14 Businesses Doing A Great Job At Machine Espresso

How Does Machine Espresso Work?

The machine espresso utilizes precise pressure, as well as a filtering technology that is amazing to make the coffee you enjoy. How exactly does it work?

Espresso is produced by pushing hot water under pressure through finely-ground coffee. The process is similar to making drip coffee. However the pressure is the primary difference.

The Head of the Group

As the name implies the group head is where you insert your portafilter when brewing espresso. It distributes water into the portafilter, and then controls the pressure of the extraction. There are many different types of group heads each with distinct advantages and disadvantages. Some focus on temperature stability, some on pre-infusion options, and others are designed to control the lever. Some are a combination, such as the E61. This is a very popular choice for baristas because it offers multiple advantages in one package.

As you can see in the above photo the head of the group is equipped with several notches. You place your portafilter in these notches, then twist the head to secure it. A gasket made of rubber is placed inside the notches, which helps create a seal while you insert your portafilter. The notches permit precise placement of the portafilter. This is essential for an even extraction.

Aside from allowing you to effortlessly insert your portafilter the group head is also responsible to ensure that the temperature remains even. It does this by cycling hot water through the brew container and around the portafilter to ensure that it is always at the correct temperature to extract. It is important to remember that even a slight differences can make the distinction between a good and a great espresso.

The Pump

The motorized pumps in espresso machines that rotate provide the nine atmospheric bar pressure that is required to extract espresso. This is different from manual piston machines that rely on levers. The pressure is built by pumping water through a heat exchanger and then through the ground coffee.

Pumps are generally less expensive and last longer than piston-driven machines. However, both types of machines may degrade because of frequent use and insufficient cleaning. Pumps are also more complicated mechanically, which can raise the cost of even simplest models.

Some espresso machines can eliminate the pump entirely and utilize steam pressure to make espresso. The downside is that the boiler that produces steam also raises the temperature of the water to boiling which can cause excessive extraction. In addition the machines often have to restore their pressure between cups, which takes time and energy.

A majority of espresso machine with milk frother machines use the rotary or vibration pump, which is a vibration model using a vibrating disc to create the pressure and a rotary model pushing hot water through the grounds at high speed. Both machines can produce excellent espresso but rotary machines are more stable, quieter and less likely to break down.

The Boiler

The boiler is the part that heats water to the optimal temperature bean to cup espresso machines extract. The steam that is produced reaches the portafilter which holds the ground espresso coffee and is then funneled down into the cup. During this process the steam generates enough pressure to push the grounds of the coffee through. This results in a whipped-up the top of the espresso. This is a sign of a good Compact espresso Machine.

There are three types of buy espresso machine makers. They differ in the type of pump they use and how hot the espresso is. There are also different ways that the brew may be controlled as well as the size of the cup the maker can create.

The earliest espresso machines were steam types. They employed one boiler to make steam and brew, however the pressure they were able to produce was very low - just two bars of atmospheric pressure at most. This led to the coffee tasting bitter and burnt. The modern espresso machine was created by the Milanese makers Luigi Bezzerra & Desiderio Pavoni.

The most commonly used espresso machine is a semiautomatic one with an electric pump. When people think of espresso machines, they imagine these machines. Semi-automatic machines require you to grind and tamp the beans on your own, but the pump regulates the water flow and pressure. This is an excellent solution that combines human control with mechanised consistency.

The Filter

Typically, espresso machines have filters to separate the grounds of coffee when they pass through the hot water. The filter is also a vital element of the machine's temperature control, as it prevents overheating.

A filter can also help with flavor, as it permits the beans to flower for a longer period of time. This helps the beans release their nuances and gives the chance for better extraction.

However, it is important to keep in mind that even a top filter can produce a bad cup of coffee, as the quality of the beans and extraction is still crucial.

This is where the magic happens, it's what makes espresso taste good. The grouphead (also known as the brewhead) is where you put the portafilter, the thingy which you put the coffee grounds in, when making espresso.

In a steam-driven espresso machine, hot water is heated in an airtight container to create steam. This is then pushed through the grounds with high pressure. These types of machines are generally less expensive and easier to maintain than pumps-driven models. They are however limited to create the perfect brewing conditions as they only operate with 1-1.5 bar of pressure. The perfect shot requires 9-10 bars.

In recent years, espresso machines powered by a compressed air compressor have become increasingly popular. They use an air compressor to push hot water through the ground and are more mobile than steam-driven electric espresso machines.