What to Look For in a Barista Espresso Machine

The espresso machine is one of the most complicated coffee machines available. It consists of three main parts. The bottom holds the water and the middle part is a filter-basket with a filter made of metal.

This machine was a huge success and was instrumental in establishing the prosumer (home barista) espresso market. It features a 2.2L steam boiler, a low pressure pre-infusion and 9 bar pressure for brewing.

Pressure

If you're serious about your coffee, then you know the pressure of your espresso maker is an important factor in how your drinks taste. Whether you're looking for a thick layer of crema, or the perfect balance of acidity and flavor, the pressure of your espresso maker is the most important factor in brewing good espresso.

BARs (Barometric Pressure) refer to the force that is applied to the grounds of your coffee when your espresso machine is pumping out its high-pressure water. 9 BARs means that the espresso machine is pushing heated water through the ground coffee at a an amount of nine times the Earth's current atmospheric pressure.

The pressure of your machine is vital because it allows the water to pass through coffee grounds at the proper speed and intensity. If the pressure isn't sufficient the oils and flavors will not be extracted correctly. On the other side, if the pressure is too high, the water will be forced through the coffee grounds too quickly, and you'll end up with an over-extracted, weak cup of espresso.

You can regulate the pressure of your espresso maker by adjusting the screw that is attached to the espresso pump. Commercial machines and a few high-end home machines have the rotary pumps, which are adjustable. For the cheaper home machines that have an oscillating pump, changing the pressure is difficult without involving DIY hacks. Companies like Cafflano however, are developing technology that utilizes Pascal's Principle to ensure pressure in the portafilter during the fermentation process.

Temperature

Temperature is among the most important factors in a perfect espresso shot. If the water is too hot, it could heat the coffee grounds and produce an over-extracted bitter brew. The optimal temperature for extraction is 200 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows the water to extract all of the desired coffee flavors without scorching the grounds or over-extracting.

The top espresso machines include a thermoblock which is used to heat the water and keep it at a stable temperature throughout the whole extraction cycle. The Breville Barista Express, for example, features PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) system which constantly monitors the water temperature and adjusts according to the need so that the brewhead stays at the right temperature for extraction.

Many coffee enthusiasts know that the temperature of your espresso maker is a crucial factor in making a quality cup of coffee. The ideal temperature for espresso is between Fahrenheit between 190 and 196. To achieve this, you need a machine with a good thermoblock, thermocoil, and a boiler that is appropriately sized.

In addition, it's important to preheat your portafilter, espresso machine, and cup before you make the shot. Beginner espresso makers often make the mistake of not preheating their machines. This is the reason why you should always study the instruction manual before making use of your espresso maker for the first time.

Grind

A barista espresso machine must provide a variety grind settings to give you the best control over the final cup of coffee. Some machines come with an analog pressure gauge which is cool and can help you gain knowledge about your brewing techniques. Ideally, you want to reach around nine bars of pressure and maintain that throughout the brew cycle. Although this machine can't reach the mark, it's close enough and will serve you well.

A built-in burr mill is another excellent feature. This feature is perfect for novices because it doesn't mean the need to purchase an additional grinder. The stainless steel conical grinder features 18 settings that range from "coarse to fine."

It's not as good as a stand-alone device, however, it's a decent start and will have you on the right track to making high-quality espresso shots. It's easy to clean and you can stop the grinder during the process of grinding to avoid creating a mountainous amount of grounds on your portafilter while it is being stamped.

This beautiful and functional machine lets you feel like a barista from your home. It's a great choice for those who want to to revisit the memories of pouring the microfoam into your morning cup of coffee and locking a portafilter in the grouphead, and then tamping with precision. For those who just want convenience, a bean to cup machine might be the better choice.

Water

Water is a challenging thing to master. The key is to find the proper balance. Too much caffeine can cause mineral deposits to develop in your machine. However, too little will result in a weaker cup of espresso.

The ideal espresso water is soft and high in alkalinity. It is best to use a water filter that removes chlorine and adds a tiny amount (TDS) of total dissolved substances in order to add calcium and magnesium. This will ensure a good balance between hardness and acidity and will also prevent the need to decalcify.

Using a high quality filtered machines coffee water is vital to your machine's longevity health as well as the taste of the coffee it makes. Depending on the use and hardness of your machine you should use descaling products regularly. These products are available as tab, liquid or powder form at a majority of hardware stores.

The Breville Barista Express is a premium, high-end espresso machine for home use that is designed to bring the cafe experience inside your home. It has more advanced features than other beginner machines designed for coffee lovers who want to improve their technique and perfect their craft. The thermocoil heater that has an integrated PID controller placed on the group head that is actively heated, makes it easy to control your brewing temperature. This can be a huge advantage over competing entry-level models which require longer "temperature surfing" to get a consistent shot of espresso.