What to Look For in a Professional Espresso Machine
You'll require a machine that has the ability to control the pre-infusion. This is important for developing flavor. Many coffee experts also search for PID temperature control in an industrial machine.
If you plan on hiring baristas without much experience, you'll need a machine that is easy to operate and easy to train new staff members on. This is crucial when you are planning to operate a drive through coffee shop.
Easy to Use
This professional espresso machine, as you could have guessed from its name, is designed to be simple to use and maintain. It has an integrated grinder that automatically grinds fresh coffee beans into the portafilter, a digital temperature control to ensure the best extraction as well as the manual steam wand that is used to create microfoam for making coffee art. It also comes with a test strip that helps you assess the water's hardness and an AquaClean filter to help reduce the buildup of scale.
For home baristas this machine offers a great balance between manual and automatic 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 lattes and cappuccinos. The machine also has a removable, dishwasher-safe milk hopper to make cleaning up after each use simple and easy.
It is important to note that although this model is primarily designed for use at home, it has some advanced features that differentiate it from other professional espresso machines. For instance, it has dual boilers that permit steam and brewing functions to be heated separately, ensuring that each function can be maintained at the exact temperature you want. McCarthy explains that this helps ensure that the espresso is extracted at the correct pressure (which varies from 4 bars at beginning, and 14-16 bars after it is 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 leads to more consistent shots, as well as faster recovery between each espresso cup.
You should also consider machines that can be opened for routine maintenance or repairs. Espresso enthusiasts are usually interested in the inner workings and mechanics their equipment. This is especially crucial when it comes to a machine that is likely to be used often, as frequent use can cause parts to wear out. The espresso machine we tested for example, can be opened up to replace the brew group container and drip tray for fast and efficient cleaning.
Cleaning Made Simple
A professional espresso machine has many chambers and internal passageways which is why it is essential to keep them clean. Over time grounds, coffee oils, and water mineral deposits may accumulate, affecting the quality of the final espresso cup as well as the overall performance of your machine. Regular cleaning can prevent these toxins from accumulating and ensure consistent water flow and optimum extraction pressure and a good taste.
A special cleaning brush with bristles that are designed to reach crevices will help get rid of stubborn residue. Regular cleaning solutions can also aid in the dissolution and breakdown of coffee oils, particles and other contaminants. In addition, some espresso machines require periodic backflushing. This involves blocking the portafilter by blind filters and pushing water back through the system to effectively clean the shower head, group head, screen, and valves. Using the right tools and following the manufacturer's instructions for backflushing can enhance overall espresso machine cleanliness and maintenance.
For frequent espresso users, the use of a reusable group head cleaning tool can make regular maintenance much more simple. These brushes are reusable and are available in various sizes and shapes and are designed to clean all parts of the machine, including gaskets, valves, and ports. They are typically made of stainless steel, and come with tiny holders for the cleaning solution, which is simple to refill or fill up as needed. Some tools even have an integrated reservoir for storing the cleaning solution when not being used.
Descaling solutions can dramatically improve espresso machine performance and ease of operation particularly in high-volume settings. These liquid descalers eliminate calcium and limescale, which block and reduce water flow, and decrease the overall taste of espresso. These products can be used to backflush or soak parts of the system. machines espresso machines are more effective at removing mineral buildup than citric acids.
When deciding on the best espresso machine, consider the features that are most important to you and your business. For instance, if you want to be able to alter the temperature of your water and brew size for certain beverages, you might prefer an espresso maker that is manual with more flexible settings. On the other the other hand, if your preference is for an occasional espresso drinker and need a convenient method to enjoy great-tasting coffee at home, a semi-automatic or fully automated espresso maker may be ideal.
Easy Maintenance
The kind of espresso machine you have will determine how easy it is to maintain. Some machines require an extensive amount of hands-on effort; others are more hands-off. You can tell this by looking at the degree of automation. Espresso and cappuccino machines are classified into three categories: semiautomatic fully automated and superautomatic. Semi-automatic machines offer barista control, but not a great deal of automation. A fully automated machine is more hands-free, but requires the operator to grind, tamp, and pull the shot. Super-automatic machines are fully automated and can make espresso drinks and other espresso-based drinks with a single push of one button.
If you're considering purchasing a semi-automatic or fully automatic professional espresso machine, make sure to factor in the number of customers your company anticipates serving during peak hours. This will help you decide the size of commercial espresso machine to purchase. If you intend to serve 120 drinks daily from 8-10 AM, then you will require a semi-automatic espresso system that can handle the amount of orders.
You'll need to determine how often you should descale your machine. Some manufacturers recommend descaling at least once a month using a mix of warm water and vinegar. If you don't frequently descale your machine, it may develop issues such as clogging or a change in flavor.
Many of the more advanced espresso machines available feature a dual boiler, with one boiler to brew and another to steam. This allows the steam wand as well as the group head to be heated at distinct temperatures, which means you can continue to steam milk for drinks while your shots are being made. This is particularly useful for cafes with a lot of customers who have to serve a variety of types of cappuccino and coffee.
Other features that you can discover in more sophisticated espresso machines include a hot water dispenser, an automatic rinsing cycle and programmable user preferences for the type of cappuccino and coffee you make most frequently. These can save time and money, particularly in a high-volume setting where consistency is essential. There is also a coffee grinder integrated into the machine or connected to it, and the nozzle that can be used to serve hot or frosty milk.
Repair is easy
When it is time to choose a commercial espresso machine reliability and repair ease are important factors. Commercial espresso machines are built to withstand heavy use and are made of robust materials. They are also more likely to be covered by warranties and other protections against damage. Home espresso machines however are usually constructed with cheaper materials and may break down more easily.
In addition to that, many commercial espresso machines have to be UL listed and have an NSF seal to meet the requirements of the health department and building codes. These requirements ensure that the equipment is safe for both employees and customers. This is especially applicable to espresso machines that create an enormous amount of drinks. It is also important to select a machine which makes use of stainless steel or other FDA-approved materials, because they won't release chemicals into the coffee.
There are a variety of professional espresso machines which include semi-automatic, manual, and fully automated. Each machine type has its distinct advantages and disadvantages, but all are built to make delicious coffee.
A manual espresso machine requires the barista to generate the pressure with their hands and arms, which can be difficult to master. These machines aren't as common and are more difficult to find replacement parts for in the case of a malfunction.
Semi-automatic espresso makers are a great alternative for those looking to maintain control over their machines, but still maintain the same quality. The barista must grind and tamp the beans but the pump regulates the temperature and pressure of the water to avoid over-extraction.
Fully-automatic espresso machines are like semi-automatic ones however they are also able to deliver steam and hot water at the push of one button. This can save energy and time, and increase production capacity.
No matter what kind of espresso machine you select it is essential to instruct your staff on how to use it correctly. This will increase the quality of your coffee and improve efficiency. It may take some time for new staff to learn how to grind, tamp and extract shots properly However, the investment will pay off in time as you provide your customers with a consistently good cup of espresso.