What to Look For in a Commercial Espresso Machine
When purchasing a commercial coffee machine, there are many factors to consider. The volume of your cafe, the intended use of the service and barista's knowledge will determine which type of espresso machine is best for your business.
A double boiler system provides the ability to brew and steam simultaneously. This decreases the time it takes to recover 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 more volume of coffee than an espresso machine at home. A home espresso machine will not perform well in a professional environment.
A high quality commercial machine can serve up to 100 cups per hour in peak times. This is a huge benefit for busy workplaces, keeping employees from having to stand around while waiting to get their coffee.
The presence of a coffee maker in the workplace can also aid workers in bonding with one another. Teams of workers often take turns getting coffee for one another, which could facilitate collaboration and teamwork within the workplace. A dedicated coffee area can make new employees feel more at ease in the workplace and break down barriers between them, the senior employees and other employees.
Commercial espresso machines come in a variety of sizes to meet a variety of needs. Certain models are completely automated while others have the ability to pre-program espresso shots so that the operator does not have to guess the proper shot size. This is particularly important for companies that employ baristas who are not trained as the wrong shots can affect the intensity and taste of espresso. It is also best to purchase commercial espresso machines that are made of ethically-sourced materials that support the communities in which coffee beans are cultivated. 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 money as a compact car. They're also designed to pump out hundreds of drinks and shots in an entire day. Commercial espresso machines pose unique health and safety hazards to staff due to their large volume.
It is important to keep in mind that commercial espresso machines are likely to operate with warm water, which could increase the development of bacteria. If a machine is not properly maintained and isn't cleaned or descaled regularly can start to build up spent espresso, which can turn rancid and could potentially cause illness if consumed by customers. A commercial espresso machine with a steam wand that is not sealed may allow bacteria to grow in the milk foaming process.
Consider the type of beverage you'll serve and how many cups an hour your space can accommodate when selecting a commercial coffee machine. It is also important to choose a machine that offers automation features that make it simpler and quicker to serve your patrons their preferred coffee drink. In addition, you should look for a guarantee that covers parts and labor to ensure that any technical issues are dealt with quickly and efficiently.
Energy Efficiency
Commercial espresso machines require substantially more power than home models. Professional espresso machines weigh more and feature larger capacity boilers to accommodate multiple group heads for regular cafe production. These machines operate at higher temperatures and are usually placed indoors (such as in a cafe or restaurant) where the electronics can overheat.
The boiler of a commercial espresso machine heats and stores pressurized drinking water supplied by an electric pump. This water is then used for brewing and steaming espresso. The boiler consists of multiple copper tubes that are heated by electric elements. When the brew sensor determines that the water level has reached the target level the solenoid valve is opened and fills the boiler with new water. The heating element is then shut off.
There are four types of espresso machines. They are differentiated by the way they steam or brew the coffee: TB (brewing-only), TX (twin-boilers), HX (double automatic), and DA (double automated). TB and TX machines have stable brew temperatures, whereas DA can provide rapid steaming using one boiler. HX machines are being used by many cafes because they are the best in steam and brew temperature.
coffee espresso machines
Like cars that require regular tune-ups commercial espresso machines also require maintenance to run smoothly and efficiently. If you maintain your machine it will provide you with a more delicious coffee and it will last longer.
It's an everyday ritual to clean your espresso machine, but you should also pay attention to the parts that require an extra clean. There will be traces of coffee grounds and other milk products that can cause the machine to breakdown over time. Regular cleaning can prevent this and keeps your espresso machine operating at its best.
Most commercial espresso machines require descaling at least every 3 months. This procedure involves a few additional steps when compared to normal cleaning. You'll want review the manual to ensure that you follow the directions. Descaling requires a solution that dissolves the scale in the water tank. To accomplish this, you'll need to put an unfilled container under the steam wand, and in certain models, under the coffee spouts. Follow the directions for your particular model.
A water filter change is another maintenance process. This can be overlooked but is essential to keep in mind so you don't end up with a build-up of mineral deposits. You should also look for calcification in the spray head, which can be difficult to get rid of.