This Week's Top Stories About Machine Espresso Machine Espresso

How Does Machine Espresso Work?

The machine espresso uses precise pressure and filtering technology that is amazing to create the coffee you love. What exactly is it?

To make an 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 where you put your portafilter in when brewing espresso. It is responsible for dispersing water into the portafilter, and controlling the pressure that results from the extraction. There are various kinds of group heads, each with their particular advantages and drawbacks. Some are designed for stability in temperature, while others are specifically designed to handle pre-infusion. Others are built to control the lever. Some come with a combination of both, such as the E61. This is a preferred choice for baristas since it provides multiple advantages in a single package.

As you can see from the above photo the group head has a number of notches. You can place your portafilter inside these notches, and then twist the head to secure it. A gasket of rubber is situated within the notches to create a seal while you insert your portafilter. The notches allow for precise placement of the portafilter. This is crucial for an accurate extraction.

In addition to allowing you to easily place your portafilter in, the group head is responsible for maintaining an even temperature. This is accomplished by cycling hot water around the portafilter and through the brew basin, ensuring that the temperature is always at the right level to extract the coffee. It is crucial to keep in mind that even a few degree deviation can make the difference between a decent and a great espresso.

The Pump

Contrary to manual piston machines which use a lever to pressurize water, the rotary espresso machines use motorized pumps to provide the nine atmospheric bars of pressure that are required for espresso extraction. The pressure builds by removing tap water from a reservoir, and pumping it through a heat exchanger prior being pushed through the ground coffee inside the group head.

Pumps are generally less expensive than piston-driven machines, and they tend to last longer. However, both types of machines could get damaged through overuse and lack of cleaning. They also make mechanically complex, which can result in an expensive price for even the most basic models.

Some espresso machines employ steam pressure instead of a pump for brewing espresso. This can cause over-extraction because the boiler that produces steam also heats the water to boil. Additionally the machines often have to rebuild their pressure between cups, which takes time and energy.

Many espresso machines make use of an rotary or vibrating pump, which has a vibration model using a vibrating disc that generates the pressure, and rotating models that push hot water through the grounds at high speed. Both types of machine can make a great espresso, but rotary machines are quieter and more durable than vibration pumps.

The Boiler

The boiler will heat the water to the perfect temperature to extract. The steam created is then directed to the portafilter, which contains the espresso machine coffee coffee grounds. It is then pumped into the cup. The steam creates enough pressure to push the grounds of coffee through. This results in a layer crema that is then poured over. This is a sign of a good espresso.

There are three types of espresso makers. They differ in the kind of pump they use and how hot the espresso is. There are different ways to control the brew as well as the size of cup that can be produced by the machine.

The earliest espresso machines were steam-based. They had only one boiler to make both steam and brew however the pressure they were able to create was minimal - two bars of atmospheric pressure at the most. This resulted in the coffee tasting burnt and bitter. The modern espresso machine was invented by the Milanese makers Luigi Bezzerra & Desiderio Pavoni.

The most well-known espresso maker is a semi-automatic one with an electric pump. These are what people imagine when they think of an espresso maker. Semi-automatic machines require you to grind and tamp your beans yourself, but the pump regulates the flow of water and pressure. This is a fantastic compromise between human control and mechanised accuracy.

The Filter

Typically, espresso machines employ a filter to separate out the coffee grounds as they pass through the hot water. The filter is also a vital element of the temperature control system, since it helps prevent the machine from overheating.

A filter also improves flavor, as it permits an extended flowering time. This allows the beans to release their nuances, and improves extraction.

It is important to remember that even the best espresso machine under 500 filter can make a bad cup of coffee. The quality of the beans as well as the extraction, remain vital.

It's here that the magic takes place. This is what makes espresso taste so delicious. The grouphead, often called the brew head, is the place where the portafilter (the container you place the ground coffee into) is placed when you're making espresso.

Steam-driven espresso coffee machine home machines make use of hot water heated in an airtight container to produce steam. The steam then pushes hot water through grounds of the coffee machine espresso under pressure. These machines are 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, compressed air-pump-driven espresso machines have been gaining popularity. They use an air-compressor to force hot water through the ground and are more mobile than electric steam-driven espresso machines.