How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

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

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

Water

A commercial espresso machine needs to produce a large quantity of espresso based drinks in an efficient manner. This is why they are generally constructed from stainless steel which is more durable and resistant to breakage and scratches. Stainless steel espresso machines also make it easier to clean and maintain.

Lastly, a good quality machine has a shut off valve for the water line, to prevent limescale build up. This will ensure that any repairs are restricted to the affected components of the machine and won't impact the rest your operation.

When selecting your water make sure you test it and treat it correctly to ensure the best results. Remineralize distilled water by adding some minerals. This can reduce its erosion properties and improve its taste, but it can also damage some machines. This is because the remineralized fluid will cause the boiler sensor to think that the machine is full, even though it is not. This can cause overheating and even damage to the machine.

Grinder

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

Commercial-grade professional espresso machines typically have a built-in grinding unit that can be programmed to grind for different drink sizes, ensuring the same results every time. Super-automatic machines go a step further and automate the entire process from brewing through grinding and dispensing. These types of machines are able to score high scores in Lab tests for their hands-off accessibility.

A manual or semi-automatic espresso machine requires more involvement by the barista, but the quality of the end result is often worth it. This model won a Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 for its clever dosing system that is able to measure and distributes the right amount of coffee each time. It also comes with a low pressure pre-infusion system to ensure smooth extraction and the milk frothing wand, which excelled in our test for producing thick, rich steamed milk.

Temperature

Temperature is a key factor in espresso. If the temperature of your water isn't at a good level, it could cause extraction to be hindered and can even lead to bitter cups.

Espresso machines of the highest quality come with tools that can help you keep the proper temperature of your water. A PID monitors and regulates temperature of water. Double boiler systems are a second method to achieve this. You can use one boiler to heat water and steam for tea, while using the other for heating water to brewing temperature.

Carles points out that these systems can make the difference for large-scale businesses as well as home baristas. They can make it simpler for beginners to make the perfect espresso shot because they can maintain an exact temperature and eliminate some of the variables that can throw off the flavor profile. It's also easier for baristas with more experience to dial in their espressos just the way they want.

Pressure

The pressure that an espresso machine utilizes can affect the quality of the coffee it produces. Many espresso drinkers have noticed that their coffee tastes different depending on the pressure that is used, even though other factors remain constant.

In general, commercial-grade machines use nine bars of pressure to create espresso. These machines are also more likely to be steam driven than pumps-driven. Although higher-pressure machines are also available, they require a group head that is more complex to handle the higher levels of pressure.

Although you might see espresso machines that advertise 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars is generally considered to be the gold standard for creating consistently excellent espressos. These machines that are higher pressure are generally smaller and designed for home use.

In comparison, 9 bar of pressure is four times higher than the pressure that is exerted by your car tire. The greater pressure a professional espresso machine is able to apply and the more effective it will be at capturing the flavor of the coffee beans you love. For this reason, it's worthwhile to invest in a top-quality machine that can deliver the highest quality results.

Barista Skills

A barista should be able to take and process orders of customers quickly and accurately. This is especially important in busy times at the coffee shop. Being able to provide excellent customer service is also vital to establishing customer relationships and increasing business for the shop. This can include acknowledging regular customers, resolving problems efficiently, and remaining positive and friendly even in challenging situations.

Baristas are often adept at multitasking as they have to take orders and operate a cash register as well as communicate orders to coworkers and handle phone calls at the same time. This skill allows them to keep orders moving quickly to the customer and will allow them to have an enjoyable experience in the coffee shop.

It here is crucial for a barista's education to be able make various drinks using an espresso machine. This can be gained through studying the various kinds of coffees, trying them out in person, or watching videos on the internet. Many baristas find it beneficial to attend classes on the topic, which are offered by a variety of organizations.