The espresso machine is used  of any serious coffee house. The ability to craft the perfect shot of espresso, ristretto, lungo, or cappuccino opens up a world of delicious drinks and possibilities. Espresso is around 95% water, so the quality of your brewing water can make or break your results. Using high quality water, regularly cleaning your machine, and taking the time to learn the art of espresso making will help ensure that you get the best results possible out of your espresso machine.

In order to force water through tightly packed grounds and create an espresso, machines need pressure – typically 9 bars of pressure (roughly 130 psi) or more. For this reason, many of the early espresso machines used pistons attached to large levers that were pulled manually to generate the necessary pressure. More recently, pump-driven machines have replaced the manual piston design. The motor on a pump-driven espresso machine uses an electric pump to generate the high levels of pressure needed for extraction. These pumps can be powered either by a cold water line, commonly found in commercial installations, or by a tank of hot water, often the case for residential espresso machines.

Elevate Your Coffee Service: Choosing the Perfect 3-Group Espresso Machine for Your Business

Another advancement is the dual boiler machine. These machines use a separate hot water boiler for steaming and the water that is used to brew espresso. This allows for a greater level of control over the temperature of the coffee and steaming water.