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Responsible For A Machine Espresso Budget? 10 Amazing Ways To Spend Your Money
How Does Machine Espresso Work?

The machine espresso is made using precision pressure, and filtering system that is awe-inspiring to create the coffee you enjoy. What exactly is it?

Espresso is produced by pushing hot water under pressure through finely-ground coffee. The process is similar to that of making drip coffee. However, the pressure is the major difference.

The Group Head

As the name suggests the group head is the place you place your portafilter while brewing espresso. It distributes water into the portafilter, and then regulates the pressure during the extraction. There are many different types of group heads each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Some are designed for stability in temperature, while others are built to handle pre-infusion. Some are designed to control the lever. Some come with a combination of both, like the E61. This is a preferred choice for baristas as it provides a variety of benefits in one package.

As you can see in the picture above the group head is equipped with several notches. It is possible to place your portafilter in these notches and then turn the head around to secure it. A rubber gasket is located within the notches to create a seal as you insert your portafilter. The notches on the head allow for an exact positioning of the portafilter which is necessary to ensure a consistent extraction.


The group head not only allows you to put in your portafilter easily however, it also keeps the same temperature. It does this by circulating hot water through the brew basket, and around the portafilter to ensure that it's always at the right temperature to extract. It is important to note that even a few degree differences can make the distinction between a great and a great espresso.

The Pump

In contrast to manual piston machines which use a lever to pressurize water, rotating espresso machines rely upon motorized pumps to provide the nine atmospheric bars of pressure required for espresso extraction. The pressure is created by drawing tap water from a reservoir and pumping it through a heat exchanger prior to being pushed through the ground coffee in the group head.

Pumps tend to be cheaper and last longer than piston-driven machines. However, both types of machines are susceptible to degrading due to overuse and inadequate cleaning. They also make mechanically complex which can result in the cost of even the simplest models.

Certain espresso machines do away with the pump completely and make use of steam pressure to make espresso. The downside is that the same boiler that produces steam also raises the temperature of the water to boiling which could lead to excessive extraction. They also have to constantly rebuild their pressure in between cups. This takes energy and time.

Many espresso machines make use of an rotary or vibrating pump, which has a vibration model using a vibrating disc to create pressure, and the rotary model pushing hot water through the grounds at high speed. Both types of machines are capable of producing excellent espresso, however Rotary machines are quieter and more durable than vibration pumps.

The Boiler

The boiler is the component which heats the water to the optimal temperature for extraction. The steam produced reaches the portafilter, which holds the espresso grounds. The steam is then channeled into the cup. The steam generates enough pressure to push the grounds of the coffee through. This results in a layer crema that is then poured over. This is a hallmark of a good espresso.

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

The first espresso machines were steam type. The earliest espresso machines were steam-type machines. This led to the coffee tasting bitter and burnt. This is why the Milanese manufacturers Luigi Bezzerra and Desiderio Pavoni invented the modern espresso machine.

The most common espresso maker is a semi-automatic one that has an electric pump. When people think of espresso machines, they picture these machines. With a semi-automatic espresso machine, you grind the beans and then tamp them by hand. The pump regulates the flow of water and pressure. This is an excellent compromise between human control and mechanized reliability.

The Filter

Typically, espresso machines use a filter to separate out the grounds of the coffee as they go through the hot water. The filter is also a vital part of the temperature control system, because it stops the machine from overheating.

It also aids in flavor as a filter can allow for a longer bloom phase. This allows the beans to release their flavors, and allows for better extraction.

However, it is important to keep in mind that even a great filter can make a terrible cup of coffee, because the quality of the beans and extraction is essential.

This is where the magic happens, it's what makes an espresso really taste good. The grouphead, sometimes referred to as the brewhead, is where the portafilter (the thing you put the ground coffee in) is placed when you're making espresso.

Steam-driven espresso machines make use of hot water that is heated inside an airtight container to create steam. The steam then pushes hot water through the grounds of coffee under high pressure. They are less expensive and easier for the user to maintain than pumps-driven models. However, they are not as efficient in their ability to provide the perfect conditions for brewing, as they only operate at 1-1.5 bars of pressure. espresso coffee maker requires 9-10 bars.

In recent years, compressed air-pump-driven espresso machines have become more popular. They use an air compressor to force hot water into the grounds and are much more portable than electric steam-driven machines.

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