Lets learn more about the E61 Group Head

What is an E61 Group Head? 

The E61 Group Head (the name E61 signifies the total solar eclipse that occurred in 1961, the year of its invention) is commonly found in prosumer-level double boilers and heat exchanger machines and is one of the most popular espresso machine group heads on the market, used by dozens of manufacturers today including Rocket Espresso machines, Lelit Bianca, Profitec, Bezzera and many more

Designed and invented in 1961 by Ernesto Valente for the Faema E61 espresso machine, the E61 Group Head is considered one of the most temperature stable group heads and it does this in two ways. The first being, the E61 uses about 9lbs of chrome plated brass which provides high thermal inertia, which means it takes a long time to heat up, and cool down, but it creates amazing temperature stability.

Secondly, E61 Group head also creates a stable temperature by using a thermosyphon, which allows constant flow of hot water from the boiler and the heat exchanger to cycle through the group head. The E61 also allows for automatic preinfusion, slowing the flow of water from the boiler to the portafilter by sending it though a brew chamber first, allowing the pressure to build slowly to 9bars.  These huge manufacturing changes and new inventions in the 1960s changed the way we can prepare espresso today!

Because the E61 Group head is used by so many manufacturers, and has been in use for so long, there are many upgrades you can make to your E61 group head espresso machine. At Caffewerks we have a large collection of products just for these machines- from gaskets to screens and baskets. 

How to Install a new screen and Gasket on an E61