Espresso machine parts

Ever wondered what your espresso machine is made of? See the essential ones, or the ones you may need to replace:

• the portafilter - has the shape of a small, round basket with a handle, where you place the ground coffee; average price: $80;
• the steam wand - is responsable for frothing milk and heating the water; it is beeing controlled by a knob by which the user can release the pressure and adjust the amount of steam; average price is $15;
• the water pump - creates the water pressure to extract espresso; the modern espresso machines feature either a rotary pump or a vibratory one; average price for a vibratory pump is $50;
• the solenoid valves - relieve pressure in the portafilter immediately after brewing so you can pull consecutive shots; also, it dries out the brew head to prevent coffee from dripping after the brewing process has ended;
• group head screens - is a round, very fine riddle through which the coffee is beeing pushed; the group head is a very important area of your espresso machine, where the coffee is brewed; average price: $10;
• group head gaskets - assembles the screan and the portafilter together as a water-tight system; average price: $6;
• gauge - it measures the pressure in the water tank and the pressure with which the water is pushed through the coffee bed;
• pressure relief valves
• grinder burrs (if the machine is grinder-incorporated); average price is $50;
• heating elements (thermoblocks)
• pressurestats - some machines have the boiler temperature maintained by pressurestats instead of thermostats.

Accessories

• Espresso glass - is a cup sized especially for a double shot espresso (2.5 ounces);
• Tamper - is an knob-shaped handle usualy made of aluminium or stainess steel; very often, the upper end is made of wood. Average price: $30
• Thermometer - you need it to froth your milk at a good temperature (not over 160F) and control the temperature in the cup;
• Tray - a wide, resistent plate to support your espresso machine and eventually the grinder;
• Knock box - a small tray, eventually adherent to the kitchen counter where you dispense the grounds;
• Descaler - a solution to clean the calcium deposits;
• Frother - this accessory is usualy used to enhance the cappuccino foam
• Frothing Pitchers - they come in different sizes, but you have to choose the one suited for the drink you want to prepare and your coffee machine; average prices are $15 to $20.