What to Look For in a Commercial Espresso Machine
When buying a commercial coffee machine, there are a variety 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 ideal for your business.
A double boiler system gives the ability to brew as well as steam simultaneously. This cuts down on the time 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 much more volume of coffee than a home espresso machine. If you expect a home espresso maker to work in a professional setting would be an unintentional recipe for disaster.
A commercial coffee machine of high-end quality can serve up to 100 cups of coffee per hour in peak times. This can be a great help in busy offices, as it prevents employees from having to wait around to get their coffee.
Coffee machines in the workplace can aid workers in bonding with each other. In many cases, teams of workers be able to swap coffee, and this can foster teamwork and collaboration in the workplace. A designated coffee area can help new employees feel more comfortable in their workplace and reduce the barriers between them, senior employees and other workers.
Commercial espresso machines come in a variety of sizes to cater for different requirements. Some models are fully automatic while others have the ability to pre-program espresso sizes so that baristas do not have to guess the correct size. This is especially crucial for businesses that have untrained baristas, since inaccurate shots can significantly affect the flavor and intensity of espresso. It is also advisable to buy commercial espresso machines made of ethically sourced materials that help the communities in which coffee beans are harvested. This will ensure a top quality product and minimize the negative impact on the environment.
Safety
Espresso machines can cost as much money as a small car. They're also designed to churn out a multitude of shots and drinks throughout the course of a day. The high volume of operations cause unique health and safety risks for staff, so it's crucial to think about the potential dangers that come with a commercial espresso machine.
Be aware that commercial espresso machines tend to use warm water. espresso coffee machines can trigger the growth of bacteria. Inefficiently maintained machines that are not regularly cleaned and descaled can accumulate spent espresso. This can cause it to go rancid, and potentially cause illness if consumed by customers. A commercial espresso machine with a a steam wand that is not sealed can allow bacteria to grow in the milk that is frothing.
When deciding on a commercial espresso machine, it's important to consider the type of beverages you'll be serving and the number of cups per hour your space can handle. It is also important to choose an espresso machine that has automated features, which makes it much easier and quicker to serve your customers their favorite coffee drinks. You should look for a guarantee that includes both labor and parts. This will guarantee that any technical issues are resolved quickly.
Energy Efficiency
The power requirements for commercial espresso machines are considerably greater than home models. This is due to the fact that professional espresso machines have larger frames and larger boilers to accommodate the many group heads required for typical cafe production. These machines also operate at a much higher ambient temperature and are typically located in an indoor space (such as a coffee shop or restaurant) where the electronics may quickly overheat, resulting in malfunctioning machines.
The boiler of commercial espresso machines heats and stores pressurized water supplied by an electric pump. This water is used to make steam and brew espresso. The boiler is made up of several copper tubes heated by electric elements. When the brew sensor is able to detect that the water level has reached the desired level, the solenoid valve opens and fills the boiler with fresh water. The heating element is then turned off.
There are four distinct types of espresso machines. They are differentiated by their ability to make steam or brew: the TB (brewing-only), TX (twin-boilers), HX (double automatic) and DA (double automated). TB and TX machines offer stable brew temperatures, while DA provides rapid steaming with a single boiler. Many cafes are converting to HX machines as they have been proven to offer the best of both worlds in terms steam temperature and brew temperature.
Maintenance
Like cars require routine tune-ups commercial espresso machines also require maintenance to run smoothly and efficiently. If you keep your machine in good condition you will get more flavorful coffee and will last longer.
It's a regular practice to clean your espresso machine, however you should also be aware of the parts that need an extra clean. There's likely to be residue from coffee grounds and milk products in the machine which could break down various components over time. Regular cleaning will keep your espresso machine in great condition.
Most commercial espresso machines require descaling every three months. This process requires more steps over normal cleaning, and you'll need check your manual regularly to ensure you're following the instructions. The solution used to clean the water tank dissolves the scale. You'll need a container in order to finish this task. In some models there may be a container to be placed under the coffee spouts. Follow the guidelines for your specific model.
A water filter change is a further maintenance step. It's easy to forget but it's crucial not to get mineral deposits. It is also important to look for calcification within the spray head, which is difficult to get rid of.