Important Parts of an Espresso Machine

A top espresso machine can produce a shot of coffee with a firm body with a rich flavor, as well as an strong aroma. This requires high temperature and pressure.

You must also pay attention to the crema, which is a golden brown layer that gives the espresso its distinctive color and taste. There are four primary kinds of espresso machines: manual, semi-automatic, automatic and super-automatic.

Water reservoir

The reservoir of water is the container that houses the cold, filtered water that is fed to the espresso machine. It is usually movable, and has a lid to keep the water clean and free of dust. It is a vital component of an espresso machine and must be kept clean to prevent the clogging. Pour vinegar into the reservoir to clean it. Allow it to run for a few minutes.

The espresso machine makes use of water to pressurize coffee grounds to extract flavors, oils and caffeine. It also produces crema, the foam. Achille Gaggia was the inventor of the first espresso machines, which employed pistons and levers to create high-pressure coffee machines espresso. Gaggia's spring-piston levers moved the water through the coffee and into the cup, introducing new terms for what people referred to as "coffee cream" (crema).

The pump is an electric device that allows the water to flow through the heating element to heat it up to the ideal brewing temperature of 195 degrees Fahrenheit. It is typically located at the bottom of the machine, and is connected to a tube that goes through the heating element. The tube is connected at the other end to hot-water and cold-water tubes. It also goes under the heating element resistive, that is covered with white grease to keep the plate warm.

Pump

The pump is what makes an espresso machines work and there are many kinds. Some machines employ a vibration pump or a vibratory pump that makes use of an electromagnetic motor to move between the sides of a coil at 60 pushes per sec. The pump then pushes water through the portafilter and out of the spouts. Some pumps utilize a heating system called the thermoblock, or thermocoil, to heat the water precisely to the temperature that is required for brewing. These systems allow for the control of water temperature and pressure, both of which are important for a quality extraction.

Pump-driven espresso machines may employ a piston, spring or electric pump. However, all require that water be pumped through the coffee grounds at high pressure. The higher the pressure, the more flavorful the extraction. The pump helps ensure that the coffee grounds are evenly distributed, which helps produce a good crema.

Other kinds of espresso machines are piston-driven or steam-driven. In a steam-driven machine, the water is pushed through the best ground Coffee for espresso machine coffee by using steam pressure. This kind of espresso machine is less expensive, but doesn't produce enough pressure for extraction. There are also air pump-driven machine espresso's ability to keep the temperature at a constant level is impressive. It can maintain a consistent temperature of 194deg to 208deg F throughout the entire brewing process. This allows for perfect aroma extraction and guarantees an exact, high-quality cup each time.