Choosing the right commercial espresso machine
Choosing the right commercial espresso machine for your coffee shop is a big decision—it affects quality, speed, consistency, and workflow. Here’s a breakdown to help you make the best choice:
1. Assess Your Needs First
Daily Volume: How many drinks per day?
- Low Volume (50-100 cups): Single-group or compact machines.
- Medium Volume (100-300 cups): Two-group machines are ideal.
- High Volume (300+ cups): Look at three-group machines or more robust two-group models.
Menu Variety: More milk-based drinks? Go for a machine with powerful steam wands and maybe a built-in auto-foamer.
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Barista Experience:
- Skilled baristas: Manual or semi-automatic machines.
- Less experienced staff: Super-automatic or machines with pre-set dosing.
2. Types of Commercial Espresso Machines
- Manual (Lever Machines): Classic, but hard to master. Best for specialty shops.
- Semi-Automatic: You control water flow; great for customization and quality.
- Automatic (Volumetric): Consistent, good for high-volume and consistency.
- Super-Automatic: Push a button, get a drink. Perfect for fast-paced or non-barista environments.
3. Key Features to Look For
- Dual Boilers: Brew and steam at the same time—faster service.
- PID Temperature Control: Stable temp = consistent shots.
- Pre-Infusion: Helps with even extraction.
- Steam Wand Power: Stronger = faster milk steaming.
- Ease of Cleaning: Saves time and maintenance costs.
4. Top Brands to Consider
- Elektra Indie: High-end, reliable, excellent for busy specialty cafes.
- Elektra Kup : Customizable, durable, very consistent.
- Elektra Evoke: User-friendly, great for high volume.
- Elektra Eklipto : Stylish entry level machine at an affordable price.
- La Pavoni BarT : Great entry level machine for starting out
5. Budget Planning
- Expect to spend:
- Entry-level commercial: €4,000-€8,000
- Mid-range: €8,000-€12,000
- High-end: €12,000-€25,000