Barista Basics Tutorials
What Is a Bottomless Portafilter?
Discover how a bottomless portafilter improves espresso quality, reveals extraction flaws, and enhances crema. A must-have tool for baristas and enthusiasts.
Espresso Lingo
BRUSHING UP ON YOUR ESPRESSO EQUIPMENT LINGO
The equipment you use in the daily operation of your espresso business is an integral part of your tr...
Thermofilters: What They Are & How to Use
WHY USE A THERMOFILTER/SCACE?
The measurement of the temperature of water dispersed from an espresso machine can be challenging. One of the most i...
Mazzer Switch Modification
TOOLS YOU WILL NEED:
Straight Blade Screwdriver
Phillips Screwdriver
Wire Stripping Tool
Wire Crimping Tool
Wire Ring Terminals
New Dial Switch ...
Cold Water at the Grouphead
WHAT TO DO WHEN COLD WATER IS DISPENSING FROM THE GROUP HEAD?
Check the power switch. Many machine have a three position switch- off, on to fill, ...
Espresso Cart Electricity
AMPS VS VOLTS
The number one issue people run into when building their cart and trying to supply power is amp capacity. We more commonly use volts...
Training Basics
Barista’s have many responsibilities throughout their workday. Below we’ve compiled everything you need to know as a barista, from making coffee to cleaning at the end of the day. Not every cafe is exactly the same but here are the basics to get you started.
Backflushing Your Espresso Machine
HOW TO BACKFLUSH YOUR ESPRESSO MACHINE
1. Remove portafilter basket and insert blind filter in portafilter (a stubby screwdriver can help!) Add up...
Rinser Maintenance
HOW TO INSTALL THE RINSER MAINTENANCE KIT
1. Turn the water off. This will ensure you stay dry and The Rinser piston assembly can be easily remo...
Rinser Installation
HOW TO INSTALL BARISTA BASICS RINSERS
1. Remove unit from box, flip pan upside down and confirm the drain and spray assembly are tightly secured ...
Changing Screens and Baskets
HOW TO REPLACE YOUR BASKET AND SCREEN
Remove the portafilter from the group head and use a bar spoon or screwdriver to pop the basket out of the ...
Autofill System Explained
The autofill system’s job is to ensure your boiler’s water level stays right where it’s supposed to. Too little water? You risk melting down or bl...
Inside the Espresso Machine
WHAT’S INSIDE AN ESPRESSO MACHINE?
La Marzocco, Nuova Simonelli, Synesso, no matter which machine you are working with, there are important parts ...
Flushing and Cleaning an Espresso Machine Boiler
ESPRESSO MACHINE BOILER CLEANING
Flushing the boiler on your espresso machine is an often overlooked bit of maintenance. Your machine is full of w...
Doserless Mazzer Modification
HOW TO REMOVE THE DOSER ON A MAZZER GRINDER?
Modifying your Mazzer to become a doserless grinder is more simple than you can imagine. The whole p...
Group Gasket Maintenance
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU REPLACE YOUR GROUP GASKET?
Espresso machine group maintenance services should be performed quarterly or at the very least twi...
Leak at the Group Head
Group gaskets should be changed quarterly to ensure the best seal. This goes for a home and commercial setting
Solenoids
2 WAY VS 3 WAY
Solenoids come in two basic forms, 2 way and 3 way.
2 way valves function in just two ways- inlet and outlet. Water is supplied un...
No Steam? Here's How to Troubleshoot
HOW TO TROUBLESHOOT NO STEAM IN THE ESPRESSO MACHINE STEAM WAND?
1. Has your machine had time to heat up from cold? Some commercial espresso mach...
No Water at the Group: How to Troubleshoot
TROUBLESHOOTING NO WATER AT THE GROUP
There are two main reasons there’s no flow coming from your group: a clog or a faulty brew valve. Have you b...
Adjusting the Espresso Grind for Finer or Coarser Coffee
HOW TO ADJUST THE ESPRESSO GRIND IN 5 STEPS
1. Push down on the Burr Lock--if your grinder has one--located partially under the Grinder Adjustmen...
The Complete Guide to Espresso Machine (and Grinder!) Parts
The equipment you use in the daily operation of your espresso business is an integral part of your trade. Understanding how they work together is as important as knowing how to use them. Some seasoned professionals may want to skip this bit of fundamental terminology. But we are always able to learn new things so maybe, just maybe, there is something here for those readers to discover.
Grinder Burr Maintenance
CHANGING GRINDER BURRS, WHEN AND HOW
If you can't remember the last time you changed your espresso grinder burrs, chances are they could be dull. ...
IMS Baskets and Screens
IMS is an Italian company that has been manufacturing baskets and screens for many years and have now produced their own line for competition. Wha...
Tamping
WHY DISTRIBUTE ESPRESSO IN YOUR PORTAFILTER
Most espresso grinders spit coffee out at a single point which can create a tower of espresso in your ...