What to Look For in a Commercial Espresso Machine

When purchasing a commercial coffee machine, there are a number of factors to consider. The type of espresso machine that is right for your cafe will depend on the quantity, the intended use, and barista's abilities.

Double boilers allow you to brew while steaming. It also decreases the time between pulls. Proportional-integral-derivative (PID) temperature control manages on/off cycles for optimal boiler temperatures.

Productivity

A commercial espresso machine can handle a higher quantity of coffee than a home machine. If you expect a home espresso maker to function in a professional environment would be an unintentional recipe for disaster.

A commercial machine that is of high quality will be able to serve up to 100 cups of coffee in an hour during peak times. This is a great benefit for busy workplaces, keeping employees from waiting around while waiting to get their coffee.

The presence of a coffee maker in the workplace can assist workers in forming bonds with one another. Teams of employees often are able to take turns ordering coffee for one another, which could promote collaboration and teamwork in the workplace. A dedicated coffee area can make new employees feel more comfortable in their workplace and reduce the barriers between them, senior staff members and other workers.

Commercial espresso machines are available in a variety of sizes to meet a variety of needs. Certain models are fully automated and others are able to pre-program espresso shot sizes so that operators don't have to guess the correct size. This is particularly important for businesses with untrained baristas, since inaccurate shots can significantly affect the quality and taste of espresso brewed. It is also best to buy commercial espresso machines made of ethically sourced products that benefit the communities in which coffee beans are grown. This will ensure that the coffee is of top quality and minimize the negative impact to the environment.

Safety

Espresso machines can cost as much money as a compact car. They're also built to pump out a multitude of drinks and shots in the day. These high volume operations can cause unique risk to health and safety for staff, so it's important to consider the potential dangers that come with an espresso machine that is commercially used.

Be aware that commercial espresso machines are likely to use warm water. This could encourage the growth of bacteria. If a machine is not properly maintained and isn't cleaned or descaled regularly can start to build up spent espresso. This can turn rancid and could potentially cause illnesses if consumed by customers. A commercial espresso machine with steam wands that are not sealed can allow bacteria to thrive in the milk foaming process.

Consider the type of beverage you'll be serving and how many cups an hour of your space can hold when selecting the right commercial coffee brands machine. You should also look for machines that have automated features, which make it simpler and quicker to serve your customers their favorite coffee drinks. Additionally, look for a warranty that covers parts and labor, so that any technical issues are resolved quickly and efficiently.

Energy Efficiency

Commercial espresso machines require significantly more power than the home models. Professional espresso machines weigh more and have larger boilers to accommodate multiple group heads in standard cafe production. These machines also operate at a much higher temperature in the ambient and are typically in an indoor setting (such as a coffee shop or restaurant) where the electronics could overheat quickly resulting in the machine breaking down.

The boiler of an espresso machine designed for commercial use heats and holds water that has been pressurized with an electric pump. This water is used to brew and steam espresso. The boiler is comprised of multiple copper tubes heated by electric elements. When the brew sensor is able to detect that the water level is at the desired level the solenoid valve will open and fills the boiler with fresh water. The heating element is then turned off.

There are four variants of espresso machines, differentiated by their ability to steam and brew with steam: TBS (brewing only), TX (twin boilers), HX, and DA (double automatic). TB and TX machines have stable brew temperatures, while DA allows for rapid steaming using the use of a single boiler. Many cafes are switching to HX machines, as they have been shown to offer the best of both worlds in terms steam temperature and brew temperature.

Maintenance

Similar to how cars require routine tune-ups commercial espresso machines require maintenance to ensure that they function smoothly and efficiently. If you keep your machine in good condition you will get better-tasting coffee and it will last longer.

It's a routine to clean your espresso machine, coffee shop but it is important to be aware of the parts that require more thorough cleaning. There will be residues from coffee grounds and other milk products that can cause the machine to fail over time. Regular cleaning helps prevent this from happening and helps keep your espresso machine operating at its best.

The majority of espresso machines in commercial use require descaling every 3 months. This is a process that requires some extra steps over normal cleaning, and you'll need to read the manual to ensure that you're following the instructions. The solution used to decal the water tank disintegrates the scale. You'll require a container to finish this task. In certain models you may also require an additional container under the coffee spouts. Follow the instructions for your specific model.

A water filter replacement is a different maintenance task. This is something that can easily be forgotten but is essential to remember so that there isn't a build-up of mineral deposits. Examine for calcification. It is difficult to get rid of in the spray head.