10 Machine Espresso Meetups You Should Attend

How Does Machine Espresso Work?

The machine espresso utilizes precision pressure, and filter technology that is awe-inspiring to create the coffee you enjoy. What exactly is it?

In order to make espresso, hot water is pushed under pressure through finely ground coffee. The process is similar to making drip coffee, but the key difference is in the pressure.

The Head of the Group

The group head is the portafilter you insert when brewing espresso. It is responsible for dispersing the water into the portafilter and then controlling the pressure of the resulting extraction. There are many different kinds of group heads, each with their particular advantages and drawbacks. Some are designed to provide temperature stability 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 preferred choice for baristas as it provides a variety of benefits in one package.

As you can see from the image above the group head is fitted with a variety of notches. It is possible to place your portafilter into these notches and turn the head around to secure it. A rubber gasket is located within the notches to create a seal as you insert your portafilter. The notches permit precise placement of your portafilter. This is vital for an even extraction.

The group head not only lets you to place your portafilter easily however, it also keeps the temperature at a constant level. It does this by cycling hot water through the brew basket and around the portafilter, ensuring that it's always at the correct temperature to extract. It is important to note that even a tiny deviation can make the difference between a good and excellent small espresso machine.

The Pump

Unlike manual piston machines, which rely on a lever that pressurize water, rotary espresso machines rely on motorized pumps to supply the nine atmospheric bars of pressure required for espresso extraction. The pressure is created by pumping water through a heat exchanger and then through the ground coffee.

Pumps tend to be less expensive and last for longer than piston-driven machines. However, both kinds of machines may degrade due to overuse and insufficient cleaning. Pumps are also more complicated mechanically, which can raise the cost of even the most basic models.

Certain espresso machines remove the pump completely and employ steam pressure to create espresso. This can lead to over-extraction as the boiler that makes steam also heats the water to boil. Additionally the machines often have to rebuild their pressure between cups, which takes time and energy.

Many espresso machine with milk frother machines utilize an rotary or vibrating pump, which has a vibration model using a vibrating disc to generate the pressure and an rotary model that pushes hot water through the grounds under high speed. Both models can produce an excellent espresso, however the rotary models are quieter and more durable than vibration pumps.

The Boiler

The boiler will heat the water to the right temperature to extract. The steam that is created is then directed to the portafilter, which is a container for espresso maker grounds. It is then pumped into the cup. During this process, the steam creates pressure that pushes through the coffee grounds. This results in a whipped-up the top of the espresso home machine. This is a hallmark of a good espresso.

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

The earliest espresso machines were steam-based. The earliest espresso machines were steam types. The coffee tasted bitter and burned. This is why the Milanese makers Luigi Bezzerra and Desiderio Pavoni invented the modern espresso machine (company website).

The most common espresso machine is a semiautomatic that has an electric pump. These are the images people have when they think of an espresso machine. With a semi-automatic espresso machine, you have to grind the beans and tamp them yourself but the pump regulates the flow of water and pressure. This is an excellent compromise between human touch and mechanized consistency.

The Filter

Typically, espresso machines use filters to separate the grounds of coffee as they move through the hot water. The filter is also an essential component of the machine's temperature control, as it prevents overheating.

It also improves flavor, as a filter can allow for a longer bloom time. This helps the beans to release their flavors and provides the chance for better extraction.

However, it is important to keep in mind that even a great filter could result in a bad cup of coffee, because the quality of the beans and extraction are vital.

It's here that the magic happens. This is what makes espresso taste so good. The grouphead (also called the brewhead) is where you place the portafilter, the thingy that you put the coffee grounds in, when making espresso.

In a steam-driven espresso machine, hot water is heated in an airtight tank to create steam. Steam is then pushed through the grounds under high pressure. These machines are less expensive and are easier for the user to maintain than pumps-driven models. They are however limited to create the ideal conditions for brewing as they only operate with 1-1.5 bar of pressure. The ideal shot requires 9-10 bars.

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