The No. 1 Question That Anyone Working In Machine Espresso Should Know How To Answer
The No. 1 Question That Anyone Working In Machine Espresso Should Know How To Answer
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How Does Machine Espresso Work?
Machine espresso utilizes precise pressure and mind-blowing filter technology to create the perfect cup of coffee. How 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, but the difference is in the pressure.
The Head of the Group
As the name implies the group head is the place you place your portafilter when making espresso. It disperses water into the portafilter and controls the pressure of the extraction. There are many different types of group heads each with distinct advantages and drawbacks. Some are specifically designed for the stability of temperature while some are built to handle pre-infusion. Others are built to control the lever. Some include a mix of features, such as the E61, which is the classic choice among many baristas due to its capacity to offer multiple benefits in one package.
As you can see in the photo above, the group head has several notches to place your portafilter and twist it by hand to lock it in. A gasket made of rubber is placed within the notches to make a seal when you insert your portafilter. The notches on the head permit an exact location of the portafilter which is necessary to ensure a consistent extraction.
Apart from allowing you easily place your portafilter in, the group head is responsible to maintain an even temperature. This is achieved by cycling hot water around the portafilter, and through the brew basin, ensuring that the temperature is at the right level for extraction. It is important to realize that even a slight differences can make the distinction between a decent and a great espresso.
The Pump
In contrast to manual piston machines which rely on a lever to pressurize water, Rotary espresso machines rely on motorized pumps to provide the nine atmospheric bars of pressure needed to extract espresso. The pressure is built by pumping water through a heat exchanger and then through the ground coffee.
Pumps tend to be cheaper than piston-driven machines, and tend to last longer, however both types of machine can degrade with overuse and insufficient cleaning. Pumps are also more complicated mechanically, which can raise the price of even the simple models.
Some espresso machines employ steam pressure instead of a pump in order to brew espresso. This could lead to over-extraction since the boiler that makes steam also causes the water to boil. Additionally, these machines frequently have to restore their pressure between cups, which requires time and energy.
Many espresso machines make use of a rotary or vibration pump. A vibration model employs the vibrating disk to create pressure, while the rotary model pushes hot water through the ground at a high speed. Both machines produce great espresso, however rotary machines are quieter, more durable and less likely to break down.
The Boiler
The boiler is what is used to heat the water to a temperature that is ideal to extract. The steam that is created is then directed to the portafilter, which contains the espresso coffee grounds. It is then poured into the cup. The steam creates pressure to push through the grounds of the coffee. This creates 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. They differ in the type of pump they use and how hot the brew is. There are a variety of ways that the brew can be controlled and the dimensions of the cup the maker can create.
The first espresso machines were steam-types. The earliest espresso machines were steam types. This resulted in the coffee tasting bitter and burnt. This is why Milanese makers Luigi Bezzerra and Desiderio Pavoni created the modern espresso machine.
The most popular espresso maker is a semiautomatic machine with an electric pump. When people think of espresso machines, they picture these machines. With a semi-automatic machine you need to grind the beans and tamp them by hand. The pump is able to regulate the flow of water and pressure. This is a fantastic combination of human control and mechanized reliability.
The Filter
Espresso machines usually use a filter that separates the grounds of coffee from hot water. The filter is also a crucial element of the temperature control system as it keeps the machine from overheating.
It also improves flavor as a filter can allow for a longer bloom time. This allows the beans to release their flavor and gives an opportunity for better extraction.
It is important to keep in mind that even the best filter can result in a bad cup of coffee. The quality of the beans and the extraction, are still very important.
It's here that the magic takes place. This is what makes espresso taste so good. The grouphead (also called the brewhead) is where you put the portafilter, the thingy that you use to put the grounds of coffee into while making espresso.
Steam-driven espresso machines make use of hot water that is heated inside an airtight container to produce steam. The steam then more info pushes hot water through grounds of coffee under high pressure. These machines are cheaper and are easier for the user to maintain than pumps-driven models. However, they are not as efficient in their ability to provide the perfect conditions for brewing, as they only operate at 1-1.5 bars of pressure. While the perfect shot requires 9-10 bar.
In recent years, compressed air-pump-driven espresso machines have been gaining popularity. They utilize an air compressor to force hot water into the ground and are much more mobile than electric steam-driven espresso machines.