10 Things That Your Family Taught You About Machine Espresso

How Does Machine Espresso Work?

Machine espresso uses precision pressure and amazing filter technology to make the perfect cup of coffee. How does it work exactly?

In order to make espresso hot water is forced under high pressure through finely ground coffee. The process is similar to making drip coffee but the difference is in the pressure.

The Head of the Group

As the name implies, the group head is where you place your portafilter while brewing espresso. It is responsible for dispersing water into the portafilter and controlling the pressure of the extraction. There are a variety of group heads each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Some are designed to provide stability in temperature, while others are designed to handle pre-infusion. Others are made to control the lever. Some are a combination, such as the E61. This is a very popular choice for baristas since it provides multiple advantages in one package.

As you can see in the image above The group head features many notches in which you can place your portafilter before twisting it manually to secure it. There is also a gasket of rubber that resides inside the notches to help create an airtight seal after inserting your portafilter into the machine. The notches permit precise placement of the portafilter. This is crucial to ensure an accurate extraction.

The group head not only lets you to insert your portafilter easily however, it also keeps the same temperature. It does this by cycling hot water through the brew container and around the portafilter, ensuring that it's always at the right temperature for extraction. This is crucial, since just a few degrees could make the difference between excellent and great espresso.

The Pump

In contrast to piston machines that are manually operated, which rely on a lever to pressurize water, Rotary espresso machines rely on motorized pumps to provide the nine atmospheric bars of pressure needed to extract espresso. The pressure is created by pumping water through a heat-exchanger and then through the ground coffee.

Pumps are generally cheaper and last longer than piston-driven machines. However, both kinds of machines can deteriorate due to excessive use and insufficient cleaning. Pumps are also more complicated mechanically, and can add to the cost of even the simplest models.

Some espresso machines employ steam pressure instead of a pump in order to brew espresso. The downside is that the boiler that produces steam also increases the temperature of water to the point of boiling and can result in over-extraction. In addition the machines often have to restore their pressure between cups, which takes time and energy.

Many espresso machines employ an rotary or vibrating pump, which is a vibration model that uses a vibrating disc to create the pressure and a rotary model pushing hot water through the grounds at high speed. Both models can make excellent espresso, but the rotary models are quieter and more durable than vibration pumps.

The Boiler

The boiler is the one that heats the water to the ideal temperature for extraction. The steam that is created reaches the portafilter, which is the container that holds the espresso coffee grounds. It is then funneled into the cup. During this process, steam creates pressure that pushes through the coffee grounds. This creates a crema on the top of the espresso. This is a sign of a great uk espresso machine.

There are three distinct types of espresso machines, each with distinct pumps and the temperature of the brew. There are various ways to control the amount of brew, as well as the size of cup that can be made by the machine.

The first espresso machines were steam-based. They utilized only one boiler to make steam and brew, however, the pressure they could produce was very low - just two bars of atmospheric pressure, at most. This resulted in the coffee tasting burnt and bitter. This is the reason Milanese makers Luigi Bezzerra and Desiderio Pavoni invented the modern espresso machine.

The most well-known espresso maker is a semi-automatic one that has an electric pump. When people think of espresso machines, they envision these machines. With a semi-automatic machine, you grind the beans and tamp them by hand, but the pump provides regulated water flow and pressure. This is a great compromise between the human touch and the mechanised consistency.

The Filter

Typically, espresso machines use filters to separate the coffee grounds as they pass through the hot water. The filter is also an important part of the temperature control system as it prevents the machine from overheating.

A filter can also help with flavor, as it permits a longer flowering period. This lets the beans release their nuances, and improves extraction.

It is important to remember that even the best cheap espresso machine filter can produce a bad cup of coffee. The quality of the beans, as well as the extraction, remain vital.

It's here that the magic happens. This is what makes best espresso maker taste so delicious. The grouphead, also called the brew head, is where the portafilter (the thing you put the coffee ground into) is located when you're making espresso.

Steam-driven espresso machines use hot water that is heated in an airtight container to make steam. The steam then moves hot water through the coffee grounds under high pressure. These kinds of machines are generally less expensive and easier to maintain than pump-driven models. However, they are not as efficient in their ability to provide the perfect conditions for brewing, because they operate at 1-1.5 bars of pressure. While the perfect shot requires 9-10 bars.

In recent years, compressed-air-pump-driven espresso machine with frother machines have become more popular. They utilize an air compressor to force hot water through grounds and are much more portable than steam-driven electric machines.