What to Look For in a Barista Espresso Machine

The espresso machine is one of the most complex coffee machines in the world. It is made up of three main parts. The bottom is where the water goes and the middle the filter-basket.

This machine was a major hit and helped popularize home barista espresso. Its features include a low pressure pre-infusion with the 2.2L boiler, and brewing pressure of 9 bar.

Pressure

If you're serious about your coffee, then you know the pressure of your espresso maker is an essential factor in how well your drinks taste. The pressure of your machine is essential for making great coffee, whether you're looking for a dense layer or the perfect balance of acidity and flavor.

BARs (Barometric pressure) is the force your espresso machine applies to the grounds of your coffee while delivering high-pressure water. 9 BARs means that the espresso machine is forcing heated water through the ground coffee at a 9 times the Earth's current atmospheric pressure.

The pressure of your machine is important because it allows the water to flow through coffee grounds at a proper speed and intensity. If the pressure is low, the oils and flavors will not be extracted correctly. If the pressure is too low the flavors and oils that are dissolved will not be extracted properly.

You can regulate the pressure of your espresso maker by changing the screw on the espresso maker. Commercial machines and high-end home appliances have rotating pumps that can be adjusted in pressure. For the cheaper home machines that have a vibrating motor, it is impossible to adjust the pressure with DIY hacks. Companies like Cafflano however, are developing technology which uses Pascal's Principle to ensure pressure within the portafilter throughout the beer making process.

Temperature

The temperature is one of the most critical factors for an excellent espresso shot. If the water is too hot, it could cause the coffee grounds to burn and result in an over-extracted bitter drink. The ideal extraction temperature is around 200 degrees Fahrenheit which allows the water to extract all of the desirable coffee flavors without scorching the grounds or over-extracting.

The top espresso machines come with the thermoblock, or thermocoil which heats the water and keeps it at an even temperature throughout the extraction process. The Breville Barista Express, for example, has PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) system that constantly monitors the temperature of the water and adjusts if needed to ensure that the brew head stays at the perfect temperature for extraction.

Many coffee enthusiasts know that the temperature of your espresso maker is an essential element to brewing a high-quality cup of coffee. The ideal temperature for espresso is between Fahrenheit between 190 and 196. To get this temperature, you need an espresso maker with a reliable thermoblock, thermocoil, and a boiler that is correctly sized.

It is also important to pre-heat your espresso maker or portafilter before making the espresso. Beginners often make the mistake of not preheating their machine. This is why it is important to always go through the instruction manual prior to using your espresso coffee machine home maker for the first time.

Grind

A barista espresso machine must also have a variety of grind settings to give you the most control over the final cup of coffee. Some machines come with an analog pressure gauge that looks cool and can help you learn about your brewing skills. You should aim to maintain the pressure of nine bars throughout the process of brewing. While this machine does not hit that target, it is pretty close and will serve you well.

Another great feature of this machine is its built-in burr grinder. This feature is great for novices because it doesn't mean the need to purchase a separate grinder. The grinder is a stainless steel conical device with 18 settings from "coarse" to "fine."

The grinder isn't as effective as a standalone unit, but it's an excellent start and will have you on the path to creating quality espresso shots. It's easy to clean and you can stop the grinder in the process of grinding to avoid creating a mountainous amount of grounds on your portafilter while it is being tamped.

This gorgeous and practical machine will let you experience being a barista in your own home. It's an excellent choice for anyone who wants to be able to look back on the memories of pouring microfoam into their morning cup of joe or locking a portafilter into the grouphead, and tamping with precision. A bean-to-cup machine is a great option for those who want convenience.

Water

Water can be a tricky thing to master. Finding the right balance is vital. Too much can cause mineral deposits to form inside your machine. Too little could result in an espresso that is weaker.

The perfect water for espresso is low in hardness and high in alkalinity. This can be achieved with an water filter system that removes chlorine and puts back a small amount of total dissolving solids (TDS) to add some calcium and magnesium to the mix. This will give you a good balance between acidity and hardness and avoid the need to decalcify.

Using high-quality filtered water is vital to your machine's long term health as well as the flavor of the coffee it makes. Depending on the use and hardness of your machine, you should use a descaling product on a regular basis. They are available in liquid, powder and tab forms and are available at all hardware stores.

The Breville Barista Express, a top-of-the-line home espresso machine, is designed to bring the café experience to your home. It has more advanced features in comparison to other machines for beginners, and is targeted at coffee enthusiasts who want refine their techniques and perfect their craft. The thermocoil heater with an integrated PID controller centered on the group head which is heated continuously, makes it easy to control your brewing temperature. This is an enormous benefit over other models that require more time "temperature surfing" to ensure a consistent espresso.