10 Machine Espresso Meetups You Should Attend

How Does Machine Espresso Work?

Machine espresso utilizes precise pressure and mind-blowing filter technology to make the delicious coffee we enjoy. How exactly does it work?

To make an espresso, 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 primary difference.

The Group Head

As the name suggests the group head is the place you place your portafilter when brewing cheap espresso machine. It is responsible for dispersing the water into the portafilter and then controlling the pressure of the extraction. There are many different types of group heads each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Some are focused on temperature stability, others on pre-infusion capabilities, while others are designed to control the lever. Some have a combination, Keep Reading like the E61. This is a very popular choice for baristas since it provides multiple advantages in one package.

As you can see from the picture above the group head is fitted with several notches. The portafilter is placed into these notches and twist the head to secure it. A gasket made of rubber is placed inside the notches, which helps create a seal while you insert your portafilter. The notches permit precise placement of your portafilter. This is crucial for an accurate extraction.

Aside from allowing you to easily insert your portafilter, the group head is responsible to ensure that the temperature remains even. 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. This is crucial, since even a few degrees can mean the difference between good and great espresso.

The Pump

In contrast to piston machines that are manually operated, which use a lever to pressurize water, rotating espresso machines rely upon motorized pumps to deliver the nine atmospheric bars of pressure necessary for espresso extraction. The pressure is created by pumping water through a heat exchanger and then through the ground coffee.

Pumps tend to be cheaper and last longer than piston-driven machines. However, both kinds of machines may degrade because of frequent use and poor cleaning. Pumps are also more complicated mechanically, which can raise the price of even the simple models.

Certain espresso machines eliminate the pump completely and utilize steam pressure to make espresso. This can lead to over-extraction as the boiler that produces steam also heats the water to boil. These machines also have to continuously rebuild their pressure between cups. This requires energy and time.

A majority of espresso machines use an rotary or vibrating pump, which is a vibration model that uses a vibrating disc to create the pressure, and a rotary model pushing hot water through the grounds at high speed. Both machines produce great espresso however rotary machines tend to be more stable, quieter and less likely to fail.

The Boiler

The boiler is what makes the water warm to the right temperature to extract. The steam that is produced is then directed to the portafilter, which is the container that holds the espresso coffee grounds. It is then poured into the cup. During this process the steam generates enough pressure to push the grounds of the coffee through. This results in a layer of crema on top. This is one of the hallmarks of a good espresso.

There are three types of espresso coffee machine home makers. They differ in the type of pump they use and the degree of heat that the espresso is. There are a variety of ways that the brew may be controlled, as well as the dimensions of the cup the machine can produce.

The earliest espresso machines were steam type. The earliest espresso machines were steam types. The coffee machines espresso tasted bitter and burnt. The modern travel espresso maker (a cool way to improve) machine was designed by the Milanese manufacturers Luigi Bezzerra & Desiderio Pavoni.

The most popular espresso machine is a semiautomatic with an electric pump. When people think of espresso machines, they imagine these machines. Semi-automatic machines require you to grind and tamp the beans on your own however the pump controls the flow of water and pressure. This is an excellent solution that combines human control with mechanized reliability.

The Filter

Espresso machines usually have a filter that separates the grounds of the coffee from hot water. The filter is also a crucial component of the temperature control system, as it keeps the machine from overheating.

It also helps with flavor, as a filter can allow for a longer bloom phase. This lets the beans release their flavors, and also allows for better extraction.

However, it is important to remember that even a good filter can produce a bad cup of coffee, since the quality of the beans and extraction is essential.

This is where the magic happens, and it's what makes an espresso really taste good. The grouphead (also called the brewhead) is where you place the portafilter - the thingy that you put the grounds of coffee into when making espresso.

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 at high pressure. These machines are less expensive and easier to maintain than pumps-driven models. However, they are not as efficient in their capacity to create the ideal conditions for brewing since they are only operating at 1-1.5 bars of pressure, while the perfect shot requires 9-10 bars.

In recent years, compressed air-pump-driven espresso machines have been gaining popularity. They use an air compressor to force hot water through the grounds, and are far more portable than electric steam-driven machines.