8 Tips For Boosting Your Professional Espresso Machine Game

How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

This is a great option for coffee shops and cafes that want to attract customers who are passionate about barista and espresso. It's an official machine for World Barista Championships, and it demonstrates.

It comes with a water reservoir so that the barista just requires refilling it throughout their shift. The machine also has steam wands with cool-touch technology and hot water taps for tea.

Water

A commercial espresso machine has to produce a large quantity of espresso-based drinks efficiently. These machines are usually made of stainless steel, which is tough and resistant to breaks and scratches. Stainless steel espresso machines also make it easier to maintain and clean.

A top-quality machine should include an additional shut-off valve that is connected to the water pipe to avoid limescale accumulation. This will ensure that any repairs are isolated to the affected parts of the machine and won't impact the rest of your operation.

When choosing your water be sure to test it and treat it properly to ensure the best espresso machine under 200 results. Remineralize water that has been distilled by adding some minerals. It can enhance the taste of the water and eliminate its erosive properties, however it can also damage certain machines. The remineralized wate can make the boiler sensor think that the machine is full however it's not. This can cause the machine to overheat, and eventually be damaged.

Grinder

The grinder is a crucial part of a successful espresso maker. It is used to take a raw, unground bean and transforms it into finely ground coffee that can then be put into the filter basket to create an excellent extraction.

Professional espresso machines of commercial grade typically include a built-in grinder that can be programmed to grind different sizes of drinks, which ensures that the results are consistent every time. Super-automatic espresso machines go one step further, by automating and programmable the whole process from brewing to grinding to dispensing. These machines are often praised by Lab tests for their ease to use.

A manual or semi-automatic espresso machine requires more involvement from the barista, but the quality of the final result is often worth the effort. This model was awarded the Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 for its intelligent dosing system that measures and dispenses the right amount of coffee every time. It also comes with a low pressure pre-infusion for well-balanced extraction, as well as a milk frother that made rich, thick steamed-milk in our tests.

Temperature

Temperature is a major aspect in espresso. If the temperature of your water is not at a suitable level, it may cause extraction to be hindered and may even result in bitter coffee.

Fortunately, high-quality Espresso machine espresso machines come with tools that enable you to keep your water at the correct temperature. One method for doing this is by using a PID, which monitors and adjusts the temperature of the water. Double boiler systems are a second method to do this. You can use one boiler to heat water and steam for tea, and use the second to heat the water to brewing temperature.

Carles explains how these systems can make a difference for large corporations as well as baristas who work from home. They can assist novices get the perfect espresso shot since they can maintain an exact temperature while avoiding several variables that can affect the flavor quality. It is also much easier for baristas with more experience to make their espressos exactly how they would like.

Pressure

The pressure that an espresso machine uses is another aspect that influences the quality of the coffee it makes. Many espresso drinkers have observed that their drinks taste differently depending on the amount pressure they use, even if all other variables remain the same.

In general, commercial-grade machines utilize nine bars of pressure to make espresso. These machines are also more likely to be steam-driven rather than pump-driven. Although there are machines with higher pressures they generally require a more complex group head design to manage the higher pressure levels.

While you may find espresso machines advertising 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars is generally considered to be the gold standard for creating consistently excellent brews. The higher-pressure machines tend to be cheaper and are designed for home use.

In comparison, 9 bar of pressure is four times higher than the pressure exerted by your car tire. The more pressure an experienced espresso machine can apply to the coffee, the better it will be at capturing the flavor of your favorite coffee beans. For this reason, it's worth investing in a high-quality machine that will deliver the most effective results.

Barista Skills

A barista should be able take and process orders quickly and precisely. This is especially crucial when there is a lot of activity at the coffee shop. Being able to provide excellent customer service is also crucial for establishing customer relationships and increasing sales for the shop. This includes acknowledging regular customers, resolving issues efficiently and remaining positive and amiable in tough situations.

Baristas often need to be able to multitask, as they are expected to take orders, operate a cash register and share orders with colleagues, and answer telephone calls at the same time. This ability helps keep orders moving quickly to the customer, and ensures that customers have a pleasant experience in the coffee shop.

It is helpful for a barista to know the different styles of drinks that can be made by an espresso machine. You can learn about the different types of espresso by reading up on the various types, trying them in person, or watching online videos. Many baristas find it beneficial to attend classes on the subject, which are offered by various organizations.