Coffeeine Blog

If you are starting your own coffee shop then you know that your main purchase is going to be your coffee makers and your espresso machines. The espresso machine will get more use than the coffee maker, simply because so many of the drinks you sell will be espresso based.This is not a piece of equipment you should cut corners on, so go for the gusto. It is an investment that will pay for itself many times over during the life of your business.

As you are looking into commercial espresso machines you also need to decide if you are going to need a one-group or two-group machine or more. It is not likely that you are going to have more than two shots being pulled at one time and so a two group will probably suffice.

There are basically three types of commercial machines to choose from and then within those choices are features or additions you can pick from. Your choice will probably boil down to how much money you

Types

Semi-automatic, automatic, and super-automatic are the espresso machine types you should be looking at.

Semi-automatic machines require the user to shut the steam off manually. This can make producing a consistent shot of espresso difficult.

Automatic machines have a cut-off timer and produce a more consistent espresso. They can be programmed  to cut off at anytime.

Super-automatic espresso machines do everything for you. They grind the beans, tamp them, pull the shot, shut off when ready and even discard the coffee beans. While they do make pulling a great espresso super easy, they take the pleasure of watching the shot be pulled. Espresso enthusiasts enjoy knowing that the barista took great pains to make sure their espresso was just right. The super automatic maker removes that element. In addition to being super-automatic, they are super expensive.

Other Considerations

In addition to what type of machine to get, you need to consider some other important factors, after all this is for your business which in turn is your livelihood.

Boiler Capacity: The boiler capacity of your machine should be large enough to get you through the largest rush you could have.  You don’t want to have to tell your customers that it will be a few minutes due to lack of hot water or steam. This is of course going to take some guesswork, however a 9-14 liter capacity should be large enough.

Warranty and Parts Availability: First you definitely want to make sure your warranty covers all the parts of the machine for at least  five years. If offered, buy an extended warranty. Before your purchase the machine, ask about repairs.  Is there a local repair shop that sends someone out? How long does it take to get parts shipped in if necessary? Do they offer same day repair service?

These questions are very important. Not having your espresso machine can cause you to lose a lot of money. Make sure there is a way to have repairs made as quickly as possible.

Grinder Hopper: You should make sure the grinder hopper is large enough to accommodate a large amount of coffee beans. You might also want to consider a machine that offers two hoppers, one for decaf beans and one for regular beans.

Water Softener: This option doesn’t apply to everyone, but if you live in area where you know the water is hard, you should opt for a water softener. This will keep you from having to have your machine de-limed due to build up. De-liming a machine is an expensive task.

Buying a commercial espresso machine is a huge investment that should be done with careful consideration to every aspect of the machine and to all the aspects of your business. The right decision can bring you years of great income and happy customers while a wrong decision can bring you years of grief and a loss of money. Choose carefully and wisely for the best espresso bar in town.
 

If you have sat down and added up all the money you spend on coffee, espresso, and coffee based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos you have probably come to the conclusion that it’s time to get your own machine. With so many out there to choose from how do you know which one to buy? To keep you from having to purchase and return several machines, we’ve listed the top sellers for you along with why they are considered the best.

These machines have been judged using looks, quality of machine (consistency, crema, etc.), convenience, value and price.

The Capresso Espresso Pro

With a cost of around $250 this machine has a striving-for-art deco look, but it missed that mark slightly. On the other hand, it makes a fast espresso shot s without making a huge mess. The frothing wand actually siphons the milk out the tank and into the wand, unlike other machines that send the steam into a pitcher of milk.

Although the machine is small and relatively simple to use, most reviewers report that the espresso is bitter and has a burnt taste.

Krups

Already known for its other coffee makers, the Krups Novo 3000 is a bare bones espresso maker. It isn’t an art piece to be oohed and ahhed over, but it does make a high grade espresso. Priced at around $180, this machine is not entirely consistent in its production. When it does produce a good espresso, it is really good. Reviewers stated that its consistency is around 66% reliable. At other times the espresso came out watery or bitter.

Krups service department didn’t fare much better with reviewers. All in all, the machine is ahead of steam driven machines but espresso enthusiasts will want to opt for a more reliable, albeit more expensive model.

Starbuck Barista

Priced at $399 this machine is a little on the pricey side, but not near as pricey as some other models. Having the Starbucks name implies that this is going to produce an excellent espresso, and it doesn’t let you down. While there are more expensive brands that produce richer espressos, the Barista does make an excellent choice.

The Barista is easy to use, well designed and easy to master. The only drawback reviewers found was the steam wand is on l the left side of the maker. Most people will tend to reach to the right. This is simply a matter of becoming accustomed to reaching to the left. One final plus for the Barista is that Starbucks does have a wonderful customer service.

Gaggia Classic

This espresso maker hasn’t changed in at least 20 years and probably won’t for another 20 to come. The Gaggia, named for one of the early inventors of the espresso machines.  That could account for why this machine makes such a great espresso with a very thick, wonderful crema.  And all at around $499.

The Gaggia has simple controls that are easily learned and is also easy to clean and maintain. The only negative aspect reviewers reported was a small cup warmer and the length of time it takes to warm up.

Espresso machines are basically like most every other product; you get what you pay for. A $50 machine off the local chain store’s shelf won’t produce a quality espresso more than a few times, if at all. On the other hand you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to get a quality machine. The Gaggia makes a wonderfully thick, rich espresso with a golden crema and doesn’t cost as much as many other models.

-Katya Coen
 

Home espresso machines have become more popular than ever in the past few years. With the cost of stopping for an espresso skyrocketing, more and more families are opting for buying a home espresso machine.

Home espresso machines are scaled back versions of the commercial ones used in coffee shops. How scaled back is up to you. You can spend a lot of money and have a top of the line, do it all machine or buy a lower end machine and still make wonderful espressos.

The basic premise is that the machine will force hot water over finely ground coffee under pressure, creating an espresso with a beautiful crema. How the machine goes about creating your espresso depends on the type of machine.

Types of Machines

Pump espresso machines are typically the most expensive of the espresso machines. Although they do create the most excellent espressos, they are typically the largest and noisiest of the machines.  Commercial machines are usually pump espresso machines although there are home espresso machines that are pump also. Pump espresso machines also require more maintenance as they can become clogged with mineral deposits.

Manual espresso machines use a manual lever and piston to create pressure. If used often they can be strenuous on the arm. These machines do not create a consistent espresso as the pressure varies based on amount of arm strength. Lever/piston machines are very quiet with few parts and low maintenance.

Steam powered espresso machines are the most common machines found in homes. They are quick and easy to use. They are small enough to fit in home kitchens. These espresso machines use steam from the heated water to create pressure. The pressure in these machines isn’t always sufficient to make a great espresso.

Another basic simple espresso machine is the moka pot or percolator. These use a pressurized bottom half to send the steam though the coffee into the top half where the espresso is collected. The main advantages are that they are the least expensive of all the models and are very simple to use.  However, they have no frothing tools or method for frothing, have less pressure than mechanical versions, which means less flavor is extracted from the coffee.

Determine Your Needs

Buying an espresso machine for your home should be considered an investment. You need to evaluate how often you plan to use the machine, if it’s an occasional use, you can probably go with a less expensive machine. If, however, you are a daily espresso drinker, you will probably want to go with a more expensive machine that can stand up to more use. You should also look for one with a good warranty.

When determining your needs you should also consider how much space you have for the machine. For occasional use you might consider a smaller machine that you can put away. Or perhaps even a coffee maker/espresso maker combo machine.

Cost

It’s a good idea to decide how much you want to spend on an espresso machine before you start hunting one. One good way to get an idea is to consider how often you purchase an espresso or espresso based drinks and figure how much you spend monthly. This will help you decide how much you can spend on a machine and have it pay for itself.

With all your information gathered you are ready to go find yourself an espresso machine made for home use. There are many reputable companies that have home espresso machines. Some are also commercial espresso makers and probably make the best espresso machines. Whatever your decision you will be delighted with your hot, fresh espresso made while still in your pajamas.

-Katya Coen

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