How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

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

The barista is able to refill the water reservoir during their shift. The machine also has steam wands with cool-touch technology and hot water taps for tea.

Water

A commercial espresso machine must be able to produce a high volume of espresso-based drinks efficiently. That's why these machines are generally constructed from stainless steel, which is more durable and resistant to breakage and scratches. Espresso machines made of stainless steel make it easier to maintain and clean.

A good quality machine should include an additional shut-off valve that is connected to the water pipe, to prevent the build-up of limescale. This will ensure that any repairs are made to the affected parts of the machine and won't impact the remainder of your operation.

When you select your water be sure to test it and treat it properly to get the best results. For instance distilled water may be remineralized by adding a small amount of minerals back into it. It can enhance the taste of the water and eliminate its erosive qualities, but can also damage certain machines. This is because the remineralized water can cause the boiler sensor to believe that the machine is full, even though it is not. This can cause overheating and damage the machine.

Grinder

The grinder is a vital element of an espresso machine that is successful. It takes a raw, unground bean and transforms it into a finely ground coffee that can then be placed into the filter basket for an excellent extraction.

Commercial-grade espresso machines usually have a built-in grinding unit that can be programmed to grind different sizes of drinks, which ensures consistency in results every time. Super-automatic machines go further and automate the entire process from brewing, to grinding and dispensing. These machines are often praised by Lab tests for being easy to use.

Manual or semi-automatic machines require more effort from the barista but often the results are worth it. This model earned an 2022 Good Housekeeping Coffee Award for its smart dosing feature that weighs and dispensing the right amount of ground coffee each time. It also includes a low-pressure pre-infusion system that allows for well-balanced extraction as well as the milk frothing tool that excelled in our test for producing thick, rich steaming milk.

Temperature

When it is time to make espresso temperature, it plays an important influence on the taste and quality of your espresso. If the water isn't at its ideal temperature, it may cause a delay in extraction, and could cause the coffee being bitter.

Espresso machines that are of high-quality come with tools that help you maintain the proper temperature of your water. A PID monitors and regulates temperature of water. Another option is using a double boiler system. This allows you to make use of one boiler for tea and steam and the other for heating water to brew temperature.

Carles explains how these systems can be beneficial for large companies as well as baristas who work from home. They make it easier for newbies to get the perfect espresso since they can keep an exact temperature and eliminate a lot of the factors that can affect the flavor profile. It helps experienced baristas to get their shots exactly how they want them.

Pressure

The pressure the espresso machine makes use of can affect the quality of the coffee it makes. Many espresso drinkers have observed that their drinks taste different based on the amount of pressure that is used, even though all other variables remain the same.

In general, commercial-grade machines use nine bars of pressure to brew espresso. These machines are also more likely to be steam-driven instead of pump-driven. While higher-pressure machines are readily available however they require a group head that is more intricate to handle the increased levels of pressure.

While you may find espresso machines that advertise 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars are generally considered to be the gold standard for consistently excellent brews. These machines with higher pressure tend to be cheaper 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 the pressure that a professional espresso machine website can put on, the better it will be at capturing the taste of the coffee beans you love. It's worthwhile to invest in high-end machines that can produce the highest quality results.

Barista Skills

A barista should be able to accept and process orders of customers quickly and accurately. This is particularly crucial during busy times in the coffee shop. A good customer service skill is also important for building relationships with customers and increasing the sales of the coffee shop. This could include recognizing regular customers, working to resolve issues efficiently and remaining positive and helpful in difficult situations.

Having strong multitasking skills is usually required for baristas, since they could be required to take orders and operate the cash register, communicate orders to coworkers and handle phone calls at one time. This ability allows customers to enjoy a pleasant experience in the cafe by ensuring that orders are delivered quickly.

It is important for baristas to be able to make various drinks using an espresso machine. This can be gained through studying the various types of coffee, attempting them in person, and watching videos on the internet. Many baristas find it helpful to attend classes provided by various organizations.