The Complete List Of Professional Espresso Machine Dos And Don'ts
The Complete List Of Professional Espresso Machine Dos And Don'ts
Blog Article
How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine
For coffee shops and cafes looking to attract customers with a passion for espresso and barista skills this is a great choice. It's the official machine used for World Barista Championships and it really shows.
The barista is able to refill the reservoir with water throughout their shift. The machine also features cool-touch steam wands and a hot water tap for tea.
Water
A commercial espresso machine needs to make a large amount of espresso based drinks in an efficient manner. These machines are usually made of stainless steel, which is tough and resistant against breakages and scratches. Stainless steel espresso machines also make it easier to maintain and clean.
A high-quality machine must include an additional shut-off valve that is connected to the water pipe in order to prevent 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.
When you select your water ensure that you test it and treat it appropriately to ensure the best results. Remineralize water that has been distilled by adding a few minerals. This can negate it's negative erosive properties and enhance the taste, but it could also harm 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 eventually be damaged.
Grinder
The grinder is a crucial component of an espresso machine that works. The grinder transforms the raw, unground coffee bean into a finely -ground coffee that can be properly tamped into the filter basket to ensure the best extraction.
Professional commercial machines come with a grinder that can be programmed for different drink sizes. This guarantees consistency in results each time. Super-automatic espresso machines take this one step further, by automating and programmable the whole process from brewing to grinding to dispensing. These machines are often praised by Lab tests for being easy to use.
Semi-automatic or manual machines demand more work from the barista, but the results are worth it. This model won a Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 for its intelligent dosing system that is able to measure and distributes the right amount of coffee each time. It also comes with a low pressure pre-infusion mechanism for well-balanced extraction as well as an ice cream wand that excelled in our test for producing rich, thick steaming milk.
Temperature
Temperature is an important aspect in espresso. If the water isn't at an ideal temperature, it can hinder extraction and even lead to bitter coffee.
Fortunately, espresso machines of high-end quality have tools that allow you to ensure that your water is at the right temperature. One method to achieve this is by utilizing PIDs that monitor and adjusts the temperature of the water. Double boiler systems are a different way to do this. This allows you to use one boiler for steam and tea and the other one to heat water to the right temperature for brewing.
Carles points out that these types of systems can make a difference for large corporations and baristas at home alike. They can make it easier for newbies to determine the ideal espresso drink because they are able to maintain an accurate temperature and avoid some of the factors that can affect the flavor profile. It can also make it easier for read more experienced baristas to create their shots exactly how they want them.
Pressure
The pressure an espresso maker employs is another factor which affects the quality of the coffee it makes. Many espresso drinkers notice that their beverages taste different based on the amount of pressure used, even when all other elements remain the same.
In general, commercial grade machines use nine bars of pressure to brew espresso. These machines are also more likely to be steam-driven than pump-driven. While there are higher-pressure machines they generally require a more intricate group head design that can handle the increased pressure levels.
While you may find espresso machines advertising 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars is generally considered the gold standard for making consistently excellent brews. These machines with higher pressure are generally more affordable and are designed for use at home.
To put 9 bar of pressure into perspective, it's over four times the amount of pressure that is exerted by the air inside your car tire. The greater pressure a professional espresso machine is able to apply and the more effective it will be at capturing the flavor of the coffee beans you love. This is why it's worth investing in a premium machine that will deliver the best results.
Barista Skills
A barista needs to be able to take and process orders of customers quickly and accurately. This is particularly crucial during busy periods at the coffee shop. Good customer service skills is also essential for building relationships with customers and increasing sales for the shop. This includes acknowledging regular customers, resolving issues quickly and remaining positive and friendly even in challenging situations.
Baristas frequently need to be adept at multitasking as they must take orders, operate a cash register as well as communicate orders to coworkers and take phone calls at the same time. This skill allows them to keep orders moving quickly to the customer and gives them an enjoyable time in the coffee shop.
It is beneficial for a barista to have knowledge of the various types of drinks that can be made by an espresso machine. This can be mastered by researching the different kinds of coffee, testing the drinks in person and watching videos on the internet. Many baristas find it beneficial to attend classes on the topic, which are offered by a variety of organizations.