What to Look For in a Commercial Espresso Machine

When purchasing a commercial coffee machine, there are a number of factors to take into account. Your cafe's volume, intended service usage, and barista's expertise will determine which type of espresso machine is best for your business.

Double boilers provide the capability to brew and steam simultaneously. It also speeds up the recovery time between pulls. Proportional-integral-derivative (PID) temperature control manages on/off cycles for optimal boiler temperatures.

Productivity

A commercial espresso machine is designed to handle a larger amount of coffee than a home espresso machine. If you expect a home espresso maker to work in a professional setting would be an invitation to disaster.

A commercial machine of top quality will be able to serve up to 100 coffee cups per hour during peak hours. This is a great benefit for busy workplaces, preventing employees from having to stand for hours to get their coffee.

The presence of a coffee maker in the workplace can assist workers in forming bonds with each other. Teams of people often take turns getting coffee for one another, which can help to encourage collaboration and teamwork in the workplace. A dedicated coffee area could help new employees feel more comfortable in their workplace and break down barriers between them, senior employees and other employees.

Commercial espresso machines are available in different sizes to meet a range of needs. Certain models are fully automated, while others can pre-program espresso shot sizes so that the operators do not have to guess at the correct size. This is especially crucial for businesses with inexperienced baristas as inaccurate shots can greatly impact the intensity and flavor of brewed espresso. It is also advisable to purchase commercial espresso machines that are made of ethically sourced materials that help the communities in which coffee beans are grown. This will ensure that the product is of top quality and minimizes the negative impact to the environment.

Safety

Espresso machines can cost as much as a car that is compact. They are designed to create hundreds of drinks and shots in the course of a single day. Commercial espresso machines could pose particular health and safety risks to staff due to their large volume.

Keep in mind that commercial espresso machines are more likely to make use of warm water. This can lead to the growth types of coffeee bacteria. Unmaintained machines that are not regularly cleaned and descaled will accumulate spent espresso. This can cause it to go rancid, and potentially cause illness if consumed by customers. A commercial espresso machine with steam wands that are not sealed could allow bacteria to thrive in the milk frothing process.

Consider the type of beverage you'll serve and how many cups an hour can be served when selecting a commercial coffee machine. It is also important to choose an espresso machine that has automated features, which make it much easier and quicker to serve your customers your preferred coffee drink. You should look for a guarantee that includes both parts and labor. This will ensure that any technical problems can be resolved quickly.

Energy Efficiency

Commercial espresso machines require considerably more power than home models. Professional espresso machines are more heavy and come with larger boilers in order to support multiple group heads for regular cafe production. These machines also operate at a greater temperature at ambient temperatures and are usually located in indoor locations (such as a restaurant or coffee shop) where the electronics may overheat rapidly, leading to machine failure.

The boiler of an espresso machine for commercial use heats and stores water that has been pressurized by an electric pump. This water is then used for brewing and steaming espresso. The boiler is comprised of a number of copper tubes that are heated by electric elements. When the brew level sensor detects that the water has reached its desired level the solenoid valve is opened to let the boiler fill with fresh water. The heating element is turned off.

There are four variations of espresso machines that are distinguished by their capacity to steam and brew in the form of the TB (brewing only), TX (twin boilers) HX, TB, and DA (double automatic). TB and TX machines offer stable brew temperatures, while DA allows rapid steaming from one boiler. Many cafes are converting to HX machines since they have been shown to offer the best of both worlds, in terms of the temperature of steam and brew.

Maintenance

Like cars require routine tune-ups commercial espresso machines require maintenance to continue working smoothly and efficiently. If you maintain your machine you will get more flavorful coffee and will last longer.

It's an everyday ritual to clean your espresso machine, but you should also pay attention to those parts that require more thorough cleaning. There will be traces of coffee grounds and other milk products that could cause the machine to degrade over time. Regular cleaning can prevent this and keeps your espresso machine running optimally.

The majority of commercial espresso machines require descaling every three months. This process requires a few more steps when compared to normal cleaning. You'll need to go through the manual to ensure that you follow the directions. Descaling requires a solution that dissolves the scale in the water tank. In order to complete this process you'll need to place an unfilled container under the steam wand or, in certain models, under the coffee spouts. Follow the directions for your particular model.

A water filter change is another maintenance procedure. It's easy to overlook but it's crucial not to accumulate mineral deposits. Also, you should look for coffee shop calcification in the spray head, which is difficult to get rid of.