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How Does Machine Espresso Work?

Machine espresso employs precise pressure and incredible filter technology to produce the delicious coffee we enjoy. What exactly is it that makes it work?

Espresso is produced by pushing hot water at high pressure through finely ground coffee. The process is similar to making drip coffee but the major difference is in the pressure.

The Head of the Group

The group head is the portafilter that you insert when brewing espresso. It disperses water in the portafilter, and regulates the pressure during the extraction. There are a variety of group heads each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some are designed to provide the stability of temperature while some are built to handle pre-infusion. Some are designed to control the lever. There are some that contain a variety of features, such as the E61 one, which is the most popular choice among baristas due to its ability to offer multiple benefits in one package.

As you can see in the above photo the group head comes with numerous notches that you can put your portafilter, then twist it by hand to secure it. There is also a gasket made of rubber in the notches to help create the seal when you insert your portafilter into the machine. The notches permit the precise placement of the portafilter. This is crucial for an efficient extraction.

Aside from allowing you to easily place your portafilter in, the group head is also responsible to ensure that the temperature remains even. This is accomplished by cycling hot water around the portafilter, and through the brew-basket, making sure the temperature is always right for extraction. espresso coffee machines for sale is important to realize that even a few degree difference can make the difference between a good and a excellent espresso.

The Pump

In contrast to piston machines that are manually operated, which use a lever to pressurize water, rotary espresso machines rely on motorized pumps to deliver the nine atmospheric bars of pressure that are required to extract espresso. This pressure is built up 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 become damaged due to excessive use and poor cleaning. Pumps are also more complicated mechanically, and can add to the cost of even the simple models.

Some espresso machines can eliminate the pump completely and make use of steam pressure to make espresso. This can lead to over-extraction as the boiler that produces steam also causes the water to boil. They also have to continually rebuild their pressure between cups. This takes energy and time.

A majority of espresso machines use an rotary or vibrating pump, with a vibration model using a rotating disc to create pressure, and a rotary model pushing hot water through the grounds under high speed. Both machines can produce excellent espresso but rotary machines are more quiet, durable and less likely to fail.

The Boiler

The boiler is the one that makes the water warm to a temperature that is ideal for extraction. The resulting steam is then transferred to the portafilter that contains the ground espresso coffee and is then pumped down into the cup. The steam creates 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 good espresso.

There are three distinct types of espresso machines, each having different types of pumps and the temperature of the brew. There are various ways that the brew may be controlled as well as the size of the cup that the machine can make.

The first espresso machines were steam-type. They had one boiler to create both steam and brew however the pressure they were able to generate was low - only two bars of atmospheric pressure at most. The coffee tasted bitter and burnt. The modern espresso machine was created by the Milanese manufacturers Luigi Bezzerra & Desiderio Pavoni.

The most well-known espresso machine is a semiautomatic with an electric pump. These are the things people think of when they think of an espresso maker. If you have a semi-automatic machine you grind the beans and then tamp them by hand, but the pump controls the flow of water and pressure. This is a great compromise between the human touch and the mechanized consistency.

The Filter

Typically, espresso machines have a filter to separate out the coffee grounds as they pass through the hot water. The filter is also a crucial component of the temperature control system, because it stops the machine from overheating.

A filter also improves flavor as it allows for an extended flowering time. This helps the beans to release their flavors and provides an opportunity for a better extraction.

However it is crucial to keep in mind that even a good filter can produce a bad cup of coffee as the quality of the beans and extraction is still crucial.


It's in this area that the magic takes place. This is the reason why espresso tastes so good. The grouphead (also called the brewhead) is where you place the portafilter, the thingy that you use to put the grounds of coffee into when making espresso.

In a steam-driven espresso machine, hot water is heated in an airtight container to create steam. Steam then pushes the hot water through the grounds at a high pressure. These machines are cheaper and easier to maintain than pumps-driven models. However, they are limited in their ability to create the ideal brewing conditions, because they operate at 1-1.5 bars of pressure. However, the perfect shot requires 9-10 bars.

In recent times, espresso machines powered by compressed air-pump have become increasingly popular. They utilize an air compressor to push hot water into the grounds and are significantly more portable than electric steam-driven machines.

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