Nine Things That Your Parent Taught You About Machine Espresso

How Does Machine Espresso Work?

Machine Espresso - Www-Coffeee-Uk51020.Blogpostie.Com - employs precise pressure and amazing filter technology to make the perfect cup of coffee. What exactly is it that makes it work?

Espresso is made by pushing hot water under high pressure through finely-ground coffee. The process is similar to making drip coffee but the key difference is in the pressure.

The Group Head

The group head is the portafilter that you place in the espresso maker when making it. It is responsible for dispersing water into the portafilter, and controlling the pressure of the resulting extraction. There are many different kinds of group heads, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Some are focused on temperature stability, others on pre-infusion features, and others are designed to control the lever. Some include a combination like the E61. This is a popular choice among baristas due to the fact that it has multiple benefits in one package.

As you can see in the above image, the group head has several notches where you put your portafilter, then twist it manually to lock it in. A gasket made of rubber is positioned inside the notches to help create a seal while you insert your portafilter. The notches allow for precise placement of your portafilter. This is crucial for an efficient extraction.

Apart from allowing you easily connect your portafilter, the group head is responsible for maintaining a consistent temperature. It does this by cycling hot water through the brew basket and around the portafilter, making sure that it's always at the correct temperature to extract. This is vital, because even a few degrees can make the difference between a good and great espresso.

The Pump

In contrast to piston machines that are manually operated, which use a lever to pressurize water, rotary espresso machines rely on motorized pumps to deliver 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 pumped through the ground coffee in the group head.

Pumps tend to be cheaper and last longer than piston-driven machines. However, both types of machines may degrade due to overuse and insufficient cleaning. Pumps are also more complicated mechanically, which can increase the cost of even the simplest models.

Certain espresso machines do away with the pump entirely and make use of steam pressure to make espresso. The downside is that the boiler that produces steam also raises the temperature of the water to the point of boiling which can cause excessive extraction. The machines also need to continually rebuild their pressure between cups. This requires energy and time.

A majority of espresso machines use an rotary or vibrating pump, with a vibrating model using a rotating disc to create the pressure and rotating models that push hot water through the grounds under high speed. Both machines can produce excellent espresso however rotary machines tend to be more stable, quieter and less likely to break.

The Boiler

The boiler is the component that heats water to an optimal temperature for extraction. The resulting steam is then transferred to the portafilter, which contains the ground espresso and is then funneled down into the cup. The steam generates enough pressure to push the coffee grounds through. This creates a layer crema on top. This is one of the main characteristics of a great espresso makers.

There are three distinct types of espresso machines, each having different pumps and the temperature of the brew. There are various ways to control the brew as well as the size of cup that can be made by the machine.

The first espresso machines were steam type. They employed one boiler to create both brew and steam, but the pressure they could generate was low - only two bars of atmospheric pressure maximum. This resulted in the coffee tasting burnt and bitter. The modern espresso machine was developed by the Milanese manufacturers Luigi Bezzerra & Desiderio Pavoni.

The most common decent espresso machine maker is a semi-automatic device that has an electric pump. These are what people imagine when they imagine an espresso machine. With a semi-automatic espresso machine, you must grind the beans and then tamp them by hand. However, the pump is able to regulate the flow of water and pressure. This is a great compromise between the human touch and the mechanised accuracy.

The Filter

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

It also helps with flavor, as it can allow for a longer bloom time. This allows the beans to release their flavor and improves extraction.

It is important to remember that even the best filter can produce a bad cup of coffee. The quality espresso machine of the beans, and the extraction process, remain vital.

It's in this area that the magic happens. This is what makes espresso taste so delicious. The grouphead, sometimes called the brew head, is the place where the portafilter (the thingy you put the coffee ground into) is placed when 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 into the grounds of coffee at high pressure. These kinds of machines are generally less expensive and easier to maintain than pump-driven models. However, they are limited in their ability to provide the perfect conditions for brewing, since they operate at 1-1.5 bars of pressure. The perfect shot requires 9-10 bars.

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