What to Look For in a Professional Espresso Machine
You'll need a machine that has the ability to control the pre-infusion, which is essential to develop flavor and aroma. Many coffee experts look for PID temperature control in an industrial machine.
If you're planning to hire baristas who have no experience, you'll need a machine that's easy to use and easy to instruct new staff members on. This is especially important for those who want to run a drive-thru cafe.
Easy to Use
This professional espresso machine, as you might have guessed from its name is designed to be simple to use and maintain. It has an integrated grinder that automatically grinds coffee beans into the portafilter. It also comes with a digital temperature control for optimal extraction as well as the manual steam wand that can create microfoam. It even includes a test strip to help you gauge water hardness and an AquaClean filter to prevent scale buildup.
For baristas who are at home this machine offers a great combination of manual and automatic operation, so you'll feel like a pro making a shot of espresso (though there is a learning curve). The built-in coffee grinder lets you experiment with the size of the grind to adjust the grind size. In addition, the steam wand that you can use manually is a simple way to make frothy latte or cappuccino milk. The machine also has an easy-to-clean dishwasher-safe milk hopper, which makes cleaning up after each use easy and convenient.
While this model is intended for home use however, it has some advanced features that set it apart from espresso machines that are used by professionals. For instance, it has dual boilers that permit steam and brewing functions to be heated separately, ensuring that each function is kept at precisely the temperature that you would like to. McCarthy explains that this helps ensure that the espresso is extracted at the right pressure (which can vary from 4 bars at the beginning and 14-16 bars when finished) while minimizing the chance of over-extraction.
In addition, the machine has a "proportional-integral-derivative" or PID control that monitors and stabilizes the boiler or thermoblock temperature more accurately than a simple electromechanical thermostatic switch. This leads to more consistent shots, and a quicker recovery time between each espresso cup.
It is also recommended to choose machines that can be opened up to perform regular maintenance and repairs, since espresso drinkers are often interested in the workings of their equipment. This is particularly important for a professional espresso machine that is used regularly, as frequent use can result in wear and tear on the parts. For instance, the espresso machine we tested can be opened to replace the drip tray and brew basket for quick and easy cleaning.
Cleaning is easy
It is essential to keep the interior of a professional espresso machine clean. Over time, grounds, coffee oils and water mineral deposits can accumulate, affecting the quality of the final espresso cup and the overall performance of the machine. Regular cleaning can stop the accumulation of these contaminants and ensure consistent flow of water, optimum extraction pressure, and good flavor.
A specialized cleaning brush with bristles designed to penetrate crevices will assist get rid of stubborn residue. Regular cleaning solutions can also aid in dissolving and breaking down coffee particles, oils and other contaminants. Certain espresso machines require periodic backflushing. This involves blocking the portafilter using blind filters, and forcing water through the system to clean the shower screen, group head, and valves. Using the right tools and following the instructions of the manufacturer for backflushing can enhance overall espresso machine cleanliness and maintenance.
A tool that can be reused to clean the group head can make routine maintenance simpler for espresso users. These brushes can be found in various shapes and sizes that can effectively clean different components of the machine, including valves, ports, and gaskets. best home espresso machine are typically made of stainless steel, and have an holder that is small enough to be filled and refillable whenever required. Some tools come with an integrated reservoir for storing the cleaning solution after it has been in use.
Descaling solutions boost the performance of espresso machines as well as their ease of use especially when utilized in high-volume settings. These liquid descalers remove calcium and limescale, which block and reduce water flow, and decrease the overall taste of espresso. Users can either soak parts or backflush their system with these products that are more efficient than citric acid cleaners at getting rid of mineral buildup.
When you are deciding on the most suitable espresso machine, take into account the features that are most important to you and your business. If you'd like to be in control of the temperature of your water and the amount of brew you can use for certain drinks and beverages, a manual espresso machine with more adjustable settings may be the best option. On the other hand, if you're a casual espresso drinker and want a convenient way to enjoy great-tasting coffee at home, a semiautomatic or fully automated espresso maker might be the ideal choice.
Easy Maintenance
The ease of maintenance of your espresso machine depends largely on the type. Certain machines require more manual labor and others are more demanding. You can tell by looking at the degree of automation. Espresso and cappuccino machines fall into three categories: semi-automatic, fully automated and super-automatic. Semi-automatic machines offer barista the control, but does not provide much automation. Fully automated machines require less involvement from the operator, but still requires the operator grind, tamp and pull the shot. A super-automatic machine is fully automated, making espresso and espresso-based drinks from just a single press.
If you are considering purchasing a semiautomatic or fully automated professional espresso machine, you must consider the number of customers that your company is likely to serve during peak hours. This will help you determine what size commercial espresso machine to buy. For instance, if you plan to serve 120 drinks between 8 and 10 AM, you'll need to buy a semi-automatic machine with enough capacity to keep up with the volume of orders.
You'll also have to think about how often you need to remove the scale from your coffee maker. Some manufacturers recommend descale your coffee maker at least twice a week using warm water and vinegar. If you don't frequently descal your machine, it might develop issues such as blocking or a change in flavor.
Many of the more advanced espresso machines on the market have a dual boiler system, with one boiler for brewing and another to steam. The steam wand can be heated independently from the group head and allows you to continue steaming milk while your shots are brewing. This is particularly beneficial for cafes with a lot of customers who require a variety of kinds of coffee and cappuccino.
Other features you can get on a higher-end espresso machine include hot water dispensers and an automatic rinse cycle, and user preferences that can be programmable to the type and amount of coffee or cappuccino that you are most likely to make. These features will save you time and money in high-volume settings where consistency is crucial. It is possible that the machine has a built-in or attached coffee grinder, and a nozzle that can be used to serve hot or frothed steamed milk.
Ease of Repair
Durability and ease of maintenance are important factors when it is about commercial espresso machines. Commercial machines are designed to withstand the rigors of use and are usually constructed with durable materials that last for a long time. They are more likely to have warranties and other protections from damage. Espresso machines for home use on the other hand are usually constructed with cheaper materials and may fail more easily.
Many commercial espresso machines must be UL-listed as well as come with an NSF seal in order to meet building and health department standards. These requirements ensure that the equipment is safe for employees as well as customers. This is particularly relevant for espresso machines that produce a lot of drinks. It is also crucial to select a machine which utilizes stainless steel or other FDA-approved materials, because they won't release chemicals into the coffee.
There are a variety of professional coffee machines, such as semi-automatic and fully automatic. Each machine type has its distinct advantages and disadvantages, but all are designed to brew delicious coffee.
A manual espresso machine requires the barista to create the pressure with their hands and arms which can be difficult to master. These machines are less common and are more difficult to find replacement parts for in the event of malfunction.
Semi-automatic espresso machines provide a good compromise between human control and mechanised consistency. The barista must still grind and grind the beans, but the pump controls the water pressure and temperature in order to prevent over-extraction.
Fully-automatic espresso machines are similar to semi-automatic machines, but they also have the ability to deliver steam and hot water at the touch of the button. This will save energy and time, and also increase production capacity.
Regardless of which kind of espresso machine you pick, it is important to train your staff to use it properly. This will improve the quality of your coffee and increase efficiency. It might take a while for new staff to understand how grind, tamp and extract shots properly, but the investment will pay off in time, as you can offer your customers consistently excellent cups of espresso.