How Does Machine Espresso Work?

The machine espresso is made using precision pressure, and a filtering system that is awe-inspiring to make the coffee you love. But how exactly does it work?

To make an commercial espresso machine hot water is forced under high pressure through finely ground coffee. The process is similar to that of making drip coffee. However, the pressure is the main difference.

The Head of the Group

The group head is the portafilter is inserted when you are making espresso. It distributes water into the portafilter and controls the pressure of the extraction. There are a variety of group heads each with distinct advantages and drawbacks. Some focus on temperature stability, while others on pre-infusion capabilities, while others are designed to control the lever. Some include a combination such as the E61. This is a favorite among baristas since it provides multiple benefits in a single package.

As you can see from the picture above the group head is fitted with several notches. It is possible to place your portafilter into these notches and turn the head around to secure it. There is also a gasket made from rubber which is located inside the notches and helps create the seal when you insert your portafilter into the machine. The notches on the head allow for an exact placement of the portafilter, which is crucial to ensure an even extraction.

The group head does not just allow you to insert your portafilter easily, but it also maintains a constant temperature. It does this by circulating hot water through the brew container and around the portafilter to ensure that it is always at the correct temperature to extract. This is important, as even a small difference in temperature can mean the difference between excellent and great espresso.

The Pump

Contrary to manual piston machines which rely on a lever to pressurize water, rotating espresso machines rely upon motorized pumps to provide the nine atmospheric bars of pressure needed to extract espresso. The pressure is built by pumping water through a heat exchanger and then through the ground coffee.

Pumps are typically less expensive than piston-driven models, and they tend to last longer, however both types of machines could become damaged due to excessive use and poor cleaning. They also increase the complexity of mechanical systems and can lead to a high price tag on even the simplest models.

Certain espresso machines eliminate the pump completely and utilize steam pressure to make espresso. The downside is that the same boiler that produces steam also increases the temperature of water to boiling which could lead to over-extraction. The machines also need to continuously rebuild their pressure between cups. This requires energy and time.

Many espresso machines employ the rotary or vibration pump, with a vibrating model using a rotating disc to generate the pressure and the rotary model pushing hot water through the grounds under high speed. Both types of machines are capable of producing excellent espresso, however the rotary pumps are quieter, and more durable than vibration pumps.

The Boiler

The boiler is the component that heats water to an ideal temperature to extract. The resulting steam is then transferred to the portafilter containing the ground espresso coffee and gets funnelled down into the cup. The steam creates pressure to push through the grounds of the coffee. This results in a crema on the top of the espresso. This is a sign of a good buy espresso machine.

There are three distinct types of espresso Coffee Machines for sale machines, each having a different type of pump and the temperature of the brew. There are many ways to control the brew and the size of the cup that can be produced by the machine.

The first espresso machines were steam-based. The first espresso machines were steam-type machines. This led to the coffee and espresso machine tasting burnt and bitter. This is why the Milanese producers Luigi Bezzerra and Desiderio Pavoni invented the modern espresso machine.

The most common espresso maker is a semi-automatic device with an electric pump. These are what people imagine when they think of an espresso maker. With a semi-automatic machine you need to grind the beans and then tamp them by hand. However, the pump regulates the flow of water and pressure. This is a great compromise between the human touch and mechanized accuracy.

The Filter

Espresso machines usually have a filter that separates the grounds of the coffee from the hot water. The filter is also an essential element of the machine's temperature control, as it helps prevent overheating.

Filters also aid in flavor, as it permits the beans to flower for a longer period of time. This helps the beans to release their nuances and gives an opportunity to improve 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, and the extraction process are still very important.

It's in this area that the magic happens. This is the reason why espresso tastes so good. The grouphead, sometimes called the brewhead, is where the portafilter (the device you put the coffee grounds into) is located when you're making barista espresso coffee machine.

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

In recent years, compressed air-driven espresso coffee machine for home machines have been gaining popularity. They use an air-compressor to force hot water through the ground and are much more mobile than electric steam-driven espresso machines.