10 Tell-Tale Symptoms You Must Know To Buy A Machine Espresso How Does Machine Espresso Work?

The machine espresso utilizes precision pressure, and a filtering system that is awe-inspiring to create the coffee you love. What exactly is it?

In order to make espresso, hot water is forced under high pressure through finely ground coffee. The process is similar to making drip coffee but the key difference is in the pressure.

The Group Head

The group head is the portafilter you place in the espresso maker when making it. It disperses the water into the portafilter, and regulates the pressure of the extraction. There are a variety of group heads each with distinct advantages and drawbacks. Some are specifically designed for temperature stability while others are built to handle pre-infusion. Some are designed to control the lever. There are some that contain a variety of features, like the E61 that is to be the most popular among baristas due to its capacity to provide multiple benefits in a single package.

As you can see in the above image the group head comes with several notches to place your portafilter and twist it manually to secure it. There is also a gasket of rubber which is located inside the notches, which helps create the seal when you insert your portafilter into the machine. The notches on the head allow for an exact positioning of the portafilter which is vital for an efficient extraction.

The group head not only allows you to place your portafilter easily however, it also keeps the same temperature. It does this by circulating hot water through the brew basket and around the portafilter, ensuring that it is always at the correct temperature to extract. This is important because even a few degrees can make the difference between excellent and great espresso.

The Pump


The motorized pumps used in rotary espresso machines supply the nine atmospheric bar pressure needed to extract espresso. This is different from manual piston machines which use a lever. The pressure builds up by removing tap water from a reservoir and pumping it through a heat exchanger before it is shot through the ground coffee inside the group head.

Pumps tend to be less expensive and last longer than piston-driven machines. However, both types of machines can degrade because of frequent use and insufficient cleaning. Pumps are also more complex mechanically, which could increase the price of even the simple models.

Certain espresso machines do away with the pump entirely and make use of steam pressure to make espresso. This can cause over-extraction because the boiler that produces steam also heats the water to boil. These machines also have to continuously rebuild their pressure between cups. This requires energy and time.

Many espresso machines make use of the rotary or vibration pump. A vibration model makes use of the vibrating disk to create pressure, whereas a Rotary model pushes hot coffee through the ground at a fast speed. Both machines can make excellent espresso, but rotary machines are more stable, quieter and less likely to break.

The Boiler

The boiler is the one that heats the water to the ideal temperature for extraction. The steam that is produced gets to the portafilter which contains the espresso coffee grounds. The steam is then channeled into the cup. During this process the steam generates enough pressure to push the grounds of coffee through. This results in a crema on top of the espresso. This is one of the main characteristics of a great espresso.

There are three different types of espresso machines, each having a different type of pump and brew temperature. There are various ways that the brew can be controlled as well as the size of the cup the machine is capable of making.

The earliest espresso machines were steam-based. espresso machine uk were steam types. This led to the coffee tasting burnt and bitter. This is the reason Milanese makers Luigi Bezzerra and Desiderio Pavoni created the modern espresso machine.

The most well-known espresso machine is a semiautomatic that has an electric pump. When people think of espresso machines, they picture these machines. Semi-automatic machines require you to grind and tamp your beans yourself, but the pump regulates the flow of water and pressure. This is a great compromise between the human touch and the mechanised quality.

The Filter

Typically, espresso machines use a filter to separate out the grounds of coffee as they move through the hot water. The filter is also an essential component of the machine's temperature control, as it prevents overheating.

It also aids in flavor, as it allows for a longer bloom time. This lets the beans release their flavor and also allows for better extraction.

It is important to keep in mind that even the most efficient filter can produce a bad cup of coffee. The quality of the beans, and the extraction process, remain crucial.

It's here that the magic occurs. This is the reason why espresso tastes so good. The grouphead, sometimes referred to as the brew head, is where the portafilter (the device you put the coffee ground into) is placed when you're making espresso.

In the steam-driven espresso machine hot water is heated in an airtight tank to produce steam, which is then pushed through the grounds under high pressure. These types of machines are typically less expensive and simpler to maintain than pumps-driven models. However, they are not as efficient in their capacity to create the ideal brewing conditions, since they operate at 1-1.5 bars of pressure. While the perfect shot requires 9-10 bar.

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