9 . What Your Parents Teach You About Machine Espresso

How Does Machine Espresso Work?

Machine espresso uses precision pressure and mind-blowing filter technology to create the coffee and espresso machine we love. How exactly does it work?

Espresso is produced by pushing hot water at high end espresso machine pressure through finely ground coffee. The process is similar to making drip coffee but the major difference is in the pressure.

The Group Head

As the name suggests the group head is where you place your portafilter while brewing espresso. It is responsible for dispersing the water into the portafilter before controlling the pressure that results from the extraction. There are various kinds of group heads, each with their distinct advantages and disadvantages. Some are specifically designed for stability of temperature while others are designed to handle pre-infusion. Others are built to control the lever. There are some that have a combination of features, like the E61, which is considered to be the most popular among baristas due to its ability to offer multiple benefits in a single package.

As you can see from the picture above, the group head has a number of notches. The portafilter is placed in these notches and then twist the head to secure it. There is also a rubber gasket that resides inside the notches and helps create an airtight seal when you insert your portafilter into the machine. The notches allow for an exact placement of the portafilter. This is crucial for an accurate extraction.

In addition to allowing you easily connect your portafilter, the group head is responsible for maintaining a consistent temperature. This is achieved by cycling hot water around the portafilter and through the brew-basket to ensure that the temperature is constant for extraction. This is crucial, since just a few degrees could make the difference between excellent and great espresso.

The Pump

Unlike manual piston machines, which rely on a lever to pressurize water, Rotary espresso machines rely on motorized pumps to supply the nine atmospheric bars of pressure required to extract espresso. This pressure is generated by pumping water through a heat exchanger and then through the ground coffee.

Pumps tend to be cheaper than piston-driven machines and tend to last longer, however both types of machines could become damaged due to excessive use and poor cleaning. Pumps are also more complex mechanically, which can increase prices of even simple models.

Some espresso machines can eliminate the pump completely and employ steam pressure to create espresso. This can result in over-extraction because the boiler that makes steam also heats the water until it comes to a boil. Additionally the machines often have to restore their pressure between cups, which takes time and energy.

A majority of espresso machines utilize a rotary or vibration pump. A vibration model employs a rotating disk to generate pressure, whereas a circular model pushes hot liquid through the ground at a rapid 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 is the element that heats water to an ideal temperature for extraction. The steam that is created is then directed to the portafilter, which is a container for espresso grounds. It is then funneled into the cup. The steam causes enough pressure to push the grounds of coffee through. This results in a crema on top of the espresso. This is a hallmark of a good espresso.

There are three kinds of espresso makers, which differ in the type of pump they use and the degree of heat that the coffee is. There are various ways to control the brew and the size of cup that can be made by the machine.

The first espresso machines were steam-type. The first espresso machines were steam-type machines. This led to the coffee tasting bitter and burnt. The modern espresso machine was designed by the Milanese manufacturers Luigi Bezzerra & Desiderio Pavoni.

The most common espresso machine is a semiautomatic with an electric pump. When people think of espresso machines, they envision these machines. Semi-automatic machines require you to grind and tamp your beans yourself The pump, however, regulates the flow of water and pressure. This is a perfect compromise between human control and mechanised accuracy.

The Filter

Typically, espresso machines use a filter to separate out the grounds of the coffee as they go through the hot water. The filter is also an important component of the temperature control system as it prevents the machine from overheating.

A filter also improves flavor since it allows for a longer flowering phase. This allows the beans to let their nuances out, and also allows for better extraction.

However it is crucial to remember that even a great filter could result in a bad cup of coffee, because the quality of the beans and extraction is essential.

This is where the magic happens. It's what makes espresso taste great. The grouphead (also known as the brewhead) is where you place the portafilter, the device that you put the coffee grounds in, while making espresso.

In an uk espresso machine machine that is driven by steam, hot water is heated in an airtight container to create steam. This then pushes the hot water through the grounds with high pressure. These machines are cheaper and are easier for the user to maintain than pumps-driven models. However, they are limited in their capacity to create the perfect brewing conditions since they operate at 1-1.5 bars of pressure, while the perfect shot requires 9-10 bars.

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