How Does Machine Espresso Work?
Machine espresso makes use of precise pressure and incredible filter technology to produce the coffee we love. But how exactly does it work?
Espresso is made by forcing hot water under pressure through finely ground coffee. The process is similar to that of making drip coffee. However, the pressure is the primary difference.
The Head of the Group
The group head is the portafilter that you place in the espresso maker when making it. It disperses water into the portafilter, and regulates the pressure of extraction. There are numerous kinds of group heads, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some are designed to provide stability of temperature while others are built to handle pre-infusion. Others are made to control the lever. There are also some that have a combination of features, such as the E61 one, which is the classic choice among many baristas due to its capacity to offer multiple perks in one package.
As you can see in the image above, the group head has several notches to put your portafilter, then twist it by hand to lock it in. There is also a gasket made from rubber in the notches and helps create a seal when you insert your portafilter into the machine. The notches on the head permit a precise position of the portafilter which is necessary for an even extraction.
In addition to allowing you easily place your portafilter in, the group head is also responsible to maintain an even temperature. This is achieved by cycling hot water around the portafilter, and through the brew-basket, ensuring that the temperature is always at the right level for extraction. It is important to note that even a slight difference can make the difference between a great and a excellent travel espresso maker.
The Pump
Unlike manual piston machines, which rely on a lever to pressurize water, the rotary espresso machines use motorized pumps to supply the nine atmospheric bars of pressure that are required to extract espresso. The pressure is created by removing tap water from a reservoir, and pumping it through a heat exchanger prior to being pushed through the ground coffee inside the group head.
Pumps tend to be cheaper than piston-driven machines, and tend to last longer, however both types of machines can get damaged through overuse and lack of cleaning. Pumps are also more complicated mechanically, and can add to the cost of even simplest models.
Some espresso machines can eliminate the pump completely and use steam pressure to brew italian espresso machine. This can result in over-extraction because the boiler that makes steam also heats the water until it comes to a boil. The machines also need to constantly rebuild their pressure in between cups. This requires energy and time.
A majority of espresso machines use either a rotary or vibration pump, which is a vibration model using a vibrating disc to create the pressure and an rotary model that pushes hot water through the grounds at high speed. Both machines produce great espresso but rotary machines are quieter, more durable and less likely to break.
The Boiler
The boiler is the component which heats the water to the optimal temperature for extraction. The resulting steam reaches the portafilter, which contains the ground espresso and is then pumped into the cup. During this process the steam creates enough pressure to push the grounds of coffee through. This results in a layer of crema that is then poured over. This is one of the hallmarks of a good espresso.
There are three kinds of espresso makers, which differ in the type of pump they use and the degree of heat that the brew is. There are also different ways in which the brew can be controlled and the dimensions of the cup the maker can create.
The first espresso machines were steam-type. They utilized one boiler to make steam and brew, but the pressure they could create was minimal - two bars of atmospheric pressure, at most. The coffee tasted bitter and burnt. The modern espresso machine was developed by the Milanese producers Luigi Bezzerra & Desiderio Pavoni.
The most well-known espresso machine is a semiautomatic that has an electric pump. These are what people imagine when they imagine an espresso machine. Semi-automatic machines require you to grind and tamp your beans yourself however the pump controls the flow of water and pressure. This is a great compromise between the human touch and mechanized consistency.
The Filter
Espresso machines typically have filters that separate the grounds of the coffee from hot water. The filter is also a vital component of the machine's temperature control, as it helps prevent overheating.
It also aids in flavor, as a filter allows for a more prolonged bloom time. This helps the beans to let their nuances out and provides an opportunity for better extraction.
It is important to remember that even the finest filter can make a bad cup of coffee. The quality of the beans and the extraction process are still very important.
This is where the magic happens, it's the thing that makes an espresso really taste great. The grouphead, also referred to as the brewhead, is where the portafilter (the thingy you put the ground coffee for espresso machine in) is placed when you're making espresso.
Steam-driven espresso machines use hot water heated in an airtight vessel to create steam. The steam then pushes hot water through grounds of coffee under high pressure. These types of machines tend to be less expensive and easier to maintain than pump-driven models. However, they are limited in their ability to provide the perfect conditions for brewing, because they operate at 1-1.5 bars of pressure. However, the perfect shot requires 9-10 bar.
In recent years, compressed-air-pump-driven espresso machines have become more popular. They use an air compressor to force hot water through the ground, and are more mobile than electric espresso maker steam-driven espresso machines.
Machine espresso makes use of precise pressure and incredible filter technology to produce the coffee we love. But how exactly does it work?Espresso is made by forcing hot water under pressure through finely ground coffee. The process is similar to that of making drip coffee. However, the pressure is the primary difference.
The Head of the Group
The group head is the portafilter that you place in the espresso maker when making it. It disperses water into the portafilter, and regulates the pressure of extraction. There are numerous kinds of group heads, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some are designed to provide stability of temperature while others are built to handle pre-infusion. Others are made to control the lever. There are also some that have a combination of features, such as the E61 one, which is the classic choice among many baristas due to its capacity to offer multiple perks in one package.
As you can see in the image above, the group head has several notches to put your portafilter, then twist it by hand to lock it in. There is also a gasket made from rubber in the notches and helps create a seal when you insert your portafilter into the machine. The notches on the head permit a precise position of the portafilter which is necessary for an even extraction.
In addition to allowing you easily place your portafilter in, the group head is also responsible to maintain an even temperature. This is achieved by cycling hot water around the portafilter, and through the brew-basket, ensuring that the temperature is always at the right level for extraction. It is important to note that even a slight difference can make the difference between a great and a excellent travel espresso maker.
The Pump
Unlike manual piston machines, which rely on a lever to pressurize water, the rotary espresso machines use motorized pumps to supply the nine atmospheric bars of pressure that are required to extract espresso. The pressure is created by removing tap water from a reservoir, and pumping it through a heat exchanger prior to being pushed through the ground coffee inside the group head.
Pumps tend to be cheaper than piston-driven machines, and tend to last longer, however both types of machines can get damaged through overuse and lack of cleaning. Pumps are also more complicated mechanically, and can add to the cost of even simplest models.
Some espresso machines can eliminate the pump completely and use steam pressure to brew italian espresso machine. This can result in over-extraction because the boiler that makes steam also heats the water until it comes to a boil. The machines also need to constantly rebuild their pressure in between cups. This requires energy and time.
A majority of espresso machines use either a rotary or vibration pump, which is a vibration model using a vibrating disc to create the pressure and an rotary model that pushes hot water through the grounds at high speed. Both machines produce great espresso but rotary machines are quieter, more durable and less likely to break.
The Boiler
The boiler is the component which heats the water to the optimal temperature for extraction. The resulting steam reaches the portafilter, which contains the ground espresso and is then pumped into the cup. During this process the steam creates enough pressure to push the grounds of coffee through. This results in a layer of crema that is then poured over. This is one of the hallmarks of a good espresso.
There are three kinds of espresso makers, which differ in the type of pump they use and the degree of heat that the brew is. There are also different ways in which the brew can be controlled and the dimensions of the cup the maker can create.
The first espresso machines were steam-type. They utilized one boiler to make steam and brew, but the pressure they could create was minimal - two bars of atmospheric pressure, at most. The coffee tasted bitter and burnt. The modern espresso machine was developed by the Milanese producers Luigi Bezzerra & Desiderio Pavoni.
The most well-known espresso machine is a semiautomatic that has an electric pump. These are what people imagine when they imagine an espresso machine. Semi-automatic machines require you to grind and tamp your beans yourself however the pump controls the flow of water and pressure. This is a great compromise between the human touch and mechanized consistency.
The Filter
Espresso machines typically have filters that separate the grounds of the coffee from hot water. The filter is also a vital component of the machine's temperature control, as it helps prevent overheating.
It also aids in flavor, as a filter allows for a more prolonged bloom time. This helps the beans to let their nuances out and provides an opportunity for better extraction.
It is important to remember that even the finest filter can make a bad cup of coffee. The quality of the beans and the extraction process are still very important.
This is where the magic happens, it's the thing that makes an espresso really taste great. The grouphead, also referred to as the brewhead, is where the portafilter (the thingy you put the ground coffee for espresso machine in) is placed when you're making espresso.
Steam-driven espresso machines use hot water heated in an airtight vessel to create steam. The steam then pushes hot water through grounds of coffee under high pressure. These types of machines tend to be less expensive and easier to maintain than pump-driven models. However, they are limited in their ability to provide the perfect conditions for brewing, because they operate at 1-1.5 bars of pressure. However, the perfect shot requires 9-10 bar.
In recent years, compressed-air-pump-driven espresso machines have become more popular. They use an air compressor to force hot water through the ground, and are more mobile than electric espresso maker steam-driven espresso machines.
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