How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

For cafes and coffee shops looking to attract customers who have passion for barista and espresso skills, This is a great option. It's the official barista machine for World Barista Championships and it really shows.

It is equipped with a reservoir of water which means that the barista needs to refill it throughout their shift. The machine also features cool-touch steam wands and a hot water tap for tea.

Water

A commercial espresso machine must be able to make a large amount of espresso based drinks in an efficient manner. They are typically made of stainless steel, which is strong and resistant against scratches and breaks. These espresso coffee machines machines are also simpler 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 will be isolated to the affected machine components and won't impact the remainder of your operation.

When choosing your water, make sure to test it thoroughly and treat it in a way to ensure the best results. For example, distilled water can be recycled by adding a small amount of minerals back into it. This could reduce its erosive properties and improve its flavor, but it can also damage some machines. This is because the remineralized fluid will cause the boiler sensor to think that the machine espresso is fully stocked, but 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. The grinder transforms the raw, unground coffee bean into a finely ground coffee that can be properly tamped into the filter basket for an excellent extraction.

Commercial-grade professional espresso machines typically include a built-in grinder that can be programmed to grind for different sizes of drinks, providing the same results every time. Super-automatic machines go one step further and automate the entire process from brewing through grinding and dispensing. These kinds of machines typically get high marks in Lab tests due to their hands-off simplicity of use.

Semi-automatic or manual machines demand more effort from the barista but often the results are worth the effort. This model was awarded the 2022 Good Housekeeping Coffee Award for its smart dosing feature that weighs and distributes the correct amount of ground coffee every time. It also comes with a low pressure pre-infusion system for smooth extraction and a milk frothing wand that was a success in our test for producing thick, rich steaming milk.

Temperature

When it is time to make espresso, temperature plays a major factor in the taste and quality of your shots. If the temperature of the water isn't at a good level, it can cause extraction to be hindered and even result in a bitter cup.

Espresso machines that are of high-quality come with tools that can help you keep the correct temperature of your water. One method of doing this is by using PIDs, which monitors and adjusts the temperature of the water. Double boiler systems are another method to accomplish this. You can use one boiler to heat steam and water for tea, while using the other to heat water to the brewing temperature.

Carles explains how these systems can make a difference for large corporations as well as baristas at home. They make it easier for novices to get the perfect cheap espresso machine shot because they are able to maintain an exact temperature and eliminate many of the factors that can alter the flavor profile. It is also easier for baristas with more experience to dial in their espressos just the way they prefer.

Pressure

The pressure an espresso machine uses is another factor that contributes to the quality of the coffee it produces. Many espresso drinkers have noticed that their drinks taste different depending on the pressure they use, even if all other factors are constant.

In general, commercial-grade machines utilize nine bars of pressure to make espresso. These machines are also likely to be pump-driven rather than steam-driven. Although high-pressure machines are offered but they require a group head that is more complicated to handle the increased levels of pressure.

While you may find espresso machines advertising 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars are generally considered to be the gold standard for creating consistently excellent espressos. These machines with higher pressure tend to be more affordable and designed for home use.

In comparison, 9 bar of pressure is 4 times more than the pressure exerted by your car tire. The greater pressure an espresso maker with professional quality can apply, then the better at extracting flavor out of the coffee beans you love. Therefore, it's worth investing in a high-end machine that can give you the best results.

Barista Skills

A barista should be able to take orders and process them quickly and accurately. This is particularly important during busy times at the coffee shop. Having good customer service skills is also vital to establishing customer relationships and increasing sales for the shop. This could include recognizing regular customers, working efficiently to resolve issues and being positive and helpful even when faced with difficult situations.

Being able to multitask is often required for baristas as they might be required to take orders and operate the cash register and communicate orders to colleagues and answer phone calls at the same time. This skill allows them to keep orders moving quickly to the customer and ensures that customers have an enjoyable experience in the coffee shop.

It is essential for a barista to have knowledge of the different styles of drinks that can be prepared with an espresso machine. This can be gained through reading about the various kinds of coffees, trying them out in person, or watching videos on the internet. Many baristas find it helpful to attend classes offered by various organizations.