Do You Think Machine Espresso Always Rule The World?

How Does Machine Espresso Work?

The machine espresso makes use of precision pressure, and a filter technology that is awe-inspiring to create the coffee you enjoy. What exactly does it work?

travel espresso maker is made by forcing hot water under high pressure through finely ground coffee. The process is similar to making drip coffee, but the key difference is in the pressure.

The Group Head

The group head is the portafilter you put in when making 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 its unique advantages and disadvantages. Some focus on temperature stability, while others on pre-infusion capabilities, and still others are designed to control the lever. Some come with a combination of both, such as the E61. This is a favorite among baristas due to the fact that it has multiple advantages in one package.

As you can see in the picture above, the group head is fitted with several notches. You can place your portafilter in these notches and then twist the head to secure it. A rubber gasket is located within the notches to create a seal when you insert your portafilter. The notches on the head allow for a precise position of the portafilter which is necessary to ensure a consistent extraction.

Apart from allowing you easily insert your portafilter, the group head is also responsible to maintain an even temperature. It does this by circulating hot water through the brew basket, and around the portafilter to ensure that it is always at the right temperature for extraction. It is important to note that even a few degree differences can make the distinction between a decent and a excellent espresso.

The Pump

In contrast to manual piston machines which use a lever to pressurize water, rotating espresso machines rely upon motorized pumps to deliver the nine atmospheric bars of pressure required for espresso extraction. This pressure is built up by pumping water through a heat exchanger and then through the ground coffee.

Pumps tend to be more affordable and last longer than piston-driven machines. However, both types of machines are susceptible to degrading due to overuse and insufficient cleaning. Pumps are also more complex mechanically, which could increase the cost of even simplest models.

Certain 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 causes the water to boil. The machines must also constantly rebuild their pressure between cups. This requires energy and time.

A majority of espresso coffee machine home machines use a vibration or rotary pump, with a vibrating model using a vibrating disc to create pressure and the rotary model pushing hot water through the grounds under high speed. Both types of machine can produce an excellent espresso, but Rotary machines are quieter and more durable than vibration pumps.

The Boiler

The boiler is the element that heats water to an optimal temperature to extract. The steam created is then directed to the portafilter, which is a container for espresso grounds. The steam is then channeled into the cup. The steam causes enough pressure to push the grounds of the coffee through. This creates a foam on the top of the espresso. This is a sign of a great espresso.

There are three types of espresso makers, and they differ in the kind of pump they use and the degree of heat that the coffee is. There are a variety of ways in which the brew could be controlled, as well as the size of the cup the machine can make.

The first espresso machines were steam-type. They utilized one boiler to make steam and brew, however, the pressure they could produce was not very high - two bars of atmospheric pressure maximum. This resulted in the coffee tasting burnt and bitter. This is the reason why Milanese manufacturers Luigi Bezzerra and Desiderio Pavoni invented the modern espresso machine.

The most popular espresso maker is a semi-automatic one with an electric pump. When people think of espresso machines, they imagine these machines. With a semi-automatic machine, you need to grind the beans and tamp them by hand, but the pump controls the flow of water and pressure. This is a great compromise between the human touch and the mechanized consistency.

The Filter

Typically, espresso machines have a filter to separate out the grounds of the coffee as they go through the hot water. The filter is also an essential element of the machine's temperature control, as it prevents overheating.

A filter also improves flavor as it allows for a longer flowering phase. 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 high-quality filter can produce a bad cup of coffee, because the quality of the beans and extraction is still important.

It's in this area that the magic occurs. This is what makes espresso taste so delicious. The grouphead, sometimes called the brew head, is the place where the portafilter (the device you put the ground coffee in) is placed when you're making retro espresso machines home maker (recommended).

In a steam-driven espresso machine hot water is heated in an airtight container to create steam. Steam then pushes the hot water through the grounds under high pressure. These kinds of machines are usually less expensive and easier to maintain than pumps-driven models. However, they are limited in their ability to provide the ideal conditions for brewing since they operate at 1-1.5 bars of pressure, while the perfect shot requires 9-10 bar.

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