How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine
This is a great choice for cafes and coffee shops that want to attract customers who are passionate about barista and espresso skills. It's the official machine of the World Barista Championships and it truly shows.
best espresso machine is able to refill the water reservoir throughout their shift. The machine is equipped with hot water for tea and steam wands that cool-touch.
Water
A commercial espresso machine needs to be able to create a huge amount of espresso-based drinks with efficiency. They are typically made of stainless steel, which is tough and resistant to scratches and breaks. Espresso machines are also easier to maintain and keep clean.
A good quality machine should have an additional shut-off valve that is connected to the water pipe to prevent limescale build-up. This will ensure that any repairs are restricted to the affected parts of the machine and won't affect the rest of your operation.
Test your water to ensure it is treated properly. You can remineralize the water you distill by adding a few minerals. It can enhance the taste and negate its erosive qualities, but could also cause damage to certain machines. The remineralized wate can make the boiler sensor believe that the machine is full even though it's not. This can cause the machine to overheat and become damaged.
Grinder
The grinder is a crucial component of a successful espresso maker. The grinder transforms the unground, raw coffee bean into a finely-ground coffee which can be tamped correctly into the filter basket to ensure an efficient extraction.
Commercial-grade professional espresso machines typically come with a built-in grinder that can be programmed to grind different sizes of drinks, providing the same results every time. Super-automatic machines go a step further and automate the entire process, from brewing to grinding and dispensing. These types of machines typically get high scores in Lab tests due to their hands-off simplicity of use.
Semi-automatic or manual machines demand more work from the barista but often the results are worth the effort. This model was awarded a Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 for its intelligent dosing mechanism that measures and dispensing the correct amount of coffee each time. It also includes a low-pressure pre-infusion system to ensure well-balanced extraction as well as the milk frothing wand, which was a success in our test for producing thick, rich steamed milk.
Temperature
Temperature is a major aspect in espresso. If the water isn't at its optimal temperature, it could slow the extraction process and result in bitter coffee.
High-quality espresso machines come with devices that allow you to maintain the proper temperature of your water. One method to achieve this is with PIDs that monitor and adjusts the temperature of the water. Double boiler systems are a second method to accomplish this. This allows you to utilize one boiler for steam and tea and the other for heating water to the right temperature for brewing.
Carles explains how these systems can be beneficial for large corporations as well as home-based baristas. They can aid novices to dial in the perfect espresso shot since they are able to maintain an exact temperature and eliminate numerous variables that could affect the flavor of the flavor. It is also easier for baristas who have more experience to make their espressos just the way they want.
Pressure
The pressure an espresso machine makes use of is another element which affects the quality of the coffee it makes. Many espresso drinkers notice that their coffees taste different depending on the amount of pressure that is used, even though all other factors remain the same.
In general, commercial-grade machines utilize 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 available they generally require a more complex group head design that can handle the higher pressure levels.
While you may see some espresso machines that advertise 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars is generally considered the gold standard for creating consistently excellent brews. The higher-pressure machines tend to be more affordable and are designed for home use.
In comparison, 9 bars of pressure is four times more than the pressure exerted by your car tire. The greater the pressure that a professional espresso machine is able to apply more pressure, the better it'll be at extracting flavor from your favorite coffee beans. It's worth investing in a high-quality machine that will give you the highest quality results.
Barista Skills
A barista needs to be able take orders and handle them quickly and accurately. This is particularly important when there is a lot of activity at the coffee shop. A good understanding of customer service is also essential for building relationships with customers and increasing sales for the shop. This can include recognizing regular customers, working efficiently to resolve problems and being positive and helpful even in challenging circumstances.
A strong ability to multitask is a must for a barista, as they may have to take orders and operate the cash counter, communicate orders to coworkers and answer phone calls at the same time. This skill allows the customer to enjoy a pleasant experience in the cafe by making sure that orders are delivered promptly.
It is helpful for baristas to be aware of the various kinds of drinks that can be prepared with an espresso machine. You can get acquainted with the various types of espresso by reading about the various types, trying them in person and watching online videos. Baristas often find it beneficial to take classes on the subject, which are offered by many organizations.