Commercial Espresso Machine: The Good The Bad And The Ugly
What to Look For in a Commercial Espresso Machine
There are many things to take into consideration when buying an espresso machine for commercial use. The volume of your cafe's operations, use for service, and barista's experience will determine which type of espresso machine is best for your business.
Double boilers allow you to brew while steaming. This reduces the time required to recover between pulls. Proportional-integral-derivative (PID) temperature control manages on/off cycles for optimal boiler temperatures.
Productivity
A commercial espresso machine is able to handle a higher volume of coffee than an home machine. If you expect a home espresso maker to perform in a professional setting could be the recipe for disaster.
A commercial machine of high end Espresso machine quality will be able to serve up to 100 coffee cups per hour during peak hours. This is a great benefit for busy workplaces, stopping employees from waiting around while waiting to get their coffee.
A coffee machine can also help workers bond. Sometimes, teams of people be able to swap coffee for each other and this can help encourage teamwork and collaboration in the workplace. A designated coffee area can help new employees feel more at ease in the workplace and reduce the barriers between them, senior staff members, and other workers.
Commercial espresso machines are available in a variety of sizes to accommodate different requirements. Some models are fully automatic and some can be programmed with pre-programmed espresso sizes so that baristas aren't required to guess the right size. This is particularly crucial for businesses with inexperienced baristas, as incorrect shots can greatly impact the flavor and intensity of espresso that is brewed. It is also best to purchase commercial espresso coffee makers machines made of ethically-sourced materials that support the communities where coffee beans are grown. This will ensure that the product is of good quality and minimizes the negative impact on the environment.
Safety
Espresso machines can cost as much money as a compact car. They are designed to produce hundreds of drinks and shots in a single day. Commercial espresso machines can pose unique health and safety hazards to staff because of their sheer volume.
Keep in mind that commercial espresso machines will likely to use warm water. This can lead to the growth of bacteria. If a machine is not properly maintained and isn't descaled or cleaned regularly may start to accumulate spent espresso, which can become rancid and cause illnesses if consumed by consumers. A commercial espresso machine that has steam wands without an effective seal can also allow for the growth of bacterial in the milk frothing system since it might not be able to attain temperatures that are sufficient to eliminate all bacteria.
When you are choosing the best commercial espresso machine, it's important to consider the type of beverages you plan on serving and the number of cups per hour your space can handle. You'll want to look for an espresso machine with automation capabilities which will allow you to serve your customers their favorite coffee beverage. Look for a warranty which includes both parts and labor. This will ensure that any technical issues will be solved quickly.
Energy Efficiency
Commercial espresso machines require significantly more power than home models. Professional espresso machines are more heavy and feature larger capacity boilers to accommodate several group heads for normal 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 an espresso machine designed for commercial use heats and stores water that is pressurized by an electric pump. The water is then used for brewing and steaming espresso. The boiler is made up of several copper tubes heated by electric elements. When the brew sensor determines that the water level has reached its target level the solenoid valve opens and fills the boiler with new water. The heating element is then turned off.
There are four kinds of espresso machines. They differ in their capacity to steam or brew by using TB (brewing-only), TX (twin-boilers) HX (double automatic), and DA (double automated). TB and TX machines have stable brew temperatures, while DA offers rapid steaming using a single boiler. HX machines are used by many cafes because they offer the best in steam and brew temperature.
Maintenance
Similar to how cars require routine tune-ups, commercial espresso machines require regular maintenance to function smoothly and efficiently. If you take care of your machine and you are able to enjoy a better-tasting coffee and it will last longer.
Cleaning your espresso machine is a daily ritual, but it's important to clean certain parts on a deeper level. There's going to be residue from milk and coffee grounds products in the machine which could cause the breakdown of various components over time. Regular cleaning helps to prevent this from happening and helps keep your espresso machine functioning at optimally.
The majority of espresso machines in commercial use require descaling at least every 3 months. This procedure requires a few extra steps compared to normal cleaning. You'll need to go through your manual so that you follow all the steps. The solution used to decal the tank in the water tank dissolves scale. You'll need a container in order to complete this task. In certain models there may be an additional container under the coffee spouts. Then, follow the instructions for the model you have chosen.
A water filter change is a further maintenance process. It's easy to overlook, but it is important not to accumulate mineral deposits. Be sure to look for calcification, which is difficult to get rid of from the spray head.