4 Dirty Little Secrets About Commercial Espresso Machine And The Commercial Espresso Machine Industry
What to Look For in a Commercial Espresso Machine
When purchasing a commercial coffee machine, there are a number of factors to consider. Your cafe's volume, intended use for service, and barista's experience will determine which espresso machine is ideal for your business.
A double boiler system lets you to brew while steaming. It also reduces recovery time between pulls. Proportional-integral-derivative (PID) temperature control manages on/off cycles for optimal boiler temperatures.
Productivity
A commercial espresso machine is designed to handle a much larger amount of coffee than an espresso machine at home. The idea of allowing a home espresso machine to perform in a professional setting would be an unintentional recipe for disaster.
A commercial coffee machine of high-end quality can serve up to 100 cups per hour in peak times. This is an enormous benefit for busy workplaces, keeping employees from having to sit for hours to get their coffee.
A coffee machine can also help workers connect. In many cases, teams of workers make a habit of getting coffee, and this can help encourage teamwork and collaboration in the workplace. A dedicated coffee area can help new employees feel more comfortable in the workplace and help break down barriers between them, the senior employees and other employees.
Commercial espresso machines are available in a variety of sizes to cater for different requirements. Some models are purely automatic while others are able to pre-program espresso shots so that operators do not need to guess the correct size of each shot. This is particularly important for companies with untrained baristas, as incorrect shots can drastically affect the intensity and flavor of brewed espresso. It is also recommended to purchase commercial espresso machines that are made of ethically-sourced materials that support the communities in which coffee beans are cultivated. This will ensure that the product is of high quality and minimizes the negative impact to the environment.
Safety
Espresso machines are big heavy pieces of equipment that can cost the same as a brand new compact car. They're also built to pump out a multitude of drinks and shots in one day. These high volume operations can create unique risk to health and safety for staff members, so it's important to consider the potential risks that come with an espresso machine that is commercially used.
Be aware that commercial espresso machines will likely to utilize warm water. decent espresso machine could encourage the growth of bacteria. If a machine is not properly maintained and isn't cleaned or descaled regularly can start to build up spent espresso. This can turn rancid and could potentially cause illness if consumed by customers. A commercial espresso machine with steam wands that don't have a seal that is effective could allow for bacterial growth in the milk frothing system, since it might not be able reach temperatures sufficient to kill all bacteria.
Take into consideration the type of beverage you will serve and the number of cups per hour of your space can hold when choosing a commercial coffee machine. You'll also want an espresso machine that has automation features, which make it simpler and quicker to serve your customers their favorite coffee drinks. Look for a warranty which includes both labor and parts. This will ensure that any technical issues will be solved quickly.
Energy Efficiency
Commercial espresso machines require considerably more power than home models. Professional espresso machines are heavier and have larger boilers in order to support multiple group heads in normal cafe production. They also operate at a more elevated temperature and are typically in an indoor setting (such as cafes or restaurants) where the electronics may overheat rapidly, leading to machine failure.
The boiler of an espresso machine designed for commercial use is heated and holds water that has been pressurized with an electric pump. This water is used to brew and steam espresso. The boiler is made up of several copper tubes that are heated by electric elements. When the brew level sensor is able to detect that the water has reached its goal level, a solenoid valve opens to let the boiler fill with fresh water. The heating element is turned off.
There are four variants of espresso machines, distinguished by how they are able to brew and steam in the form of TB (brewing only), TX (twin boilers) HX, DA (double automatic). TB and TX machines offer stable brew temperatures while DA offers rapid steaming from one boiler. Many cafes are switching to HX machines since they have been proven to offer the best of both worlds, in terms of steam temperature and brew temperature.
Maintenance
Like cars that require regular tune-ups, commercial espresso machines require regular maintenance to function smoothly and efficiently. If you take the time to keep your machine in good condition, it will give you a better tasting coffee and last longer.
Cleaning your espresso machine is a routine ritual, but it's essential to clean certain components on a deeper level. There will be leftovers from coffee grounds and other milk products that can cause the machine to fail over time. Regular cleaning helps to prevent this from happening and helps keep your espresso machine functioning at to its maximum.
The majority of commercial espresso machines require descaling every three months. This procedure requires a few more steps when compared to normal cleaning. You'll need to read your manual so that you follow all the steps. Descaling involves a solution that dissolves scale in the water tank. You'll require a container to finish this task. In certain units, you may also need a container beneath the coffee spouts. Follow the instructions specific to your model.
A water filter change is an additional maintenance task. It's easy to overlook however it's important not to get mineral deposits. You should also look for calcification within the spray head, which is difficult to remove.