to ensure that the barista only requires refilling it throughout their shift. The machine has hot water for tea and steam wands that cool-touch.

Water

A commercial espresso machine has to produce a high volume of espresso based drinks in an efficient manner. The machines are typically made of stainless steel, which is durable and resistant to scratches and breaks. Stainless steel espresso machines also make it easier to keep clean and maintained.

A good quality machine should include an independent shut-off valve for the water pipe in order to prevent limescale build-up. This will ensure that any repairs are confined to the specific machine components and won't affect the rest of your operation.

When choosing your water make sure you test it and treat it appropriately to ensure the best results. You can remineralize the water you distill by adding some minerals. It can improve the taste and lessen its erosive qualities, but can also damage certain machines. The remineralized water will make the boiler sensor think the machine is full, even though it isn't. This can cause the machine to overheat and become damaged.

Grinder

The grinder is an essential element of an espresso machine that is successful. The grinder transforms an unground, raw coffee bean into a finely-ground coffee that can be tamped properly into the filter basket to ensure an efficient extraction.

Commercial-grade professional espresso machines typically have a built-in grinder which can be programmed to grind various sizes of drinks, which ensures consistent results each time. Super-automatic espresso machines go one step further by automating and programmable the entire process from brewing to grinding to dispensing. These machines are often praised by Lab tests for their ease to use.

Semi-automatic and manual machines require more effort from the barista, but the results are worth the effort. This model won the Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 for its intelligent dosing system, which measures and distributes the right amount of coffee each time. It also features a low pressure pre-infusion for well-balanced extraction, as well as an milk frother that created rich, thick steamed-milk in our tests.

Temperature

Temperature is a major factor in espresso. If the temperature of the water is not at the right level, it could result in the extraction being impeded and may even result in bitter coffee.

Luckily, the best espresso machines come with tools that will allow you to keep your water at the right temperature. One method to achieve this is by utilizing PIDs, which monitors and adjusts the temperature of the water. Double boiler systems are another way to accomplish this. One boiler can be used to heat steam and water for tea, while using the second to heat water to brewing temperature.

Carles explains how these systems can make a difference for both large-scale businesses as well as home-based baristas. They can assist novices dial in the perfect espresso drink because they maintain the exact temperature and prevent various variables that can alter the flavor profile. It can also make it easier for baristas with experience to get their espressos exactly how they would like them.

Pressure

The amount of pressure an espresso machine employs is another factor that affects the quality of the coffee it makes. Many espresso drinkers have noticed that their drinks taste different based on the amount of pressure that is used, even though all other variables remain the same.

In general, commercial grade machines utilize nine bars of pressure to create espresso. These machines tend to be Swan Retro Pump Espresso Coffee Machine with Frother-driven rather than steam-driven. Although higher-pressure machines are available, they often require a more complicated group head design that can manage the higher pressure levels.

While some espresso machines advertise 15 or 18 bars of pressure in their machines Nine bars are generally considered to be the standard when it comes to making consistently excellent espressos. The higher-pressure machines tend to be less expensive and designed for home use.

In comparison, 9 bars of pressure is 4 times more than the pressure that is exerted by your car tire. The more pressure an espresso maker with professional quality can apply, the more effective it is at extracting flavor out of the coffee beans you love. For this reason, it's worth investing in a high-quality machine that will deliver the highest quality results.

Barista Skills

A barista should be able to accept and process orders of customers quickly and efficiently. This is especially crucial during busy times in the coffee shop. Having good customer service skills is also essential for building customer relationships and increasing business for the shop. This could include recognizing regular customers, working efficiently to resolve issues, and being positive and helpful even when faced with difficult situations.

Baristas frequently need to be able to multitask, as they are expected to take orders and operate a cash register and share orders with colleagues and handle phone calls all at once. This ability helps keep orders moving quickly to the customer, and allows them to have an enjoyable time in the coffee shop.

It is crucial for a barista's education to be able to prepare various types of coffee using an espresso machine. You can get acquainted with the various kinds of espresso by studying their characteristics, tasting them in person, and watching online videos. Many baristas find it helpful to attend classes offered by various organizations.