Espresso Technology 101: Basic Testing

Tools You Need

To ensure that your espresso machine is working normally, follow these steps to test its basic functions. You will need the following tools:

• Stopwatch
• Measuring cup (355 ml) or espresso scale with cup
• Rewind blind and portafilter

Before you start, make sure your machine is up to date with group head maintenance and cleaning. About your machine has programmable pre-infusion, turn it off or set it to 0 before starting the tests. Remove any filters, screens, softener or softener bags from the machine's water reservoir.

Test 1: Flow rate

1. Remove the portafilter from the machine.
2. Place a measuring cup under the group head or place the cup on the scale, tare the scale and then place the cup under the group head.
3. Lift the brew lever or press the appropriate button and start the stopwatch when the water starts flowing. Stop the "shot" when the stopwatch shows 30 seconds.
4. Record the results and compare with the following benchmarks:
• Standard E61 group head: 235-355g in 30 seconds.
• Machines with flow control: 175-235 g in 30 seconds.
• Saturated group heads: 235-355 g in 30 seconds.

Test 2: Group head pressure

1. Install the backwash blind in the portafilter and lock it into the group head.
2. Lift the brew lever or press the appropriate button to start the brew function. About If your machine does not have a shot timer, start the stopwatch at the same time.
3. Watch the bridge pressure gauge and note how long it takes the needle to reach the set pressure.
4. Record the results. The needle should reach the machine's set pressure (9-10 Bar) within 10 seconds. About your machine has flow control, make sure the paddle is fully open and compare the group head pressure gauge to the pump pressure gauge. Their behavior should correlate.

Test 3: Steam function

1. Let the steam boiler heat up and reach full pressure. The needle on the steam pressure gauge should read between 1.25-1.75 Bar depending on your settings.
2. Open the steam rod in a cup and observe the steam pressure gauge. It should drop immediately and evenly by about 0.50-0.75 Bar.
3. Let the steam wand run for 30 seconds. The needle should stay around 0.5-1.0 Bar throughout. Small deviations are nothing to worry about.
4. Turn off the steam wand and watch the steam boiler as it heats up again. The vapor pressure gauge should return to its normal resting pressure.
5. Repeat the test a few times. The machine should work fairly consistently every time.

Test 4: Temperature Recovery for the Steam Boiler

1. Let the steam boiler heat up and reach full pressure. The needle on the steam pressure gauge should read between 1.25-1.75 Bar depending on your settings.
2. Open the hot water tap or press the button to dispense hot water from the machine into a cup.
3. Dispense 235-355 ml of hot water and observe the steam pressure gauge. The pump should start immediately after to fill the boiler.
4. Keep an eye on the PID temperature and/or vapor pressure gauge. Temperature and pressure should both rise steadily back to their set points.
5. Repeat the test a few times. The machine should work fairly consistently every time.

Contact Us

About any of these tests show results outside the specified ranges, please do not hesitate to contact our technical team for further assistance. Ensuring that your espresso machine is working properly is essential to enjoying the perfect brew espresso each time. Regular maintenance and correct use of the machine extends its life and improves the coffee experience.