What to Look For in a Barista Espresso Machine
The espresso machine is one of the most intricate coffee machines available. It is comprised of three main parts. The bottom holds the water, and the middle part is a filter-basket with a metal filter.
This machine was a huge hit and helped popularize the prosumer (home barista) espresso market. Its features include a low pressure pre-infusion with a 2.2L boiler, and the brewing pressure of 9 bar espresso machine bars.
Pressure
If you're serious about your coffee, then you know the pressure of your espresso machine is an important aspect in how your drinks come out. If you're looking for a thick layer of crema, or the right balance of acidity and flavor, the pressure of your espresso maker is the most important factor in brewing great espresso.
BARs (Barometric pressure) is the amount of force that your espresso machine exerts on grounds of the coffee while delivering high-pressure water. 9 BARs mean that your espresso machine is pushing heated water through the ground coffee at a the rate of nine times the current atmospheric pressure.
The pressure of your machine is essential because it allows the water to pass through the coffee grounds at the correct speed and intensity. If the pressure is too low, the dissolved oils and flavors won't be extracted properly. On the other however, if the pressure is too high, the water will be forced through the coffee grounds too fast, and you'll end up with a weak, diluted cup of espresso.
You can regulate the pressure of your espresso maker by adjusting the screw that is attached to the espresso pump. Commercial machines and some of the top-end home appliances use pumps with rotary that can be adjusted. However, for the less expensive home machines that utilize the vibrating pump, altering the pressure is difficult without engaging in DIY hacks. However, companies such as Cafflano are working on technology that uses Pascal's Principle to create maintained pressure within the portafilter during the making process.
Temperature
The temperature is one of the most critical factors for an espresso shot that is perfect. Too hot water can burn the grounds of the coffee, leading to bitter drink. The ideal temperature for extraction is 200 degrees Fahrenheit, which allows the water to extract all the coffee's desirable flavors without scorching the grounds, or over-extracting.
The best espresso machines feature a thermoblock, or thermocoil that heats the water and keeps it at a constant temperature throughout the whole extraction process. The Breville Barista Express has a PID system (Proportional Integral Derived) that constantly monitors and adjusts the temperature of water. This ensures that the brewhead remains at the correct temperature for extraction.
The majority of coffee drinkers know that the temperature of the espresso machine is vital to brewing a great cup of coffee. The ideal temperature for espresso is between Fahrenheit between 190-196. To achieve this, you require a machine with a good thermoblock, thermocoil and a dual boiler espresso machine that is properly sized.
It is also crucial to heat up your machine or portafilter before making the espresso. Inability to heat your equipment is one of the most common errors made by novice espresso makers. This is the reason why you should always review the instruction manual before using your espresso maker for the first time.
Grind
A barista espresso machine should also have a variety of grind settings for you to have the most control over the final cup of coffee. Some machines have an analog pressure gauge, which looks cool and can help you learn about the brewing process. Ideally, you want to get around nine bars of pressure and maintain that throughout the brewing cycle. This machine is very close to reaching that goal.
A built-in burr mill is another nice touch. This is a great feature for people who are new to espresso since it eliminates the need to pay for a separate burr grinder. The stainless steel conical grinder features 18 settings that range from "coarse to fine."
This grinder isn't quite as effective as a stand-alone device, however, it's a decent start and will put you on the right track to brewing quality espresso shots. It's easy to clean and you can even pause it while grinding this will help you avoid making a mountain of grounds that spill across your portafilter as it makes its way to tamping.
This stunning and practical machine will allow you to be a barista at your home. It's an excellent choice for anyone who wants to be able to look back at the moments of pouring microfoam into your morning cup of coffee or locking a portafilter into the grouphead, and then tamping with precision. For those who want convenience, a bean-to- cup machine could be a better option.
Water
Water is a challenging thing to master. Finding the right balance is vital. Too much can cause mineral deposits to form in your machine. Too little could result in an espresso cup that is weaker.
The perfect water for espresso is low in hardness and high in alkalinity. This is best small espresso machine accomplished by using a water filter system which eliminates chlorine and brings an amount of total dissolved solids (TDS) to add calcium and magnesium to the mix. This will help you achieve the right balance between hardness and acidity and also avoid the necessity of decalcifying.
Using a high quality filtered water is vital for your machine's long-term health as well as the taste of the coffee for espresso machine it makes. Depending on the use and the hardness of your machine, you should use a descaling product on a regular schedule. They are available in powder, liquid and tab forms and are available at all hardware stores.
The Breville Barista Express, a luxury high-end home espresso machine, is designed to bring the cafe experience into your home. It is more sophisticated than other machines for beginners that are geared towards coffee lovers who want to improve their technique and perfect their craft. The thermocoil heating mechanism with an integrated PID controller mounted around the heated group head makes it easy to regulate your brewing temperature. This is an advantage over other entry-level models that require you to spend a lot of time "temperature-surfing" to get consistent espresso shots.