What to Look For in a Barista Espresso Machine
The espresso machine is among the most complex coffee machines around the world. It has three main components. The bottom is where the water goes and the middle is the filter-basket.
The machine was a huge hit and helped popularize home barista espresso. Features include a 2.2L steam boiler, low pressure pre-infusion & 9 bar brewing pressure.
Pressure
If you're an avid coffee drinker, then you'll realize that the pressure of your espresso machine is a crucial element in the quality of your drink. It doesn't matter if you're seeking an even layer of crema or right balance of flavor and acidity, the pressure of your espresso maker is the most important factor in brewing good espresso.
BARs (Barometric Pressure) refer to the amount of force exerted on the grounds of your coffee when your espresso machine is pumping out its high-pressure water. 9 BARs means that your espresso machine is pushing heated water through the ground coffee at a 9 times the Earth's current atmospheric pressure.
The pressure of your machine is crucial because it allows water to pass through the coffee grounds at the right speed and intensity. If the pressure is too low the flavors and oils dissolved won't be properly extracted. On the other hand, if the pressure is too high, the water will be pushed through the coffee grounds too quickly and you'll end up with a weak, diluted cup of espresso.
The pressure of your espresso machine can be controlled by adjusting the screw that is located on the espresso pump. Commercial and high-end home machines have pumps that rotate with adjustable pressure. For the cheaper home machines that use an oscillating pump, changing the pressure is impossible without getting into DIY hacks. However, companies such as Cafflano are working on technology that makes use of Pascal's Principle to maintain pressure in the portafilter during the beer making process.
Temperature
The temperature is among the most crucial factors to a great espresso shot. If the water is too hot, it may heat the coffee grounds and create an over-extracted bitter drink. The ideal temperature for extraction is 200 degrees Fahrenheit. This lets the water extract all the desired coffee flavors without burning the grounds or causing excessive extraction.
The best espresso machines will include a thermoblock that warms the water and keeps it at a constant temperature throughout the entire extraction cycle. The Breville Barista Express, for instance, is equipped with a PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) system which constantly checks the temperature of the water and adjusts according to the need, ensuring that the brewhead stays at the ideal temperature to extract the coffee.
Most coffee lovers know that the temperature of your espresso maker is a crucial factor in brewing a great cup of coffee. The ideal temperature for brewing espresso is between 190 to 196 degrees Fahrenheit. To achieve this, your espresso machine must be equipped with a reliable thermoblock or thermocoil and the boiler needs to be sized appropriately.
In addition, it is crucial to warm your machine, portafilter, and the cup prior to making an espresso. Failure to preheat is one of the most common errors committed by novice espresso makers. This is why it is important to always study the instruction manual before using your espresso machine for the first time.
Grind
A barista espresso machine should also have a variety of grind settings to give you the best control over your final cup of coffee. Some machines include an analog gauge that looks cool and can help you improve your brewing skills. It is recommended to maintain the pressure of nine bars throughout the process of brewing. This machine is near getting to that point.
Another wonderful feature of this machine is a built-in burr grinder. This feature is perfect for those who are new to the field because it avoids the need to purchase a separate grinder. The grinder is an stainless steel conical unit with 18 settings ranging from "coarse" to "fine."
This grinder isn't as powerful as a stand-alone device, but it's a good start and will get you on your way to brewing quality espresso shots. It's easy to clean and you'll be able to put the grinder on hold during the grinding process to prevent accumulating a large amount of ground in your portafilter when it is being crushed.
This is a stunning and practical machine that lets you to feel the excitement of being a barista at home. This is a great choice for anyone who would like to recall the thrill of pouring microfoam into their morning cup of coffee, locking the portafilter into the grouphead's head and then tamping with precision. A bean-to-cup machine is a great option for those who are looking for convenience.
Water
Water is a challenging thing to master. The key is to find the optimal balance. If you're using too much, it could cause mineral deposits in the machine, but too little and you'll struggle get a rich cup of espresso.
The best espresso water has the lowest alkalinity and hardness level. It is recommended to use a filter which does not use chlorine and adds a tiny amount (TDS) of total dissolved substances in order to add calcium and magnesium. This will help you achieve the right balance between hardness and acidity, and prevent the necessity of decalcifying.
Using a high quality filtered water is crucial to your machine's overall health as well as the taste of the espresso home machine coffee it makes. A descaling product should be regularly used, depending on the hardness and frequency of use of your machine. These products are available in liquid, powder or tab in a variety of hardware stores.
The Breville Barista Express, a premium espresso machine for home use, is designed to bring the café experience into your home. It has more advanced features than other machines for beginners designed for coffee enthusiasts who wish to refine their technique and improve their craft. The thermocoil heating technology with an integrated PID controller mounted on the group head makes it simple to control your brewing temperature. This is an advantage over other models at the entry level that will require you to spend much time "temperature-surfing" to ensure consistent espresso shots.