Commercial Espresso Machine: The Good The Bad And The Ugly
What to Look For in a Commercial Espresso Machine
When you are looking to purchase a commercial coffee machine, there are a variety of things to take into consideration. The volume of your cafe's operation, use of the service and barista's knowledge will determine which espresso machine is the best for your business.
Double boiler systems offer 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 can handle a larger volume of coffee than a home machine. A domestic espresso machine would not be able to perform in a Professional espresso machine environment.
A commercial machine of high quality can provide up to 100 coffee cups in an hour during peak times. This is a huge benefit in busy offices, as it will stop workers from waiting to get their coffee.
Having a coffee machine in the workplace can assist workers in forming bonds with one another. Teams of employees often are able to take turns ordering coffee for each other, which can promote collaboration and teamwork in the workplace. A designated coffee area can help new employees feel more comfortable in the workplace and break down barriers between them, senior employees and other employees.
Commercial espresso machines are available in different sizes to meet a range of needs. Some models are fully automated and others are able to pre-program espresso shots so that operators don't have to guess the right size. This is especially important for companies with untrained baristas as inaccurate shots can greatly affect the intensity and flavor of espresso that is brewed. In addition, it's ideal to purchase ethically sourced and manufactured commercial espresso machines that benefit the communities where coffee is produced. This will ensure a high end espresso machine quality product and minimize the negative impact on the environment.
Safety
Espresso machines can cost as much as a mini-car. The machines are designed to make hundreds of drinks and shots in a single day. The high volume of operations cause unique risk to health and safety for staff members, so it's important to take into account the potential hazards that come with the commercial espresso machine.
It's important to keep it in mind that commercial espresso machines are likely to operate with warm water, which could contribute to the growth of bacteria. Unmaintained machines that are not regularly cleaned and descaled will accumulate spent espresso. This could cause it to turn rancid, and potentially cause illness if consumed by customers. A commercial espresso machine that has steam wands that don't have a seal that is effective could allow for bacterial growth in the milk frothing system because it might not be able to reach temperatures high enough bean to cup espresso machine kill all bacteria.
When deciding on an espresso machine for commercial use, it is important to think about the kind of drinks you'll be serving as well as how many cups per hour your space can handle. You'll also want to find an espresso coffee machine uk machine with automation features that make it easier and faster to serve your patrons their preferred coffee drink. Find a warranty that includes both parts and labor. This will guarantee that any technical issues can be resolved quickly.
Energy Efficiency
The power requirements for commercial espresso machines are considerably higher than home models. This is due to the fact that professional espresso machine espresso coffee machines uk machines have more powerful frames and large capacity boilers to handle the multiple group heads required for normal cafe production. These machines operate at a higher temperature, and are usually located indoors (such as in a coffee shop or restaurant) where the electronics could overheat.
The boiler of commercial espresso machines heats and holds pressurized water that is supplied by an electric pump. The water is then used to brew and steaming espresso. The boiler is made up of multiple copper tubes heated by electric elements. When the brew level sensor is able to detect that the water has reached the desired level the solenoid valve will open to allow the boiler to be filled with fresh water and the heating element turns off.
There are four variations of espresso machines, differentiated by their capacity to brew and steam: TB (brewing only), TX (twin boilers) HX, DA (double automatic). TB and TX machines provide stable brew temperatures, while DA offers rapid steaming using the use of a single boiler. Many cafes are converting to HX machines since they have been shown to offer the best of both worlds in terms of steam and brew temperatures.
Maintenance
Like 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 an everyday ritual, but it's essential to clean certain parts on a greater scale. There will be a residue of coffee grounds and milk products in the machine that can disintegrate various components over time. Regular cleaning can help prevent this and keeps your espresso machine working at the best it can.
The majority of espresso machines in commercial use require descaling every three months. This procedure requires a few extra steps as opposed to normal cleaning. You'll need to go through the manual to ensure that you follow all the steps. The solution used to clean the water tank dissolves the scale. In order to complete this process it is necessary to put a container underneath the steam wand and in some units, under the coffee spouts. Then, follow the instructions specific to your model.
Another step in maintenance is changing the water filters. It's easy to overlook but it's vital not to accumulate mineral deposits. Look for calcification, which is difficult to get rid of in the spray head.