7 Tips To Make The Most Of Your Professional Espresso Machine

How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

For coffee and espresso machine shops and cafes looking to attract customers with passion for barista and espresso skills, this is a great choice. It's the official barista machine for World Barista Championships and it really shows.

It comes with a water reservoir which means that the barista needs to refill it throughout their shift. The machine also comes with steam wands that cool-touch as well as hot water taps for tea.

Water

A commercial espresso machine is required to produce a large quantity of espresso-based drinks efficiently. They are typically made of stainless steel, which is strong and resistant to cracks and scratches. These espresso machines are also easy to maintain and clean.

Lastly, a good quality machine has a shut-off valve for the water line to prevent the formation of limescale. This will ensure any repairs are limited to the affected components of the machine and won't affect the rest of your operation.

When selecting the water you want to drink ensure that you test it and treat it correctly to ensure the best espresso machine results. For instance the distilled water can be refining by adding a small amount of minerals back to it. It can improve the taste and lessen its erosive characteristics, but can also damage certain machines. The remineralized wate can make the boiler sensor think that the machine is full however it's not. This can lead to overheating and damage the machine.

Grinder

The grinder is a crucial component of a successful espresso maker. The grinder turns an unground, raw coffee bean to cup espresso machine into a finely-ground coffee that can be properly tamped into the filter basket for an excellent extraction.

Professional commercial grade machines include a grinder that can be programmed for various sizes of drinks. This ensures consistent results every time. Super-automatic machines go one step further and automate the entire process from brewing, to grinding and dispensing. These kinds of machines usually get high scores in Lab tests for their hands-off simplicity of use.

A semi-automatic or manual espresso machine requires more involvement from the barista, however the quality of the end result is usually worth it. This model earned the 2022 Good Housekeeping Coffee Award for its dosing technology that weighs and dispenses the right amount of ground coffee every time. It also has an low-pressure pre-infusion system for an even extraction, and the milk frother produced dense, thick steamed milk during our tests.

Temperature

The temperature is a crucial aspect in espresso. If the water temperature is not at a suitable degree, it can cause extraction to be impeded and may even result in bitter 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 with PIDs that monitor and adjusts the temperature of the water. Double boiler systems are another way to achieve this. This lets you make use of one boiler for tea and steam while the second one heats water to brew temperature.

Carles explains that these systems can make a difference for both large-scale businesses as well as baristas at home. They can make it much easier for novices to determine the ideal espresso because they are able to maintain an accurate temperature and avoid many of the factors that can affect the flavor profile. It's also easier for baristas with more experience to dial in their espressos just how they prefer.

Pressure

The pressure that an espresso machine utilizes can also impact the quality of coffee it produces. Many espresso drinkers have noticed that their drinks have a distinct taste differently based on the pressure used, even if all other factors are constant.

Most commercial machines use 9 bar espresso machine bars of pressure in order to brew espresso. These machines 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 intricate to handle the higher levels of pressure.

While you may find espresso machines that advertise 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars is generally regarded as the gold standard for consistently great brews. The higher-pressure machines tend to be less expensive and designed for home use.

In comparison, 9 bar of pressure is four times greater than the pressure exerted by your car tire. The greater pressure an espresso maker with professional quality can apply, the better it is at separating flavor from your favorite coffee beans. It's worth investing in high-quality machines that can produce the highest quality results.

Barista Skills

A barista must be able to take orders and process them quickly and accurately. This is particularly crucial during busy times in the coffee shop. Being able to provide excellent customer service 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 remaining friendly and positive when faced with difficult situations.

Baristas are often capable of multitasking, as they are required to take orders, operate a cash register and communicate orders with coworkers, and answer telephone calls at the same time. This ability allows customers to enjoy an enjoyable coffee shop experience by ensuring that orders get delivered promptly.

It is essential that a barista's skills are developed to be able to make different drinks with an espresso machine. This can be mastered by researching the different kinds of coffee, testing them out in person, or watching videos online. Many baristas find it beneficial to attend classes offered by various organizations.