10 Professional Espresso Machine Techniques All Experts Recommend 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 an official machine for World Barista Championships, and it demonstrates.

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

Water

A commercial espresso machine should be able to produce a large volume of espresso-based drinks in a timely manner. These machines are usually made of stainless steel, which is durable and resistant to scratches and breaks. Stainless steel espresso machines also make it easier to keep clean and maintained.


A good quality machine should have an independent shut-off valve for the water pipe in order to prevent the build-up of limescale. This will ensure that any repairs are made to the affected machine components and won't impact the rest of your operation.

When you select your water ensure that you test it and treat it appropriately to ensure the best results. You can remineralize distilled water by adding a few minerals. It can improve the taste of the water and eliminate its erosive properties, but can also harm certain machines. Remineralized wate makes the boiler sensor think that the machine is full however it's not. This could cause overheating and even damage to the machine.

Grinder

The grinder is a key component of a successful espresso machine. It is used to take a raw, unground bean and turns it into finely ground coffee that is then placed into the filter basket for an excellent extraction.

Commercial-grade espresso machines usually come with a built-in grinder that can be programmed to grind various drink sizes, ensuring the same results every time. Super-automatic espresso machines go one step further by automating and programmable the entire process from brewing to grinding to dispensing. These kinds of machines typically get high marks in Lab tests for their hands-off user-friendliness.

A manual or semi-automatic espresso machine requires more involvement from the barista but the quality of the end product is often worth it. This model won a 2022 Good Housekeeping Coffee Award for its smart dosing feature which weighs and delivers the right amount of ground coffee each time. It also has a low pressure pre-infusion for balanced extraction, and an milk frother that created rich, thick steamed-milk during our tests.

Temperature

Temperature is a major factor in espresso. If the water isn't operating at an optimal temperature, it can affect extraction and can result in bitter coffee.

High-end espresso machines have tools that can help you keep the correct temperature of your water. A PID monitors and regulates temperature of water. Another option is using a double boiler system. One boiler can be used to heat water and steam for tea, and use another for heating water to brewing temperature.

Carles mentions that these kinds of systems can be beneficial for large-scale businesses and home baristas alike. They make it easier for novices to dial in the perfect espresso because they are able to maintain an accurate temperature and avoid many of the factors that can affect the flavor profile. It can also make it easier for experienced baristas to create their shots exactly as they would like them.

Pressure

The pressure an espresso machine uses can affect the quality of the coffee it makes. Many espresso drinkers notice that their drinks taste different depending on the amount of pressure employed, even when all other elements remain the same.

In general, most commercial-grade machines use nine bars of pressure to create espresso. These machines tend to be pump-driven instead of steam-driven. Although higher-pressure machines are available they generally require a more complex group head design to handle the increased pressure levels.

While some espresso machines advertise 15 or 18 bars of pressure in their machines nine bars are usually considered to be the gold standard for creating consistently great brews. These machines that are higher pressure tend to be more affordable and designed for use at home.

To put 9 bars of pressure in perspective, it's more than four times the amount of pressure that's imposed by the air inside your car tire. The greater the pressure that a professional espresso machine can put on and the more effective it will be at capturing the flavor of your favorite coffee beans. It's worth investing in a premium machine that will give you the most effective results.

Barista Skills

A barista needs to be able handle orders quickly and precisely. This is particularly important during busy times in the coffee shop. Effective customer service skills are crucial for establishing relationships with customers and boosting sales for the coffee shop. This includes recognizing frequent customers, working effectively to resolve issues and staying positive and friendly even when faced with difficult situations.

Having strong multitasking skills is often necessary for a barista as they may have to take orders and operate the cash counter and also communicate orders to their coworkers and respond to phone calls simultaneously. This ability allows customers to enjoy a pleasant coffee shop experience by making sure that orders are delivered promptly.

It is essential that a barista's skills are developed to be able make different drinks with an espresso machine. You can learn about the various types of espresso by reading about them, trying them in person, or watching online videos. Baristas often prefer to attend classes on the topic, which are offered by several organizations.