10 Barista Espresso Machine Meetups You Should Attend

What to Look For in a Barista Espresso Machine

The espresso machine is among the most intricate coffee espresso machine machines in the world. It is comprised of three primary components. The bottom contains the water and the middle is the filter-basket.

This machine was a huge success and was instrumental in establishing the prosumer (home barista) espresso market. It features a 2.2L steam boiler, low pressure pre-infusion and 9 bar brewing pressure.

Pressure

If you're serious about your coffee, then you know the pressure of your espresso maker is an important factor in how well your drinks come out. The pressure of your machine is vital in brewing excellent coffee whether you're looking for a thick layer or the perfect balance of flavor and acidity.

BARs (Barometric Pressure) refer to the force exerted on the coffee grounds when your espresso machine is delivering its high-pressure water. Your espresso machine is pushing heated water through the grounds of coffee at nine times the Earth's current atmospheric pressure.

The pressure of the espresso machine is crucial because it's what allows the water to flow through the grounds of coffee at the proper speed and in the right amount. If the pressure is too low the flavors and oils that are dissolved won't be extracted properly. If the pressure is too low, the flavors and oils that are dissolved won't be extracted properly.

The pressure of your cheap espresso machine machine can be adjusted by turning the screw located on the espresso pump. Commercial machines and a few high-end home machines have the rotary pumps, which are adjustable. For the less expensive home machines that utilize a vibration motor, it's not possible to alter the pressure without hacks. Companies like Cafflano however, are developing technology that uses Pascal's Principle to ensure the pressure inside the portafilter throughout the fermentation process.

Temperature

The temperature is one of the most crucial factors to an espresso shot that is perfect. The water that is too hot can scorch the grounds of coffee, which can result in bitter espresso. The ideal extraction temperature is around 200 degrees Fahrenheit which allows the water to extract all the desirable coffee flavors without scalding the grounds or over-extracting.

The best espresso machines will feature a thermoblock, or thermocoil that is used to heat the water and keep it at a steady temperature throughout the whole extraction cycle. The Breville Barista Express, for instance, is equipped with PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) system that continuously monitors the water temperature and adjusts according to the need making sure that the brew head remains at the right temperature for extraction.

Many coffee drinkers are aware that the temperature of the espresso maker is crucial to a good cup of coffee. The ideal temperature for espresso is between 190 and 196. In order to achieve this, your espresso machine must be equipped with a reliable thermoblock or thermocoil and the boiler must be of the right size.

It is also crucial to heat your machine, portafilter and cup before making the espresso. Failure to preheat is among the most common mistakes made by novice Electric Espresso maker makers. This is why you should always read the instruction manual before using your espresso machine for the first time.

Grind

A barista espresso machine must also provide a variety grind settings for you to have the most control over the final cup of coffee. Some machines come with an analog gauge that is cool and helps you improve your brewing skills. It is recommended to maintain the pressure at nine bars throughout the process of brewing. Although this machine can't reach this mark, it's pretty close and will be able to serve you well.

Another great feature of this machine is the built-in burr grinder. This feature is perfect for novices because it doesn't mean the need for an additional grinder. The stainless steel conical grinder features 18 settings, ranging from "coarse to fine."

This grinder isn't as good as a stand-alone device, but it can get you started on the path to making excellent espresso shots. It's easy to clean and you'll be able to stop the grinder in the process of grinding to prevent accumulating a large amount of grounds in your portafilter when it is being put through the tamper.

This beautiful and functional machine lets you be a barista at your home. This is a great choice for those who wish to recall the thrill of pouring microfoam into their morning cup of coffee and locking the portafilter into the grouphead's head and tamping it with precision. For those who want convenience, a bean to cup machine could be a better option.

Water

Water is a tricky thing to master. Finding the right balance is crucial. If you're using too much, it could cause mineral deposits to build up in your machine, while too little and you'll struggle to get a rich cup of espresso.

The perfect espresso water has an alkalinity and hardness that is low level. This is best achieved using an effective water filtering system that does away with chlorine and then adds back a small amount of total dissolving solids (TDS) to add calcium and magnesium to the mix. This will ensure an optimal balance between hardness and acidity, and prevent the need to decalcify.

Using a high quality filtered water is vital for your machine's long-term health as well as the flavor of the coffee it produces. Descaling products must be regularly used based on the hardness and frequency of use of your machine. The products are available in powder, liquid and tab forms and are available at the majority of hardware stores.

The Breville Barista Express, a top-of-the-line home espresso machine designed to bring the cafe experience to your home. It offers more advanced features than other beginner machines that are designed for coffee enthusiasts who wish to perfect their technique and improve their craft. The thermocoil heating technology with integrated PID controller that is centered around the heated group head makes it easy to regulate the temperature of your coffee. This can be a huge advantage over competing entry-level models that require more time "temperature surfing" in order to pull an espresso shot that is consistent.