The Reasons Professional Espresso Machine Is Everyone's Obsession In 2023
How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine
This is an excellent choice for coffee shops and cafes which want to draw customers who are enthusiastic about barista and espresso skills. It's the official machine used for the World Barista Championships, and it shows.
It comes with a water reservoir which means that the barista needs to refill it once during 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 has to produce a high volume of espresso-based drinks in an efficient manner. They are usually constructed of stainless steel, which is tough and resistant to cracks and scratches. Stainless steel espresso machines also make it easier to keep clean and maintained.
Additionally, a top quality machine will have a separate shut-off valve for the water line, to prevent the build-up of limescale. This will ensure that any repairs are limited to the affected parts of the machine and won't affect the rest of your operation.
Test your water to ensure it is treated properly. For example the distilled water can be recycled by adding a small amount of minerals back to it. It can enhance the taste and negate its erosive properties, but can also harm certain machines. The remineralized wate will make the boiler sensor think the machine is full even though it's not. This can cause the machine to overheat, and eventually be damaged.
Grinder
The grinder is a key element of an espresso machine that is successful. It is a process that takes a raw, unground bean and turns it into a finely ground coffee that is then tamped into the filter basket, resulting in an excellent extraction.
Commercial-grade espresso machines usually have a built-in grinder which can be programmed to grind for different sizes of drinks, ensuring consistent results each time. Super-automatic machines go further and automatize the entire process from brewing to grinding and dispensing. These machines are often praised during Lab tests for being easy to use.
Semi-automatic or manual machines demand more work from the barista, but the results are worth the effort. This model earned an 2022 Good Housekeeping Coffee Award for its dosing technology which weighs and delivers the correct amount of ground coffee every time. It also comes with a low pressure pre-infusion system to ensure smooth extraction and a milk frothing wand that excelled in our test for producing rich, thick steamed milk.
Temperature
Temperature is a major element in espresso. If the water isn't operating at an ideal temperature, it may affect extraction and can cause an unpleasant cup of coffee.
Fortunately, high-quality espresso machines come with tools that enable you to keep your water at the right temperature. One method of doing this is with a PID, which monitors and adjusts the temperature of the water. Double boiler systems are another method to achieve this. This allows you to use a single boiler to steam and tea while the second one heats water to the right temperature for brewing.
Carles points out that these types of systems can make a big difference for large companies and baristas at home alike. They can assist novices dial in the perfect espresso because they are able to maintain an exact temperature while avoiding many variables that can affect the flavor profile. It is also easier for baristas with more experience to dial in their espressos exactly how they prefer.
Pressure
The pressure that an espresso machine uses can affect the quality of coffee it produces. Many espresso drinkers have noticed that their drinks taste different depending on the pressure employed, even when all other variables remain the same.
Most commercial machines use 9 bars of pressure to brew espresso. These machines are also more likely to be steam-driven than pump-driven. While higher-pressure machines exist, they often require a more sophisticated group head design to take on the higher pressures.
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 consistently great brews. These machines that are higher pressure are generally smaller and designed for use at home.
In comparison, 9 bar of pressure is 4 times more than the pressure exerted by your car tire. The more pressure a professional espresso machine can apply more pressure, the better it'll be at removing the flavor from the coffee beans you love. It is worth investing in top-quality machines that will give you the highest quality results.
Barista Skills
A barista needs to be able to take and process customer orders quickly and efficiently. This is particularly important during busy times at the coffee shop. A good customer service skill is crucial for establishing relationships with customers and boosting sales for the coffee shop.
espresso machine with milk frother could include recognizing regular customers, resolving issues efficiently and remaining optimistic and helpful in difficult situations.
Being able to multitask is often required for baristas, since they could be required to take orders and operate the cash register and also communicate orders to their coworkers and take calls at the same time. This ability allows customers to enjoy a pleasant experience in the cafe by making sure that orders are delivered promptly.
It is important that a barista's skills are developed to be able to make various types of coffee using an espresso machine. This can be mastered by reading about the various types of coffee, attempting them out in person and watching videos online. Many baristas find it helpful to take classes offered by various organizations.