How to choose a professional coffee machine for a coffee shop or cafe?

A coffee machine for a coffee shop is the main work tool, so you need to choose it carefully and look at the characteristics. The operating principle of professional coffee machines is the same, but there are different types of machines, their equipment and cost. The taste of the final product depends on this, along with the grain. Together with expert Roman Tyutyulin, co-owner of the coffee shop chain “By the way, coffee”, partner of “Surf coffee vlg” and owner, we figured out what types and brands of coffee machines there are, and which one is better to choose for a coffee shop.

Types of coffee machines

Professional coffee machines are divided into several types. The type of device determines how it is used. To choose the most suitable option, you should study the features of all varieties.

By automation

Coffee machines come in the following types:

• automatic. The unit independently grinds the grains, brews the drink and cleans itself. You just need to set the desired program, select the degree of grinding and preferred proportions;
• superautomatic In such devices it is possible to prepare not only espresso and Americano. Superautomatic coffee machines also prepare ristretto, latte, cappuccino, macchiato, and lungo. The devices make it possible to brew two types of coffee beans at once, set the water heating temperature;
• semi-automatic Portions of coffee powder in such devices are poured manually. You also have to clean the device yourself. All other actions are carried out automatically;
• manual. Used exclusively at home. Such devices are not suitable for restaurants and cafes.

By embedding method

They are divided into only two varieties:

• stand-alone;
• built-in

Both options are suitable for coffee establishments. The choice is made taking into account personal preferences and design features of the room.

According to the method of water supply

Water can be supplied to the device in two ways:

• boiler room Steam pressure varies between 3-5 bar. The water is brought to a boil and passed through the crushed beans. Typically, such devices are purchased for takeaway coffee;
• pump action Steam pressure is 15 bar. The liquid in the unit warms up to 105 °C. The steam is then forced through the coffee powder under high pressure. As a result, it is possible to obtain the most aromatic, soft drink. The device is ideal for preparing traditional espresso.

According to the operating principle

Coffee machines differ significantly in their operating principle and, accordingly, in their application. Taking this criterion into account, the following types of devices are distinguished:

• capsule Water is poured into a special compartment, from where it enters the apparatus and is heated using a heating element. The steam then passes through a capsule filled with coffee powder. The grounds settle on the filter, and the finished drink enters the container. The quality of the resulting espresso is quite high. Therefore, such machines are perfect for coffee shops;
• drip. Boiling water passes through the filter with coffee powder drop by drop and enters a separate container. Due to the low preparation speed and relatively low quality of the finished drink, such devices are used exclusively at home;
• geyser At the top of the device there is a compartment intended for crushed beans. Boiled water rises into it from the lower reservoir. Thus, the drink is brewed and goes into a separate flask. As a rule, such devices are small in volume. They can only brew a few cups of coffee at a time. Therefore, they are used in establishments with a small flow of people;
• carob. When the liquid boils, steam is formed, which passes through the coffee powder pressed in the cone. Many coffee machines of this type are equipped with a built-in coffee grinder.

Drip

Geysernaya

Rozhkova

Capsule

Additional functions

The following functions will be useful:

• automatic cleaning mode;
• taste improvement system;
• cappuccino maker;
• making hot chocolate;
• quick steam function.

In addition, coffee machines can be equipped with a coffee powder consumption meter and connected to a cash register system .
With such devices, calculating expenses is as simple as possible.

Which is better: buy or rent

Today, you can rent any equipment, including coffee equipment. If the barista is well versed in such devices and knows which types are more practical and functional, you may prefer to rent.

But rented coffee machines are not always suitable for a particular establishment. Professional coffee shops that sell takeaway coffee should only have reliable and high-quality equipment.

For such establishments, it is better to buy coffee machines rather than rent them. If purchased, the coffee shop receives reliable equipment, can count on free maintenance and high quality of prepared drinks.

How to choose the best professional coffee machine

When choosing a coffee machine, it is extremely important to consider in which establishment you plan to use it.

For a coffee shop

When choosing a coffee machine for a coffee shop, preference is given to automatic or super-automatic devices , which are designed for a large flow of people. Devices must be of high quality. The cleaning control function is extremely important here.

Among the main criteria that are taken into account when purchasing, the following are worth highlighting:

• the presence of attachments that allow you to prepare various espresso-based drinks;
• the ability to connect the unit to a water supply;
• customizable coffee brewing process;
• counter for the number of prepared portions.

For mobile coffee shops where people take their coffee with them, an espresso machine is considered the best option.

Important functions include the presence of a coffee grinder and the ability to froth milk.

For a restaurant

For restaurants, semi-automatic professional coffee machines are considered the best option. It is recommended to give preference to carob options, which involve cleaning and filling the reservoir with water manually .

For cafe

For such establishments, you should choose a coffee machine that can prepare a variety of drinks, including cocktails and hot chocolate. It is advisable to have a non-resettable counter designed to control the number of portions sold.

Semi-automatic devices with manual dosing of portions are suitable for cafes . The standard option is considered to be a horn device equipped with additional functions.

For the bar

When choosing a device for a bar, preference is given to models that are easy to use and maintain. The standard option is capsule devices. For large establishments, carob-type coffee machines are suitable.

Aroma Factory: which coffee machine to choose for a cafe or restaurant?

Catalog / Articles, publications, analytical materials / Cafe, restaurant, catering, food production / Aroma factory: which coffee machine to choose for a cafe or restaurant?

A professional coffee machine is a must-have attribute for a bar, cafe or restaurant. Both the entrepreneur’s income and his expenses for raw materials, electricity, water and maintenance depend on the correct choice of this device. We are exploring the possibilities “Professional coffee machines are usually divided into two main categories: manual and automatic,” says entrepreneur Sergei Dorokhov, director of Coffee Card LLC. — Manual models work with ground coffee and require a coffee grinder, a number of accessories and qualified personnel. A good manual coffee machine without a barista (from Italian barista - a specialist in making coffee - Ed.) is a pile of metal. Automatic coffee machines have a built-in coffee grinder, which carries out the process of grinding, dosing, pressing and pouring. This is the best option if you don’t have a qualified barista, but want to make good coffee.” The key characteristic of automatic coffee machines is performance. For the popular Saeco Royal Professional and Schaerer Siena 2, this figure is approximately 100–150 portions per hour. At the same time, grinding coffee, pressing coffee tablets and removing waste are performed automatically, and a non-zero counter for produced drinks eliminates staff fraud. “Manual coffee machines differ in the number of posts (workstations for simultaneous preparation of several drinks). The most common are two-group ones,” explains Mr. Dorokhov. — One group contains a holder with a single sieve and a watering can, the second - with a double one. Advanced models have separate boilers for groups, and the temperature can be adjusted individually. Then one group will be adapted for ristretto (the most concentrated, strong coffee), and the other for lungo (regular espresso, diluted with hot water to a volume of 75–95 ml). Any equipment can be connected to a water supply system or be autonomous (have a built-in water container). As a rule, pressure in coffee machines is created by a special pump. But there are exotic lever models, where the barista creates pressure by pressing the lever (lever). Lever coffee machines with a boiler heated by gas burners are usually installed in mobile car coffee shops. There are also separate types of coffee machines - pods and capsules, which prepare espresso from special coffee capsules and pods (individual portions, single doses of pressed ground coffee). Such models are suitable for establishments where strict accounting of the supplied raw materials for coffee is necessary. For certain purchase volumes of pods or capsules, suppliers usually provide a coffee machine for free. However, you need to be prepared for the fact that the cost of capsule coffee is higher than regular coffee (beans or ground). The vast majority of manual, stationary coffee machines are imported from Italy. Switzerland confidently holds the palm in the production of automatic coffee machines (recognized leading brands are Schaerer and Egro). Compact automatic pour-over coffee machines - without connection to a water supply - designed for small loads are produced by almost all brands (the best-selling units are the Saeco Royal Professional brand). In its own format To optimally choose a coffee machine, you need to clearly understand in which establishment it will be used and what the average load and range of coffee drinks will be. For example, for small fast food establishments with high traffic (more than 150 cups per hour), compact automatic models from Schaerer Coffee Factory or Egro 70 Series are suitable. “If the flow of customers is large, it is better to install a three-group coffee machine. Four-group and modular designs are also available. Sometimes a workplace of 18 groups is built from such modules. But this is very exotic.” For an average load (100–300 cups per day), single- and double-group manual coffee machines can be used. If you have a limited budget, you can choose models from the brands La Cimbali, Gaggia, Rancilio. Pod and capsule coffee makers are more suitable for an inexpensive cafe, snack bar or restaurant, where coffee simply must be available, but no one requires any special frills. As part of affiliate programs (such as Blaser Cafe, Caffitaly, Lavazza, Illy), coffee producers and suppliers often provide coffee pods for use. Price issue Entry-level devices can be purchased for EUR1000–2000, and the quality of drinks will be quite competitive. Such automatic machines with a built-in cappuccino maker are usually equipped in hotels, offices, inexpensive eateries and bars. This equipment is easy to maintain and quickly pays for itself. In the middle price category, appliances from the La San Marco, Faema, La Cimbali, Gaggia, and Rancilio brands have proven themselves well. The cost in this segment ranges from EUR3000–4000. The price of a coffee machine is directly affected by the presence of additional functions and proprietary technologies: thermal stabilization systems, programmable buttons for precise dosage of spills, portion counters, etc. The best models of the brands Dalla Corte, La Marzocco, Nuova Simonelli, Elektra will cost EUR 10–20 thousand. These coffee machines are considered among professionals, the standard coffee grinders are Mahlkonig (Germany) or Ditting (Switzerland) for EUR2000–3000, as well as a barista whose salary is at least EUR1000. Information screens, Bluetooth interfaces, and communication with the service via GSM turn these coffee machines into real computer centers. But such luxury is justified only for VIP establishments.

Servicing a coffee machine is another cost item.
“Coffee machines, like any equipment, require care and service: repair, replacement of filters, gaskets, cleaning of scale and coffee resins,” notes Alexander Myshko, director of CoffeeMaster (service for offices, cafes, bars and restaurants). — The frequency of all these procedures depends on the intensity of use of the coffee maker and the quality of the water. It is recommended to carry out a comprehensive service 2-3 times a year. The cost of such service can reach EUR150. Service for automatic coffee makers is cheaper - EUR30–50.” By the way, the more advanced the coffee machine, the higher the requirements for personnel qualifications. In Ukraine, according to SCAE (European Specialty Coffee Association), there is a large shortage of professional baristas. “That’s why many restaurateurs “grow” their own specialists,” says Natalya Gavrilenko, national coordinator of SCAE in Ukraine, director of the Dom Coffee store (Khmelnitsky). - True, for this the entrepreneur will have to master the basics of this specific profession himself. Theoretical knowledge can be gleaned from annual barista championships, coffee festivals and specialized web portals. The results of such championships, as well as completed seminars and trainings, serve as confirmation of the specialist’s qualifications. On average, barista salaries range from 1,500 to 8,000 UAH per month.” Sergey Dorokhov, director of Coffee Card LLC, on the most common mistakes at the stage of purchasing a coffee machine: “When choosing coffee machines, restaurateurs usually rely on the advice of a specialist, and in most cases the specialist is the seller. And he will sell what is profitable for him, and not what you need. Therefore, it is advisable to first calculate the profitability of a particular model in your conditions, relying not only on the opinion of the seller, but also on independent specialists, including on thematic Internet resources. For example, there is a coffee encyclopedia, which contains a lot of theoretical information on the topic, and on the portal you can anonymously get advice from a whole council of experts. Italians have a “four M” rule: 1. Miscela (coffee mixture for espresso); 2. Macinadosatore (coffee grinder); 3. Macchina espresso (coffee machine); 4. Mano dell'operatore (barista hands). As you can see, the choice of equipment is only one of the components of success in the coffee business.”

Maintenance and weaknesses of coffee machines

When purchasing, take into account the weak points of the devices, as well as the nuances of their maintenance. A number of important points are highlighted:

• the electronic board is very vulnerable to voltage surges;
• during production operation of the device, a high-quality water purification system is required;
• the horn often leaks. To fix the problem, you should clean the O-ring from debris and accumulated fats. If it is damaged, the part is replaced;
• The mesh and filter periodically become clogged. This is indicated by extraneous noise and low water pressure. Similar changes are also observed when the pump breaks down and an air lock forms. In this case, the system is washed using a cleaning agent and hot water is passed through the cappuccino maker.

If your coffee machine does not have an automatic decalcification function, you can clean it yourself

These steps should be performed after every 250 prepared servings of the drink. You also need to remove coffee grounds from the container and systematically clean the cappuccino maker and milk container. The following deadlines are adhered to:

• cappuccino maker - daily;
• brewing group – weekly;
• change filters as needed.

It is recommended to thoroughly clean the device every month.

Cost and manufacturers

Swiss manufacturers demonstrate the optimal characteristics of equipment for mobile coffee shops. It is enough to purchase a car and get all the above benefits. But this solution cannot be called inexpensive. For example, the basic equipment from such a giant as Schaerer will cost 7 thousand euros . Less productive devices are cheaper, they can be purchased at a price of 2 thousand euros per copy. It makes sense to pay attention to such Italian brands as Gaggia CMA Astoria.

Top best professional units

The rating of the best professional coffee machines includes the following models:

1. Handpresso Auto ESE. A portable device is suitable for establishments with a small flow of customers.
2. Saeco Aulika Focus. An excellent option for mini-coffee shops.
3. Jura Giga 5 Aluminum EU. The device is suitable for restaurants and allows you to prepare up to 20 types of coffee drinks.
4. Krups KP 2201 Dolce Gusto. High quality capsule unit. As a rule, purchased for a bar.
5. Cimbali. The carob type device is suitable for any coffee establishments.

Saeco Aulika Focus

Handpresso Auto ESE

Jura Giga 5 Aluminum EU

Krups KP 2201 Dolce Gusto
Choosing professional coffee machines for a bar or coffee is a responsible task. Its implementation should be taken seriously. Only if the purchase is functionally competent will the coffee business be successful.

Maintenance frequency

The coffee machine must be filled with ingredients for preparing drinks as customers consume them. If sales are high, the machine needs to be refilled every two days.

Regularly refueling the machine, you must remove the cash register, reconcile revenue with sales, and clean the machine both inside and outside. The device should look clean and well-maintained. Be sure to wipe the buttons and make sure that nothing is blocking the operation of the internal sensors. Since this may interfere with the supply of certain ingredients to the mixing chamber.