What to Look For in a Professional Espresso Machine
You'll want a machine which can control pre-infusion, which is important to develop aroma and flavor. PID temperature control is also an attribute that coffee experts are looking for in a professional espresso machine.
If you plan on hiring baristas who have no experience, you'll require a machine that is easy to use and quick to train new employees on. This is important when you are planning to operate an open-air coffee shop.
User-Friendliness
This professional espresso machine, as you may have guessed from its name is designed to be easy to use and maintain. It comes with an integrated grinder which automatically grinds coffee beans into the portafilter. It also comes with a an electronic temperature control for optimal extraction and an automatic steam wand to create microfoam. It also comes with a test strip that helps you gauge water hardness and an AquaClean filter to help reduce the buildup of scale.
It's a great option for home baristas because it is able to provide a balance of the manual and automated operation. You can pull shots of coffee as professional baristas (although there is a small learning curve). espresso pod machine built-in coffee grinder allows you to play around with the size of the grind to fine-tune your process. In addition the manual steam wand is a simple way to create frothy latte and cappuccino milk. The machine also has a dishwasher-safe, removable milk hopper that makes cleaning up after each use simple and convenient.
It is important to note that although this model is designed for use at home, it has some advanced features that set it apart from other espresso machines that are designed for professional use. For example, it has dual boilers that permit the steam and brewing functions to be heated independently, so that each function is kept at the exact temperature you want. McCarthy explains that this ensures the espresso is extracted at the right pressure (which varies from 4 bars at the beginning and 14-16 bars when finished) 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, as well as an earlier recovery time between each cup of espresso.
You should also consider machines that can be opened to perform regular maintenance or repairs. Espresso enthusiasts are usually interested in the inner workings and mechanics of their equipment. This is particularly important for a machine that is frequently used, as the constant usage can cause parts to wear out. For example, the espresso machine we tested could be opened to replace the drip tray and brew basket to ensure quick and easy cleaning.
Cleaning Made Easy
A professional espresso machine has numerous chambers and passageways inside that are crucial to keep them clean. Coffee oils, used coffee grounds and water minerals can build up over time, affecting the quality of the final espresso cup and overall performance of the machine. Regular cleaning can stop the accumulation of these contaminants and ensure consistent flow of water and the highest extraction pressure and good flavor.
Utilizing a group head cleaning brush that has bristles that reach crevices can help remove stubborn residue. Regular use of a cleaning solution can also help break down and dissolve coffee oils, ground particles and other contaminants. Additionally, some espresso machines require regular backflushing, which entails blocking the portafilter by blind filters and pushing water back through the system in order to clean the group head, shower screen and valves. Backflushing is much easier using the correct tools and follow the instructions of the manufacturer.
A reusable tool for cleaning the group head can make routine maintenance simpler for espresso users. These brushes are reusable and are available in a variety of shapes and sizes and are designed to clean various parts of the machine like gaskets, valves, and ports. They are typically made from stainless steel, and come with tiny holders for the cleaning solution, which is easy to refill or fill up as required. Some tools have an internal reservoir that can be used to keep the cleaning solution in storage when not being used.
Descaling solutions enhance the performance of espresso machines and their user-friendliness particularly when they are utilized in high-volume settings. These liquid descalers remove calcium and limescale that block water flow and decrease the taste of espresso. The user can soak the parts or backflush the system using these products that are more efficient than citric acid cleaners for getting rid of mineral buildup.
When choosing the best espresso machine, think about the features that are most important to you and your company. If you'd like to control your water temperature and the amount of brew you can use for certain drinks, a manual espresso machine with more adjustable settings may be the best choice. On the other side, if you're an avid espresso drinker but want a convenient way to enjoy delicious coffee at home, a semiautomatic or fully automated espresso machine could be the best choice.
Easy Maintenance
The ease of maintenance of your espresso machine depends largely on the model. Certain machines require a lot of hands-on work while others are more hands-off. The best way to determine this is by looking at the level of automation. Espresso/cappuccino machines fall into three categories: semi-automatic fully automated, and super-automatic. Semi-automatic machines give the barista some control, but they do not offer much control. A fully automatic machine requires less operator involvement, but still requires that the operator grind and tamp the shot. A super-automatic machine is fully automated, making espresso and espresso-based drinks from one button press.
If you're buying a semi-automatic or fully automatic professional espresso machine, make sure to take into account the amount of customers your business anticipates serving during peak times. This will help you determine the size of commercial espresso machine you should purchase. If you are planning to serve 120 drinks from 8-10 AM, then you will need a semi-automatic espresso machine that can handle the volume of orders.
You'll also have to think about the frequency you should descale your coffee machine. Some manufacturers suggest descale your coffee maker at least once a week using warm water and vinegar. If you don't regularly descal your machine, it could cause issues like blocking or a change in flavor.
Many of the most sophisticated espresso machines available have a dual boiler system that has one boiler to brew and another for steaming. The steam wand is heated separately from the group head, allowing you to continue steaming milk while your shots are being brewed. This is particularly useful for cafes that are busy and need to serve a wide range of different varieties of coffee and cappuccino.
Other features that you can discover in more sophisticated espresso machines include a hot-water dispenser as well as an automatic rinsing process and user-programmable preferences for the kind of coffee and cappuccino you make most frequently. These features can save you time and money in high-volume settings where consistency is essential. There is also the possibility that the machine has an integrated or attached coffee grinder and a nozzle to dispense hot or frothed steamed milk.
Repairs are simple
The durability and ease of maintenance are important factors when it is about commercial espresso machines. Commercial machines are built to withstand high use and are usually constructed of durable materials that can last for years. These machines are more likely to come with warranties as well as other protections against damage. Espresso machines for home use are typically constructed of less expensive materials and can break down more quickly.
In addition the majority of espresso machines used in commercial establishments must be UL listed and have 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 both employees and customers. This is particularly relevant for espresso machines that make large quantities of drinks. It is also important to choose a machine that uses stainless steel or other FDA-approved materials, as they don't allow chemicals to leach into the coffee.
There are a variety of professional espresso machines which include semi-automatic, manual, and fully automatic. Each type of machine has its own advantages and disadvantages, however, all are designed to brew great coffee.
It isn't easy for a barista to master a manual espresso machine, since they must make the pressure themselves using their arms and hands. These machines are less common and can be difficult to locate replacement parts for in the case of an issue.
Semi-automatic espresso machines provide a good compromise between human control and mechanised consistency. The barista still has to grind and grind the beans, but the pump regulates the temperature and pressure of the water in order to prevent over-extraction.
Fully-automatic espresso machine models are similar to semiautomatic models. However, they can also dispense steam and hot water at the push of one button. This can save energy and time, and allow to increase the production capacity.
Regardless of which type of espresso machine you choose it is crucial to teach your staff how to properly use it. This will increase the quality of your coffee as well as its efficiency. It may take some time for new staff to understand how grind, tamp and extract the right shots However, the investment will pay off over time by providing your customers a consistently good cup of espresso.