Professional Espresso Machine Tips From The Top In The Industry

How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

This is an excellent choice for coffee shops and cafes that want to attract customers who are enthusiastic about espresso and barista skills. It's the official machine for World Barista Championships and it really shows.

It comes with a water reservoir so that the barista just needs to refill it throughout their shift. The machine comes with an hot water tap for tea and steam wands with cool-touch.

Water

A commercial espresso machine is required to produce a high volume of espresso based drinks in an efficient manner. They are usually constructed of stainless steel, which is strong and resistant to breaks and scratches. Stainless steel espresso machines also make it easier to clean and maintain.

A high-quality machine must include an independent shut-off valve for the water pipe in order to prevent the build-up of limescale. This will ensure that any repairs will be isolated to the affected machine components and won't impact the rest of your operation.

When choosing your water be sure to test it thoroughly and treat it in a way to get the best results. For example distilled water may be recycled by adding a small amount of minerals back into it. It can enhance the taste and lessen its erosive characteristics, but could also cause damage to certain machines. Remineralized wate makes the boiler sensor believe that the machine is full and it isn't. This can cause the machine to overheat and be damaged.

Grinder

The grinder is a crucial component of a successful coffee maker. It grinds a raw bean and transforms it into a finely ground coffee that can then be put into the filter basket to produce an excellent extraction.

Commercial-grade professional espresso coffee machines uk machines typically have a built-in grinding unit that can be programmed to grind for various sizes of drinks, providing that the results are consistent every 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 being easy to use.

Semi-automatic and manual machines require more work from the barista but often the results are worth it. This model won the 2022 Good Housekeeping Coffee Award for its clever dosing feature that weighs and distributes the correct amount of ground coffee each time. It also comes with a low-pressure pre-infusion system to ensure smooth extraction and the milk frothing wand, which was a success in our test for producing thick, rich steaming milk.

Temperature

The temperature is a crucial factor in espresso. If the water isn't at its ideal temperature, it can hinder extraction and even cause bitter coffee.

Fortunately, high-quality espresso machines come with tools that will allow you to keep your water at the correct temperature. A PID monitors and regulates temperature of water. The other way is by using a double boiler. This lets you use one boiler for steam and tea, while the other heats water to the right temperature for brewing.

Carles explains that these systems can make a difference for both large-scale businesses as well as baristas at home. They can help novices dial in the perfect espresso shot since they are able to maintain the exact temperature and prevent several variables that can affect the flavor profile. It's also simpler for baristas with more experience to get their shots just the way they prefer.

Pressure

The pressure an espresso machine is using also affects the quality of the coffee it produces. Many espresso and filter coffee machine drinkers have noticed that their drinks taste different based on the amount of pressure they use, even if all other variables remain the same.

Most commercial machines use 9 bars of pressure in order to make espresso. These machines are also more likely to be steam-driven instead of pumps driven. Although high-pressure machines are offered, 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 with higher pressure tend to be less expensive and designed for home use.

In comparison, 9 bar of pressure is four times higher than the pressure applied by your car tire. The greater pressure an espresso machines home maker with professional quality can apply, the better it will be at extracting flavor out of the coffee beans you love. Therefore, it's worth investing in a high-end machine that will give you the best possible results.

Barista Skills

A barista must be able to take and process orders from customers quickly and efficiently. This is particularly crucial in busy times at the coffee shop. Good customer service skills are crucial to build relationships with customers and boosting the sales of the coffee shop. This includes acknowledging regular customers, working to resolve issues efficiently and remaining positive and friendly even in challenging situations.

A strong ability to multitask is usually required for baristas, since they may have to take orders and operate the cash register and communicate orders to colleagues and take phone calls simultaneously. This skill helps keep orders moving quickly to the customer, and gives them an enjoyable time in the coffee shop.

It is beneficial for baristas to be aware of the different styles of drinks that can be prepared using an espresso machine. Learn about the various kinds of espresso by reading up on them, experimenting with the drinks in person and by watching online videos. Baristas often consider it beneficial to attend classes on the topic, which are offered by many organizations.