5 Killer Queora Answers On Machine Espresso How Does Machine Espresso Work?

The machine espresso makes use of precise pressure, as well as a filtering technology that is amazing to create the coffee you love. What exactly does it work?

Espresso is created by forcing hot water under high pressure through finely-ground coffee. The process is similar to making drip coffee however the main difference lies in the pressure.

The Group Head

The group head is the portafilter you place in the espresso maker when making it. It is responsible for dispersing the water into the portafilter before controlling the pressure of the extraction. There are a variety of group heads, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some are designed for stability in temperature, while others are designed to handle pre-infusion. Others are made to control the lever. There are some that have a combination of features, like the E61, which is considered the most popular choice among baristas due to its capacity to provide multiple benefits in a single package.

As you can see in the above photo The group head features numerous notches that you can put your portafilter, then twist it manually to lock it in. A rubber gasket is located inside the notches, which helps create a seal while you insert your portafilter. The notches on the head allow for an exact location of the portafilter which is essential to ensure an efficient extraction.

In addition to allowing you to easily place your portafilter in, the group head is responsible for maintaining a consistent temperature. best portable espresso maker does this by cycling hot water through the brew pan and around the portafilter, ensuring that it is always at the correct temperature to extract. This is important because just a few degrees could make the difference between a good and excellent espresso.

The Pump

In contrast to piston machines that are manually operated, that use a lever to pressurize water, rotary espresso machines rely on motorized pumps that provide the nine atmospheric bars of pressure that are required for espresso extraction. The pressure is created by pumping water through a heat exchanger and then through the ground coffee.

Pumps tend to be cheaper and last longer than piston-driven machines. However, both kinds of machines can deteriorate due to excessive use and insufficient cleaning. Pumps are also more complicated mechanically, which could increase the cost of even simplest models.

Certain espresso machines utilize steam pressure instead of a pump in order to brew espresso. The drawback is that the boiler that produces steam also raises the temperature of water to the point of boiling which could lead to over-extraction. In addition these machines typically have to rebuild their pressure between cups, which requires time and energy.

A majority of espresso machines use a vibration or rotary pump, which is a vibration model that uses a vibrating disc to create pressure and a rotary model pushing hot water through the grounds at high speed. Both models can make a great espresso, however rotary machines are quieter and more durable than vibration pumps.

The Boiler

The boiler is what is used to heat the water to the ideal temperature to extract. The resultant steam then reaches the portafilter, which contains the ground espresso coffee and is then pumped down into the cup. In this process, the steam causes pressure to push through the coffee grounds. This creates a crema on the top of the espresso. This is one of the main characteristics of a great espresso.

There are three types of espresso makers. They differ in the type of pump they employ and the degree of heat that the espresso is. There are many ways to control the strength of the brew and the size of the cup that can be produced by the machine.

The first espresso machines were steam-type. The earliest espresso machines were steam-type machines. The coffee tasted bitter and burned. The modern espresso machine was designed by the Milanese makers Luigi Bezzerra & Desiderio Pavoni.


The most commonly used espresso machine is a semiautomatic one with an electric pump. When people think of espresso machines, they picture these machines. With a semi-automatic espresso machine, you need to grind the beans and tamp them by hand. However, the pump controls the flow of water and pressure. This is a great compromise between the human touch and the mechanized accuracy.

The Filter

Typically, espresso machines use filters that separate the grounds of the coffee as they go through the hot water. The filter is also an essential component of the machine's temp control, since it stops overheating.

It also enhances flavor, as a filter can allow for a longer bloom phase. This allows the beans to release their flavor and gives the chance for better extraction.

However it is crucial to keep in mind that even a high-quality filter can produce a bad cup of coffee, because the quality of the beans and extraction is crucial.

This is where the magic happens, it's what makes espresso taste great. The grouphead (also known as the brewhead) is where you put the portafilter, the device that you put the grounds of your coffee into while making espresso.

In an espresso machine that is driven by steam, hot water is heated in an airtight tank to produce steam, which then pushes the hot water through the grounds at a high pressure. These types of machines are typically cheaper and easier to maintain than pump-driven models. They are however limited to create the perfect brewing conditions as they only operate with 1-1.5 bar of pressure. The ideal shot requires 9-10 bars.

In recent years, espresso machines powered by compressed air-pump are becoming increasingly popular. They utilize an air compressor to force hot water into the ground and are much more mobile than steam-driven electric espresso machines.