Nine Things That Your Parent Teach You About Machine Espresso

Dotty Mena 0 7 09.30 20:43
How Does Machine Espresso Work?

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

To make buy espresso machines, hot water is forced under high pressure through finely ground coffee. The process is similar to making drip coffee but the key difference is in the pressure.

The Head of the Group

The group head is the portafilter that you place in the commercial espresso machine maker when making it. It disperses water in the portafilter, and then controls the pressure of the extraction. There are a variety of group heads each with distinct advantages and disadvantages. Some are focused on temperature stability, others on pre-infusion capabilities, while others are designed to control the lever. Some have a combination of features, such as the E61, which is the classic choice among many baristas due to its ability to provide multiple benefits in one package.

As you can see from the above photo the head of the group is fitted with a variety of notches. The portafilter is placed in these notches, then twist the head to lock it. A rubber gasket is located in the notches to create a seal while you insert your portafilter. The notches on the head allow for a precise location of the portafilter which is essential for an efficient extraction.

The group head not only lets the portafilter to be inserted easily but also maintains the same temperature. This is done by cycling hot water around the portafilter, and through the brew-basket to ensure that the temperature is at the right level for extraction. This is vital, because even a small difference in temperature can make the difference between a good and excellent espresso.

The Pump

In contrast to piston machines that are manually operated, that use a lever to pressurize water, rotating espresso machine black friday machines rely upon motorized pumps to provide the nine atmospheric bars of pressure needed for espresso extraction. The pressure is created by pumping water through a heat-exchanger and then through the ground coffee.

Pumps tend to be cheaper and last longer than piston-driven machines. However, both types of machines may degrade because of excessive use and inadequate cleaning. Pumps are also more complicated mechanically, and can add to the price of even the simple models.

Some espresso machines do away with the pump entirely and utilize steam pressure to make espresso. The drawback is that the same boiler that produces steam also raises the temperature of water to the point of boiling and can result in excessive extraction. These machines also have to constantly rebuild their pressure between cups. This requires energy and time.

Many espresso machines use the rotary or vibration pump. A vibration model utilizes a vibrating disk to generate pressure, while the circular model pushes hot liquid through the ground at a high end espresso machine speed. Both machines can make great espresso however rotary machines tend to be more quiet, durable and less likely to break down.

The Boiler

The boiler is the one that is used to heat the water to the ideal temperature for extraction. The resultant steam then reaches the portafilter containing the ground espresso and is then pumped down into the cup. During this process the steam is able to create enough pressure to push the grounds of coffee through. This creates a crema on top of the espresso. This is one of the hallmarks of a good espresso.

There are three distinct types of espresso machines, each with different pumps and the temperature of the brew. There are also different ways in which the brew could be controlled and the size of the cup the machine can make.

The earliest espresso machines were steam type. The first espresso machines were steam-type machines. This resulted in the coffee tasting bitter and burnt. This is why the Milanese makers Luigi Bezzerra and Desiderio Pavoni invented the modern espresso machine.

The most commonly used espresso machine is a semiautomatic one with an electric pump. When people think of espresso machines, they think of these machines. If you have a semi-automatic machine you have to grind the beans and tamp them yourself but the pump controls the flow of water and pressure. This is a great solution that combines human control with mechanised consistency.

The Filter

Typically, espresso machines have a filter to separate out the grounds of the coffee as they go through the hot water. The filter is also a vital component of the machine's temp control, as it prevents overheating.

coffeee-logo-300x100-png.pngIt also helps with flavor, as it lets you enjoy a longer bloom phase. This allows the beans to release their flavors, and allows for better extraction.

However it is crucial to keep in mind that even a top filter could result in a bad cup of coffee, as the quality of the beans and extraction are important.

This is where the magic happens, it's the thing that makes espresso taste great. The grouphead, often called the brew head, is the place where the portafilter (the device you put the coffee ground into) is placed when making espresso.

Steam-driven espresso machines use hot water that is heated inside an airtight container to produce steam. The steam then pushes hot water through grounds of the coffee under pressure. These kinds of machines are typically cheaper and easier to maintain than pumps-driven models. They are however limited in their ability for creating the ideal conditions for brewing since they only operate with 1-1.5 bar of pressure. The ideal shot requires 9-10 bars.

In recent years, espresso machines powered by a compressed air pump have become increasingly popular. They use an air compressor to push the hot water through the grounds and are significantly more portable than steam-driven electric machines.

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