How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine
For cafes and coffee shops looking to attract customers who have a love of espresso and barista skills this is a great option. It's the official machine used for World Barista Championships and it really shows.
It is equipped with a reservoir of water to ensure that the barista only has to refill it during their shift. The machine also features steam wands with cool-touch technology and a hot water tap for tea.
Water
A commercial espresso machine should be able to create a large volume of espresso-based drinks with efficiency. These machines are usually made of stainless steel, which is durable and resistant against breaks and scratches. Espresso machines made of stainless steel make it easier to maintain and clean.
A top-quality machine should have a separate shut-off valve to the water pipe in order to prevent limescale accumulation. This will ensure any repairs are restricted to the affected parts of the machine, and will not interfere with the other operations.
When choosing your water make sure you test it and treat it appropriately to ensure the best results. You can remineralize the water you distill by adding some minerals. This can diminish its anti-erosive properties as well as improve the taste, but it may also damage machines. Remineralized wate makes the boiler sensor think the machine is full and it isn't. This could cause the machine to overheat and become damaged.
Grinder
The grinder is a key component of the success of an espresso machine. The grinder turns a raw, unground coffee bean into a finely-ground coffee that can be tamped properly into the filter basket to ensure an outstanding extraction.
Professional-grade commercial machines include a grinder that can be programmed for various sizes of drinks. This guarantees constant results every time. Super-automatic espresso machines go one step further, automating and programming the entire process from brewing to dispensing. These types of machines tend to earn high scores in Lab tests due to their hands-off accessibility.
Semi-automatic or manual machines require more work from the barista, but the results are worth it. This model earned an 2022 Good Housekeeping Coffee Award for its clever dosing feature which weighs and delivers the right amount of ground coffee every time. It also has the ability to use a low pressure pre-infusion to ensure balanced extraction, and a milk frother that produced dense, thick steamed milk during our tests.
Temperature
The temperature is a crucial element in espresso. If the temperature of the water is not at a suitable level, it may result in a slower extraction and even result in an unpleasant cup.
Espresso machines of the highest quality come with tools that can help you keep the right temperature of your water. One method to achieve this is with PIDs, which monitors and adjusts the temperature of the water. Double boiler systems are another method to accomplish this. This allows you to use one boiler for steam and tea and the other one to heat water to brew temperature.
Carles says that these kinds of systems can be beneficial for large-scale businesses as well as home baristas. They can assist novices dial in the perfect espresso shot since they are able to maintain a precise temperature and avoid numerous variables that could affect the flavor quality. It helps experienced baristas to create their shots exactly as they would like them.
Pressure
The pressure an espresso machine is using can also impact the quality of the coffee it makes. Many espresso drinkers have noticed that their drinks taste different based on the amount of pressure that is used, even though all other factors remain the same.
The majority of commercial machines utilize 9 bars of pressure to make espresso. They also tend to be pump-driven, not steam-driven. Although higher-pressure machines are available, they often require a more sophisticated group head design that can handle the higher pressure levels.
Although you might see espresso machines advertising 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars are generally considered the gold standard for creating consistently great brews. These higher-pressure machines are typically more affordable and are designed for home use.
In comparison, 9 bars of pressure is four times more than the pressure applied by your car tire. The more pressure a professional espresso machine can apply, the better it will be at extracting flavor from the coffee beans you love. It's worth investing in a high-end machine that will give you the best possible results.
Barista Skills
A barista needs to be able take and process orders quickly and accurately. This is especially important in busy times in the coffee shop. Having good customer service skills is also vital to establishing customer relationships and increasing sales for the shop. This includes acknowledging regular customers, working efficiently to resolve problems and remaining positive and friend even when faced with difficult situations.
A strong ability to multitask is usually required for a barista, as they could be required to take orders, operate the cash register, communicate orders to coworkers and answer calls at the same time. This ability allows customers to enjoy a pleasant coffee shop experience by ensuring that orders are served promptly.
It is vital for baristas to be able to make different drinks with an espresso machine. This can be gained through reading up on the different types of coffee, trying the drinks in person and watching videos on machine espresso the internet. Many baristas also consider it beneficial to attend classes on the matter, offered by various organizations.