5 Must-Know Professional Espresso Machine Practices For 2023

How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

This is a fantastic option for cafes and coffee shops that wish to attract customers who are enthusiastic about espresso and barista abilities. It's the official machine used for World barista espresso coffee machine Championships and it truly shows.

The barista is able to refill the water reservoir throughout their shift. The machine also has steam wands with cool-touch technology and hot water taps for tea.

Water

A commercial espresso machine needs to create a huge amount of espresso-based drinks in an efficient manner. They are usually constructed of stainless steel, which is durable and resistant to cracks and scratches. Espresso machines made of stainless steel make it easier to maintain and clean.

A high-quality machine must have a separate shut-off valve for the water pipe to avoid limescale accumulation. This will ensure that any repairs will be isolated to the affected parts of the machine and won't impact the remainder of your operation.

Check your water to ensure that it has been treated properly. For example distilled water may be remineralized by adding a small amount of minerals back to it. It can enhance the taste and reduce its erosive qualities, but can also harm certain machines. The remineralized wate can make the boiler sensor think that the machine is full even though it's not. This can lead to overheating and even damage to the machine.

Grinder

The grinder is an essential part of a successful espresso maker. It is a process that takes a raw, unground bean and transforms it into finely ground coffee that can be tamped into the filter basket, resulting in an excellent extraction.

Commercial-grade professional espresso machines typically have a built-in grinding unit that can be programmed to grind different sizes of drinks, which ensures consistency in results every time. Super-automatic machines go a step further and automate the entire process from brewing through grinding and dispensing. These machines are often praised in Lab tests for being easy to use.

A manual or semi-automatic espresso machine requires more involvement by the barista, but the quality of the final product is often worth it. This model was awarded the Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 for its smart dosing system, which measures and distributes the right amount of coffee each time. It also has an infusion with low pressure for well-balanced extraction, as well as a milk frother that produced rich, thick steamed-milk during our tests.

Temperature

The temperature is a crucial element in espresso. If the water isn't at its ideal temperature, it may hinder extraction and even lead to bitter coffee.

Luckily, the best espresso machines have tools that allow you to keep your water at the correct temperature. One method for doing this is with PIDs, which monitors and adjusts the temperature of the water. The other way is by using a double boiler. You can use one boiler to heat steam and water for tea, and use the second boiler to heat water to the brewing temperature.

Carles explains how these systems can make a difference for both large businesses and baristas working from home espresso machine. They can assist novices create the perfect espresso drink because they are able to maintain the exact temperature and prevent numerous variables that could affect the flavor profile. It also makes it easier for experienced baristas to create their shots exactly the way they want them.

Pressure

The pressure that an espresso machine makes use of is another element which affects the quality of the coffee it makes. Many espresso drinkers have noticed that their coffee tastes different depending on the pressure that is used, even though all other elements remain the same.

In general, most commercial-grade machines use nine bars of pressure to make buy espresso makers. These machines are also more likely to be steam-driven than pumps driven. Although higher-pressure machines are available they generally require a more complex group head design to handle the increased pressure levels.

While some espresso machines advertise 15 or 18 bars of pressure in their machines, nine bars are generally considered to be the gold standard when it comes to making consistently excellent brews. These machines with higher pressures are generally more affordable and are designed for home use.

In comparison, 9 bar of pressure is 4 times more than the pressure exerted by your car tire. The greater pressure a professional espresso maker can apply, then the better it is at capturing the flavor of your favorite coffee espresso machine beans. It's worth investing in high-quality machines that produce the highest quality results.

Barista Skills

A barista must be able to accept orders from customers quickly and efficiently. This is especially important during busy times in the coffee shop. Excellent customer service skills are crucial to build relationships with customers and increasing sales for the coffee shop. This includes acknowledging regular customers, working efficiently to resolve problems and remaining positive and friend even in difficult situations.

Being able to multitask is a must for a barista as they might be required to take orders as well as operate the cash register and communicate orders to colleagues and respond to calls at the same time. This skill allows them to keep orders moving quickly to the customer, and gives them a pleasant experience in the coffee shop.

It is essential for a barista's knowledge to be able to prepare different drinks with an espresso machine. This can be accomplished by reading up on the different types of coffee, trying them in person, and watching videos online. Many baristas find it helpful to attend classes provided by various organizations.