How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine
This is a great option for coffee shops and cafes who want to attract customers who are enthralled by espresso and barista abilities. It's the official machine used for World Barista Championships, and it shows.
It has a water reservoir which means that the barista requires refilling it throughout their shift. The machine has a tea hot water tap and steam wands with cool-touch.
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 strong and resistant to scratches and breaks. Espresso machines are also simpler to maintain and clean.
A high-quality machine must include a separate shut-off valve for the water pipe to prevent limescale build-up. This will ensure that any repairs are isolated to the affected parts of the machine and won't affect the rest of your operation.
When choosing your water ensure that you test it and treat it correctly to get the best results. For instance distilled water may be recycled by adding a small amount of minerals back to it. It can enhance the taste and lessen its erosive properties, however it can also damage certain machines. This is because the remineralized fluid will cause the boiler sensor to believe that the machine is full when it's not. This can cause the machine to overheat and cause damaged.
Grinder
The grinder is a crucial part of a successful espresso maker. It is a process that takes a raw, unground bean and transforms it into a finely ground coffee that is then put into the filter basket to produce an excellent extraction.
Commercial-grade espresso machines usually have a built-in grinder which can be programmed to grind different drink sizes, ensuring consistency in results every time. Super-automatic machines go further and automate the entire process from brewing to grinding and dispensing. These machines are often praised by Lab tests for their ease 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 won the Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 for its smart dosing system that measures and delivers the correct amount of coffee every time. It also includes a low-pressure pre-infusion system for smooth extraction and an ice cream wand that did well in our more info tests for producing rich, thick steaming milk.
Temperature
Temperature is an important element in espresso. If the water isn't in its optimal temperature, it can slow the extraction process and result in the coffee being bitter.
Fortunately, top-quality espresso machines have tools that allow you to ensure that your water is at the correct temperature. A PID monitors and regulates temperature of the water. The other way is by using a double boiler system. One boiler can be used to heat water and steam for tea, and use the other for heating water to brewing temperature.
Carles mentions that these types of systems can make the difference for large-scale businesses as well as home baristas. They can help novices to dial in the perfect espresso because they can maintain an exact temperature and eliminate numerous variables that could affect the flavor of the flavor. It's also easier for baristas with more experience to make their espressos just the way they would like.
Pressure
The pressure an espresso machine is using can also impact the quality of coffee it produces. Many espresso drinkers have noticed that their drinks taste different based on the amount of pressure that is used, even though all other factors remain the same.
The majority of commercial machines utilize 9 bars of pressure in order to brew espresso. They also tend to be pump-driven, not steam-driven. While there are higher-pressure machines but they usually require a more complicated group head design that can handle the higher pressure levels.
While some espresso machines advertise 15 or 18 bars of pressure on their machines, nine bars are generally considered to be the standard when it comes to creating consistently great brews. These machines with higher pressure are generally cheaper and intended to be used at home.
In comparison, 9 bar of pressure is four times greater than the pressure that is exerted by your car tire. The greater pressure a professional espresso machine can exert and the more effective it will be at capturing the taste of the coffee beans you love. This is why it's worth investing in a high-quality machine that will give you the highest quality results.
Barista Skills
A barista needs to be able take orders and process them quickly and precisely. This is particularly important in busy times at the coffee shop. Good customer service skills is also vital to establishing relationships with customers and increasing sales for the shop. This could include recognizing regular customers, working effectively to resolve issues and remaining positive and friend even in the most difficult of situations.
Having strong multitasking skills is often necessary for baristas, since they could be required to take orders, operate the cash register and communicate orders to colleagues and answer phone calls at one time. This ability allows orders to be moving quickly to the customer, and ensures that customers have an enjoyable time in the coffee shop.
It is helpful for baristas to be knowledgeable about the various kinds of drinks that can be prepared with an espresso machine. This can be mastered by reading about the various types of coffee, trying them out in person, or watching videos on the internet. Many baristas find it beneficial to take classes offered by various organizations.