How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine
For coffee shops and cafes that want to attract customers with a love of espresso and barista skills this is a great option. It's the official machine used for the World Barista Championships, and it shows.
It has a water reservoir so that the barista only needs to refill it throughout their shift. The machine is equipped with a tea hot water tap and steam wands that cool-touch.
Water
A commercial espresso machine has to be able to create a huge amount of espresso-based drinks efficiently. The machines are typically made of stainless steel, which is strong and resistant against scratches and breaks. Espresso machines are also easy to maintain and clean.
Additionally, a top quality machine will have a separate shut off valve for the water line to prevent the build-up of limescale. This will ensure that any repairs are limited to affected parts of the machine and won't affect the rest of your operation.
When selecting your water be sure to test it and treat it appropriately to get the best results. For example distilled water may be recycled by adding a small amount of minerals back to it. It can improve the taste and reduce its erosive qualities, but can also damage certain machines. This is because the remineralized water can cause the boiler sensor to think that the machine is full when it's not. This can cause overheating and even damage to the machine.
Grinder
The grinder is a crucial component of a successful espresso maker. The grinder turns a raw, unground coffee bean into a finely-ground coffee which can be tamped correctly into the filter basket to ensure an outstanding extraction.
Professional commercial machines come with grinders that are programmed to accommodate different sizes of drinks. This guarantees consistency in results each time. Super-automatic espresso machines go one step further, by automating and programmable the entire process from brewing to grinding to dispensing. These machines are often praised during Lab tests for their ease to use.
Semi-automatic or manual machines require more work from the barista, but the results are worth it. This model was awarded the 2022 Good Housekeeping Coffee Award for its smart dosing feature that weighs and distributes the correct amount of ground coffee every time. It also comes with a low pressure pre-infusion system that allows for balanced extraction and the milk frothing tool that performed well in our tests for producing thick, rich steamed milk.
Temperature
When it comes to espresso temperature plays a huge factor in the taste and quality of your espresso. If the water isn't at an optimal temperature, it can slow the extraction process and cause the coffee being bitter.
Espresso machines of the highest quality come with tools to help you maintain get more info the right temperature of your water. One way to do this is by using an PID, which monitors and adjusts the temperature of the water. Double boiler systems are a second method to do this. One boiler can be used to heat water and steam for tea, while using another to heat water to the brewing temperature.
Carles states that these systems can make a difference for large businesses as well as home baristas. They can make it much easier for beginners to make the perfect espresso shot because they are able to maintain an accurate temperature and avoid many of the factors that can affect the flavor profile. It helps experienced baristas to create their shots exactly how they want them.
Pressure
The amount of pressure an espresso machine uses is another factor that contributes to the quality of the coffee it makes. Many espresso drinkers have noticed that their drinks have a distinct taste different depending on the pressure that is used, even though all other factors are constant.
In general, commercial-grade machines utilize nine bars of pressure to brew espresso. These machines are also more likely to be steam-driven rather than pumps-driven. Although higher-pressure machines are also available but they require a group head that is more complex to handle the higher levels of pressure.
While you may find espresso machines advertising 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars is generally regarded as the gold standard for making consistently great brews. These machines with higher pressures are generally smaller and designed for home use.
To put 9 bars of pressure into perspective, it's four times the amount that is exerted by the air in your car tire. The more pressure a professional espresso machine is able to apply and the more effective it will be at capturing the taste of the coffee beans you love. Therefore, it's worth investing in a high-quality machine that will give you the best results.
Barista Skills
A barista should be able to accept and process orders from customers quickly and accurately. This is particularly important in busy times at the coffee shop. Effective customer service skills are crucial for establishing relationships with customers and boosting sales for the coffee shop. This includes recognizing regular customers, working to resolve issues efficiently and remaining optimistic and welcoming even in stressful situations.
Being able to multitask is a must for baristas, since they may have to take orders and operate the cash register and then communicate orders to coworkers and take phone calls simultaneously. This ability allows customers to enjoy a pleasant experience in the cafe by ensuring that orders get delivered quickly.
It is crucial for baristas to be able to make different drinks with an espresso machine. This can be learned by reading up on the different kinds of coffee, testing them out in person and watching videos on the internet. Many baristas prefer to attend classes on the matter, offered by many organizations.