How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

For cafes and coffee shops looking to attract customers who have a passion for espresso and barista skills this is an excellent choice. It's the official machine used for World Barista Championships and it really shows.

It also has a reservoir for water so that the barista only requires refilling it throughout their shift. The machine has a hot water tap for tea and cool-touch steam wands.

Water

A commercial espresso machine must be able to create large quantities of espresso-based drinks in a timely manner. They are usually constructed of stainless steel, which is strong and resistant against breaks and scratches. Espresso machines made of stainless steel make it easier to maintain and clean.

Lastly, a good quality machine has a shut-off valve for the water line to avoid the build-up of limescale. This will ensure that any repairs are isolated to the affected parts of the machine and won't impact the rest of your operation.

Test your water and make sure it is treated properly. For instance, distilled water can be remineralized by adding a small amount of minerals back to it. This can diminish its erosion properties and improve its taste, but it can also damage some machines. This is because the remineralized fluid will cause the boiler sensor to think that the machine is fully stocked, but it's not. This can cause excessive heat and damage to the machine.

Grinder

The grinder is a crucial element of a successful espresso maker. The grinder transforms an unground, raw coffee bean into a finely ground coffee that can be tamped properly into the filter basket for an excellent extraction.

Commercial-grade professional machines include a grinder that can be programmed for different drink sizes. This guarantees consistent results every time. Super-automatic retro espresso machine machines go one step further, by automating and espresso maker programming the entire process from brewing to grinding to dispensing. These kinds of machines tend to earn high scores in Lab tests due to their hands-free accessibility.

A semi-automatic or manual espresso machine requires more involvement by the barista, but the quality of the end result is often worth the effort. This model won an 2022 Good Housekeeping Coffee Award for its dosing technology which weighs and delivers the correct amount of ground coffee each time. It also comes with a low-pressure pre-infusion system for smooth extraction and an ice cream wand that excelled in our test for producing thick, rich steamed milk.

Temperature

When it is about espresso temperature plays a huge influence on the taste and quality of your coffee. If the temperature of the water isn't at a good level, it may result in a slower extraction and could result in bitter coffee espresso machines.

Fortunately, high-quality espresso machines have tools that allow you to keep your water at the correct temperature. A PID monitors and regulates the temperature of water. Double boiler systems are a second method to achieve this. This allows you to make use of one boiler for tea and steam while the second one heats water to brewing temperatures.

Carles explains how these systems can be beneficial for both large-scale businesses as well as baristas working from home. They can assist novices dial in the perfect espresso shot because they are able to maintain a precise temperature and avoid various variables that can alter the flavor profile. It can also make it easier for experienced baristas to make their espressos exactly how they want them.

Pressure