What to Look For in a Commercial Espresso Machine

There are a myriad of aspects to consider when buying a commercial espresso machine. The volume of your cafe's operation, service use and barista knowledge will determine which type of espresso machine is the best espresso maker for your business.

A double boiler system lets you to brew while steaming. This can reduce the time needed to recuperate 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 volume of coffee than a home machine. Expecting a domestic espresso machine to perform in a professional space would be the recipe for disaster.

A high quality commercial machine can serve up to 100 cups of coffee per hour in peak times. This is an enormous benefit for busy workplaces, preventing employees from waiting around while waiting to get their coffee.

A coffee machine at work can assist workers in forming bonds with each other. Often, teams of employees have a turn getting coffee, which can promote collaboration and teamwork in the workplace. A dedicated space for coffee can aid new employees in feeling at peace in the workplace, and break down any barriers between them and the senior staff members.

Commercial espresso machines are available in various sizes to meet a variety of needs. Some models are fully automated while others have the ability to pre-program espresso shot sizes so that operators aren't required to guess the right size. This is particularly important for companies that employ baristas that aren't properly trained, as inaccurate shots can affect the quality and taste of brewed espresso. It is also best to purchase commercial espresso machines that are made of ethically sourced materials that help the communities in which coffee beans are harvested. This will ensure that the coffee is of top quality and will minimize the negative impact to the environment.

Safety

Espresso machines are massive heavy pieces of equipment that can cost as much as a brand-new compact car. They're also designed to churn out hundreds of drinks and shots throughout the course of an entire day. Commercial espresso machines pose unique health and safety hazards to employees due to their large volume.

Remember that commercial espresso machines will likely to utilize warm water. This can encourage the growth of bacteria. A machine that is not maintained properly and hasn't been cleaned or descaled regularly could begin to build up spent espresso, which could turn rancid and could potentially cause illness if consumed by customers. Commercial espresso machines with a steam wand that is not sealed may allow bacteria to grow in the milk the frothing process.

When deciding on an espresso machine for commercial use, it is important to think about the kind of drinks you'll be serving as well as the number of cups per hour your space can accommodate. You'll also want an espresso machine that has automated features, which makes it faster and easier to serve your customers their preferred coffee drink. Make sure you get a warranty that includes both parts and labor. This will ensure that any technical issues can be resolved quickly.

Energy Efficiency

The power requirements for commercial espresso machines are substantially greater than home models. Professional espresso machines are heavier and feature larger capacity boilers in order to support multiple group heads in standard cafe production. They also operate at a higher temperature in the ambient and are often located in indoor locations (such as the cafe or restaurant) where the electronics may overheat rapidly, leading to malfunctioning machines.

The boiler of a commercial espresso machine heats and stores pressurized water that is supplied by an electric pump. This water is used to brew and steam espresso. The boiler is made up of a number of copper tubes that are heated by electric elements. When the brew level sensor is able to detect that the water has reached the desired level the solenoid valve opens to fill the boiler with water that is fresh and the heating element is shut off.

There are four variants of espresso machines, distinguished by how they are able to brew and steam in the form of TBS (brewing only), TX (twin boilers), HX, and DA (double automatic). TB and TX machines ensure stable brewing temperatures, whereas DA allows for rapid steaming using only one boiler. Many cafes are switching to HX machines as they have been proven to offer the best bean to cup espresso machine of both worlds, in terms of the temperature of steam and brew.

Maintenance

Commercial espresso machines espresso need regular maintenance just like cars. They require regular maintenance to operate efficiently and smoothly. If you keep your machine in good condition, you will enjoy a more flavorful coffee and will last longer.

It's an everyday ritual to clean your espresso machine (my company), but it is important to pay attention to the parts that need an extra clean. There will be residues from coffee grounds and other milk products that could cause the machine to breakdown over time. Regular cleaning can help prevent this from happening and helps keep your espresso machine operating at to its maximum.

Most commercial espresso machines require descaling every 3 months. This process requires more steps over regular cleaning, so be sure check your manual regularly to ensure that you're following the instructions. The solution used to clean the water tank disintegrates the scale. In order to complete this process you'll need a container under the steam wand, and in some models, beneath the coffee spouts. Follow the directions for the model you have.

Another maintenance step includes changing the water filters. It's easy to forget, but it is important not to build up mineral deposits. You should also look for calcification in the spray head, which can be difficult to get rid of.