Coffee Machine Parts

Easy Availability Is The Key

A coffee machine is only as good as its coffee machine parts. So these parts must be durable, easy to clean, and usually available when you want to order for them. Here is a walk through of different espresso coffee machine parts and accessories to help you maintain your coffee maker.

Espresso Coffee Machine Parts

Boiler: Espresso machine boilers can range in size from 120ml in domestic machines to 12 litres and over in commercial machines. Lower end domestic espresso machines and domestic superautomatic machines (hyperlink) often don't have boilers at all, instead using thermoblocks.

Burrs: Burrs used in espresso grinders can be flat, as in the picture (right) or conical (left). It is crucial that they are very sharp to provide the precision necessary for grinding the coffee beans. Do not buy cheap burr grinders sold at appliance stores they are unable to match the needs from quality espresso machines.

Filter baskets: These are stainless steel baskets of various sizes, shapes and depth (depending on machine) with holes in the bottom. Ground coffee is tampered, dosed into the basket inside the portafilter, then the assembly is locked into the group before brewing. A blind filter (left) is basket with no holes, and is used for back-flushing machines with 3 - way valves.

Portafilter: Sometimes incorrectly called "Group Handle". This is handheld, locked into the group with a watertight seal and has a filter basket containing ground coffee that is brewed under pressurized water. The resulting brew exits the portafilter via the spout(s). Portafilters normally have single or double spouts, but triple spout versions do exist. Two spouts are common in domestic machine portafilters.

Group: (Gruppo in Italian.) Also called the brew-head. A crucial part of the espresso machine; this is where the portafilter locks into and from which the highly pressurized hot water is driven through the coffee into the filter basket. It is a metal cylinder with passages in it for water, in some case with various valves built in. The group gasket surrounds it and so does the locking collar which keeps the portafilter in secured, topped by the shower-screen which evenly powers the water.

Group Gasket: The rubber ring inserted in the group to ensure that the portafilter and filter basket combination seal tightly, stopping leaks. With time and use group gaskets harden and should be replaced to guarantee a proper seal.

Rotary Pump: This used mostly in commercial espresso machines connected to an electric motor. The most well known brand is Procon. These pumps in general are fairly small, but the electric motors are rather large.

Shower-screen: Domestic machines have the shower-screen which is a simple perforated stainless steel disk that powers the hot-water from the group onto the coffee in the filter basket. The disk has 2 - parts in high end and commercial machines; the back with relatively large holes in a solid stainless steel disc with a finer stainless steel mesh front, this system provides a more even water distribution.

Solenoid 3 - way Valves: They relieve the built up pressure in the group and portafilter assembly just after brewing. Generally a solenoid actuates them electronically, but there are mechanical versions of this valve as well. Mostly present in high end domestic machines and all commercial machines. These valves permit these machines to be back-flushed.

Thermoblock: The picture shows an opened thermoblock, which is a metal block with a large number of narrow channels inside, heated by an external element. They are used in low end domestic espresso machines.

Vibration Pump: Some lower end smaller commercial coffee machines and pump domestic espresso machines use vibration pumps, most of them are manufactured by ULKA in Italy.

Coffee Maker Cleaner Pack

Like most kitchen appliances, coffee makers also need proper and regular cleaning. There are various homemade ways in which you can clean your coffee maker.

An easy way for cleaning is using the coffee maker cleaner packs. These contain powdered substances that you mix with water and place inside the coffee maker’s water reservoir. When the brewing process starts, the cleaning substances goes through the coffee maker’s system. This removes any limescale, dirt and coffee buildups inside it.

These commercial descalers have an advantage over other home made methods, as they are odorless. So the coffee maker is odor free after the cleaning cycle is finished.

Regular cleaning of your coffee maker is necessary not just as it greatly improves the taste of the coffee but also for the long life of the appliance.

Choosing the right coffee machine can mean the difference between a mediocre cup of coffee and an amazing one. A good coffee machine is very important but it is equally important to find a brand which is good in stocking its coffee machine parts and accessories as well. As accidents can happen and no machine is perfect. Nelson Appliance.com (Hyperlynk to resourse) is also a good source for espresso machine and coffee maker parts.

We carefully choose our merchants and make sure that they have a secure server ordering system. Never give your credit card information to a site that does not use a secure ordering system.

At Amazon.com you will find coffee filters, accessories and parts for your coffee machine as well as illy's, Senseo, Tassimo and other gourmet coffee brands -- illy's, Senseo, Tassimo and other gourmet coffee brands (Hyperlink - Click here to go to Amazon.com).

Make a quick search here for a coffee machine and gourmet coffee beans or visit our link sponsors below:

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