Boosted heating espresso machine

An espresso machine, comprising:

• a main body having an outer housing and internal components contained therein;
• a pump configured to provide pressurized water through the main body;
• a preheating component located within the main body and arranged to receive the pressurized water from the pump, wherein the preheating component is configured to preheat the pressurized water to a first temperature and to deliver the preheated water;
• a low volume boiler located within the main body, the low volume boiler having a heating arrangement, a water inlet, an internal volume of 250 mL or less, and a water outlet, wherein the low volume boiler is configured to receive the preheated water from the preheating component at the water inlet, to heat the preheated water within the internal volume to a second temperature that is equal to or greater than the first temperature using the heating arrangement, and to deliver a portion of the heated water out of the water outlet such that heating the preheated water within the internal volume creates a small temperature gradient across the low volume boiler from the water inlet to the water outlet;
• and
• a group head located proximate the main body, the group head being arranged to couple with a portafilter having espresso grounds therein, to receive the portion of heated water from the low volume boiler, and to force the portion of heated water through the espresso grounds in the portafilter, wherein the portion of heated water remains substantially at or within 1° C. of the second temperature as it exits the group head.