The coffee machines are the engineering art that contains many parts and products that make them different from one another. Understanding these parts can help you use the machine properly. The roasted coffee turns into ground coffee and then into a shot of espresso or your favorite kind of latte in these coffee makers that are available in a wide range to provide you the taste you love.
Let’s have a closer look at these machines to learn about each part of them.
ELECTRICS / BOILER SECTION
Solenoids
Solenoids are the kind of electronic tap from where water can flow from inlet to outlet. Solenoids consist of two parts: a coil, a black-colored box with electrical connections, and a brass body with a flat base.
Pressure stats
Pressure stats are the switch of a machine that can be activated by the pressure we adjust which is usually set as approx. 1.2 bars. The switch will turn on when the pressure drops again. This switching or cycling (on and off) of pressure stat is different depending on the brand you are using.
Anti-Vacuum Valve
Through these valves, oxygen enters the boilers to build pressure in the boiler. When the pressure builds, the valve shuts down. These valves are present in all commercial machines with different thread sizes.
Pressure Release Valve (Safety Valves)
These valves are used to release the pressure from the boiler if the pressure stat is not able to build the right pressure and cut off the element. These valves can be adjusted manually or can be preset. These valves are present in all commercial machines with different thread sizes.
Flow Meters
Flow meters are attached to control the water flow to the group head and pass the preset amount.
They have attached a magnet inside with a star-shaped metal which when rotated, allows delivering a determined amount of water.
Elements
Element is situated in the boiler that allows the water to heat up and create the steam pressure in the boiler when given an electric current.
The base plate and element length must be equal to the current element. The length varies depending on the size of the boiler and on how many groups the machine has.
Thermostats
Just a few people are still using thermostats commercially today. They are the switches that turn off and on at preset temperatures.
They were used to protect the elements in the commercial machines as the low water level makes the machine overheat.
Thermostats are still in use in domestic coffee machines without heat exchangers.
Heat Exchanger
A heat exchanger is a pipe situated in the boiler where coffee water flows from the pump to the group head through the boiler.
Sight Glass
Sight glass is located on the front of most commercial machines to indicate the water level in the boiler. It is a glass tube with water inside marked with two indicators “maximum” and “minimum”.
Adjustment Ring or Knob
The adjustment ring is the grinder component of a machine that allows changing the grind size of the coffee beans. It is usually connected around the bean hopper.
Bean Hopper
A Bean hopper is a large plastic container situated at the top of the grinder. This container holds your beans and transfers them into your grinder burrs.
Burrs
The grinder burrs are the two circular pieces that sit parallel to each other. When the coffee beans are transferred into the machine, one piece starts rotating and crushing the beans into the required size for brewing.
SWITCHES / TOUCHPADS / AUTO-FILL BOXES
Main Switch/Power Switch
The main power switch has two types: two poles on/off, and three poles on without element / on with element / off. These three positions allow the boiler of the machine to be filled while it is off. The two-pole machine, on the other hand, is filled manually.
Touchpads
The coffee water that comes out of the group head is operated by touchpads. These touchpads allow solenoids to operate to make the coffee water come out of the coil. If the coffee machine is volumetric, the solenoid and flow meter both are allowed to operate.
Auto-Fill Boxes
The auto-fill boxes are used to control the water level in the machine and are made by Gicar. These boxes are connected to the main switch, element, two-way solenoid, water pump, water level probe, and the electrical signal to control these parts to maintain a stable water level.
PORTAFILTERS
Portafilters (Group Handles or pfs)
Portafilters are handles made of glass in which coffee is prepared. They can have a single or double spout and basket referred by single or double respectively.
Portafilter Baskets
These baskets can be found in different sizes, i.e., single: 7g, double: 14g, and triples: 21g.
The capacity per basket size is 1 – 2g. These filters also vary in ridge size position and lip size.
Ridge: the groove where the basket holds the filtering spring.
Lip: the size of the top section around the portafilter.
Portafilter Baskets Springs
The springs of the portafilter are fitted to hold the filter basket. These springs are available in different thicknesses, but thicker springs make it harder to get the basket, so we carry 1.1 to 1.2mm thickness.
Spouts
Spouts are used to allow the coffee to flow into the cups. They are usually 3/8” in the thread and are connected to the bottom of the portafilter.
A single spout serves a single cup and double spouts can be used to serve double cups.
Handles
Portafilters have plastic, rubber, or wooden handles that come in 10mm and 12mm threads. Some are in the format of sleeves, and some can slide over.
GROUP HEAD
Group Head Seals / Group Gaskets
The group head is a part of the espresso machine in which water is dispensed into the filter basket from the boiler. It is a point that connects the machine to the group handle and the water to the coffee.
Spacers / Shims
The spacers are used with group head seals of 0.5mm and 0.8mm depending on the spacer.
Shower Screens
The shower screen allows the water to spread in the filter baskets to mix evenly with the coffee. These shower screens need to be replaced over time as they become lost. You can remove them by removing the screw located in the center of the screen.
Group Dosing Keypad
The dosing keypads are present in espresso machines either automatic or super automatic. The keypad has buttons you press to activate the group head. Here, you can see the various dispense times and quantities.
STEAM SECTION / HOT WATER
Steam Valves/ Hot Water Valves or Taps
These valves or taps can be of any type: rotational or lever. The steam valves connect the boiler top and attach to the steam arm. The water valve connects to the bottom of the boiler and attaches to a water arm.
Steam Wand
The steam wand is used to steam milk and is also known as a steam pipe. This tool is activated by the steam valve knob or lever.
Steam Arms
The steam arms relate to the steam valve and are available in different lengths. The arms are ball jointed which are interchangeable or they are available in semi-fixed which only move forward and backward.
Steam Tips
Steam tips have a 10mm thread, but many different styles are available. These tips have holes of different sizes and positions. In commercial coffee shops, four-hole system tips and 2 holes for domestic are used. These holes are determined to produce the volume in milk and give it a silky and foamy texture.
MOTORS AND PUMPS
Motors
The motor is a device that when receiving current, starts spinning a star which then increases the water pressure higher than the current pressure through the pump. These electric motors can be set internally or externally. The difference is that the internal connection has a small box in it to cover the electrical connections.
Capacitor
The capacitor is a power storage device to gives an extra boost to the motor when it needs to start. These capacitors are usually between 12 to 16 amps and the motor works at 10 amps.
Rotary Pumps
The rotary pumps are used with the motor and are generally made by Procon. There are other brands too. The pumps are of three types: clamp ring 700008, two-bolt 630177, and three-bolt 700009. The pressure of the pump can be adjusted through a screw fitted inside it.
The pumps having bolt connections need connectors to connect the pump and the motor
Vibrating Pumps
The vibrating pumps are used in home-level machines and work on electrical pulsation. These pumps are of two types: Ulka: barb inlet and 1/8″ female outlet, and Fluidotech: 1/8″ female inlet and outlet.
FAQ:
What are the parts of coffee?
Parts of coffee means the parts of coffee machines that are designed to make a machine that can give you your perfect styled coffee.
What are the main parts of a coffee machine?
The main parts of the coffee machine include:
- Water source
- Pump
- Boiler
- Steam wand
- Group head: E61
- Group head: Portafilter
- Group head: Saturated and Semi-saturated
What are the coffee handles called?
The coffee handles are known as portafilters, the handles are usually made of brass in which the coffee is made.
What do the buttons on a coffee machine mean?
The buttons in the coffee machine send water into the portafilter. These buttons are programmable to perform with the functionality that can cater to everyone for the individual tastes.