9 Things Your Parents Taught You About Machine Espresso

How Does machine espresso, compravivienda.com, Work?

Machine espresso makes use of precise pressure and mind-blowing filter technology to create the perfect cup of coffee. What exactly does it work?

To make espresso, hot water is forced under high pressure through finely ground coffee. The process is similar to making drip coffee. However the pressure is the major difference.

The Group Head

As the name implies, the group head is the place you insert your portafilter when making espresso. It is responsible for dispersing the water into the portafilter, and controlling the pressure of the resulting extraction. There are several different types of group head each with its own advantages and drawbacks. Some are designed for stability in temperature, while others are built to handle pre-infusion. Others are made to control the lever. There are also some that come with a range of features, such as the E61, which is the classic choice among many baristas due to its capacity to provide multiple benefits in one package.

As you can see from the image above the group head has a number of notches. You place your portafilter into these notches and turn the head around to secure it. There is also a gasket of rubber in the notches and helps to create a seal when you insert your portafilter into the machine. The notches allow for precise placement of the portafilter. This is crucial for a consistent extraction.

The group head does not just allow you to place your portafilter easily however, it also keeps the same temperature. It does this by cycling hot water through the brew basket, and around the portafilter, making sure that it's always at the correct temperature to extract. This is vital, because just a few degrees could make the difference between good and great espresso.

The Pump

Unlike 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 required for espresso extraction. The pressure builds by removing tap water from a reservoir and pumping it through a heat exchanger prior to it is shot through the ground coffee in the group head.

Pumps are generally less expensive and last longer than piston-driven machines. However, both kinds of machines can degrade due to overuse and poor cleaning. Pumps are also more complicated mechanically, and can add to the price of even the simplest models.

Some espresso machines eliminate the pump completely and make use of steam pressure to make espresso coffee machine uk. The drawback of this is that the same boiler that produces steam also increases the temperature of the water to boiling which can cause over-extraction. The machines must also constantly rebuild their pressure in between cups. This requires energy and time.

Many espresso machines utilize the rotary or vibration pump, with a vibrating model using a vibrating disc to create pressure, and a rotary model pushing hot water through the grounds at high speed. Both machines produce great espresso however rotary machines tend to be more stable, quieter and less likely to break down.

The Boiler

The boiler is the one that will heat the water to a temperature that is ideal for extraction. The resulting steam reaches the portafilter that contains ground espresso beans and is then pumped into the cup. The steam creates enough pressure to push the grounds of coffee through. This creates a foam on top of the espresso. This is one of the main characteristics of a good espresso.

There are three distinct types of espresso machines, each having distinct pumps and the temperature of the brew. There are various ways that the brew may be controlled and the size of the cup that the maker can create.

The first espresso coffee machines for sale machines were steam-type. They employed only one boiler to make both steam and brew, but the pressure they could generate was low - only two bars of atmospheric pressure maximum. The coffee tasted bitter and burnt. This is the reason why Milanese producers Luigi Bezzerra and Desiderio Pavoni created the modern espresso machine.

The most popular espresso machine is a semiautomatic with an electric pump. When people think of espresso machines, they picture these machines. Semi-automatic machines require you to grind and tamp your beans yourself however the pump controls the flow of water and pressure. This is an excellent compromise between human touch and the mechanised quality.

The Filter

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

It also aids in flavor, as a filter can allow for a longer bloom phase. This helps the beans to release their flavor and gives an opportunity for better extraction.

It is important to remember that even the finest filter can produce a bad cup of coffee. The quality of the beans, and the extraction process, remain crucial.

This is where the magic happens, and it's what makes an espresso really taste great. The grouphead, often referred to as the brew head, is where the portafilter (the thing you put the coffee ground into) is placed when you're making espresso.

Steam-driven espresso machines use hot water heated in an airtight container to make steam. The steam then moves hot water through the grounds of coffee espresso machines at high pressure. These machines are cheaper and are easier for the user to maintain than pumps-driven models. They are however limited for creating the ideal conditions for brewing, as they operate with 1-1.5 bar of pressure. The ideal shot requires 9-10 bars.

In recent times, espresso capsule machine machines powered by compressed air-pump have become increasingly popular. They use an air compressor to force hot water through the ground and are much more mobile than steam-driven electric cafe espresso machine machines.