How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine
For cafes and coffee shops looking to attract customers who have a passion for espresso and barista skills this is a great option. It's the official machine used for the World Barista Championships, and it displays.
It has a water reservoir which means that the barista requires refilling it throughout their shift. The machine also has steam wands that cool-touch as well as a hot water tap for tea.
Water
A commercial espresso machine must be able to produce a high volume of espresso based drinks efficiently. They are typically made of stainless steel, which is tough and resistant to breakages and scratches. These espresso machines are also simpler to maintain and clean.
A good quality machine should have a separate shut-off valve for the water pipe to prevent limescale accumulation. This will ensure any repairs are restricted to the affected parts of the machine, and will not interfere with the other operations.
When selecting the water you want to drink, make sure to test it and treat it correctly to get the best results. For example distilled water may be remineralized by adding a small amount of minerals back to it. It can enhance the taste and reduce its erosive properties, but can also damage certain machines. This is because the remineralized water can cause the boiler sensor to believe that the machine is full, even though it is not. This can cause the machine to overheat and cause damaged.
Grinder
The grinder is a vital element in a successful espresso machine. The grinder converts the unground, raw coffee bean into a finely -ground coffee that can be tamped properly into the filter basket for an outstanding extraction.
Professional-grade commercial machines include grinders that are programmed for different drink sizes. This guarantees the same results every time. Super-automatic machines go a step further and automate the entire process from brewing to grinding and dispensing. These machines are often praised during Lab tests for their ease to use.
A manual or semi-automatic espresso machine requires more involvement from the barista, however the quality of the final result is often worth the effort. This model was awarded a Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 for its clever dosing system that is able to measure and dispensing the correct amount of coffee every time. It also comes with an infusion with low pressure for an even extraction, and a milk frother that made rich, thick steamed-milk during our tests.
Temperature
Temperature is an important factor in espresso. If the water isn't operating at an optimal temperature, it can slow the extraction process and result in an unpleasant cup of coffee.
Luckily, the best espresso machines come with tools that enable you to keep your water at the correct temperature. A PID monitors and regulates temperature of the water. Another option is using a double boiler system. You can use one boiler to heat steam and water for tea, while using another to heat water to the brewing temperature.
Carles states that these types of systems can make a big difference for large businesses and home coffee and espresso maker baristas alike. They can aid novices create the perfect espresso because they maintain an exact temperature while avoiding several variables that can affect the flavor quality. It's also easier for baristas with more experience to dial in their espressos exactly how they prefer.
Pressure
The pressure an espresso machine uses can also impact the quality of coffee it makes. Many espresso drinkers have noticed that their drinks have a distinct taste differently depending on the amount pressure used, despite the fact that all other variables remain the same.
The majority of commercial machines utilize 9 bars of pressure in order to brew espresso. These machines are also more likely to be steam driven than pumps driven. Although higher-pressure machines are available they generally require a more sophisticated group head design that can handle the higher pressure levels.
While you may see espresso machines that advertise 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars is generally considered to be the gold standard for making consistently excellent espressos. These machines with higher pressure are generally cheaper and intended for home use.
To put 9 bars of pressure in perspective, it's more than four times the amount of pressure which is emitted by the air in your car tire. The greater the pressure an espresso maker that is professional can apply, the better it will be in bringing out the flavor of the coffee beans you love. It is worth investing in top-quality machines that produce the highest quality results.
Barista Skills
A barista must be able to take orders and handle them quickly and precisely. This is particularly important during busy times in the coffee shop. Having good customer service skills is essential to build relationships with customers and increasing sales for the shop. This includes acknowledging regular customers, working effectively to resolve issues, and being positive and helpful even when faced with difficult situations.
Baristas often need to be adept at multitasking as they are expected to take orders and operate a cash register, communicate orders with coworkers and respond to phone calls all at once. This skill helps keep orders moving quickly to the customer and gives them an enjoyable experience in the coffee shop.
It is vital that a barista's skills are developed in order to make various drinks using an espresso machine. This can be accomplished by researching the different types of coffee, attempting them out in person and watching videos online. Many baristas find it beneficial to attend classes on the topic, which are offered by many organizations.