12 Companies Are Leading The Way In Machine Espresso

12 Companies Are Leading The Way In Machine Espresso

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How Does Machine Espresso Work?

The machine espresso makes use of precision pressure, and filtering system that is awe-inspiring to create the coffee you enjoy. How does it work exactly?

To make an 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 Head of the Group

The group head is the portafilter you insert when brewing espresso. It distributes water into the portafilter, and regulates the pressure during the extraction. There are numerous kinds of group heads, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some focus on temperature stability, some on pre-infusion features, and others are designed to control the lever. There are even some that contain a variety of features, like the E61, which is considered to be the most popular among baristas due to its capacity to offer multiple benefits in a single package.

As you can see in the photo above the group head comes with numerous notches that you can place your portafilter and twist it by hand to secure it. A gasket made of rubber is placed inside the notches to help create a seal when you insert your portafilter. The notches permit the precise placement of the portafilter. This is crucial for an accurate extraction.

Apart from allowing you easily place your portafilter in, the group head is responsible for maintaining a consistent temperature. This is accomplished by cycling hot water around the portafilter and through the brew-basket, ensuring the temperature is always right to extract the coffee. This is important, as even a small difference in temperature can mean the difference between excellent and great espresso.

The Pump

Motorized pumps in rotary espresso machines provide the nine atmospheric bars of pressure required to extract espresso. This differs from manual piston machines which use a lever. This pressure is generated by pumping water through a heat-exchanger and then through the ground coffee.

Pumps are generally more affordable and last longer than piston-driven machines. However, both types of machines are susceptible to degrading because of excessive use and poor cleaning. Pumps are also more complicated mechanically, which could increase the price of even the most basic models.

Some espresso machines employ steam pressure instead of a pump to brew espresso. The downside is that the boiler that produces steam also increases the temperature of the water to boiling which can cause excessive extraction. They also have to constantly rebuild their pressure between cups. This takes energy and time.

Many espresso machines use either a vibration or rotary pump. A vibration model utilizes a rotating disk to generate pressure, whereas a rotary model pushes hot water through the ground at a high speed. Both types of machine can make excellent espresso, but the rotary models are quieter and more durable than vibration pumps.

The Boiler

The boiler is the one that heats the water to the perfect temperature to extract. The steam that is produced reaches the portafilter, which is the container that holds the espresso coffee grounds. It is then poured into the cup. During this process, steam causes pressure to push through the grounds of the coffee. This results in a layer crema that is then poured over. This is one of the hallmarks of a great espresso.

There are three types of espresso makers. They differ in the type of pump they employ and how hot the brew is. There are different ways in which the brew can be controlled, as well as the size of the cup the maker can create.

The earliest espresso machines were steam type. The first espresso machines were steam types. The coffee tasted bitter and burnt. This is why the Milanese producers Luigi Bezzerra and Desiderio Pavoni invented the modern espresso machine.

The most commonly used espresso maker is a semiautomatic machine that has an electric pump. These are what people imagine when they think of an espresso machine. With a semi-automatic machine you grind the beans and tamp them by hand. The pump regulates the flow of water and pressure. This is a great compromise between the human touch and the mechanized accuracy.

The Filter

Espresso machines usually have a filter that separates the coffee grounds from the hot water. The filter is also an essential component of the machine's temp control, as it prevents overheating.

Filters also aid in flavor as it allows for a longer flowering phase. This allows beans to release their flavors and provides an opportunity for a better extraction.

It is important to remember that even the best filter could result in a poor cup of coffee. The quality of the beans as well as the extraction, are still very important.

This is where the magic happens. It's what makes an espresso really taste great. The grouphead, sometimes called the brewhead, is where the portafilter (the thing you put the ground coffee into) is located when you're making espresso.

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

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