Commercial coffee machines

With some commercial coffee and espresso machines costing thousands of dollars, how do you choose which one is right for your café of coffee shop? Are the more expensive machines really the best? Or can you get a perfect brew from the lower-priced models? Where on earth do you start?

Choosing a commercial espresso machine for your café

Firstly, remember that the most important issue in determining the taste of your coffee drinks isn't so much the machinery used but how they are prepared. If the drink is prepared correctly, using the recommended coffee ground and tamping pressure, then the cost of the machine becomes immaterial.

Specifically, you must ensure that service is readily available if any problems are encountered. There's nothing worse than seeing a pleasing queue of people, all eagerly anticipating their morning coffee hit, your espresso machine breaks down and the closest service centre is three hundred kilometres away.

If you decide on a second-hand model, make sure you can fix it yourself. Valid warranties on used items tend to be few and far between. For new items just make sure you're aware of any potential future problems and how to fix it yourself if possible.

Determine the required capacity. This will depend upon the size of your business, how many machines you buy and when your customers come in. For example, if the majority of your espresso clientele appear in the first hour of the day you will need a higher volume machine.

One group machines, serving two shots at a time, are adequate for smaller businesses. Two, three or even four group machines may be required for higher volume establishments.

Finally, do you want an automatic or semi-automatic machine?

Automatic machines stop the flow of water automatically once the required amount of espresso is produced. In semi-automatic machines, the operator has to manually stop the machine when the prescribed amount has been dispensed.

Some popular commercial espresso machine makers

The list is almost endless, isn't it. Gaggia, FrancisFrancis! and Capresso come to mind, as do:

Diadema – sylish machines for busy cafés. A main feature of their commercial range of coffee and espresso makers is the fully programmable function for convenience and simplicity.

Jura Impressa range – another stylish and programmable range of coffee machines with automatic frothing option. In semi-automatic and automatic.

UNIC Rumba – a one group machine suitable for a small café. 60-100 cups per hour. Fully programmable, pressure indicators, digital display and easi-clean steam arm. Cost: around $4,000.

UNIC Twin Rumba – similar to above with capacity of around 100-200 cups per hour. Cost: around $6,000.

UNIC Tri Rumba – with a capacity of over 200 cups per hour, this is suitable for larger establishments. Cost: around $7,500.

Bezzera BZ 99s – for around $2,000 you can pick up this single group coffee machine with 4 litre tank and ability to prepare coffee, steam and hot water simultaneously.

Saeco – $2,000-$4,000 can also cover a range of well-respected Saeco commercial coffee machines, for the smaller user.