10 Healthy Professional Espresso Machine Habits

How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine

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

It also has a reservoir for water to ensure that the barista only requires refilling it throughout their shift. The machine also comes with steam wands that cool-touch as well as a hot water tap for tea.

Water

A commercial espresso machine is required to produce a large quantity of espresso-based drinks efficiently. The machines are typically made of stainless steel, which is strong and resistant to scratches and breaks. These espresso machines are also easier to maintain and keep clean.

Finally, a high-quality machine will have a separate shut-off valve for the water line to avoid limescale build up. This will ensure any repairs are only limited to the affected components of the machine, and will not impact the rest your operation.

When selecting the water you want to drink be sure to test it and treat it properly to get the best results. For instance, distilled water can be restored by adding a tiny amount of minerals back into it. This can reduce its erosive properties and improve its taste, however it could also cause damage to certain machines. Remineralized wate makes the boiler sensor think that the machine is full, even though it isn't. This can cause the machine to overheat and be damaged.

Grinder

The grinder is an essential part of a successful espresso maker. It is used to take a raw, unground bean to cup Espresso machine and turns it into finely ground coffee that is then tamped into the filter basket, resulting in an excellent extraction.

Commercial-grade professional machines include grinders that can be programmed for various sizes of drinks. This ensures constant results every time. Super-automatic espresso machines take this one step further, automating and programming the entire process from brewing to dispensing. These machines are frequently praised in Lab tests for their ease to use.

Semi-automatic or manual machines require more effort from the barista, but the results are worth it. This model earned the 2022 Good Housekeeping Coffee Award for its clever dosing feature that weighs and distributes the correct amount of ground coffee each time. It also comes with an low-pressure pre-infusion system for balanced extraction, and a milk frother that made rich, thick steamed-milk during our tests.

Temperature

When it is about espresso, temperature plays a major factor in the taste and quality of your electric espresso maker. If the water isn't operating at an optimal temperature, it could affect extraction and can cause a bitter cup of coffee.

Espresso machines that are of high-quality come with tools to help you maintain the proper temperature of your water. A PID monitors and regulates temperature of water. Double boiler systems are a different way to accomplish this. This allows you to use a single boiler to steam and tea while the second one heats water to brew temperature.

Carles explains that these systems can be beneficial for both large businesses and baristas who work from home. They can make it simpler for newbies to get the perfect espresso because they can maintain an accurate temperature and avoid many of the variables that can alter the flavor profile. It is also simpler for baristas with more experience to make their espressos just how they want.

Pressure

The pressure an espresso machine uses is another factor that affects the quality of the coffee it makes. Many espresso drinkers notice that their coffees taste different based on the amount of pressure they use, even if all other elements remain the same.

In general, commercial grade machines use nine bars of pressure to create espresso. These machines are also more likely to be steam-driven than pump-driven. While higher-pressure machines are readily available, they require a group head that is more complicated to handle the increased levels of pressure.

While you may find espresso machines advertising 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars are generally regarded as the most reliable standard for producing consistently excellent brews. These higher-pressure machines are typically smaller and designed for use at home.

To put 9 bar of pressure in perspective, it's four times the amount that's exerted by the air inside your car tire. The more pressure that a professional espresso maker is able to apply, the more effective it is at extracting flavor out of your favorite coffee beans. For this reason, it's worth investing in a high-end machine that can deliver the highest quality results.

Barista Skills

A barista must be able to handle orders quickly and accurately. This is especially important during busy times at the coffee shop. A good understanding of customer service is also crucial for establishing relationships with customers and increasing sales for the shop. This could include recognizing regular customers, working efficiently to resolve issues, and being positive and helpful even in difficult situations.

Having strong multitasking skills is often necessary for a barista, as they may be required to take orders as well as operate the cash register, communicate orders to coworkers and take phone calls simultaneously. This ability helps keep orders moving quickly to the customer, and ensures that customers have an enjoyable experience at the coffee shop.

It is beneficial for a barista to be aware of the different styles of drinks that can be made by an espresso machine. This can be accomplished by reading up on the different kinds of coffees, trying the drinks in person and watching videos online. Baristas often prefer to attend classes on the topic, which are offered by a variety of organizations.