14 Businesses Doing A Great Job At Machine Espresso
How Does Machine Espresso Work?
The machine espresso is made using precise pressure and filtering system that is awe-inspiring to create the coffee you love. How exactly does it work?
To make an espresso, hot water is forced under high pressure through finely ground coffee. The process is similar to making drip coffee but the key difference is in the pressure.
The Group Head
The group head is the portafilter you put in when making barista espresso machine. It distributes water into the portafilter and regulates the pressure of extraction. There are a variety of group heads each with their own advantages and drawbacks. Some are designed for temperature stability while others are designed to handle pre-infusion. Others are made to control the lever. Some are a combination, like the E61. This is a popular choice among baristas since it provides multiple advantages in a single package.
As you can see from the picture above the group head is fitted with a variety of notches. You can place your portafilter into these notches and twist the head to secure it. A rubber gasket is located inside the notches, which helps create a seal while you insert your portafilter. The notches on the head permit a precise location of the portafilter which is vital to ensure an even extraction.
The group head is not just able to allow the portafilter to be inserted easily however, it also keeps the temperature at a constant level. It does this by cycling hot water through the brew basket and around the portafilter, making sure that it is always at the correct temperature for extraction. It is important to realize that even a small espresso machine differences can make the distinction between a good and great espresso.
The Pump
The motorized pumps used in rotary espresso machines supply the nine atmospheric bar pressure required for espresso extraction. This differs from manually operated piston machines that employ a lever. The pressure is created by pumping water through a heat-exchanger and then through the ground coffee.
Pumps tend to be more affordable and last longer than piston-driven machines. However, both types of machines may degrade due to overuse and insufficient cleaning. Pumps are also more complex mechanically, and can add to the price of even the simplest models.
Some barista espresso machine machines eliminate the pump entirely and employ steam pressure to create espresso. The downside is that the same boiler that produces steam also increases the temperature of water until it reaches boiling, which can lead to over-extraction. The machines also need to constantly rebuild their pressure in between cups. This takes energy and time.
A large majority of espresso machines employ either a vibration or rotary pump. A vibration model utilizes a vibrating disk to generate pressure, whereas the rotary model pushes hot water through the ground at a rapid speed. Both types of machine can produce an excellent espresso, but rotary machines are quieter and more durable than vibration pumps.
The Boiler
The boiler is the one that will heat the water to the perfect temperature to extract. The steam created reaches the portafilter, which holds the espresso grounds. It is then poured into the cup. The steam creates pressure that pushes through the grounds of the coffee. This creates a layer crema that is then poured over. This is one of the hallmarks of a great travel Espresso Maker.
There are three types of espresso makers, which differ in the kind of pump they use and how hot the brew is. There are a variety of ways to control the amount of brew, as well as the size of the cup that can be made by the machine.
The first espresso machines were steam-type. The first espresso machines were steam-type machines. This resulted in the coffee tasting burnt and bitter. This is why Milanese manufacturers Luigi Bezzerra and Desiderio Pavoni created the modern espresso machine.
The most commonly used espresso machine is a semiautomatic that has an electric pump. These are the images people have when they think of an espresso maker. If you have a semi-automatic machine you must grind the beans and then tamp them by hand, but the pump is able to regulate the flow of water and pressure. This is an excellent compromise between human touch and the mechanized consistency.
The Filter
Typically, pro espresso machine machines employ filters to separate the grounds of coffee as they move through the hot water. The filter is also an essential component of the machine's temperature control, as it helps prevent overheating.
It also improves flavor, as a filter allows for a more prolonged bloom phase. This helps the beans to release their flavor and gives an opportunity to improve extraction.
It is important to keep in mind that even the most efficient filter can make a bad cup of coffee. The quality of the beans, and the extraction process are still crucial.
This is where the magic happens, and it's what makes espresso taste great. The grouphead (also called the brewhead) is where you put the portafilter, the thingy that you put the grounds of coffee into when making espresso.
In an espresso machine that is driven by steam, hot water is heated in an airtight tank to create steam. Steam is then pushed through the grounds at a high pressure. They are less expensive and easier for the user to maintain than pumps-driven models. They are however limited to create the ideal conditions for brewing since they only operate with 1-1.5 bar of pressure. The ideal shot requires 9-10 bars.
In recent years, espresso machines powered by compressed air-pump have become increasingly popular. They utilize an air compressor to push hot water across the ground and are more mobile than steam-driven electric espresso machines.