How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine
This is a great choice for cafes and coffee shops that want to attract customers who are passionate about barista and espresso. It's official machine for World Barista Championships, and it demonstrates.
It also has a reservoir for water which means that the barista needs to refill it once during their shift. It also has steam wands that cool-touch as well as a hot water tap for tea.
Water
A commercial espresso machine has to create a huge amount of espresso based drinks efficiently. This is why they are built with stainless steel which is more durable and resistant to breaks and scratches. These espresso machines are also easier to maintain and keep clean.
A high-quality machine should include an independent shut-off valve for the water pipe to avoid limescale accumulation. This will ensure any repairs are limited to affected components of the machine, and will not impact the rest your operation.
When selecting the water you want to drink make sure you test it and treat it correctly to get the best results. Remineralize distilled water by adding some minerals. This can reduce its erosive properties and improve its flavor, but it may also damage machines. This is because the remineralized water can cause the boiler sensor to think that the machine is full, even though it is not. This can cause the machine to overheat and be damaged.
Grinder
The grinder is a vital element for a successful espresso machine. It takes a raw, unground bean and turns it into finely ground coffee that can be properly put into the filter basket to produce an excellent extraction.
Commercial-grade espresso machines usually include a built-in grinder that can be programmed to grind different sizes of drinks, which ensures that the results are consistent every time. Super-automatic espresso machines go one step further by automating and programmable the whole process from brewing to dispensing. These kinds of machines are able to score high scores in Lab tests for their hands-off accessibility.
A semi-automatic or manual espresso machine requires more involvement from the barista, but the quality of the final result is often worth it. This model earned a 2022 Good Housekeeping Coffee Award for its smart dosing feature that weighs and dispensing the right amount of ground coffee every time. It also features an infusion with low pressure for well-balanced extraction, as well as a milk frother that made thick, rich steamed milk in our tests.
Temperature
Temperature is a major aspect in espresso. If the water isn't at its ideal temperature, it can affect extraction and can lead to a bitter cup of coffee.
Fortunately, high-quality espresso machines come with tools that enable you to keep your water at the correct temperature. One method for doing this is to use PIDs, which monitors and adjusts the temperature of the water. Another method is making use of a double boiler. You can use one boiler to heat steam and water for tea, while using the other to heat water to the brewing temperature.
Carles states that these kinds of systems can be beneficial for large companies as well as home baristas. They can make it easier for beginners to dial in the perfect espresso drink because they can maintain an accurate temperature and avoid all the variables that can throw off the flavor profile. It's also easier for baristas who have more experience to dial in their espressos exactly how they prefer.
Pressure
The amount of pressure an espresso machine uses is another factor that contributes to the quality of the coffee it produces. Many espresso drinkers notice that their drinks taste different depending on the pressure used, even when all other elements remain the same.
Most commercial machines use 9 bars of pressure to brew espresso. They also tend to be pump-driven, not steam-driven. Although higher-pressure machines are also available however they require a group head that is more complicated to handle the higher levels of pressure.
While some espresso machines advertise 15 or 18 bars of pressure in their machines, nine bars are generally considered to be the standard for making consistently excellent espressos. These machines that are higher pressure are generally less expensive and are intended for home use.
In comparison, 9 bars of pressure is four times greater than the pressure exerted by your car tire. The more pressure a professional espresso machine is able to apply, the better it will be at extracting flavor from your favorite coffee beans. This is why it's worthwhile to invest in a top-quality machine that can give you the best possible results.
espresso coffee machine must be able to take orders and process them quickly and precisely. This is particularly important during busy times in the coffee shop. Effective customer service skills are also important for building relationships with customers and boosting sales for the coffee shop. This could include recognizing regular customers, working to resolve issues efficiently and remaining positive and welcoming even in stressful situations.
Baristas often need to be adept at multitasking as they have to take orders and operate a cash register as well as communicate orders to coworkers, and answer telephone 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 vital for a barista's education to be able to make various drinks using an espresso machine. This can be accomplished by reading up on the different types of coffee, attempting the drinks in person and watching videos on the internet. Many baristas also consider it beneficial to attend classes on the matter, offered by various organizations.