How To Explain Machine Espresso To A Five-Year-Old

How Does Machine Espresso Work?

Machine espresso uses precision pressure and mind-blowing filter technology to create the perfect cup of coffee. What exactly is it?

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

The Group Head

The group head is the portafilter you place in the espresso coffee makers maker when making it. It disperses the water into the portafilter and regulates the pressure during the extraction. There are numerous kinds of group heads each with its own advantages and drawbacks. Some are specifically designed for stability in temperature, while others are built to handle pre-infusion. Some are designed to control the lever. Some are a combination, such as the E61. This is a very popular choice for baristas since it provides multiple advantages in one package.

As you can see in the photo above, the group head has numerous notches that you can put your portafilter, then twist it manually to secure it. There is also a rubber gasket in the notches to help create an airtight seal when you insert your portafilter into the machine. The notches on the head permit an exact position of the portafilter which is essential to ensure a consistent extraction.

The group head is not just able to allow the portafilter to be inserted easily but also maintains a constant temperature. This is done by cycling hot water around the portafilter, and through the brew-basket, making sure that the temperature is constant for extraction. This is important, as even a small difference in temperature can mean the difference between good and great espresso.

The Pump

The motorized pumps in espresso machines that rotate provide the nine atmospheric bar pressure required for professional espresso machine for home extraction. This is different from manually operated piston machines that employ a lever. 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, although both types of machines may be damaged by excessive use and inadequate cleaning. Pumps are also more complex mechanically, which can raise prices of even simpler models.

Some best espresso maker machines can eliminate the pump entirely and utilize steam pressure to make espresso. The drawback is that the same boiler that produces steam also increases the temperature of water until it reaches boiling and can result in over-extraction. They also have to continually rebuild their pressure between cups. This takes energy and time.

Many espresso machines make use of an rotary or vibrating pump, with a vibrating model that uses a vibrating disc to create the pressure and rotating models that push hot water through the grounds under high speed. Both machines can make great espresso however rotary machines tend to be quieter, more durable and less likely to break.

The Boiler

The boiler is the component that heats the water to the ideal temperature for extraction. The steam that is produced reaches the portafilter, which contains the ground professional espresso machine for home coffee, and is then pumped down into the cup. In this process, the steam causes pressure to push through the grounds of the coffee. This results in a layer crema that is then poured over. This is a sign of a great espresso.

There are three kinds of espresso makers, which differ in the type of pump they use and the degree of heat that the brew is. There are different ways that the brew can be controlled and the size of the cup that the machine is capable of making.

The first espresso machines were steam type. They used only one boiler to make both steam and brew, however the pressure they were able to produce was not very high - two bars of atmospheric pressure, at most. The coffee tasted bitter and burnt. This is why the Milanese makers Luigi Bezzerra and Desiderio Pavoni created the modern espresso machine.

The most well-known espresso maker is a semi-automatic device that has an electric pump. These are the things people think of when they think of an espresso maker (Read More Here). If you have a semi-automatic machine you must grind the beans and tamp them yourself but the pump regulates the flow of water and pressure. This is an excellent solution that combines human control with mechanized accuracy.

The Filter

Typically, espresso machines employ filters to separate the grounds of coffee as they move through the hot water. The filter is also an important part of the temperature control system, since it helps prevent the machine from overheating.

A filter also improves flavor as it allows for a longer flowering phase. This helps the beans release their flavors and provides an opportunity for better extraction.

It is important to keep in mind that even the most efficient filter could result in a poor cup of coffee. The quality of the beans as well as the extraction, remain vital.

This is where the magic happens, and it's what makes espresso taste great. The grouphead, sometimes referred to as the brewhead, is where the portafilter (the thingy you put the ground coffee in) sits when you're making espresso.

In the steam-driven espresso machine hot water is heated in an airtight container to create steam, which then pushes the hot water through the grounds at a high pressure. These kinds of machines are generally less expensive and simpler bean to cup espresso machine maintain than pump-driven models. They are however limited in their ability 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, espresso machines powered by a compressed air compressor have become increasingly popular. They utilize an air compressor to force hot water through grounds and are significantly more portable than steam-driven electric machines.