Comprehensive List Of Professional Espresso Machine Dos And Don'ts
How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine
This is a great option for coffee shops and cafes which want to draw customers who are passionate about espresso and barista abilities. It's the official machine for the World Barista Championships, and it shows.
The barista is able to refill the reservoir of water throughout their shift. The machine is equipped with a tea hot water tap and steam wands that cool-touch.
Water
A commercial espresso machine should be able to produce an enormous amount of espresso-based drinks efficiently. That's why these machines are typically built from stainless steel which is more robust and resistant to breakage and scratches. Stainless steel espresso machines also make it easier to clean and maintain.
A good machine has a shut off valve for the water line to avoid the formation of limescale. This will ensure any repairs are restricted to the affected components of the machine, and will not impact the rest your operation.
When selecting the water you want to drink make sure you test it and treat it correctly to ensure the best results. You can remineralize distilled water by adding a few minerals. It can enhance the taste and lessen its erosive qualities, but can also harm certain machines. This is because the remineralized water will cause the boiler sensor to think that the machine is full, even though it is not. This can cause the machine to overheat and be damaged.
Grinder
The grinder is a crucial component of a successful coffee maker. The grinder converts the unground, raw coffee bean into finely-ground coffee that can be properly tamped into the filter basket for an excellent extraction.
Commercial-grade professional machines include grinders that can be programmed for different drink sizes. This guarantees consistent results every time. Super-automatic machines go one step further and automatize the entire process, from brewing to grinding and dispensing. These types of machines tend to earn high scores in Lab tests due to their hands-off simplicity of use.
Semi-automatic or manual machines demand more work from the barista, but the results are worth it. This model was awarded a Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 for its intelligent dosing system that measures and dispensing the correct amount of coffee every time. It also includes a low-pressure pre-infusion system for balanced extraction and the milk frothing tool that was a success in our test for producing rich, thick steaming milk.
Temperature
Temperature is an important element in espresso. If the temperature of your water is not at the right level, it could result in a slower extraction and can even lead to bitter cups.
coffee machine espresso of the highest quality come with tools that help you maintain the correct temperature of your water. A PID monitors and regulates temperature of the water. The other way is by using a double boiler. You can use one boiler to heat water and steam for tea, and use the second to heat water to the brewing temperature.
Carles says that these types of systems can make a big difference for large companies and baristas at home alike. They can make it simpler for newbies to make the perfect espresso shot since they can keep an accurate temperature and avoid a lot of the factors that can affect the flavor profile. It is also simpler for baristas with more experience to get their espressos just the way they would like.
Pressure
The pressure that the espresso machine makes use of can also impact the quality of the coffee it produces. Many espresso drinkers have noticed that their drinks taste differently depending on the amount pressure used, even if all other elements remain the same.
Most commercial machines use 9 bars of pressure to make espresso. These machines also tend to be pump-driven rather than steam-driven. While higher-pressure machines are readily available but they require a group head that is more sophisticated to handle the higher 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 for making consistently great espressos. These machines that are higher pressure are typically less expensive and designed for home use.
To put 9 bars of pressure into perspective, it's nearly four times the amount of pressure that's imposed by the air in your car tire. The greater pressure a professional espresso machine can put on to the coffee, the better it will be at extracting flavor from your favorite coffee beans. This is why it's worth investing in a premium machine that can give you the highest quality results.
Barista Skills
Baristas must be able to take orders from customers quickly and efficiently. This is especially crucial during busy periods in the coffee shop. A good understanding of customer service is also vital to establishing relationships with customers and increasing sales for the shop. This could include recognizing regular customers, working effectively to resolve issues, and staying positive and friendly even when faced with difficult situations.
Baristas typically need to be able to multitask, as they are expected to take orders and operate a cash counter and share orders with colleagues and handle phone calls all at once. This ability helps keep orders moving quickly to the customer and gives them an enjoyable time in the coffee shop.
It is essential for a barista's education to be able to prepare various drinks using an espresso machine. You can learn about the different types of espresso by reading about their characteristics, tasting them in person, and watching online videos. Baristas often consider it beneficial to attend classes on the topic, which are offered by many organizations.