10 Fabulous Commercial Espresso Machines For That Store Bought Kinda Coffee

10 Fabulous Commercial Espresso Machines For That Store Bought Kinda Coffee. It can get quite complicated to find a commercial espresso maker when you are presented with so many options. Over the years, the process of making coffee in coffee shops and restaurants has continued to evolve. Thanks to commercial espresso machines, we have moved away from the era where waiters and waitresses served filtered coffee from jugs. Instead, we came to an age where your espresso drinks are brewed the moment you place an order.

Do you want to improve the quality of coffee served in your coffee shop or café? Or are you about to start a shop or a restaurant? Or maybe you just have a large family who all happen to be coffee connoisseurs. A commercial espresso coffee machine is what you need.

Not looking for a commercial-grade espresso machine? Try something more affordable, but as great and meant for households – espresso makers under 200 USD.

The super-automatic espresso machine will provide you with more flavorful drinks, faster brewing speed, and versatility.

Over the years, brewing coffee in coffee shops has continued to evolve. Thanks to commercial espresso machines, the era of waiters and waitresses serving filtered coffee from jugs is over. Instead, we have come to an age where your espresso drinks are brewed instantly. This article focuses on the 10 commercial machines available currently.

Table of Contents hide
  1. 1. Our Handpicked Collection Of 10 Amazing Commercial Espresso Machines
    1. 1.1. 1. Gaggia 1003380 Accademia Espresso Machine
      1. 1.1.1. Key specifications of Gaggia 1003380 Accademia Espresso Machine include:
    2. 1.2. 2. Breville BES990XL Oracle Espresso Machine
      1. 1.2.1. Key specifications of the Breville BES990XL Oracle espresso machine include:
    3. 1.3. 3. Jura 15097 E8 Espresso Coffee Machine
      1. 1.3.1. Key specifications of Jura 15097 E8 espresso machine include:
    4. 1.4. 4. Jura Impressa XS90 One Touch Automatic Coffee Center
      1. 1.4.1. Key specifications of Jura Impressa XS90 automatic coffee machine include:
    5. 1.5. 5. Breville Oracle Touch, BES990BSSUSC Fully Automatic Espresso Machine
      1. 1.5.1. Key specifications of the Breville Oracle Touch espresso machine include:
    6. 1.6. 6. Jura 15070 E6 Automatic Coffee Center
      1. 1.6.1. Key specifications of the Jura E6 15070 automatic coffee machine include:
    7. 1.7. 7. La Spaziale S1 Dream T
      1. 1.7.1. Key specifications of La Spaziale S1 Dream T coffee machine include:
    8. 1.8. 8. Nuova Simonelli Appia II Volumetric 2 Group
      1. 1.8.1. Key specifications of Nuova Simonelli Appia II Volumetric 2 Group include:
    9. 1.9. 9. La Pavoni BAR-STAR 2V-R – 2-Group
      1. 1.9.1. Key specifications of La Pavoni BAR-STAR 2V-R – 2-Group include:
    10. 1.10. 10. Quick Mill Anita EVO Espresso Machine
      1. 1.10.1. Key specifications of the Quick Mill Anita Evo espresso machine include:
  2. 2. Commercial Espresso Machines Buying Guide
  3. 3. When Should You Consider Buying A Commercial Espresso Maker?
    1. 3.1. What Are The Types Of Commercial Espresso Makers?
      1. 3.1.1. Manual espresso makers
      2. 3.1.2. Semi-Automatic espresso machines
      3. 3.1.3. Automatic espresso machines
      4. 3.1.4. Super-Automatic espresso machines
  4. 4. Which is the Perfect Espresso Machine Type For Your Business?
    1. 4.1. The Size of Your Business
  5. 5. What to look for when buying a commercial-grade espresso machine?
    1. 5.1. The size of the boiler
    2. 5.2. Power of the espresso maker
    3. 5.3. The Ideal Temperature Of The Espresso Machine
    4. 5.4. Ease of Use and Cleaning
    5. 5.5. Size and Looks of the Espresso Machine
  6. 6. Commercial Espresso Machines FAQs
    1. 6.1. Q1. Why are commercial espresso machines so expensive?
    2. 6.2. Q2. Which espresso machine type is better for a small coffee shop?
    3. 6.3. Q3. How hard is it to maintain a commercial-grade espresso maker?
    4. 6.4. Q4. Should I install direct plumbing to my espresso machine?
    5. 6.5. Q5. How Much Do Espresso Machines Cost?
    6. 6.6. Closing Thoughts

Our Handpicked Collection Of 10 Amazing Commercial Espresso Machines

We spent some time researching and have listed the 10 commercial espresso machines so that you don’t have to waste your precious time searching for them anywhere else on the internet!

1. Gaggia 1003380 Accademia Espresso Machine

top commercial espresso machines

The Gaggia Accademia is a super-automatic espresso machine. It comes with a sleek and sturdy stainless steel body construction. It has a 1.7L top-loading water tank, a bean hopper of 340g, and a built-in ceramic burr grinder that help to give you up to 10 grind fineness levels.

This commercial espresso machine has a detachable milk container so you can store your milk in the fridge when it is not in use. More so, it has an automatic milk frothing and manual milk-steaming feature. Way easier than if you would need to foam it manually.

Additionally, the Gaggia Accademia coffee machine features a dual boiler system. It makes use of thermoblock technology. Which provides fast heating and has a cup-warming tray feature. Also, it has an LCD screen that is very convenient when it comes to reading the settings and setting up your espresso machine for the next drink.  It has a removable brewing unit which makes it easy to clean.

It is worth mentioning that this commercial espresso coffee machine offers you seven different coffee drinks. Three milk-steaming options. And a water filter that purifies the water used in making the coffee while reducing the rate at which you will have to descale the coffee machine.

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Key specifications of Gaggia 1003380 Accademia Espresso Machine
include:

  • Dimensions: 11 x 16 x 14.6 inches
  • Pump Pressure: 15 bar
  • One-Touch Button: Yes
  • Double Boiler: Yes
  • Automatic Cleaning: Yes
  • Doser Bypass: Yes.
  • Removable Brewing Group: Yes
  • Grinder: Ceramic

Although users have complained about the milk temperature of this commercial espresso machine being low. Its one-touch button control, automatic self-cleaning feature, bypass dosing system, and a pump pressure of 15 bars, make this espresso machine one of the most commercial espresso machines in its class.

Pros

  • Its detachable brewing container and milk container make it easy to maintain;
  • LCD for controlling settings;
  • Its milk steaming and preset coffee features provide for great customization.

Cons

  • It has a low milk temperature.

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2. Breville BES990XL Oracle Espresso Machine

The Breville BES990XL Oracle is a semi-automatic espresso machine that comes with a large 2.5L water tank and a 225g removable bean hopper. The bean hopper is easy to detach for cleaning. It features a built-in, conical burr grinder with 40 different grind settings. It automatically grinds, stamps, and doses beans. And an advanced automatic milk frother, which can be used manually too.

This espresso machine has a dual boiler that makes it possible to brew and steam milk at the same time. It is worth mentioning that it comes with a pre-infusion feature that slightly soaks the coffee before extraction. Thereby providing for an even and flavorful extraction.

Another great feature of this espresso coffee machine is its customizable self-cleaning steam wand. It allows you to select your desired steamed milk texture. Furthermore, it is equipped with the programmable PID temperature control feature. It can be used to adjust the brew boiler to a temperature of your choice.

This commercial espresso coffee machine comes with a cup warmer feature. What it does is heat the drink without relying on the machine’s boilers. It has an LCD touch-screen that is used to control various settings. The volume of grinds, pre-infusion, grind settings, shot temperature, and anything else now is way easier to adjust.

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Key specifications of the Breville BES990XL Oracle espresso machine include:

  • Dimensions: 16.25 x 15 x 18
  • Pump Pressure: 15 bar
  • Double Boiler: Yes
  • Removable Bean Hopper: Yes
  • Grinder: Conical
  • Auto Grind and Tamp: Yes
  • Micro-foam Milk Texturing: Yes

Some users have complained of poor after-sales service from Breville. But, its unique milk frother system, pre-infusion feature, auto grind, and tamp feature, among others, make this Italian espresso machine stand out.

Pros

  • It comes with a dual boiler which means you can brew and froth at the same time;
  • Improved programmability that allows you to customize your espresso;
  • Features an LCD screen;
  • Adjustable frothing wand allows for different milk textures;
  • Offers a manual operation option.

Cons

  • The level of Breville’s after-sale services could be better.

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3. Jura 15097 E8 Espresso Coffee Machine

The Jura 15097 E8 is a super-automatic espresso machine that comes with a 1.9L water reservoir. A 250g, and an Aroma G3 burr grinder. Its built-in grinder is designed to be super-fast and has up to six grind fineness levels to adjust the coarseness of the grind.

It is equipped with an automatic milk frother and automatically rinses the frothing device after every milk-based drink. Even more, the Jura E8 comes with a built-in cleaning and rinsing function, which makes it easy to clean and descale.

One unique feature of this commercial espresso machine is the JURA smart connect feature. This feature makes it possible to connect your espresso machine to your smart device. Although you will have to buy the device separately. It can be used to control and manage various settings on the espresso machine.

The Jura E8 is equipped with a user-friendly coloured TFT display screen that provides for easy selections. Additionally, it is highly customizable as it comes with up to 20 programmable settings. And has a Pulse Extraction Process brewing system that provides for shorter brew time.

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Key specifications of Jura 15097 E8 espresso machine include:

  • Dimensions: 11 x 17 x 13.5 inches
  • Pump Pressure: 15 bar
  • Thermoblock Boiler: Yes
  • Automatic Cleaning: Yes
  • Grinder: Aroma G3 Burr
  • JURA Smart Connect: Yes
  • Pulse Extraction Process: Yes

The Jura E8 espresso machine comes with fine foam technology. However, the milk does not get hot enough for beverages such as hot chocolate. Its automatic descaling and cleaning feature, P.E.P brewing, ‘s easy to use the system as well as the ability to make two cups of coffee at the same time make this commercial espresso coffee machine a great option to buy.

Pros

  • It has an automatic cleaning and descaling feature;
  • Equipped with the Jura smart connect feature;
  • Clear user-friendly TFT display screen;
  • It is highly customizable as it comes with up to 20 programmable settings.

Cons

  • Milk does not seem to get hot enough for beverages like hot chocolate.

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4. Jura Impressa XS90 One Touch Automatic Coffee Center

The Jura Impressa XS90 is a super-automatic espresso machine. It comes with a side-loading 1.5-gallon water tank making it capable of making up to 50 cups of coffee. It has a bean hopper of 10-ounce capacity. And, with the option of attaching an extra 10-ounce bean hopper at the of the machine, you can double the size of its bean hopper.

This espresso machine is equipped with a ceramic conical burr grinder providing you with up to six grind fineness settings. It features an automatic milk frother as well as a control dial that allows you to choose your desired foam level.

Additionally, it provides you with 10 different coffee options and comes with a one-touch feature. Allowing you to make coffee by the touch of a single button in a few minutes. The Jura XS90 features thermoblock dual boilers that provide for fast heating, brewing, and steaming milk at the same time.

It is worth mentioning that this restaurant-grade espresso machine comes with a free telescoping coffee spigot that can dispense two cups of coffee at the same time. It is equipped with an LED screen for controlling system settings and a water filter that is built into the water tank for purifying the water used for making coffee.

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Key specifications of Jura Impressa XS90 automatic coffee machine include:

  • Dimensions: 15.5 x 16 x 18.5 inches
  • Pump Pressure: 15 bar
  • One-Touch Button: Yes
  • Double Boiler: Yes
  • Automatic Cleaning: Yes
  • Doser Bypass: Yes.
  • Grinder: Ceramic Conical
  • Telescoping Coffee Spigot: Yes

This espresso machine is not easy to use due to its complicated design. But its one-touch operation, bean-level monitoring system, automatic cleaning, and descaling feature more than makes up for that. Not to mention its pre-brew aroma feature makes this espresso machine a great espresso machine for restaurants and coffee shops alike.

Pros

  • It features a one-touch design operation;
  • Extra bean hopper feature;
  • Great automatic cleaning features provide for easy cleaning;
  • Bean level monitoring system.

Cons

  • It is not easy to use due to its limited LED display;
  • Due to its large size, it will occupy plenty of kitchen space.

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5. Breville Oracle Touch, BES990BSSUSC Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

The Breville BES990BSSUSC is a sleek and stylish hybrid espresso machine that is designed to be a blend of both semi-automatic and super-automatic espresso machines. It comes with a 2L BPA-free water reservoir and a 225g bean hopper located at the of the unit.
This super-automatic espresso machine is equipped with a built-in, conical burr grinder. As well as an automatic milk frother system that allows you to make coffee in three steps: grind, brew, and froth.

It features a dual boiler made from stainless steel that makes it possible to steam milk and brew coffee at the same time.

More so, it comes with a thermoJet heating system that gets the machine to the desired temperature in just three minutes. Additionally, this espresso machine features a pre-infusion feature that slightly soaks the coffee before extraction. Thereby providing for more aroma. It gives you up to 8 customization options for various coffee types and preferences.

Another key feature of the Breville Oracle Touch is the optimal water pressure feature. It limits the pressure through the extraction and as a result, helps to prevent the coffee from having a bitter flavor. Also, it has an intuitive touch screen that is used to control and manage settings.

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Key specifications of the Breville Oracle Touch espresso machine include:

  • Dimensions: 14.7 x 14.5 x 17.6 inches
  • Pump Pressure: 15 bar
  • One-Touch Button: Yes
  • Double Boiler: Yes
  • Automatic Cleaning: Yes
  • Doser Bypass: Yes
  • Over Pressure Valve (OPV): Yes
  • Grinder: Conical

It is worth mentioning that this espresso machine’s temperature levels might be challenging to understand. And you will not be able to use large cups. However, it comes with great features like optimal water pressure, hands-free operation, an intuitive touch screen as well as pre-infusion. Making it one of the small commercial espresso machines.

Pros

  • It is easy to use and user-friendly;
  • Easy to clean and has descaling and cleaning cycle reminders;
  • Features an automatic steam wand for nearly hands-free operation;
  • Intuitive touch screen display;
  • It comes with an automatic purge on the group head.

Cons

  • It has a heating system problem as the water temperature does not get up to optimal rating;
  • Large cups cannot be used except for espresso cups.

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6. Jura 15070 E6 Automatic Coffee Center

The Jura E6 15070 is a fully automatic sleek and quality-designed commercial espresso machine. It comes with a removable 1.9L water tank, a drip tray, and a milk frother. As well as an integrated Aroma G3 burr grinder for a variety of coarseness.

This machine features smart water filter technology. It informs you when to change the filter. And takes about 1 minute, 58 seconds to get your coffee ready. Also, it has the Pulse Extraction Process feature that provides for the full release of the coffee flavors.

This commercial espresso coffee machine comes with a TFT display and seven different brew options. Manual cup preheat feature as well as the one-touch button operation. It is also worth mentioning that Jura E6 has the JURA Smart Connect feature. This feature makes it possible for you to connect your smartphone or tablet to your coffee machine. Allowing you to control your espresso machine with your smart device.

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Key specifications of the Jura E6 15070 automatic coffee machine include:

  • Dimensions: 17.3 x 11 x 13.8 inches
  • Pump Pressure: 15 bar
  • One-Touch Button: Yes
  • Automatic Cleaning: Yes
  • Grinder: Aroma G3 Burr
  • JURA Smart Connect: Yes
  • Pulse Extraction Process: Yes

In all, this espresso machine is sleek and attractive. This is a result of the fact that it comes with features like the TFT display, and JURA Smart connect, not to mention one-touch button control. Although it has low milk temperature and does not make use of pre-ground coffee, its P.E.P feature, and smart filter, among others make it a great commercial espresso coffee machine.

Pros

  • Easy to Set Up and Use;
  • Wireless Capability;
  • Pulse Extraction Process;
  • Smart Connect feature.

Cons

  • It does not make use of pre-ground coffee;
  • Low milk temperature.

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7. La Spaziale S1 Dream T

The La Spaziale S1 Dream T is a semi-automatic espresso machine that comes with a removable 3L water tank. It is equipped with a dual boiler system that makes it capable of brewing espresso, steaming milk as well and dispensing hot water at the same time.

This semi-automatic espresso machine has a pre-infusion feature that slightly wets the coffee beans before the pressurized water is added to make coffee.

Its boiler is refilled automatically. It comes with a built-in safety thermostat for outstanding temperature control.

Additionally, this Italian commercial espresso machine features a dream touchpad that allows for the adjustment of water temperature, length of pre-infusion, and volumetric settings as well as acts as a shot timer. And, it has a volumetric dosing feature that ensures that irrespective of who is operating the espresso machine, the same result is achieved.

Furthermore, the La Spaziale S1 Dream T comes with a large cup warmer. Ensuring improved temperature stability. An extremely quiet vibratory pump for extracting suitable espresso shots. It has a PID controller that controls the espresso and steam boiler with separate temperatures. As well as set the water temperature to one degree Fahrenheit.

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Key specifications of La Spaziale S1 Dream T coffee machine include:

  • Dimensions: 15 x 16.5 x 16.5 inches
  • Double Boiler: Yes
  • PID Controller: Yes
  • Vibratory Pump: Yes
  • Pre-infusion: Yes
  • Volumetric Dosing: Yes
  • Number of Groups: Yes

This espresso machine does not come with a built-in grinder. However, its unique features such as a memory card writer and reader, 4 programmable profiles, a coffee dose counter, a rotary pump, and its integrated programmable timer make it a great espresso machine for coffee shops.

Pros

  • It has a memory card writer and reader;
  • Excellent timer and temperature controls;
  • It comes with the volumetric feature;
  • Quiet Rotary pump;
  • It has an extra manual semi-automatic button.

Cons

  • The reservoir requires a slight lift to fully slide the tray into place;
    It does not come with a built-in grinder.

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8. Nuova Simonelli Appia II Volumetric 2 Group

The Nuova Simonelli Appia II Volumetric 2 Group is a sturdy machine that inherits a lot of features. It comes with an 11L boiler having a stainless steel construction and raised group heads that make it possible to fit larger cups beneath.

This professional espresso machine features the soft infusion system (SIS) that wets the ground coffee during brewing. That provides a uniform extraction, and great flavour as well as brews consistent shots all the time. It has a cup-warming feature that heats the cup, thus improving the temperature.

This semi-automatic espresso machine comes with a smart wand system that makes frothed milk by stretching and steaming the milk with the touch of a button. It is worth mentioning that it has an automated cleaning with the touch of a button. And it can make up to 100 cups of drinks per hour.

Other features include a turbo cream feature that turns milk into a thick froth. A reverse mirror that provides a better view of the brewing cycle. Dual brew groups, and a water level Indicator. It has a programmable group head that can be programmed into single/double short or single/double long.

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Key specifications of Nuova Simonelli Appia II Volumetric 2 Group include:

  • Dimensions: 30.5 x 21 x 22 inches
  • Reverse Mirror: Yes
  • Soft Infusion System: Yes
  • Cup Warming: Yes
  • Automatic Cleaning: Yes
  • Dual Brew Groups: Yes

All in all, it is important to note that this commercial espresso machine cannot be used to make other coffee drinks. However, its soft infusion system, water filter system, espresso starter kit, and programmable group head make it stand out as the espresso machine for coffee shops. And – it can brew a staggering number of coffee cups per hour. So, if your business is flourishing – this might just be the espresso machine you were looking for.

Pros

  • It has a sleek and ergonomic design;
  • Super-fast delivery of shots;
  • Comes with a self-cleaning feature;
  • Its group head can be raised to allow more cups to fill.

Cons

  • Cannot be used to make other coffee drinks.

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9. La Pavoni BAR-STAR 2V-R – 2-Group

The La Pavoni BAR-STAR 2V-R – 2-Group is an NSF/CSA-certified 2-group commercial espresso machine that comes with a 14L copper boiler. It comes with a manual reset thermostat that has an auto-shut feature for safety.

This espresso machine is equipped with an integrated 12L water softener that helps to remove minerals from the water used to make the coffee.

This professional coffee machine comes with a programmable dosing feature that allows you to save four different dosing settings. This feature allows you to set precise water volume using a microprocessor and digital control pad hence making it possible to achieve consistent espresso drink all the time.

This espresso machine has a cup warming tray for improved cup temperature, a separate button for hot water, and two steam wands. It has a pre-infusion feature that slightly wets the ground coffee before brewing to achieve even extraction as well as an increased aroma.

This Italian commercial espresso machine is easy to operate and user-friendly. It has a dual power switch position that provides for reduced energy consumption and a thermal stability feature that ensures consistent temperature for each group.

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Key specifications of La Pavoni BAR-STAR 2V-R – 2-Group include:

  • Dimensions: 22 x 31 x 22 inches
  • Dual Group Head Yes
  • Pre-infusion: Yes
  • Cup Warming: Yes
  • Water Softener: Yes
  • Multiple Brewing: Yes

On the whole, if you are in the market for an espresso machine for your business, then the La Pavoni BAR-STAR 2V-R – 2-Group is one of the few options worth considering. It has such unique features as a visible gauge, pre-infusion, dual power switch, water softener, an installation kit as well as multiple brewing among others.

Pros

  • Provides for continuous espresso brewing with a stop button;
  • Capable of being used by multiple users at the same time;
  • The built-in cup warming feature;
  • It has a pre-infusion feature.

Cons

  • It takes time to clean due to its complex design.

  • Due to its high price, not all businesses can afford it.

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10. Quick Mill Anita EVO Espresso Machine

The Quick Mill Anita Evo is a semi-automatic espresso machine that is equipped with a built-in 3L water tank and a magnetic water level indicator. It has an insulated heat exchange copper boiler that provides even heat and heats up rapidly, allowing you to steam milk and brew espresso at the same time.

This professional coffee machine comes with a commercial-grade E-61 group head that is durable, easy to use and has excellent temperature stability.

Additionally, it has a vibratory pump with a thermal overload that always ensures the pump operates at a specific temperature and prevents damage caused by heat.

It is worth mentioning that the Quick Mill Anita Evo features a built-in pre-infusion feature, a large drip tray, and a cup-warming feature that heats your cup before the coffee is dispensed into it. It has a user-friendly design and comes with no-burn steam wands and water arms.

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Key specifications of the Quick Mill Anita Evo espresso machine include:

  • Dimensions: 10.8 x 17.8 x 15.2 inches
  • Group Head: E-61
  • Pump Pressure: 15 bar
  • Boiler Type: Heat Exchange
  • Pre-infusion: Yes
  • Cup Warmer: Yes

All in all, this commercial espresso machine is not without the downside of always having to open the housing to adjust the boiler temperature. However, its large indicator lights, E-61 commercial group, heat exchanger boiler, not to mention its portafilter, make this commercial-grade espresso machine worth buying.

Pros

  • It comes with a separate boiler and brew pressure gauges;
  • Comes with a simple design that makes it easy to use and maintain;
  • It has a commercial-grade group head;
  • Equipped with insulated boiler with TEA coating.

Cons

  • Adjusting the boiler temperature requires you to always open its housing.

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Commercial Espresso Machines Buying Guide

Super-automatic espresso machines are made to be sturdy and versatile, which makes them capable of withstanding heavy usage as well as offer several years of service. Whether you are just a coffee lover, someone trying to improve the quality of coffee served in your coffee shop, or you are thinking of starting a coffee business, a commercial espresso coffee machine is an excellent choice.

Buying the commercial espresso machine for your coffee shop, coffee restaurant, office, or personal use will provide you with a consistently rich, flavorful, and super-fast brewing speed. Whether you are looking for an espresso machine for coffee shops a small commercial espresso machine or an espresso machine for business, we have provided you with a detailed guide to help you make the right choice.

When Should You Consider Buying A Commercial Espresso Maker?

You should consider buying a commercial espresso machine if you want to upgrade your current espresso machine. Or if you’re going to start a coffee shop, coffee restaurant, or coffee business. Or when you want an espresso machine that will fit large establishments. Commercial espresso coffee machines are designed for heavy workloads and are suitable for making espressos for a large number of people in a short time span.

What Are The Types Of Commercial Espresso Makers?

Generally, commercial espresso coffee machines fall into four types depending on their specifications, mode of operation, and usage. They include:

Manual espresso makers

The manual industrial espresso machine is designed to be operated using a hand-operated lever style. Although this type of espresso machine is not generally in use in recent times, it remains the widely preferred option of professional baristas in Europe and Italy.

The manual espresso machine gives the operator full control of most aspects of the espresso brewing experience, such as steam pressure, infusion time, brew temperature, length of extraction, the tamping quality, among other controls.

This machine is simple, reliable, and easy to repair. Since it requires a lot of physical labor to operate, it is not suitable for use in locations requiring high traffic demands. However, it can be useful at home, on catering trucks, at fairs, and low-traffic locations.

Semi-Automatic espresso machines

The Semi-automatic commercial espresso machine is generally typical among one group of machines. With this espresso machine, you tend to get better control over pressure and temperature even though you will have to start and stop the brewing process manually.

The semi-automatic espresso machine is a popular choice by many coffee lovers and requires a trained barista to operate it. Since it has a faster brewing time, it is suitable for use in the home, office, small coffee shops, as a restaurant espresso machine, as well as other commercial purposes.

Automatic espresso machines

The automatic or fully automatic commercial espresso machines are designed to perform most functions automatically. These machines come in one to four group grades and use a programmable system to control several features.

These fully automatic espresso machines take control of the brewing process and are great when it comes to custom orders. They provide a consistent espresso drink faster and are suitable for use in large and busy establishments having high traffic as well in cases where a wide variety of drink options is required.

Super-Automatic espresso machines

These machines are designed to automatically control each step of the espresso-making experience, from bean grinding, brewing, milk steaming, and frothing all through to the pressurized pouring stage by the touch of a single button.

These types of espresso machines are often more expensive, and sophisticated, and require more service and maintenance. They come with several features such as auto-cleaning, auto-frother, and removable milk storage, among other features.

It is worth mentioning that the super-automatic espresso machine helps to save labour costs and is ideal for use in busy coffee shops, fast-food restaurants, and hotels as well as several other locations having high traffic.

Which is the Perfect Espresso Machine Type For Your Business?

Overall, we have been able to list four types of commercial espresso machines available, which are manual, semi-automatic, automatic, and super-automatic espresso machines.

We found out that semi-automatic espresso machines are ideal for use in small coffee shops. For larger coffee shops, fully automatic espresso machines are suitable for use. While for bustling environments having high customer traffic, the super-automatic espresso machines are most suitable as their automated operations make coffee brewing faster.

Additionally, one important feature to consider is the number of group heads as the number of group heads determines the number of coffee drinks produced per hour. The one and two-group head espresso machines are suitable for small coffee shops and restaurants. The three group heads machines are ideal for large and busy locations, while the four group heads machine is ideal for bustling locations having high coffee volume demands.

The Size of Your Business

First, you need to consider the size of your business. Calculate the demand and customer flow. Only then you can think of which commercial espresso machine you might need. The number of group heads determines the total number of espresso cups that you can make at once. Also, the higher the number of group heads, the higher the number of staff that can make use of the machine at the same time.

Espresso coffee machines for business can be categorized into the following group heads:

  1. Two Group heads
  2. Three Group heads
  3. Four Group heads

Generally, one or two group heads with the ability to make four drinks are ideal for smaller coffee shops and restaurants. Three and four group heads with the ability to make six and eight drinks respectively are suitable for larger and bustling coffee shops having high customer traffic.

What to look for when buying a commercial-grade espresso machine?

As a professional coffee shop or café owner, choosing the right commercial-grade espresso machine for your coffee shop or business can be quite challenging. The market today has been saturated with quite a few commercial-grade espresso coffee machines. Offering various features, specifications, and functions.

However, with the right knowledge, it can be like a stroll in the park. When it comes to choosing the commercial espresso machine for yourself and your business, you must consider several essential factors first.

The size of the boiler for one, will play a part in how many people you can serve at once. The larger the tank, the more coffee you can make and the faster you can serve. What is the maximum and minimum temperature the espresso machine provides? No one likes cold coffee. It has to be hot, the hotter, the better. Other essential factors are the power, size, and looks, not to forget the ease of use. Read on to learn more!

The size of the boiler

The boiler size of the commercial espresso coffee machine is an essential feature. It plays a vital role in determining the machine’s capacity to provide steam and dispense hot water. The larger the size, the more group heads you will have for the espresso machine. The more coffee you’ll be able to brew and more people will leave your place satisfied.

Group heads and boiler size for commercial espresso makers:

  • 1 Group head: 1.8 liters – 5 liters
  • 2 Group heads: 5 liters – 12 liters
  • 3 Group heads: 11 liters – 18 liters
  • 4 Group heads: 20 liters – 22 liters

A coffee shop or restaurant owner with high traffic who serves up to 20oz Vente takeouts per shot is expected to choose an espresso machine with a bigger boiler size than a professional with lesser traffic of about 8oz single cappuccinos.

Power of the espresso maker

The power of the espresso machine affects the performance of the espresso machine. Bigger machines with a high delivery rate often consume more power than smaller ones. For a large restaurant or coffee shop with high customer flow, it is advisable to go for an espresso machine for business with a higher power rating as it recovers from workout quicker than those with smaller power ratings.

The Ideal Temperature Of The Espresso Machine

Often the quality of the espresso is affected by the temperature of the water used in brewing the coffee. Ideally, the temperature required to deliver a good quality espresso is 95C, which is 203F. Any slight difference in the heat of the water used in brewing will significantly affect the quality and taste of the espresso made. Since the design of the machine determines the temperature of the espresso machine, it is essential to choose the right one to avoid having to face the challenge of producing poor-quality espresso.

Ease of Use and Cleaning

You would not want to have an espresso machine that will be too complex to teach your staff as it would lead to a waste of time as well as poor quality espressos, which in turn is bad for business. A good espresso machine must have a user-friendly interface and easily accessible controls.

It is essential always to consider the ease of use of the machine as more straightforward machines tend to be more efficient in high-traffic volume businesses requiring speed, and consistency as well as having much staff operating it.

Also, the ease of cleaning must be considered, while some machines are equipped with self-cleaning and descaling features and indicator lights, others are not. If you run or intend to run a high-traffic business, it is essential to go for a machine that is easy to use and clean as it will save time.

Size and Looks of the Espresso Machine

The aesthetic looks of an espresso machine add colour to your coffee shop, restaurant, or established business. Additionally, the size of the machine must be considered. Not only because it determines the number of espressos that can be produced, but it also determines the number of baristas that can work on it at the same time. More so, most customers take the quality of the espresso to be a function of the size of the espresso machine.

Small businesses and coffee shops can operate using smaller one or two-group head espresso machines. Larger and high-demand coffee shops and companies will require larger – three and four-group head machines. They not only make more cups of espresso but can be operated by more than one staff at the same time.

Commercial Espresso Machines FAQs

Q1. Why are commercial espresso machines so expensive?

The primary reason commercial espresso machines are expensive is that they are designed and constructed to handle heavy workloads from some of the busiest coffee shops and restaurants. They come with durable components like boilers, multiple group heads, as well as pumps.

Q2. Which espresso machine type is better for a small coffee shop?

Generally, small coffee shops often have less traffic volume, which in turn means a lesser workload for the machines. Semi-automatic espresso machines with one or two group heads are ideal for small coffee shops and restaurants since they cost less and are more comfortable to operate and clean.

Q3. How hard is it to maintain a commercial-grade espresso maker?

Commercial-grade espresso machines are designed to be sturdy and durable, making them capable of withstanding heavy workloads. Although there is no single method of maintaining your espresso machine, however, most commercial-grade espresso machines are easy to maintain because they come with automatic self-cleaning and descaling features.

Q4. Should I install direct plumbing to my espresso machine?

Direct plumbing refers to the hooking of a water line to your espresso machine for easier and faster filling of your water tank. Also, with a direct pipe, you can connect your drip tray directly to a drain. This will mean you won’t have to always bother about refilling your water tank as well as draining your drip tray again. As a result, it saves you time.

Q5. How Much Do Espresso Machines Cost?

There is no single price for commercial espresso machines. Such factors as the manufacturer, group heads, boilers, and other features determine the price. Larger Super-automatic espresso machines tend to cost more than the small manual machines.

Closing Thoughts

In conclusion, your commercial espresso machine plays a vital role in determining the success of your coffee shop, café, or coffee restaurant. In choosing the espresso machine for your business, you will need to consider several features such as the size of your business, espresso maker type, boiler size, ease of use, and temperature of the espresso machine.

Although choosing the commercial espresso machine can be quite a challenging task, with our detailed guide, you will have nothing to worry about. Feel free to choose from the list of our commercial espresso machines. Hope you liked this research.

1 COMMENT

  1. I have a large family who all happen to be coffee connoisseurs. A commercial espresso coffee machine is what I need. thanks for your article

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