14 Cartoons On Machine Espresso That'll Brighten Your Day

How Does Machine Espresso Work?

The machine espresso is made using precision pressure, and a filter technology that is awe-inspiring to create the coffee you enjoy. What exactly does it work?

To make espresso hot water is pushed under pressure through finely ground coffee. The process is similar to making drip coffee. However the pressure is the primary difference.

The Group Head

As the name implies, the group head is the place you insert your portafilter when brewing espresso. It is responsible for dispersing the water into the portafilter and controlling the pressure of the resulting extraction. There are a variety of types of group head, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Some are designed to provide temperature stability while others are designed to handle pre-infusion. Others are made to control the lever. Some include a combination like the E61. This is a popular choice among baristas due to the fact that it has multiple benefits in a single package.


As coffee espresso machines can see in the picture above the group head is fitted with several notches. You place your portafilter in these notches and then twist the head to secure it. There is also a rubber gasket that is a part of the notches and helps create the seal when you insert your portafilter into the machine. The notches allow for the precise placement of the portafilter. This is crucial for an even extraction.

In addition to allowing you easily insert your portafilter, the group head is responsible for maintaining a consistent 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 for extraction. This is vital, because just a few degrees could make the difference between good and excellent espresso.

The Pump

The motorized pumps in espresso machines that rotate provide the nine atmospheric bar pressure needed for espresso extraction. This is different from manual piston machines that use a lever. This pressure is built up by pumping water through a heat exchanger and then through the ground coffee.

Pumps are generally cheaper and last longer than piston-driven machines. However, both kinds of machines can deteriorate because of frequent use and inadequate cleaning. They also create mechanical complexity and can lead to the cost of even the most basic models.

Some espresso machines use steam pressure instead of a pump in order to brew espresso. This can lead to over-extraction as the boiler that makes steam also warms the water to boil. The machines must also constantly rebuild their pressure between cups. This requires energy and time.

A majority of espresso machines use a vibration or rotary pump, with a vibrating model using a rotating disc that generates the pressure and an rotary model that pushes hot water through the grounds under high speed. Both models can make excellent espresso, however the rotary models are quieter and more durable than vibration pumps.

The Boiler

The boiler heats the water to a temperature that is ideal to extract. The steam that is created will eventually reach the portafilter, which contains the espresso coffee grounds. The steam is then channeled into the cup. The steam creates enough pressure to push the grounds of the coffee through. This results in a crema on the top of the espresso. This is the hallmark of a good espresso.

There are three types of espresso machines, each with a different type of pump and brew temperature. There are various ways to control the strength of the brew and the size of the cup that can be produced by the machine.

The first espresso machines were steam-type. They used one boiler to create both steam and brew, but the pressure they could generate was low - only two bars of atmospheric pressure at the most. The coffee tasted bitter and burnt. This is why Milanese producers Luigi Bezzerra and Desiderio Pavoni developed the modern espresso machine.

The most commonly used espresso machine is a semiautomatic one with an electric pump. These are the images people have when they imagine an espresso machine. With a semi-automatic espresso machine, you have to grind the beans and tamp them by hand, but the pump provides regulated water flow and pressure. This is an excellent compromise between human touch and mechanized quality.

The Filter

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

It also improves flavor, as it can allow for a longer bloom phase. This helps the beans to release their nuances and gives an opportunity for a better extraction.

It is important to keep in mind that even the most efficient filter can make a bad cup of coffee. The quality of the beans and the extraction, are still very important.

It's here that the magic happens. This is what makes espresso taste so delicious. The grouphead, also called the brew head, is the place where the portafilter (the thingy you put the ground coffee into) is placed when you're making espresso.

Steam-driven espresso machines make use of hot water that is heated in an airtight container to create steam. The steam then pushes hot water through the grounds of the coffee under pressure. These kinds of machines are generally cheaper and easier to maintain than pump-driven models. However, they are not as efficient in their ability to create the perfect brewing conditions as they only 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 utilize an air compressor to push hot water into the grounds and are significantly more portable than steam-driven electric machines.

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Pub: 08 Apr 2024 16:34 UTC
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