How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

For coffee shops and cafes looking to attract customers with a passion for espresso and barista skills this is a great choice. It's the official machine used for World Barista Championships and it really does show.

The barista is able to refill the reservoir with water throughout their shift. The machine also has steam wands with cool-touch technology and a hot water tap for tea.

Water

A commercial espresso machine has to make a large amount of espresso based drinks efficiently. This is why they are typically built from stainless steel which is more durable and resistant to breaks and scratches. Espresso machines are also easy to maintain and clean.

Additionally, a top quality machine has a shut-off valve for the water line to avoid the build-up of limescale. This will ensure that any repairs are confined to the affected components of the machine and won't impact the remainder of your operation.

Check your water to ensure it's being treated correctly. Remineralize distilled water by adding a few minerals. This can negate it's erosive properties and improve its taste, however it could also cause damage to certain machines. The remineralized water will make the boiler sensor believe that the machine is full, even though it isn't. This can cause overheating and damage the machine.

Grinder

The grinder is a crucial element for an espresso machine that is successful. It is a process that takes a raw, unground bean and transforms it into a finely ground coffee that is then tamped into the filter basket for an excellent extraction.

Commercial-grade professional decent espresso machine machines typically have a built-in grinding unit that can be programmed to grind various sizes of drinks, ensuring consistency in results every time. Super-automatic espresso machines take this one step further, by automating and programmable the entire process from brewing to dispensing. These types of machines tend to earn high marks in Lab tests due to their hands-free ease of use.

Semi-automatic or manual machines require more effort from the barista, but the results are worth the effort. This model won the Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 for its smart dosing system, which measures and dispenses the right amount of coffee every time. It also has an low-pressure pre-infusion system for balanced extraction, and an milk frother that created rich, thick steamed-milk during our tests.

Temperature

Temperature is an important factor in espresso. If the water temperature is not at a suitable level, it may result in the extraction being impeded and can even lead to an unpleasant cup.

Luckily, the best espresso maker espresso machines come with tools that will allow you to ensure that your water is at the right temperature. A PID monitors and regulates temperature of water. Double boiler systems are another method to achieve this. This allows you to utilize one boiler for steam and tea while the second one heats water to brew temperatures.

Carles says that these systems can be beneficial for large-scale businesses and home baristas alike. They make it easier for beginners to dial in the perfect espresso shot because they maintain an accurate temperature and avoid a lot of the factors that can alter the flavor profile. It is also simpler for baristas with more experience to make their espressos just how they prefer.

Pressure

The pressure that an espresso machine uses is another aspect that affects the quality of the coffee it makes. Many espresso coffee machine drinkers have noticed that their drinks taste differently based on the pressure used, despite the fact that all other elements remain the same.

In general, commercial-grade machines use nine bars of pressure to brew espresso. These machines are also more likely to be steam-driven instead of pumps driven. Although high-pressure machines are offered however they require a group head that is more sophisticated to handle the increased levels of pressure.

While some espresso machines advertise 15 or 18 bars of pressure on their machines Nine bars are generally considered to be the gold standard when it comes to making consistently great espressos. These machines that are higher pressure tend to be cheaper and designed for use at home.

To put 9 bars of pressure into perspective, it's nearly four times the pressure that's exerted by the air inside your car tire. The greater the pressure that a professional espresso machine is able to apply to the coffee, the better it will be at extracting flavor from the coffee beans you love. It's worth investing in top-quality machines that produce the highest quality results.

barista espresso coffee machine Skills

Baristas must be able to take and process orders from customers quickly and accurately. This is particularly crucial when there is a lot of activity in the coffee shop. Good customer service skills are crucial to build relationships with customers and boosting sales for the coffee shop. This includes recognizing frequent customers, working efficiently to resolve issues and remaining positive and friend even in challenging circumstances.

Baristas are often adept at multitasking as they are expected to take orders as well as operate a cash register and share orders with colleagues, and answer telephone calls all at once. This skill allows the customer to enjoy a pleasant coffee shop experience by ensuring that orders are delivered promptly.

It is helpful for baristas to be knowledgeable about the different styles of drinks that can be made with an espresso machine. You can find out about the different types of espresso by reading up on their characteristics, tasting them in person, or watching online videos. Many baristas find it beneficial to attend classes on the topic, which are offered by many organizations.