5 Laws That Can Help The Machine Espresso Industry

How Does Machine Espresso Work?

Machine espresso uses precision pressure and mind-blowing filter technology to create the delicious coffee we enjoy. How exactly does it work?

To make espresso hot water is forced under high pressure through finely ground coffee. The process is similar to making drip coffee however the main difference lies in the pressure.

The Group Head

As the name suggests the group head is the place you place your portafilter when making espresso. It disperses water into the portafilter and regulates the pressure during the extraction. There are many different types of group heads each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Some are designed to provide stability in temperature, while others are designed to handle pre-infusion. Some are designed to control the lever. Some come with a combination of both, 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 picture above the group head is fitted with a variety of notches. The portafilter is placed inside these notches, and then turn the head around to secure it. There is also a gasket made from rubber which is located inside the notches to help create a seal when you insert your portafilter into the machine. The notches on the head allow for an exact placement of the portafilter, which is essential to ensure an efficient extraction.

Apart from allowing you effortlessly insert your portafilter the group head is also responsible to ensure that the temperature remains even. This is done by cycling hot water around the portafilter, and through the brew-basket, making sure the temperature is always right to extract the coffee. This is important, as even a few degrees can mean the difference between good and excellent professional espresso machine for home.

The Pump

The motorized pumps that are used in espresso machines rotary provide nine atmospheric bar pressure that is required to extract espresso. This differs from manual piston machines that use a lever. The pressure is created by pumping water through a heat exchanger and then through the ground coffee.

Pumps tend to be less expensive and last for longer than piston-driven machines. However, both types of machines may degrade due to overuse and poor cleaning. They also make mechanically complex, which can result in costly prices for even the simplest models.

Certain espresso machines can eliminate the pump completely and make use of steam pressure to make espresso. This could lead to over-extraction since the boiler that produces steam also heats the water until it comes to a boil. These machines also have to constantly rebuild their pressure between cups. This takes energy and time.

Many espresso machines make use of either a rotary or vibration pump, which is a vibration model using a vibrating disc to create the pressure and rotating models that push hot water through the grounds at high speed. Both machines can make great espresso, however rotary machines are more stable, quieter and less likely to break down.

The Boiler

The boiler is the one that heats the water to a temperature that is ideal to extract. The steam created gets to the portafilter which is a container for espresso grounds. The steam is then channeled into the cup. The steam is able to create enough pressure to push the grounds of coffee through. This results in a crema on the top of the espresso. This is a sign of a great espresso.

There are three types of espresso machines, each with distinct pumps and brew temperature. There are various ways that the brew may be controlled, as well as the size of the cup the machine can produce.

The first espresso machines were steam-based. The first espresso machines were steam-type machines. This resulted in the coffee tasting burnt and bitter. The modern espresso makers machine was designed by the Milanese makers Luigi Bezzerra & Desiderio Pavoni.

The most well-known espresso machine is a semiautomatic model with an electric pump. These are what people imagine when they think of an espresso machine. Semi-automatic machines require you to grind and tamp your beans yourself The pump, however, regulates the flow of water and pressure. This is a great compromise between the human touch and mechanized consistency.

The Filter

Espresso machines usually have filters that separate the grounds of the coffee from the hot water. The filter is also a vital component of the temperature control system since it helps prevent the machine from overheating.

A filter also helps with flavor as it allows for a longer flowering phase. This helps the beans let their nuances out and provides an opportunity for better extraction.

It is important to remember that even the best espresso machine under 500 filter can make a bad cup of coffee. The quality of the beans and the extraction process, remain crucial.

This is where the magic happens, it's what makes an espresso Coffee machine uk really taste good. The grouphead, sometimes referred to as the brewhead, is where the portafilter (the thingy you put the coffee ground into) is placed when making espresso.

In a steam-driven espresso machine, hot water is heated in an airtight tank to produce steam, which is then pushed through the grounds under high pressure. These types of machines are typically less expensive and easier to maintain than pump-driven models. They are however limited for creating the ideal conditions for brewing as they only operate with 1-1.5 bar of pressure. The ideal shot requires 9-10 bars.

In recent years, compressed air pump-driven espresso machines have become more popular. They use an air-compressor to force hot water into the ground, and are more mobile than steam-driven electric espresso machines.