What to Look For in a Professional Espresso Machine
You'll want a machine that can control pre-infusion, which is important for establishing flavor and aroma. PID temperature control is also a feature that coffee experts are looking for in an espresso machine that is professional.
If you're planning to hire baristas without much experience, you'll need a machine that is easy to use and easy to instruct new staff members on. This is essential when you are planning to operate an open-air coffee shop.
Ease of Use
As you may have guessed from its name the professional espresso machine is designed to be simple to use and maintain. It has an integrated grinder that automatically grinds fresh coffee beans into the portafilter, a digital temperature control to ensure optimal extraction as well as a manual steam wand to create microfoam, perfect for making coffee art. It also comes with a test strip that helps you gauge water hardness and an AquaClean filter to reduce the buildup of scale.
It is a great choice for home baristas since it offers a balance between manual and automatic operation. You can make a shot of coffee like a professional (although there is a small learning curve). The built-in grinder lets you to play around with your coffee grind size and fine-tune the process, while the manual steam wand makes it simple to create foamy milk for lattes and cappuccinos. The machine has a removable, dishwasher-safe milk hopper that makes cleaning up after use simple and easy.
While this model is intended for home use, there are some advanced features which set it apart from espresso machines used by professionals. It has two boilers, which allow the brewing function and the steam function to be heated separately. This allows each function to be kept at the precise temperature that is desired. McCarthy says that this will ensure the espresso is extracted at the proper pressure (which varies from 4 bars at the beginning and 14-16 bars when completed) while minimizing the risk of over-extraction.
In addition, the machine has a "proportional-integral-derivative" or PID control that monitors and stabilizes the boiler or thermoblock temperature more accurately than a simple electromechanical thermostatic switch. This leads to more consistent shots, and faster recovery between each cup of espresso.
It's also a good idea to look for a machine that can be opened up to carry out routine maintenance and repairs since espresso drinkers are often fascinated by the inner workings of their equipment. This is particularly important for a machine that will be frequently used, as the constant use can cause parts to wear out. The espresso machine we tested, for instance, can be opened to replace the brew group basket and drip tray for quick and convenient cleaning.
Cleaning Made Easy
It is essential to keep the inside of a professional espresso machine clean. Coffee oils, used coffee grounds and water minerals can build up over time, impacting the quality of the final cup of espresso and the overall performance of the machine. Regular cleaning will eliminate these contaminants and ensure a constant flow of water and extraction pressure.
Utilizing a specially-designed group head cleaning brush with bristles that reach crevices can help get rid of stubborn residue. Regular cleaning products can help dissolve and break down coffee particles, oils and other contaminants. Some espresso machines also require periodic backflushing. This involves blocking the portafilter with a blind filter, and forcing water through the system in order to clean the shower screen and group head valves. Utilizing the correct tools and following the instructions of the manufacturer for backflushing can enhance the overall cleanliness of your espresso machine and maintenance.
A reusable tool to clean the group head can make routine maintenance easier for espresso users. These brushes are reusable and come in different shapes and sizes and are designed to clean different components of the machine including gaskets, valves, and ports. They are usually made of stainless steel, and come with a small holder for the cleaning solution which is simple to refill or fill when required. Some tools include built-in reservoirs to keep the cleaning solution in storage when not in use.
Descaling solutions improve the performance of espresso machines as well as their ease of use particularly when they are employed in high-volume settings. These liquid descalers get rid of calcium and limescale, which hinder water flow and diminish the flavor of espresso. These products can be used to backflush or soak areas of the system. They are more effective at getting rid of mineral buildup than citric acid.
When deciding on the best espresso machine, consider the features that are most important to you and your business. For instance, if you would like to adjust the temperature of your water and brew volume for specific beverages, you may prefer an espresso maker that has manual controls with more flexible settings. If you're an avid espresso drinker who wants to enjoy a great cup of coffee at home in a convenient way, a semiautomatic espresso machine or fully automated espresso maker could be the best choice.
Easy Maintenance
The kind of espresso machine you own will determine the ease to maintain. Certain machines require more manual work while others are less demanding. The way to tell is by looking at the degree of automation. Espresso/cappuccino machines fall into three categories: semi-automatic fully automated and super-automatic. Semi-automatic machines give the barista a bit of control but they do not offer much automation. A fully automatic machine requires less operator involvement, but still requires the operator grind, tamp and pull the shot. Super-automatic machines are completely automated, making espresso and espresso-based drinks from just a single press.
When purchasing a semiautomatic or fully automated professional espresso machine you must take into consideration the number of customers your business expects to serve during peak times. This will help you determine the size of commercial espresso machine to purchase. For instance, if you plan to serve 120 drinks between 8 and 10 AM, you'll want to buy a semi-automatic machine that can keep up with the volume of orders.
It is also important to think about how often you need to descale your coffee machine. Some manufacturers recommend decaling every month at least with a mixture of warm water and vinegar. If you don't descale regularly, your machine could develop issues such as clogging or a change in flavor.
Many of the more advanced espresso machines available come with a dual boiler system with one boiler used for brewing and another to steam. The steam wand can be heated independently from the group head, allowing you to continue steaming milk while your shots are being brewed. This is especially useful for busy cafes that need to serve lots of different varieties of coffee and cappuccino.
Other features that you can find in more advanced espresso machines include a hot water dispenser and an automatic rinsing cycle and user-programmable preferences for the kind of cappuccino and coffee you use the most often. These features can help you save time and money in large-scale settings where consistency is crucial. You may also find that the machine has a built-in or attached coffee grinder, and a nozzle for dispense hot or frothed steaming milk.
Repairs are simple
The durability and ease of maintenance are crucial when it comes to commercial espresso machines. Commercial machines are designed to withstand the rigors of usage and are typically constructed of durable materials that can last for years. These machines are more likely to come with warranties and other safeguards against damage. espresso coffee machines Coffeee at home on the other hand are usually constructed with lesser-quality materials and can fail more easily.
In addition, many commercial espresso machines have to be UL listed and carry an NSF seal to ensure that they meet standards of the health department as well as building regulations. These requirements ensure that the equipment is safe for employees as well as customers. This is particularly applicable to espresso machines that produce an enormous amount of drinks. Choose a machine that is made of stainless steel or FDA-approved materials to avoid chemical leaching into the coffee.
There are a variety of professional coffee machines, including semi-automatic and fully automated. Each one has its own pros and cons but they all make delicious coffee.
It can be a challenge for baristas to master the manual espresso machine since they must create the pressure by themselves using their hands and arms. These machines are also not as common, so they may be more difficult to find parts for if something goes wrong.
Semi-automatic espresso machines provide a good balance between human control and mechanized consistency. The barista still has to grind and tamp the beans but the pump regulates water pressure and temperature to avoid over-extraction.
Fully-automatic espresso machines are like semi-automatic ones, but they also have the capability to dispensate hot and steam at the push of the button. This helps save time and energy and allows for a greater capacity of production.
It is important that your staff members know how to use the espresso machine, regardless of what type you choose. This will enhance the quality of your coffee and increase efficiency. It may take a while for new staff members to master how to properly grind, tamp and extract shots, but this investment will pay off in the long run by ensuring your customers get a consistently great cup of espresso.