11 Ways To Completely Sabotage Your Machine Espresso

How Does Machine Espresso Work?

The machine espresso makes use of precision pressure, and a filter technology that is awe-inspiring to make the coffee you love. What exactly does it work?

In order to make espresso hot water is pushed under pressure through finely ground coffee. The process is similar to making drip coffee, but the major difference is in the pressure.

The Group Head

As the name suggests, the group head is the place you place your portafilter when making espresso. It distributes water into the portafilter, and then regulates the pressure of extraction. There are many different types of group heads each with its own advantages and drawbacks. Some are focused on temperature stability, some on pre-infusion features, and others are designed to control the lever. Some include a combination like the E61. This is a popular choice among baristas because it offers multiple advantages in one package.

As you can see in the picture above the group head is equipped with several notches. You place your portafilter in these notches and then twist the head to lock it. There is also a gasket of rubber which is located inside the notches and helps to create a seal when you insert your portafilter into the machine. The notches permit an exact placement of the portafilter. This is essential for an even extraction.

The group head not only allows you to insert your portafilter easily but also maintains a constant temperature. This is achieved by cycling hot water around the portafilter, and through the brew basin, ensuring the temperature is always right for extraction. This is important because even a few degrees can make the difference between a good and great espresso.

The Pump

Unlike manual piston machines, that use a lever to pressurize water, rotary espresso machines rely on motorized pumps to supply the nine atmospheric bars of pressure necessary to extract espresso. The pressure is created by pumping water through a heat-exchanger and then through the ground coffee.

Pumps are generally less expensive than piston-driven machines and tend to last longer, although both types of machine can degrade with overuse and insufficient cleaning. Pumps are also more complicated mechanically, which can raise the cost of even the most basic models.

Some espresso machines use steam pressure instead of a pump for brewing espresso. The drawback is that the boiler that produces steam also raises the temperature of the water to boiling which can cause over-extraction. They also have to continuously rebuild their pressure between cups. This requires energy and time.

A majority of espresso machines utilize the rotary or vibration pump. A vibration model utilizes the vibrating disk to create pressure, while the rotating model pushes hot water through the ground at high speed. Both types of machines can make a great espresso, however Rotary machines are quieter and more durable than vibration pumps.

The Boiler

The boiler is the part that heats water to the ideal temperature for extraction. The resulting steam is then transferred to the portafilter containing the ground espresso coffee, and is then funneled down into the cup. During this process, steam creates pressure that pushes through the coffee grounds. This creates a layer crema that is then poured over. This is one of the hallmarks of a good espresso.

There are three types of espresso machines, each having distinct pumps and the temperature of the brew. There are different ways to control the strength of the brew and the size of the cup that can be produced by the machine.

The earliest espresso machines were steam types. The first espresso machines were steam types. This led to the coffee tasting bitter and burnt. This is the reason why Milanese producers Luigi Bezzerra and Desiderio Pavoni invented the modern espresso machine.

The most well-known espresso maker is a semi-automatic device with an electric Espresso Maker pump. This is what people envision when they imagine an espresso machine. With a semi-automatic machine you need to grind the beans and tamp them by hand, but the pump controls the flow of water and pressure. This is an excellent compromise between human touch and the mechanised consistency.

The Filter

Typically, espresso machines utilize filters to separate the grounds of the coffee as they go through the hot water. The filter is also a vital element of the temperature control system, because it stops the machine from overheating.

It also improves flavor, as a filter can allow for a longer bloom phase. This allows beans to let their nuances out and provides an opportunity for better extraction.

It is important to keep in mind that even the finest filter can produce a bad cup of coffee. The quality of the beans and the extraction, remain vital.

It's in this area that the magic takes place. This is what makes espresso taste so good. The grouphead, often called the brew head, is where the portafilter (the device you put the ground coffee into) is placed when you're making espresso.

In an espresso machine that is driven by steam, hot water is heated in an airtight container to create steam, which is then pushed through the grounds under high pressure. These machines are less expensive and easier to maintain than pumps-driven models. However, they are not as efficient in their ability to produce the perfect conditions for brewing, since they are only operating at 1-1.5 bars of pressure. However, the perfect shot requires 9 bar espresso machine-10 bars.

In recent years, compressed-air-pump-driven espresso machines have become more popular. They use an air-compressor to force hot water into the ground and are more mobile than electric steam-driven espresso machines.