Types of Espresso Machines You Need to Know!

E61 bridge head

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 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 brew group weighing between 4 and 5 kg. The E61 is made of solid brass. The Thermosyphon system constantly circulates hot water through the brew group, keeping it constantly heated and providing a stable temperature. The meaning of E61 brew group is the mechanism in the brew head that makes it possible to saturate the puck before brewing. Through this pre-infusion process, the brewing water is led slowly and with reduced pressure into the portafilter. All this is regulated by a pre-infusion cylinder in the brew head which causes the pressure to rise slowly. The result is a perfect one espresso.

Double boiler

A double boiler machine has one boiler 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 kettle is usually smaller than the kettle 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 brew kettles as the temperature in the steam boiler is much higher. A double boiler espresso machine is more temperature stable compared to a heat exchanger espresso machine because you can regulate the two boilers separately.

Advantage: Can both froth milk and brew at the same time. You have full control over brew 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 it has two water circulation systems. Since the pan is not completely filled with water, steam can be created on the top of the pan. When brewing, the machine circulates the fresh water through the large boiler where it is heated to the optimal brewing temperature and then directed to the brewing group and down to the coffee puck. Thus fresh water is always used for brewing espresso. Since 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 pan 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 heat exchanger with PID) and need to exercise a so-called "Cooling flush" before each brewing.

Recommended espresso machines: Rocket Apartment, Profitec Pro 500

Dipper system

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

The biggest difference between other regular espresso machines is the brewing group itself with a hand-lever lever, which is also called the "Boston lever group".

A dipper system is a unique way to brew espresso. Pulling the hand lever down starts the pre-infusion where it introduces the brew water at low brew 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 right temperature. If you release the lever and allow it to return to its original position, the water flow is shut off and a spring with a piston slowly goes up to 9-10 bar brew pressure then slowly lowers the brew pressure at the end of the full cycle. This gives boston hand lever espresso machines a unique espresso taste that is usually experienced as softer and sweeter as it lowers the brewing pressure at the end of brewing.

Advantage: Creates espresso which 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 lot 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 with the help of an expansion valve.

The pressure is built 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. If any of these parameters are 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, and as a result, the 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 directly connected to a water source.

Espresso machines with rotary pump

Rotary pump is larger and heavier than vibration pump, and has more power. It can give several brewing groups an even pressure and is most often used in commercial espresso machines. It has a longer lifespan but is more expensive and more difficult 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.