20 Trailblazers Setting The Standard In Machine Espresso

How Does Machine Espresso Work?

Machine espresso makes use of precise pressure and mind-blowing filter technology to make the perfect cup of coffee for espresso machine. What exactly is it that makes it work?

Espresso is produced by pushing hot water at high pressure through finely-ground coffee. The process is similar to making drip coffee machines espresso, but the key difference is in the pressure.

The Group Head

The group head is the portafilter you place in the espresso maker when making it. It disperses water in the portafilter and regulates the pressure during the extraction. There are several different types of group head, each with their unique advantages and disadvantages. Some focus on temperature stability, others on pre-infusion features, and others are designed to control the lever. Some have a combination, like the E61. This is a preferred choice for baristas as it provides a variety of advantages in one package.

As you can see in the above image the group head comes with several notches to put your portafilter, then twist it by hand to lock it in. There is also a gasket of rubber that resides inside the notches and helps to create an airtight seal after inserting your portafilter into the machine. The notches on the head allow for a precise position of the portafilter which is vital to ensure an efficient extraction.

In addition to allowing you easily insert your portafilter, the group head is also responsible to ensure that the temperature remains even. It does this by circulating hot water through the brew basket and around the portafilter to ensure that it's always at the correct temperature for extraction. It is important to realize that even a slight deviation can make the difference between a good and a great espresso.

The Pump

In contrast to manual piston machines which rely on a lever that pressurize water, rotary espresso machines rely on motorized pumps that provide the nine atmospheric bars of pressure necessary for espresso extraction. The pressure is created by removing tap water from a reservoir, and pumping it through a heat exchanger before being pumped through the ground coffee in the group head.

Pumps are generally less expensive and last for longer than piston-driven machines. However, both kinds of machines may degrade because of frequent use and poor cleaning. Pumps are also more complicated mechanically, which can increase prices of even most basic models.

Certain espresso machines utilize steam pressure instead of a pump in order to brew espresso. The drawback is that the same boiler that produces steam also increases the temperature of water to the point of boiling which can cause excessive extraction. They also have to continually rebuild their pressure between cups. This requires energy and time.

Many Espresso Coffee Machine With Milk Frother machines make use of the rotary or vibration pump, with a vibrating model using a vibrating disc to generate the pressure, and an rotary model that pushes hot water through the grounds at high speed. Both types of machine are capable of producing excellent espresso, but the rotary models are quieter and more durable than vibration pumps.

The Boiler

The boiler is the component which heats the water to the optimal temperature to extract. The resulting steam reaches the portafilter containing ground espresso beans and gets funnelled down into the cup. In this process, the steam creates pressure and pushes through the grounds of the coffee. This results in a layer crema on top. This is one of the hallmarks of a great espresso.

There are three types of espresso makers, which differ in the type of pump they employ and how hot the brew is. There are various ways to control the brew as well as the size of the cup that can be produced by the machine.

The first espresso machines were steam-type. The first espresso machines were steam-type machines. The coffee tasted bitter and burned. This is the reason Milanese makers Luigi Bezzerra and Desiderio Pavoni developed the modern espresso machine.

The most common espresso machine is a semiautomatic one with an electric pump. These are the images people have when they think of an espresso maker. Semi-automatic machines require you to grind and tamp the beans on your own however the pump controls the flow of water and pressure. This is a great compromise between human control and mechanised accuracy.

The Filter

Typically, espresso machines have filters to separate the grounds of coffee when they pass through the hot water. The filter is also a vital element of the temperature control system, because it stops the machine from overheating.

A filter can also help with flavor, as it permits a longer flowering period. This lets the beans release their nuances, and allows for a better extraction.

However, it is important to remember that even a great filter can make a terrible cup of coffee, since the quality of the beans and extraction is essential.

This is where the magic happens. It's what makes an espresso really taste good. The grouphead (also known as the brewhead) is where you place the portafilter, the device used to place the coffee grounds into, while making espresso.

Steam-driven espresso machines make use of hot water that is heated inside an airtight container to make steam. The steam then moves hot water through the grounds of coffee machine espresso under high end espresso machine pressure. These machines are cheaper and easier to maintain than pumps-driven models. However, they are not as efficient in their ability to provide the perfect conditions for brewing, since they are only operating at 1-1.5 bars of pressure. While the perfect shot requires 9-10 bars.

In recent years, compressed-air-pump-driven espresso machines have become more popular. They utilize an air compressor to push hot water through the ground, and are more mobile than electric steam-driven espresso machines.