What to Look For in a Professional Espresso Machine
You'll need a machine with the capability to regulate the pre-infusion. This is essential for developing flavor. Many coffee experts also look for PID temperature control in the best machines.
If you plan on hiring baristas with no experience, you'll require a machine that is easy to use and easy to train new staff members on. This is particularly important when you're planning to operate a drive-thru coffee shop.
Simple to Use
This professional espresso machine as you might have guessed by 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 features digital temperature control to ensure optimal extraction and the manual steam wand that can create microfoam. It even includes an experiment strip to help you determine the hardness of your water and an AquaClean filter to prevent scale buildup.
For baristas who are at home this machine offers a great balance between automatic and manual operation, allowing you to feel like a pro pulling a shot of espresso (though there is a 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 steam wand manual allows you to create foamy milk for lattes and cappuccinos. The machine also features a dishwasher-safe, removable milk hopper, which makes cleaning up after each use easy and convenient.
It's important to note that even though this model is primarily designed for home use but it also has advanced features that differentiate it from other professional espresso machines. For instance, it has two boilers that allow for steam and brewing functions to be heated separately, so each function can be maintained at exactly the desired temperature. McCarthy explains that this helps ensure that the espresso is extracted at the proper pressure (which is varying from 4 bars at the beginning to 14-16 bars when completed) while minimizing the chance 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 an earlier recovery time between each cup of espresso.
You should also look for an espresso machine that is able to be opened for regular maintenance or repairs. Espresso enthusiasts are usually interested in the inner workings and mechanics their equipment. This is especially crucial for an espresso machine that is used regularly since frequent use may cause wear and tear on parts. The espresso machine we tested for instance, is able to be opened to replace the brew group basket as well as the drip tray for fast and efficient cleaning.
espresso machine coffee Coffeee is easy
A professional espresso machine has many chambers and passageways inside, making it essential to keep them clean. Over time, coffee oils, used grounds, and water mineral deposits may build up, affecting the taste of the final espresso cup as well as the overall performance of your machine. Regular cleaning will eliminate these toxins and ensure consistent water flow and extraction pressure.
Utilizing a specially-designed group head cleaning brush that has bristles that reach crevices can help get rid of stubborn residue. Regular cleaning solutions can help dissolve and break down coffee particles, oils and other contaminants. Additionally, some espresso machines require regular backflushing. This involves blocking the portafilter using blind filters and pushing water back through the system to clean the shower head, group head screen, and valves. Using the proper tools and following the manufacturer's guidelines for backflushing can increase the overall cleanliness of your espresso machine and maintenance.
A tool that can be reused to clean the group head can make routine maintenance simpler for espresso drinkers. These reusable brushes are available in a variety of sizes and shapes and are designed to clean different parts of the machine like gaskets, valves, and ports. They are typically made from stainless steel and come with an holder that is small for the cleaning solution, which is simple to fill or refill as needed. Some tools have built-in reservoirs to keep the cleaning solution in storage when not in use.
Descaling solutions can dramatically improve espresso machine performance and ease of operation, especially in high-volume settings. These liquid descalers eliminate calcium and limescale that hinder water flow and diminish the taste of espresso. These products can be used to backflush or soak components of the system. They are more effective in removing the buildup of minerals than citric acids.
When you are deciding on the most suitable espresso machine, consider the features that are most important to you and your company. For instance, if you want to be able to customize your water temperature and brew size to suit specific beverages, you may prefer an espresso maker that has manual controls with more flexible settings. If you are a casual espresso drinker who wants to enjoy a great cup of coffee at home in a comfortable way, a semiautomatic espresso machine or fully automated espresso maker could be the best choice.
Ease of Maintenance
The type of espresso machine you own will determine how easy it is to maintain. Some machines require lots of hands-on work while others are more hands-off. The best way to determine this is to look at the level of automation. Espresso/cappuccino machines are classified into three categories: semi-automatic, fully automatic and super-automatic. Semi-automatic machines offer barista the control, but does not provide an excessive amount of automation. Fully automated machines require less involvement from the operator, but still requires that the operator grind and tamp the shot. Super-automatic machines are fully automated and can create espresso and espresso-based drinks with a single push of one button.
If you're purchasing semi-automatic or fully automated professional espresso machine, make sure to consider the number of customers your company anticipates serving during peak times. This will help you determine the size of commercial espresso machine you should purchase. For instance, if you plan to serve 120 drinks between 8 and 10 AM, you'll need to purchase a semi-automatic machine that can keep up with the flow of orders.
You'll need to decide when you'll need to descale your machine. Some manufacturers recommend decaling at least once a month with a mixture of warm water and vinegar. If you don't frequently descal your machine, it could cause issues like obstruction or altered flavor.
A lot of the most advanced espresso machines on the market have a dual boiler system that has one boiler to brew and another for steaming. The steam wand is heated independently from the group head and allows you to continue steaming milk while your shots are being brewed. This is especially useful for cafes with a lot of customers who require a variety of different kinds of cappuccino and coffee.
Other features you may find on a more advanced espresso machine are hot water dispensers, an automatic rinse cycle and user preferences that can be programmable for the type and amount of cappuccino or coffee you make most often. These features will save you time and money in large-scale settings where consistency is essential. You may also find coffee grinders built into the machine or attached to it, as well as the nozzle that can be used to serve hot or frothed milk.
Repair is easy
When it comes to a commercial espresso machine reliability and repair ease are important aspects. Commercial espresso machines are designed to withstand heavy use and are constructed from robust materials. They are also more likely to be covered by warranties and other protections against damage. Espresso machines for home use, on the other hand, are typically made with cheaper materials and may be more susceptible to breaking down.
Many commercial espresso machines also require UL-listed and have a NSF seal to comply with health and building department standards. These requirements help ensure that the equipment is safe for employees as well as customers. This is particularly true for espresso machines that produce a high volume of drinks. It is also essential to select a machine that utilizes stainless steel or other FDA-approved materials, since these won't leach chemicals into the coffee.
There are different types of professional coffee machines, such as semi-automatic and fully automated. Each type of machine has its particular advantages and disadvantages but all are built to make delicious coffee.
A manual espresso machine requires the barista to make the pressure with their hands and arms, which can be a challenge to master. These machines aren't as common and may be harder to find replacement parts for in the event of a malfunction.
Semi-automatic espresso machines offer an excellent compromise between human control and mechanised consistency. The barista has to still grind and crush the beans, but the pump controls the pressure and temperature of the water in order to prevent over-extraction.
Fully-automatic espresso machines are similar to semi-automatic models. However, they can also dispense hot water and steam at the touch of the button. This will save energy and time, and also increase production capacity.
Regardless of which type of espresso machine you choose it is crucial to instruct your staff on how to use it properly. This will enhance the quality of your coffee and increase efficiency. It might take a while for new staff members to understand how to properly grind, tamp and extract shots but it will pay off in the long run by providing your customers with a consistently great cup of espresso.