Types of espresso machines that you need to know about!

E61 brew head

E61 is the name of an espresso machine launched in 1961 by the Italian company Faema. This machine initiated a new era of espresso machines. E61 was not only the first machine with a heat exchanger, which meant that fresh water was used to make espresso instead of boiler water. It was also the first to integrate a pump to create pressure instead of using a manually operated lever. E61 is legendary for its brew group that weighs between 4 and 5 kg. E61 is made of solid brass. The thermosyphon system constantly circulates hot water through the brew group, keeping it continuously heated and providing a stable temperature. The significance of the E61 brew group is the mechanism in the brew head that allows for saturating the puck before brewing. Through this pre-infusion process, the brewing water is slowly and gently directed into the portafilter. All this is regulated by a pre-infusion cylinder in the brew head that allows the pressure to rise slowly. The result is a perfect espresso.

Double boiler

A machine with dual boiler has one boiler used for brewing coffee and another for steam and hot water. Both boilers are independent of each other, and with the help of a PID for each boiler, the temperatures of the boilers can be regulated separately. The brew boiler is usually smaller than the boiler for steam and hot water. The reason the steam and hot water boiler is larger is that its contents are consumed much faster than the brew boiler since the temperature in the steam boiler is much higher. An espresso machine with dual boilers is more temperature stable compared to an espresso machine with a heat exchanger because you can regulate the two boilers separately.

Advantage: Can froth milk and brew simultaneously. You have full control over the brewing temperature and steam temperature separately with PID. Can produce a larger amount of coffee compared to a heat exchanger.

Disadvantage: More expensive than a heat exchanger

Recommended espresso machine: Profitec Pro 600, Rocket R Cinquantotto

Heat exchanger

An espresso machine with a heat exchanger means that it has two water circulation systems. Since the boiler is not completely filled with water, steam can be created at the top of the boiler. During brewing, the machine circulates fresh water through the large boiler where it is heated to the optimal brewing temperature and then directed to the brew group and down to the coffee puck. Thus, fresh water is always used to brew espresso. As an E61 group constantly circulates the brewing water through the brew head, you get very temperature-stable brewing water. When frothing milk, the steam that has previously been in the upper part of the boiler is released and the steam pressure is built up again

Advantage: Cheaper than espresso machines with double boilers and can froth milk and brew simultaneously.

Disadvantage: Less control over brewing temperature (except heat exchangers with PID) and requires a so-called “Cooling flush” before each brewing.

Recommended espresso machines: Rocket Appartamento, Profitec Pro 500

Dipper system

A hand-lever espresso machine is what makes you a real pro.

The biggest difference between other common espresso machines is the brewing group with a hand-lever lever also known as the "Boston lever group".

A dipper system is a unique way to brew espresso. By pulling down the hand lever, the pre-infusion starts where it introduces brewing water at low brewing pressure to slowly and evenly saturate the puck. Hot water from the boiler flows into the massive brewing group and cools down to the right temperature. About when you release the lever and let it return to its original position, the water flow is stopped and a spring with a piston slowly rises to 9-10 bars of brewing pressure and then slowly lowers the brewing pressure at the end of the entire cycle. This gives the Boston hand lever espresso machines a unique espresso flavor that is often experienced as smoother and sweeter as it lowers the brewing pressure at the end of brewing.

Advantage: Creates espresso that no other type of espresso machine can provide. Provides a unique brewing experience.

Disadvantage: Because it has a long lever, the espresso machine takes up quite a bit of space. It costs more compared to a heat exchanger and some double boilers.

Recommended espresso machine: Profitec Pro 800  

Espresso machines with vibration pump

The vibration pump was launched in the early 70s by Ulka Co.

Because it was cheaper than other pumps, it made espresso machines for home use much more affordable. The vibration pump has a power of 15 bars, which can be reduced to between 9 and 10 bars with the help of an expansion valve.

The pressure builds up with the help of the resistance of the coffee puck. Therefore, it is very important to find the perfect grind and to use the right amount of coffee in the portafilter. About if any of these parameters are not correctly achieved, the right pressure will not be reached.

Since the vibration pump swings quite a bit during activation, it produces quite a bit of noise and therefore manufacturers have insulated the entire machine body. The advantage of a vibration pump is that it is easy and cheap to repair. The disadvantage is that espresso machines with a vibration pump cannot be directly connected to a water source.

Espresso machines with rotary pump

A rotary pump is larger and heavier than a vibration pump, and has more power. It can provide multiple brewing groups with consistent pressure and is most often used in commercial espresso machines. It has a longer lifespan but is more expensive and harder to repair.

A unique aspect of a rotary pump is that it is almost silent, which many appreciate. Espresso machines with a rotary pump can also be directly connected to a water source.