9 Things Your Parents Taught You About Machine Espresso

How Does machine espresso (right here on peatix.com) Work?

Machine espresso uses precision pressure and incredible filter technology to produce the perfect cup of coffee. What exactly is it that makes it work?

Espresso is made by forcing hot water under pressure through finely-ground coffee. The process is similar to making drip coffee, however the main difference lies in the pressure.

The Head of the Group

The group head is the portafilter that you put in when making espresso. It distributes water into the portafilter and regulates the pressure of extraction. There are many different types of group heads each with distinct advantages and drawbacks. Some are specifically designed for stability in temperature, while others are built to handle pre-infusion. Others are made to control the lever. Some include a combination such as the E61. This is a favorite among baristas as it provides a variety of benefits in a single package.

As you can see from the image above, the group head has a number of notches. You place your portafilter in these notches and then twist the head to secure it. A rubber gasket is located within the notches to create a seal while you insert your portafilter. The notches on the head allow for a precise position of the portafilter which is necessary for an even extraction.

The group head does not just allow you to place your portafilter easily however it also keeps the same temperature. It does this by cycling hot water through the brew pan and around the portafilter, ensuring that it's always at the correct temperature to extract. This is crucial, since just a few degrees could make the difference between good and great espresso.

The Pump

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

Pumps are generally less expensive than piston-driven machines and Machine espresso tend to last longer, however both types of machines could get damaged through overuse and lack of cleaning. Pumps are also more complex mechanically, which can raise prices of even simpler models.

Some espresso machines eliminate the pump entirely and Machine Espresso make use of steam pressure to make espresso. This could lead to over-extraction since the boiler that makes steam also heats the water to boil. In addition the machines often have to rebuild their pressure between cups, which takes time and energy.

Many espresso machines utilize the rotary or vibration pump, which is a vibration model that uses a vibrating disc to create pressure, and a rotary model pushing hot water through the grounds under high speed. Both machines can produce excellent espresso but rotary machines are quieter, more durable and less likely to break down.

The Boiler

The boiler is the part that heats water to an optimal temperature for extraction. The steam that is created gets to the portafilter which is a container for espresso grounds. The steam is then channeled into the cup. During this process the steam creates enough pressure to push the coffee grounds through. This produces a layer of crema on top. This is one of the main characteristics of a great espresso.

There are three types of espresso makers, which differ in the kind of pump they use and the degree of heat that the coffee is. There are also different ways in which the brew can be controlled, as well as the size of the cup that the maker can create.

The first espresso coffee machine machines were steam-types. They utilized one boiler to make both steam and brew, but the pressure they could produce was very low - just two bars of atmospheric pressure maximum. This led to the coffee tasting bitter and burnt. The modern espresso machine was developed by the Milanese manufacturers Luigi Bezzerra & Desiderio Pavoni.

The most common espresso maker is a semi-automatic one with an electric pump. When people think of espresso machines, they imagine these machines. Semi-automatic machines require you to grind and tamp the beans on your own, but the pump regulates the flow of water and pressure. This is an excellent compromise between human control and mechanised consistency.

The Filter

Typically, espresso machines utilize a filter to separate out the grounds of coffee as they move through the hot water. The filter is also an essential part of the temperature control system because it stops the machine from overheating.

It also helps with flavor, as a filter allows for a more prolonged bloom time. This lets the beans release their flavors, and allows for a better extraction.

It is important to keep in mind that even the most efficient 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, and it's what makes espresso taste great. The grouphead, also called the brewhead, is where the portafilter (the container you place the ground coffee into) is placed when making espresso.

In a steam-driven espresso machine, hot water is heated in an airtight tank to create steam. Steam then pushes the hot water through the grounds with high pressure. These machines are less expensive and easier for the user to maintain than pumps-driven models. However, they are limited in their ability to provide the ideal conditions for brewing since they are only operating at 1-1.5 bars of pressure. However, the perfect shot requires 9-10 bars.

In recent years, compressed-air-pump-driven best budget espresso machine machines have become more popular. They utilize an air compressor to push hot water across the ground and are more mobile than electric steam-driven espresso machines.