10 Machine Espresso Meetups You Should Attend

How Does Machine Espresso Work?

The machine espresso makes use of precision pressure, and a filter technology that is mind-blowing to make the coffee you love. How exactly does it work?

Espresso is produced by pushing hot water at high pressure through finely-ground coffee. The process is similar to that of making drip coffee. However, the pressure is the main difference.

The Group Head

The group head is the portafilter you insert when brewing espresso. It disperses the water into the portafilter, and regulates the pressure of the extraction. There are various kinds of group heads, each with their particular advantages and drawbacks. Some are designed to provide the stability of temperature while some are designed to handle pre-infusion. Others are made to control the lever. Some have a combination, such as the E61. This is a very popular choice for baristas due to the fact that it has multiple advantages in a single package.

As you can see from the above photo the group head is fitted with several notches. It is possible to place your portafilter inside these notches, and then turn the head around to secure it. There is also a rubber gasket that is a part of the notches and helps to create an airtight seal when you insert your portafilter into the machine. The notches permit an exact placement of the portafilter. This is vital for an even extraction.

The group head is not just able to allow you to insert your portafilter easily, but it also maintains a constant temperature. This is achieved by cycling hot water around the portafilter, and through the brew basin, ensuring that the temperature is constant for extraction. This is vital, because even a few degrees can be the difference between a excellent and great espresso.

The Pump

The motorized pumps in espresso machines rotary provide nine atmospheric bars of pressure required for espresso extraction. This is different from manual piston machines which use levers. This pressure builds up by drawing tap water from a reservoir, and pumping it through a heat exchanger prior being shot through the ground coffee inside the group head.

Pumps tend to be cheaper than piston-driven machines and tend to last longer, however both types of machines can become damaged due to excessive use and poor cleaning. They also increase the complexity of mechanical systems which can result in a high price tag on even the simplest models.

Some espresso machines eliminate the pump completely and make use of steam pressure to make espresso machine with grinder. The downside is that the same boiler that produces steam also raises the temperature of the water to boiling which can cause excessive extraction. In addition these machines typically have to restore their pressure between cups, which requires time and energy.

A majority of espresso machines use a vibration or rotary pump, which has a vibration model using a rotating disc that generates the pressure and an rotary model that pushes hot water through the grounds at high speed. Both models can produce an excellent espresso, but rotary machines are quieter and more durable than vibration pumps.

The Boiler

The boiler is the one that heats the water to the right temperature for extraction. The steam created gets to the portafilter which is a container for espresso grounds. The steam is then channeled into the cup. During this process, steam creates pressure that pushes through the coffee grounds. This produces a layer of crema that is then poured over. This is one of the hallmarks of a great espresso.

There are three kinds of espresso machines, each having distinct pumps and the temperature of the brew. There are various ways to control the brew and the size of cup that can be produced by the machine.

The first cheap espresso machine (new content from Adirectorysubmit) machines were steam types. They utilized only one boiler to make both steam and brew, however, the pressure they could generate was low - only two bars of atmospheric pressure at the most. This resulted in the coffee tasting burnt and bitter. This is why Milanese manufacturers Luigi Bezzerra and Desiderio Pavoni developed the modern espresso machine.

The most common espresso machine is a semiautomatic that has an electric pump. These are what people imagine when they think of an espresso machine. Semi-automatic machines require you to grind and tamp the beans yourself The pump, however, regulates the flow of water and pressure. This is an excellent compromise between human touch and the mechanized accuracy.

The Filter

Typically, espresso machine uk machines employ filters to separate the grounds of the coffee as they go through the hot water. The filter is also a crucial component of the temperature control system, as it keeps the machine from overheating.

Filters also aid in flavor, as it permits a longer flowering phase. This allows the beans to release their flavor and gives an opportunity for better extraction.

It is important to keep in mind that even the finest filter can produce a bad cup of coffee. The quality of the beans as well as the extraction, remain vital.

This is where the magic happens. It's what makes an espresso really taste good. The grouphead, sometimes called the brewhead, is where the portafilter (the device you put the ground coffee into) is placed when making espresso.

Steam-driven espresso machines use hot water that is heated in an airtight container to create steam. The steam then moves hot water through the grounds of coffee under high pressure. These types of machines are generally less expensive and easier to maintain than pump-driven models. However, they are limited in their ability to produce the perfect brewing conditions since they are only operating at 1-1.5 bars of pressure. The perfect shot requires 9-10 bar.

In recent years, compressed air-pump-driven espresso machines have been gaining popularity. They use an air compressor to push hot water into the grounds and are significantly more portable than steam-driven electric machines.