What to Look For in a Professional Espresso Machine
You'll need a machine with the capability to control the pre-infusion. This is important for the development of flavor. PID temperature control is a feature that many coffee experts look for in an espresso machine that is professional.
If you are planning to hire baristas with no experience, you will need an equipment that you can quickly learn. This is important if you plan to run a drive through coffee shop.
Easy of Use
As you may have guessed from its name the espresso machine is professional and is designed to be simple to operate and maintain. It has an integrated grinder that automatically grinds coffee beans into the portafilter. It also has a digital temperature control for optimal extraction and a manual steam wand to create microfoam. It also comes with test strips that help you measure the water's hardness and an AquaClean filter system that helps reduce scale.
For home baristas this machine offers a great balance between automatic and manual operation, so you can feel like a pro pulling a shot of espresso (though there is a learning curve). The built-in grinder allows you to play around with the size of your coffee grind and fine-tune the process, while the manual steam wand allows you to make foamy milk for cappuccinos and lattes. The machine comes with a dishwasher-safe, removable milk hopper, which makes cleaning up after use easy and convenient.
While this model is intended to be used at home however, it has some advanced features which set it apart from espresso machines used by professionals. For instance, it comes with dual boilers that allow the steam and brewing functions to be heated separately, ensuring that each function can be kept at the exact temperature you want. McCarthy says that this will ensure the espresso is extracted at the proper pressure (which is varying from 4 bars at 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 results in more consistent shots and a faster recovery time between each cup of espresso.
You should also consider an espresso machine that can be opened to perform regular maintenance or repairs. Espresso enthusiasts are typically interested in the inner workings and mechanics their equipment. This is particularly important for an espresso machine that is used regularly, as frequent use can cause wear and tear on parts. For instance the espresso machine we tested can be opened to replace the drip tray and brew basket for quick and easy cleaning.
Cleaning Made Simple
A professional espresso machine has a lot of chambers and internal passageways which is why it is essential to keep them clean. Coffee oils, coffee grounds used and water minerals can build up over time, affecting the quality of the final espresso cup and the overall performance of the machine. Regular cleaning will eliminate these contaminants and ensure a steady flow of water and extraction pressure.
A special cleaning brush with bristles designed to reach crevices will help remove stubborn stains. Regular use of a cleaning product can help break down and dissolve coffee oils, ground particles, and other contaminants. Some espresso machines also require regular backflushing. This involves blocking the portafilter by using a blind filter, and forcing water through the system to clean the shower screen, group head, and valves. Using the right tools and following the manufacturer's guidelines for backflushing can enhance overall espresso machine cleanliness and maintenance.
For frequent espresso users, an reusable group head cleansing tool can make regular maintenance much simpler. These reusable brushes are available in various sizes and shapes. They are designed to clean all parts of the machine like gaskets, valves, and ports. They are typically made of stainless steel and include an holder that is small for the cleaning solution which is easy to refill or fill up when required. Some tools even feature an in-built reservoir to store the cleaning solution after it has been in use.
Descaling options can significantly enhance espresso machine performance and ease of operation, especially in high-volume settings. These liquid descalers remove calcium and limescale, which block and reduce water flow, and diminish the overall flavor of espresso. These products can be used to backflush or soak areas of the system. They are more effective in removing the buildup of minerals than citric acids.
When choosing the best espresso machine, consider the features that are most important to you and your business. If you'd like to be in control of the temperature of your water and the amount of brew you can use for certain drinks, a manual espresso machine with more adjustable settings could be the best option. If you are a casual espresso drinker and would like to enjoy great coffee at home in a comfortable way, a semiautomatic espresso machine or fully automatic espresso maker might be the best choice.
Easy Maintenance
The kind of espresso machine you own will determine the ease to maintain. Some machines require an extensive amount of hands-on effort; others are more hands-off. The best way to determine this is by looking at the level of automation. Espresso and cappuccino machines are classified into three categories: semiautomatic fully automated, and superautomatic. Semi-automatic machines offer the barista some control, but not much automation. Fully automated machines require less operator involvement, but still requires the operator grind and tamp the shot. A super-automatic machine is fully automated, making espresso drinks and espresso-based drinks using just a single press.
If you're purchasing semi-automatic or a fully automated professional espresso machine, be sure to factor in the number of customers your company anticipates serving at peak times. This will help you decide the size of commercial espresso machine to purchase. If you plan to serve 120 drinks daily from 8-10 AM, then you will need a semi-automatic espresso machine that can handle the volume of orders.
You'll need to decide how often you should descale your machine. www.coffeee.uk recommend descale the coffee maker at least once a week using warm water and vinegar. If you don't regularly clean your machine, it may cause issues like obstruction or altered flavor.
The most modern espresso machines come with a dual boiler system. One boiler is used for making coffee, and the second for steaming. The steam wand can be heated independently from the group head, allowing you to continue steaming milk while your shots are brewing. This is especially beneficial for cafes that are busy and require a variety of different kinds of cappuccino and coffee.
Other features you might discover in more sophisticated espresso machines are a hot-water dispenser as well as an automatic rinsing process, and programmable user preferences for the kind of cappuccino and coffee you are most likely to make. They can save you time and money, particularly in a high-volume setting where consistency is key. There is also the possibility that the machine has an integrated or attached coffee grinder, and a nozzle to dispense hot or frosty steaming milk.
Repairs are simple
When it is a commercial espresso machine reliability and repair ease are crucial factors. Commercial espresso machines are made to withstand heavy usage and are made of robust materials. They are also more likely to have warranties and other protections against damage. Home espresso machines are usually constructed of less expensive materials and are prone to break more quickly.
In addition the majority of espresso machines used in commercial establishments have to be UL listed and have an NSF seal to be in compliance with standards of the health department as well as building regulations. These requirements ensure that the equipment is safe for both employees and customers. This is particularly true for espresso machines which produce a significant amount of drinks. Choose a machine that is made of stainless steel or FDA-approved materials to avoid chemicals leaching into coffee.
There are many different kinds of professional espresso machines including semi-automatic, manual and fully automated. Each has its own pros and cons however, they all make delicious coffee.
It can be difficult for baristas to master the manual espresso machine because they have to create the pressure by themselves using their hands and arms. These machines aren't as popular and may be harder to locate replacement parts in the event of malfunction.
Semi-automatic espresso makers can be a good compromise for those who want to control their machines, but still maintain consistency. The barista must still grind and crush the beans, but the pump controls the temperature and pressure of the water so as to prevent over-extraction.
Fully-automatic espresso machines are like semi-automatic ones, but they also have the ability to dispensate hot and steam at the touch of a button. This can save energy and time, as well as increase production capacity.
It is crucial that your staff members know how to use the espresso machine, no matter what type you choose. This will enhance your coffee's quality and efficiency. It may take some time for new staff to understand how to grind, tamp and extract shots properly however, the investment will pay off over time by providing your customers an consistently high-quality cup of espresso.