Are you a coffee lover? Or maybe you are fond of coffee and thinking of getting an espresso machine. Well, if you are so, you are in the right place!
If you plan to buy an espresso machine, then, first of all, you need to know how the espresso machine works. And be sure the working process of this coffee-making tool is not a tough, but not an easy one either.
Well, take a breath. You do not have to go nuts thinking about the mechanism of this machine. So, I am here to guide you on how these machines work for making the perfect espresso for you!
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How Espresso Machine Works: Things to know
To know the working process of the espresso machine, you have to all the important parts this tool consist of and their working mechanism. But first of all, let’s get to know what espresso machine actually stands for.
What is an espresso machine?
You know about espresso, right? It is an Italian coffee brewing method. In this method, finely ground coffee beans are mixed with a small amount of water under pressure.
Performing this whole task manually is tiresome. So, you can have the espresso machine. This espresso machine is such a tool that makes espresso in a short time.
Now, an espresso machine has some parts that you should know about along with their function. Here is an elaborate explanation regarding the parts and their working mechanism.
1. Water and pump
Water is much needed for making espresso. So, water and pump are an important part of this machine. There is a reservoir in the machine that contains water.
You need to make a certain amount of espresso or latte daily. So, the water is reserved in the reservoir to control the quality and provide instant water to the task.
To pump the water from the reservoir, there is a pump included in the machine. For putting pressure on water, the pump is also much needed. You can say it is the heart of the machine.
Baristas do the pumping task manually but nowadays you can get electric pumps with a modern espresso machine.
2. Boilers
To get the perfect espresso, you need hot water. Here, boilers do the job. The boiler adds heat to the water to make it hot. Previously, a wood fire was used to make water boiled.
Modern espresso machines have an electric heating element to bring the water to boiling temperature. Moreover, the size of the boiler does matter. The bigger the boiler is, the more coffee you will get.
Making espresso is a difficult job and here the boiler does play a great role. So, you should not go for simple boilers as they tend to get damaged soon. Moreover, it might not help you to get the perfect shot.
3. Single boilers
The single boiler of the espresso machine is like a single tank where the water and steamed milk are kept and boiled.
If any espresso machine comes with a single boiler in it, then I would suggest you not buy that one. Because when a machine has a single boiler in it, you have to do the work twice!
The preferred temperature of steaming milk is not similar to brewing the bean’s temperature. And so, you have to do the task separately to make your espresso. If you have to work manually even after getting the machine, it is not worth the money.
4. Heating chambers
Heating chambers are individual chambers for heating the milk and water for the espresso. As we have earlier learned that you need perfectly boiled water and milk for your espresso, you should have heating chambers for these.
Heating chambers are like boilers, they also heat the water inside them. However, it has separate chambers as it is mentioned.
A boiler with heating chambers is a must when you want the best espresso machine for yourself. You will get the chance to make the perfect shot in a short time. So, why won’t you go for the one that will serve the best?
5. Port filter
A Port filter is a metal filter that holds grounded coffee in it. There are several types of port filters, among them, baristas like to use the bottomless and naked one as it is exposed and helps them to dial their grinder accurately.
This filter holds the coffee beans inside it, it helps you mix the coffee with the steamed milk and water effortlessly.
However, a port filter is not the same for all espresso machines. Some of them are different in size and shape. You should look carefully while getting the machine.
I would suggest you get something simpler and easy to handle if you are not an expert in making espresso.
6. Dual boiler
As mentioned, the dual boiler has 2 separate tanks inside it. And the espresso machine having such a dual boiler comes with separate tanks that will work individually. Each of the tanks works to heat the water for brewing and steaming respectively.
When you have the dual boiler, you do not have to wait for water temperature changing time. The two separate boilers will let you steam milk and brew at the same time.
Moreover, it is also very ideal for temperature stability. That’s because each tank can deal with the appropriate water temperature.
7. Group head
The group head indicates the front part of an espresso machine where the portafilters are locked. Pulling the espresso shot opens the valve seats. Thus the group head causes pressure. Then, the hot water gets mixed with the coffee at the portafilter. Thus, your espresso is made.
When you are going to purchase any espresso machine, you will find two options- group 1 or 2 group. It means how many parts you can pull espresso from. If you want the machine for home, you should go for a single group head.
Final Verdict
So, this is all about how the espresso machine works. I hope you did get all the information you were looking for regarding the espresso machine. Now, you know where to invest money, right?
However, this content was about the basic mechanism of an espresso machine. So, if you are not satisfied with the given information, please do not forget to go through the manual.