How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine
For coffee shops and cafes looking to attract customers with passion for espresso and barista skills this is a great option. It's the official machine of the World Barista Championships and it really does show.
It has a water reservoir which means that the barista needs to refill it once during their shift. The machine also comes with steam wands that are cool-touch and hot water taps for tea.
Water
A commercial espresso machine needs to produce a large quantity of espresso based drinks efficiently. This is why these machines are built with stainless steel, which is more robust and resistant to scratches and breaks. Espresso machines made of stainless steel make it easier to clean and maintain.
Finally, a high-quality machine will have a separate shut-off valve for the water line to avoid the formation of limescale. This will ensure that any repairs are isolated to the affected machine components and won't impact the rest of your operation.
When selecting your water make sure you test it thoroughly and treat it in a way to get the best results. For example the distilled water can be remineralized by adding a small amount of minerals back into it. It can improve the taste of the water and eliminate its erosive properties, however it can also harm certain machines. This is because the remineralized water can cause the boiler sensor to think that the machine is full when it's not. This can cause the machine to overheat and be damaged.
Grinder
The grinder is a crucial component of a successful espresso maker. It takes a raw, unground bean and transforms it into finely ground coffee that can be placed 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 various sizes of drinks, ensuring consistency in results every time. Super-automatic machines go further and automate the entire process from brewing to grinding and dispensing. These kinds of machines usually get high marks in Lab tests for their hands-off accessibility.
Semi-automatic or manual machines demand more effort from the barista, but the results are worth the effort. This model won the 2022 Good Housekeeping Coffee Award for its dosing technology which weighs and delivers the right amount of ground coffee each time. It also comes with an infusion with low pressure for well-balanced extraction, as well as a milk frother that made thick, rich steamed milk in our tests.
Temperature
The temperature is a crucial factor in espresso. If the water isn't at its ideal temperature, it may slow the extraction process and cause an unpleasant cup of coffee.
Fortunately, espresso machines of high-end quality include tools that allow you to keep your water at the right temperature. One method of doing this is by utilizing a PID, which monitors and adjusts the temperature of the water. Double boiler systems are another method to do this. One boiler can be used to heat water and steam for tea, and use the other to heat the water to brewing temperature.
Carles explains how these systems can be beneficial for both large businesses and baristas at home. They can make it easier for novices to get the perfect espresso shot because they maintain an exact temperature and eliminate all the factors that can affect the flavor profile. It can also make it easier for experienced baristas to create their shots exactly how they would like them.
Pressure
The pressure an espresso maker makes use of is another element that influences the quality of the coffee it makes. Many espresso drinkers have noticed that their coffee tastes different based on the amount of pressure that is used, even though all other elements remain the same.
Most commercial machines use 9 bars of pressure in order to make espresso. These machines are also more likely to be steam-driven than pump-driven. While there are higher-pressure machines but they usually require a more complicated group head design to take on the higher pressures.
While some espresso machines advertise 15 or 18 bars of pressure on their machines nine bars are usually considered to be the standard for creating consistently great brews. These machines with higher pressure are generally cheaper and intended for home use.
To put 9 bars of pressure in perspective, it's nearly four times the pressure which is emitted by the air in your car tire. The greater pressure an espresso maker with professional quality can apply, the better it is at separating flavor from your favorite coffee beans. It's worth investing in top-quality machines check here that produce the most effective results.
Barista Skills
A barista should be able take orders and process them quickly and accurately. This is especially important in busy times at the coffee shop. Excellent customer service skills are also important for building relationships with customers and boosting sales for the coffee shop. This can include recognizing regular customers, working effectively to resolve issues, and remaining friendly and positive in the most difficult of situations.
Baristas frequently need to be adept at multitasking as they are required to take orders and operate a cash counter and share orders with colleagues, and answer telephone calls all at once. This ability allows customers to enjoy a pleasant coffee shop experience by making sure that orders are delivered promptly.
It is helpful for baristas to be knowledgeable about the various styles of drinks that can be made using an espresso machine. This can be learned by studying the various kinds of coffee, testing the drinks in person and watching videos online. Baristas often prefer to attend classes on the subject, which are offered by many organizations.