11Useful Espresso Machine Mods: Get More for Your Money

想把一个好的咖啡机变成一个伟大的espresso machine? A great espresso machine into something top-of-the-line? Then you’ve come to the right place!

In this post, we’ve rounded up the 11 best espresso machine mods. Some are easy swaps, others require a bit of technical know-how, but all are guaranteed upgrades. For tastier espresso, a more efficient workflow, or a fresh new look, keep reading.

1.添加PID控制器

PID控制器控制锅炉温度，从而酿造温度。与廉价机器上发现的压力统计数据相比，PID提供了更稳定的酿造温度 - 和更美味的浓缩咖啡（1）。

安装PID是最受欢迎的mod之一，因为它在浓缩咖啡质量上产生了巨大的不同，但这并不是最简单的。您需要很好地了解机器的内部布局和一些基本的电气技能。

2。Changing the Steam Wand

比更换蒸汽棒还容易？更换蒸汽尖端！这控制了泡沫的速度，使得更容易steam milk。

If steaming is going too quickly, you can slow it down by using a 2-hole steam tip. This is a perfect idea if you’re steaming small volumes of milk. On the other hand, if steaming is frustratingly slow, you might want to switch to a 3 or 4 hole steam tip.

3。Changing the Steam Tip

比更换蒸汽棒还容易？更换蒸汽尖端！This controls the speed of frothing making it easier tosteam milk。

If steaming is going too quickly, you can slow it down by using a 2-hole steam tip. This is an especially good idea if you’re steaming small volumes of milk. On the other hand, if steaming is frustratingly slow, then you might want to switch to a 3 or 4 hole steam tip.

4.添加可调节的OPV和压力表

An overpressure valve (OPV) lets you adjust the pump pressure and thus brew pressure. Fancier models often have an adjustable OPV, but it’s an increasingly popular modification for cheaper machines. We now know that different coffees extract best at different brew pressures (2）。

Of course, if you’re adding an OPV, you’ll also want to add a pressure gauge to see which brew pressure yields the tastiest shot. That makes this mod one of the more complicated in terms of tools and skills required.

5. Adding Flow Control

These days, flow control (aka pressure profiling) is all the rage with serious espresso nerds. It lets you optimize extraction by varying the pressure as you pull a shot. Some fancy machines have this option built-in, like theLa Marzocco GS3，，，，Lelit Bianca， 或者杀手。

There are after-market mods for those that don’t, which consist of a controllable valve and pressure gauge. ECM/Profitec makes one for E61 group heads, and the Smart Espresso Profiler from Naked Portafilter works with nearly any machine (3）。

6. Upgrading the Shower Screen

淋浴屏会在过滤篮中的地面咖啡冰球上产生均匀的水流，这是正确提取的关键。有几种廉价的方法可以升级淋浴屏幕。

您可以获得“精度”淋浴屏幕，该屏幕更加仔细地加工，以产生更均匀的水。或者，您可以进一步升级到涂层淋浴屏，该淋浴屏幕通过抵抗咖啡油的堆积来保持清洁剂。

7. New Filter Baskets

廉价的浓缩咖啡机配有加压过滤篮，旨在提供美观的浓缩咖啡。如果您想要一杯美味的浓缩咖啡，那么值得一提non-pressurized basket- 前提是您还可以使用体面的Burr Grinder。

想更进一步吗？投资精心弹篮，该篮子经过精心加工，以产生更少的木log和更好的提取。

8. Bottomless Portafilter

Okay, this isn’t exactly a mod, but it’s a popular addition to any espresso lover’s arsenal of配件。Also known as a naked portafilter, a bottomless portafilter doesn’t have spouts at the bottom; instead, the filter basket is exposed.

当然，这令人沮丧，但这也是一个令人难以置信的学习机会。如果您准备好冰球，浓缩咖啡将在各地喷出。另外，一旦您掌握了技术，就无与伦比的无底Portafilter的完美镜头的纯粹美感。

9. Group Head Thermometer

在热交换器浓缩咖啡机上添加组头温度计很常见，因为您不会直接以这种机器方式设置酿造温度。因此，添加温度计使您可以精确地了解酿造温度。

Because different brewing temperatures are ideal for different roast levels of coffee (for example, light roasts extract better at slightly higher temperatures), a group head thermometer is a great mod if you like to experiment with different coffees (4）。

10.蒸汽棒控件

蒸汽棒控制是个人喜好的问题。就像蒸汽魔杖本身一样。有些人更喜欢瞬时响应操纵杆，而另一些人则喜欢更触觉的旋钮控制。

Most manufacturers are consistent with a particular style, but many distributors will let you swap one for the other when you purchase. You can also make the change yourself at home, provided you have a bit of technical know-how.

11.审美变化

虽然有些人宣布审美调整是浪费金钱，但我强烈不同意。如果您要购买一台昂贵的浓缩咖啡机，那么花更多的钱才能使您的空间非常适合您的空间，这是值得的，因为它每天早晨都会带给您的笑容。

常见的美学变化包括交换塑料旋钮和木材装饰的手柄，添加时尚面板或粉末涂层您选择的颜色。

Which espresso machine mod is right for me?

11列表是否感觉像是大量的可能性？不用担心。很容易将其缩小到只有一两个最大的浓缩咖啡机。

• 假设您拥有一台便宜的电器级浓缩咖啡机（例如Cuisinart，Breville，Delonghi等）。在这种情况下，您应该做的第一件事是将加压过滤篮换成非压力篮。这是便宜且易于做的。想更努力地工作吗？下一步将是升级到更专业的蒸汽棒。
• 入门级生产商浓缩咖啡机(like theGaggia Classic Proor兰西利奥·西尔维亚（Rancilio Silvia））是最受欢迎的mod。它们的前期相对便宜，没有很多铃铛和哨子，并且内部有足够的开放空间来添加新的管道或接线。如果您有这些机器之一，则添加PID，OPV和/或压力表是一个很好的开始。您还可以升级淋浴屏或开关蒸汽尖端。
• 更高级别prosumer espresso machines已经有很多特征，，，，so in these cases, you’ll either be adding advanced functionality or just adjusting the machine to suit your taste. In terms of features, adding a flow control device adds a whole new variable to optimize extraction. You might want to try a bottomless portafilter, change out the steam wand controls, or make aesthetic changes in terms of preferences.
• 如果您有热交换器生产机器，则组头温度计是一个简单的mod，可能会产生很大的影响。

包起来

您喜欢这个清单吗？您准备好拿出工具并开始使用浓缩咖啡机进行修补吗？您比以往任何时候都做得比以往更好？如果是这样，请务必与所有喜欢浓缩咖啡的朋友分享此列表！在评论中让我们知道。