How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

For coffee shops and cafes seeking to attract customers with an interest in espresso and barista abilities, This is a great option. It's the official barista machine for World Barista Championships and it truly shows.

The barista is able to refill the reservoir with water throughout their shift. It also has steam wands that cool-touch as well as hot water taps for tea.

Water

A commercial espresso machine needs to be able to produce a huge amount of espresso-based drinks with efficiency. They are typically made of stainless steel, which is durable and resistant to breaks and scratches. These espresso machines are easier to maintain and keep clean.

A good quality machine should have an additional shut-off valve that is connected to the water pipe to prevent limescale build-up. This will ensure any repairs are limited to affected components of the machine and not affect the operation of the rest.

Check your water and make sure it is being treated correctly. For example distillate water can be remineralized by adding a small amount of minerals back to it. This could reduce its negative erosive properties and enhance its flavor, but it could also harm certain machines. This is because the remineralized fluid will cause the boiler sensor to believe that the machine is full, even though it's not. This could cause excessive heat and damage to the machine.

Grinder

The grinder is a crucial element of a successful espresso maker. The grinder converts a raw, unground coffee bean into a finely-ground coffee that can be properly tamped into the filter basket to ensure the best extraction.

Professional commercial grade machines include grinders that are programmed to accommodate different sizes of drinks. This ensures constant results every time. Super-automatic espresso machines take this one step further, automating and programmable the whole process from brewing to dispensing. These machines are frequently praised in Lab tests for being easy to use.

A semi-automatic or manual espresso machine requires more involvement from the barista but the quality of the final product is often worth it. This model was awarded a Good Housekeeping coffee for espresso machine Award in 2022 for its clever dosing mechanism that measures and dispenses the right amount of coffee every time. It also comes with the ability to use a low pressure pre-infusion to ensure an even extraction, and the milk frother produced dense, thick steamed milk during our tests.

Temperature

Temperature is an important aspect in espresso. If the water isn't operating at an ideal temperature, it can affect extraction and can cause an unpleasant cup of coffee.

Fortunately, high-quality espresso machines have tools that allow you to ensure that your water is at the correct temperature. A PID monitors and regulates the temperature of the water. Another method is utilizing a double boiler system. This lets you use a single boiler to steam and tea while the second one heats water to the right temperature for brewing.

Carles says that these types of systems can be beneficial for large companies and baristas working at home. They can make it easier for newbies to get the perfect espresso shot since they can keep an exact temperature and eliminate many of the factors that can alter the flavor profile. It can also make it easier for experienced baristas to create their shots exactly as they want them.

Pressure

The pressure an espresso machine is using can affect the quality of the coffee it makes. Many espresso drinkers have noticed that their coffee tastes differently depending on the amount pressure that is used, even though other factors remain constant.

In general, commercial-grade machines utilize nine bars of pressure to make espresso. These machines are also likely to be pump-driven, not steam-driven. Although higher-pressure machines are available but they usually require a more sophisticated group head design to handle the increased pressure levels.

While you may see espresso machines advertising 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars is generally considered the gold standard for creating consistently excellent espressos. These machines with higher pressure tend to be more affordable and designed for use at home.

To put 9 bar of pressure in perspective, it's more than four times the amount that's imposed by the air inside your car tire. The more pressure an espresso maker with professional quality can apply, the more effective it is in bringing out the flavor of the coffee beans you love. For this reason, it's worth investing in a premium machine that will deliver the best results.

Barista Skills

A barista needs to be able take and process orders quickly and precisely. This is particularly important during busy times in the coffee and espresso machine shop. Good customer service skills is also crucial for establishing relationships with customers and generating more business 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 frequently need to be able to multitask, as they must take orders, operate a cash register as well as communicate orders to coworkers and respond to phone calls all at once. This ability allows customers to enjoy an enjoyable experience at the coffee shop by ensuring that orders are delivered quickly.

It is important for a barista to be knowledgeable about the various types of drinks that can be made by an espresso machine. This can be learned by researching the different types of coffee, trying them out in person and watching videos online. Many baristas find it beneficial to attend classes provided by various organizations.