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How Does Machine Espresso Work?

The machine espresso is made using precise pressure and filtering technology that is amazing to create the coffee you love. But how exactly does it work?

Espresso is created by forcing hot water under high 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 that you insert when brewing espresso. It disperses water into the portafilter, and controls the pressure of the extraction. There are a variety of group heads each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Some are focused on temperature stability, others on pre-infusion options, and others are designed to control the lever. Some are a combination, such as the E61. This is a very popular choice for baristas due to the fact that it has multiple benefits in one package.

As you can see in the image above the head of the group has a number of notches. The portafilter is placed in these notches and then twist the head to secure it. There is also a gasket made of rubber that resides inside the notches and helps to create an airtight seal when you insert your portafilter into the machine. The notches allow for the precise placement of the portafilter. This is vital for an efficient extraction.

The group head does not just allow you to insert your portafilter easily but also maintains the same temperature. This is achieved by cycling hot water around the portafilter, and through the brew-basket, making sure that the temperature is constant for extraction. It is important to note that even a few degree variation can mean the difference between a decent and a excellent espresso.

The Pump

Unlike manual piston machines, which 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. The pressure is created by drawing tap water from a reservoir and pumping it through a heat exchanger prior being pushed through the ground coffee in the group head.

Pumps are generally less expensive and last for longer than piston-driven machines. However, both types of machines are susceptible to degrading due to overuse and poor cleaning. Pumps are also more complex mechanically, which can increase prices of even most basic models.

Some espresso machines do away with the pump completely and make use of steam pressure to make espresso. This could lead to over-extraction since the boiler that makes steam also warms the water to boil. The machines also need to continually rebuild their pressure between cups. This requires energy and time.

Many espresso machines use a rotary or vibration pump. A vibration model makes use of an oscillating disk to create pressure, whereas the rotary model pushes hot water through the ground at a rapid speed. Both machines can make great espresso, but rotary machines are more stable, quieter and less likely to break.

The Boiler

The boiler is what is used to heat the water to a temperature that is ideal for extraction. The resulting steam is then transferred to the portafilter, which contains the ground espresso coffee, and is then funneled down into the cup. During this process, the steam causes pressure to push through the coffee grounds. This results in a layer of crema that is then poured over. This is one of the hallmarks of a great espresso.

There are three types of espresso makers, which differ in the kind of pump they use and the degree of heat that the brew is. There are a variety of ways in which the brew can be controlled as well as the size of the cup that the machine can produce.

The first espresso machines were steam type. The first espresso machines were steam-type machines. The coffee tasted bitter and burnt. The modern espresso machine was invented by the Milanese manufacturers Luigi Bezzerra & Desiderio Pavoni.

The most common espresso machine is a semiautomatic that has an electric pump. When people think of espresso machines, they picture these machines. If you have a semi-automatic machine you grind the beans and tamp them by hand. The pump controls the flow of water and pressure. This is an excellent compromise between human touch and the mechanized accuracy.

The Filter

Espresso machines typically use a filter that separates the grounds of the coffee from the hot water. The filter is also an essential component of the machine's temperature control, as it prevents overheating.





It also enhances flavor, as it allows for a more prolonged bloom time. This allows beans to release their flavor and gives the chance 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, as well as the extraction, are still very important.

This is where the magic happens, it's the thing that makes an espresso really taste great. espresso machine with frother (also called the brewhead) is where you put the portafilter, which is the thingy that you use to put the coffee grounds in, when making espresso.

In an espresso machine that is driven by steam, hot water is heated in an airtight container to create steam, which then pushes the hot water through the grounds under high pressure. These types of machines are generally cheaper and easier to maintain than pump-driven models. They are however limited to create the perfect conditions for brewing as they only operate with 1-1.5 bar of pressure. The ideal shot requires 9-10 bars.

In recent times, espresso machines powered by compressed air-pump are becoming increasingly popular. They use an air compressor to push hot water through the ground and are more mobile than steam-driven electric espresso machines.