What to Look For in a Commercial Espresso Machine
When purchasing a commercial coffee machine, there are many factors to take into account. The volume of your cafe's operation, service use and barista knowledge will determine which espresso machine is best for your business.
A double boiler system gives the ability to brew as well as steam simultaneously. It also reduces the 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 more volume of coffee than a home espresso machine. A domestic espresso machine to work in a professional environment would be a recipe for disaster.
A commercial coffee machine of good quality will be able serve up to 100 coffee cups every hour during peak hours. This can be a lifesaver in busy offices, as it will stop employees from waiting around to get their coffee.
The presence of a coffee maker at work can aid workers in bonding with each other. Often, teams of employees take turns getting the coffee each other, and this can help encourage collaboration and teamwork in the workplace. The presence of a space specifically for coffee is also a great way to help new workers to feel at ease in the workplace, breaking down any barriers between them and senior staff members.
Commercial espresso machines are available in a variety of sizes to suit a variety of needs. Some models are purely automatic while others allow you to pre-program espresso shots, so that operators don't 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 quality and taste of brewed espresso. In addition, it is ideal to purchase ethically sourced and manufactured commercial espresso machines that help the communities where coffee is grown. This will ensure that the product is of high quality and reduce the negative impact on the environment.
Safety
Espresso machines can cost as much as a car that is compact. The machines are designed to make hundreds of shots and drinks in a single day. These high volume operations can create unique risk to health and safety for workers, so it's important to take into account the potential risks that come with the commercial espresso machine.
It's important to keep in mind that commercial espresso machines are likely to operate with warm water, which can cause the growth of bacteria. Poorly maintained machines that are not regularly cleaned and descaled can build up spent espresso. This can cause it to turn rancid, and possibly cause illness when consumed by customers. A commercial espresso machine that has a steam wands that are not sealed may allow bacteria to thrive in the milk frothing process.
Think about the kind of beverage you'll serve and how many cups an hour your space can handle when choosing a commercial coffee machine. You should look for an espresso machine with automation capabilities that will make it simpler to serve your customers their preferred coffee beverage. In addition, you should look for a guarantee 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. This is because professional espresso machines have larger frames and large capacity boilers to accommodate the many group heads required for standard cafe production. These machines operate at a higher temperature and are usually placed in indoor areas (such as in a cafe or restaurant) where the electronics can overheat.
The boiler of commercial espresso machines heats and stores the pressurized water, which is supplied by an electric pump. The water is then used for brewing and steaming espresso. The boiler is made up of several copper tubes that are heated by electric elements. When the brew sensor is able to detect that the water espresso makers level has reached the target level the solenoid valve opens and fills the boiler with new water. The heating element is then turned off.
There are four variations of espresso machines, distinguished by their ability to steam and brew: the TB (brewing only), TX (twin boilers) HX, DA (double automatic). TB and TX machines offer stable brew temperatures, while DA provides rapid steaming with the use of a single boiler. Many cafes are converting to HX machines, since they have been proven to provide 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 continue working smoothly and efficiently. If you take the time to keep your machine in good condition, it will provide you a better tasting coffee and last longer.
Cleaning your espresso machine is a regular ritual, but it's vital to clean certain parts on a greater scale. There are traces of coffee grounds and other milk products that could cause the machine to breakdown over time. Regular cleaning helps prevent this from happening and helps keep your espresso machine working at to its maximum.
The majority of espresso machines in commercial use require descaling every three months. This process requires a few extra steps as opposed to normal cleaning. You'll need to go through your manual so that you adhere to all the guidelines. The solution used for descaling the tank in the water tank dissolves scale. You'll need a container to complete this task. In certain units you might also require a container to be placed under the coffee spouts. Follow the steps for your particular model.
Another important maintenance step is to change the water filters. This is something that can easily be forgotten however it's essential to keep in mind so you don't get a build-up of mineral deposits. You should also look for calcification within the spray head, which is difficult to remove.