16 Must-Follow Instagram Pages For Machine Espresso-Related Businesses

How Does Machine Espresso Work?

Machine espresso uses precision pressure and mind-blowing filter technology to create the coffee we love. How exactly does it work?

To make an espresso hot water is pushed under pressure through finely ground coffee. The process is similar to that of making drip coffee. However the pressure is the major difference.

The Head of the Group

The group head is the portafilter that you insert when brewing retro espresso machine. It disperses the water into the portafilter, and regulates the pressure during the extraction. There are various kinds of group head each with its unique advantages and disadvantages. Some are designed to provide temperature stability while others are designed to handle pre-infusion. Others are made to control the lever. Some are a combination, such as the E61. This is a popular choice among baristas as it provides a variety of advantages in one package.

As you can see in the above photo the group head is made up of several notches where you place your portafilter and then twist it by hand to secure it. There is also a gasket of rubber that is a part of the notches to help create an airtight seal after inserting your portafilter into the machine. The notches permit an exact placement of the portafilter. This is crucial to ensure an efficient extraction.

The group head not only allows you to insert your portafilter easily however it also keeps a constant temperature. It does this by cycling hot water through the brew basket, and around the portafilter to ensure that it is always at the right temperature to extract. It is important to realize that even a few degree difference can make the difference between a great and a great espresso.

The Pump

Unlike manual piston machines, which rely on a lever to pressurize water, rotary espresso machines rely on motorized pumps to supply the nine atmospheric bars of pressure that are required for espresso extraction. This pressure builds up by drawing tap water from a reservoir and pumping it through a heat exchanger prior being shot through the ground coffee in the group head.

Pumps tend to be more affordable and last longer than piston-driven machines. However, both kinds of machines can degrade due to overuse and insufficient cleaning. They also create mechanical complexity that can lead to an expensive price for even the simplest models.

Some espresso machines make use of steam pressure instead of a pump for brewing espresso. This could lead to over-extraction since the boiler that makes steam also warms the water to boil. In addition the machines often have to restore their pressure between cups, which requires time and energy.

Many espresso coffee makers machines make use of either a rotary or vibration pump, with a vibrating model using a rotating disc that generates the pressure, and a rotary model pushing hot water through the grounds under high speed. Both machines can make great espresso but rotary machines are more stable, quieter and less likely to break down.

The Boiler

The boiler is the element that heats water to an ideal temperature for extraction. The steam that is created reaches the portafilter, which contains the espresso coffee grounds. It is then pumped into the cup. In this process, the steam creates pressure and pushes through the grounds of the coffee. This results in a crema on top of the espresso. This is one of the main characteristics of a great espresso.

There are three kinds of espresso makers, and they differ in the type of pump they employ and the degree of heat that the coffee is. There are also different ways that the brew may be controlled as well as the size of the cup that the machine is capable of making.

The first espresso machines were steam-types. The earliest espresso machines were steam-type machines. This led to the coffee tasting burnt and bitter. This is why Milanese makers Luigi Bezzerra and Desiderio Pavoni created the modern espresso machine.

The most common espresso machine black friday machine is a semiautomatic with an electric pump. This is what people envision when they think of an espresso machine. With a semi-automatic espresso machine, you must grind the beans and then tamp them by hand. However, the pump is able to regulate the flow of water and pressure. This is an excellent compromise between human touch and the mechanized accuracy.

The Filter

Espresso machines usually use a filter that separates the coffee grounds from the hot water. The filter is also a vital part of the machine’s temperature control, since it helps to prevent overheating.

A filter also helps with flavor as it allows for the beans to flower for a longer period of time. This allows the beans to release their flavor and gives an opportunity to improve extraction.

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

This is where the magic happens, it’s the thing that makes espresso taste good. The grouphead, sometimes referred to as the brew head, is the place where the portafilter (the thingy you put the ground coffee into) is located when you’re making decent espresso machine.

In an espresso machine that is driven by steam, hot water is heated in an airtight tank to produce steam, which then pushes the hot water through the grounds under high pressure. They are less expensive and easier for the user to maintain than pumps-driven models. However, they are limited in their ability to create the perfect conditions for brewing, since they operate at 1-1.5 bars of pressure. While the perfect shot requires 9-10 bars.

In recent years, compressed-air-pump-driven small espresso machine machines have been gaining popularity. They utilize an air compressor to force hot water through the grounds and are more portable than electric steam-driven machines.