10 Healthy Professional Espresso Machine Habits
10 Healthy Professional Espresso Machine Habits
Blog Article
How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine
For coffee shops and cafes seeking to attract customers with an interest in espresso and barista skills this is a great option. It's the official machine used for World Barista Championships and it really does show.
The barista can refill the reservoir with water throughout their shift. The machine also comes with steam wands that are cool-touch 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. The machines are typically made of stainless steel, which is tough and resistant to scratches and breaks. Stainless steel espresso machines also make it easier to clean and maintain.
A high-quality machine should include an independent shut-off valve for the water pipe to avoid the build-up of limescale. This will ensure that any repairs are limited to the affected parts of the machine, and will not affect the rest of your operation.
Check your water and ensure it's being treated correctly. For example, distilled water can be refining by adding a small amount of minerals back to it. This can reduce its anti-erosive properties as well as improve its taste, however it could also harm certain machines. Remineralized wate makes the boiler sensor think that the machine is full even though it's not. This can cause the machine to overheat and cause damaged.
Grinder
The grinder is a key element in the success of an espresso machine. It grinds a raw bean and turns it into a finely ground coffee that can be placed into the filter basket to create an excellent extraction.
Commercial-grade professional espresso machines typically have a built-in grinder which can be programmed to grind for various sizes of drinks, providing consistent results each time. Super-automatic machines go one step further and automatize the entire process from brewing to grinding and dispensing. These types of machines are able to score high marks in Lab tests due to their hands-free simplicity of use.
Semi-automatic or manual machines require more work from the barista but often the results are worth the effort. This model was awarded the Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 for its clever dosing system, which measures and dispensing the correct amount of coffee each time. It also has a low-pressure pre-infusion system for smooth extraction and the milk frothing tool that did well in our tests for producing rich, thick steamed milk.
Temperature
When it is about espresso, temperature plays a major influence on the taste and quality of your shots. If the temperature of the water is not at the right degree, it can result in a slower extraction and could result in bitter coffee.
Espresso machines that are of high-quality come with devices that allow you to maintain the correct temperature of your water. One method to achieve this is to use an PID, which monitors and adjusts the temperature of the water. The other way is by using a double boiler system. This lets you use one boiler for tea and steam and the other for heating water to brewing temperatures.
Carles points out that these kinds of systems can make the difference for large businesses as well as home baristas. They can make it easier for novices to determine the ideal espresso drink because they can maintain an accurate temperature and avoid some of the variables that can alter the flavor profile. It's also much easier for baristas with more experience to make their shots just the way they prefer.
Pressure
The pressure that the espresso machine makes use of can also impact the quality of the coffee it makes. Many espresso drinkers have noticed that their drinks taste different depending on the pressure they use, even if other factors remain constant.
In general, commercial grade machines utilize nine bars of pressure to make espresso. They also tend espresso coffee machines to be driven by pumps rather than steam-driven. While there are higher-pressure machines they generally require a more complex group head design that can take on the higher pressures.
Although you might see espresso machines advertising 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars is generally regarded as the gold standard for creating consistently excellent espressos. These machines with higher pressure tend to be cheaper and are designed for home use.
To put 9 bar of pressure in perspective, it's over four times the amount of pressure that's imposed by the air inside your car tire. The greater the pressure that a professional espresso machine can put on more pressure, the better it'll be at extracting flavor from the coffee beans you love. It's worthwhile to invest in high-end machines that can give the highest quality results.
Barista Skills
A barista should be able to take orders and process them quickly and precisely. This is particularly crucial in busy times at the coffee shop. Excellent customer service skills are crucial for establishing relationships with customers and boosting the sales of the coffee shop. This could include recognizing regular customers, working effectively to resolve issues, and staying positive and friendly even when faced with difficult situations.
The ability to multitask is often necessary for baristas, since they may be required to take orders as well as operate the cash register and communicate orders to colleagues and answer phone calls simultaneously. This skill allows them to keep orders moving quickly to the customer and will allow them to have an enjoyable time in the coffee shop.
It is crucial for baristas to be able make different types of drinks using an espresso machine. This can be learned by researching the different kinds of coffees, trying them out in person, or watching videos online. Many baristas also consider it beneficial to attend classes on the topic, which are provided by many organizations.