What to Look For in a Commercial Espresso Machine
When you purchase a commercial espresso machine, there are many factors to consider. Your cafe's volume, intended service usage, and barista's expertise will determine which type of espresso machine is ideal for your business.
Double boiler systems allow you to steam while brewing. It also reduces 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 much higher volume of coffee brewing than a home espresso machine. A domestic espresso machine may not be effective in a professional environment.
A high quality commercial machine can serve up to 100 cups per hour at peak times. This is a huge benefit for busy workplaces by preventing employees from having to stand for a long time to get their coffee.
A coffee machine in the workplace can also help workers to bond with each other. Often, teams of employees take turns getting the coffee, and this can help encourage collaboration and teamwork in the workplace. The presence of a space specifically for coffee can also aid new employees in feeling at comfortably in the workplace, removing any barriers between them and the senior employees.
Commercial espresso machines are available in various sizes to meet a variety of needs. Some models are completely automatic while others are able to program espresso shots in advance so that operators do not have to guess the proper size of the shot. This is particularly crucial for businesses that have untrained baristas as inaccurate shots can drastically affect the strength and flavor of espresso that is brewed. Additionally, it is recommended to purchase ethically sourced and manufactured commercial espresso machines which support the communities in which coffee is produced. This will ensure that the coffee is of top quality and reduce the negative impact to the environment.
Safety
Espresso machines can cost as much as a compact car. The machines are designed to produce hundreds of shots and drinks in the course of a single day. The high volume of operations cause unique health and safety hazards for staff, so it's important to take into account the potential risks that come with a commercial espresso machine.
It's important to keep in mind that a commercial espresso machine is likely to function with warm water, which could contribute to the development of bacteria. A machine that isn't maintained properly and isn't descaled or cleaned regularly could begin to build up spent espresso, which can become rancid and cause illnesses if consumed by customers. A commercial espresso machine that has a a steam wand that is not sealed may allow bacteria to thrive in the milk frothing process.
Think about the kind of beverage you'll be serving and how many cups an hour of your space can hold when choosing the right commercial coffee machine. It is also important to choose machines that espresso machine sale have automated features, which make it simpler and quicker to serve your customers their preferred coffee drink. In addition, you should look for a guarantee that covers parts and labor to ensure that any technical issues are solved quickly and efficiently.
Energy Efficiency
Commercial espresso machines require significantly more power than the home models. Professional espresso machines weigh more and feature larger capacity boilers that can support several group heads for regular cafe production. They also operate at a much more elevated temperature and are typically located in indoor locations (such as the cafe or restaurant) where the electronics may overheat quickly resulting in the machine breaking down.
The boiler of an espresso machine designed for commercial use heats up and holds water which has been pressurized using an electric pump. The water is used to brew and steam espresso. The boiler is comprised of several copper tubes heated by electric elements. When the brew level sensor determines that the water has reached the desired level the solenoid valve will open to fill the boiler with water that is fresh and the heating element turns off.
There are four kinds of espresso machines, differentiated by their capacity to brew and steam the water: TBS (brewing only), TX (twin boilers) HX, TB, and DA (double automatic). TB and TX machines provide stable brewing temperatures while DA can provide rapid steaming using one boiler. Many cafes are switching to HX machines since they have been shown to offer the best of both worlds, in terms of brew and steam temperatures.
Maintenance
Commercial espresso machines need regular maintenance, just like cars. They require regular maintenance in order to run smoothly and efficiently. If you keep your machine in good condition it will provide you with a better-tasting coffee and it will last longer.
Cleaning your espresso machine is a daily practice, but it's crucial to clean your machine on a more fundamental level. There's likely to be residue of coffee grounds and milk products inside the machine which could disintegrate various components over time. Regular cleaning helps to prevent this and keeps your espresso machine operating at to its maximum.
The majority of commercial espresso machines require descaling at least every 3 months. This procedure requires a few extra steps as opposed to normal cleaning. You'll need to go through your manual to ensure you adhere to all the guidelines. The solution used for descaling the water tank disintegrates the scale. You'll need a tank to complete this task. In certain models, you may also need a container beneath the coffee spouts. Follow the steps for the model you have chosen.
A water filter change is another maintenance step. It's easy to forget, but it is important to avoid accumulating mineral deposits. Be sure to look for calcification, which can be difficult to eliminate, in the spray head.