Types of espresso machines you need to know!
Jun 17, 2022
E61 bridge head
The E61 is the name of an espresso machine launched in 1961 by the Italian company Faema. This machine ushered in a new era of espresso machines. The E61 was not only the first machine with a heat exchanger, which meant that fresh water was used to make the espresso instead of boiler water. It was also the first to integrate a pump to create pressure instead of using a hand-operated lever. The E61 is legendary for its brewing group that weighs between 4 and 5 kg. The E61 is made of solid brass. The Thermosyphon system constantly circulates hot water through the brewing group, keeping it constantly heated and providing a stable temperature. The importance of the E61 brewing group is the mechanism in the brewing head that allows the puck to be saturated before brewing. Through this pre-infusion process, the brewing water is slowly and with reduced pressure led into the portafilter. All this is regulated by a pre-infusion cylinder in the brewing head that allows the pressure to rise slowly. The result is a perfect espresso.
Double boiler
A machine with double boiler has a boiler that is used to brew coffee and one to extract steam and hot water. Both boilers are independent of each other and with the help of a PID on each boiler, the temperatures of the boilers can be regulated separately. The brew boiler is usually smaller than the boiler for hot water and steam. The reason why the steam and hot water boiler is larger is because the contents are consumed much faster than the brew boiler as the temperature in the steam boiler is much higher. An espresso machine with double boilers is more temperature stable compared to an espresso machine with a heat exchanger because you can regulate the two boilers separately.
Advantage: Can both froth milk and brew at the same time. 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 on the top of the boiler. When brewing, the machine circulates the fresh water through the large boiler where it is heated to the optimal brewing temperature and then led to the brewing group and down to the coffee puck. This means that fresh water is always used to brew espresso. As an E61 group constantly circulates the brewing water through the brewing head, you get a very temperature-stable brewing water. When frothing milk, the steam that was previously in the upper part of the boiler is released and builds up the steam pressure again.
Advantage: Cheaper than espresso machines with double boilers and can both froth milk and brew at the same time.
Disadvantage: Less control over the brewing temperature (except for heat exchangers with PID) and need to perform 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 true professional.
The biggest difference between other regular espresso machines is the brewing group itself with a hand-lever lever, also called the “Boston lever group”.
A dipper system is a unique way to brew espresso. By pulling down the hand lever, the pre-infusion starts, introducing the brewing water at low brewing pressure to saturate the puck slowly and evenly. Hot water from the boiler flows into the massive brewing group and is cooled down to the correct temperature. About When you release the lever and let it return to its original position, the water flow is shut off and a spring with a piston slowly goes up to 9-10 bar brewing pressure then slowly lowers the brewing pressure at the end of the entire cycle. This gives Boston hand lever espresso machines a unique espresso taste that is often perceived as smoother and sweeter as it lowers the brewing pressure at the end of the 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.
Being cheaper than other pumps, it made home espresso machines much more affordable. The vibration pump has an output of 15 bar, which can be reduced to between 9 and 10 bar using an expansion valve.
The pressure is built up using the resistance of the coffee puck, so it is very important to find the perfect grind and use the right amount of coffee in the portafilter. About If any of these parameters is not correct, the correct pressure will not be achieved.
Because the vibration pump oscillates a lot during activation, it emits quite a lot of noise, which is why manufacturers have insulated the entire machine housing. The advantage of the vibration pump is that it is easy and cheap to repair. The disadvantage is that espresso machines with a vibration pump cannot be connected directly to a water source.
Espresso machines with rotary pump
Rotary pumps are larger and heavier than vibration pumps, and have more power. They can provide even pressure to multiple brewing groups and are most often used in commercial espresso machines. They have a longer lifespan but are more expensive and more difficult to repair.
A unique aspect of a rotary pump is that it is almost silent, which many people appreciate. Espresso machines with rotary pumps can also connect directly to a water source.
