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How Does Machine Espresso Work?

The machine espresso uses precision pressure, and filtering technology that is amazing 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. However, the pressure is the major difference.

The Head of the Group

The group head is the portafilter you insert when brewing espresso. It is responsible for dispersing the water into the portafilter, and controlling the pressure of the resulting extraction. There are numerous kinds of group heads, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some are focused on temperature stability, whereas others on pre-infusion capabilities, and still others are designed to control the lever. Some contain a variety of features, such as the E61, which is the most popular choice among baristas due to its ability to offer multiple perks in one package.

As you can see in the above image the group head is made up of several notches to place your portafilter before twisting it with your hands to secure it. There is also a gasket of rubber in the notches to help create the seal when you insert your portafilter into the machine. The notches on the head allow for a precise position of the portafilter which is vital to ensure an efficient extraction.

The group head not only allows you to put in your portafilter easily but also maintains a constant temperature. It does this by cycling hot water through the brew container and around the portafilter, ensuring that it is always at the right temperature to extract. This is vital, because even a few degrees can mean the difference between good and excellent espresso.

The Pump

In contrast to piston machines that are manually operated, that use a lever to pressurize water, Rotary espresso machines rely on motorized pumps to supply the nine atmospheric bars of pressure required to extract espresso. This pressure builds up by removing tap water from a reservoir and pumping it through a heat exchanger prior to being pumped through the ground coffee in the group head.

Pumps tend to be cheaper than piston-driven machines, and they tend to last longer, but both types of machine can be damaged by excessive use and inadequate cleaning. Pumps are also more complicated mechanically, which can raise the price of even the simple models.

Certain espresso machines eliminate the pump entirely and use steam pressure to brew espresso. The disadvantage of this is that the boiler that produces steam also raises the temperature of the water to the point of boiling and can result in excessive extraction. In addition these machines are often required to rebuild their pressure between cups, which takes time and energy.

Many espresso machines use the rotary or vibration pump. A vibration model utilizes the vibrating disk to create pressure, whereas a circular model pushes hot liquid through the ground at a fast speed. Both types of machines are capable of producing excellent espresso, however the rotary pumps are quieter, and more durable than vibration pumps.

The Boiler

The boiler heats the water to a temperature that is ideal for extraction. The resultant steam then reaches the portafilter containing the ground espresso coffee and is then pumped down into the cup. The steam creates pressure and pushes through the coffee grounds. espresso coffee machines www.coffeee.uk results in a crema on the top of the espresso. This is one of the hallmarks of a great espresso.

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

The first espresso machines were steam-type. They utilized one boiler to create both brew and steam, but the pressure they could produce was not very high - two bars of atmospheric pressure maximum. The coffee tasted bitter and burnt. The modern espresso machine was designed by the Milanese makers Luigi Bezzerra & Desiderio Pavoni.





The most common espresso machine is a semiautomatic with an electric pump. This is what people envision when they think of an espresso machine. If you have a semi-automatic machine you have to grind the beans and then tamp them by hand. However, the pump provides regulated water flow and pressure. This is a great compromise between the human touch and the mechanized consistency.

The Filter

Espresso machines typically use a filter that separates the grounds of coffee from hot water. The filter is also a crucial element of the temperature control system, as it prevents the machine from overheating.

A filter can also help with flavor as it allows for a longer flowering phase. This helps the beans release their flavors and provides an opportunity for better extraction.

However, it is important to keep in mind that even a high-quality filter could result in a bad cup of coffee as the quality of the beans and extraction are crucial.

This is where the magic happens. It's what makes espresso taste good. The grouphead, often referred to as the brew head, is the place where the portafilter (the container you place the coffee grounds into) sits 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. Steam is then pushed through the grounds at a high pressure. These kinds of machines are usually cheaper and easier to maintain than pump-driven models. They are however limited to create the ideal conditions for brewing as they only operate with 1-1.5 bar of pressure. The ideal shot requires 9-10 bars.

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