How To Outsmart Your Boss On Commercial Espresso Machine
What to Look For in a Commercial Espresso Machine
There are a variety of aspects to consider when buying an espresso machine for commercial use. The volume of your cafe, the intended use of the service and barista's knowledge will determine which espresso machine is the best for your business.
Double boiler systems allow you to brew while steaming. This decreases the time it takes 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 a home machine. If you expect a home espresso maker to perform in a professional space would be a recipe for disaster.
A commercial machine that is of top quality will be able to serve up to 100 cups per hour during peak hours. This is a huge benefit for busy workplaces by preventing employees from waiting for hours to get their coffee.
Coffee machines can help workers bond. In many cases, teams of workers make a habit of getting coffee, and this can help encourage collaboration and teamwork in the workplace. Having a designated space for coffee is also a great way to assist new employees to feel at comfortably in the workplace, removing any barriers between them and senior staff members.
Commercial espresso machines come in various sizes to meet different requirements. Certain models are completely automated, while others allow you to pre-program espresso shots, so that operators do not need to guess at the correct size of each shot. This is particularly important for businesses with untrained baristas since incorrect shots can drastically affect the strength and flavor of espresso. Additionally, it's ideal to purchase ethically sourced and commercial espresso machines that benefit the communities in which coffee is grown. This will ensure a high quality product that will minimize the negative impact on the environment.
Safety
Espresso machines can cost as much as a car that is compact. They're also built to pump out a multitude of drinks and shots throughout the course of an entire day. Commercial espresso machines could pose unique health and safety hazards to staff due to their high volume.
Be aware that commercial espresso machines are more likely to make use of warm water. This can lead to the growth of bacteria. Machines that are poorly maintained and not regularly cleaned and descaled can accumulate spent espresso. This can cause it to turn rancid, and potentially cause illness if consumed by customers. A commercial espresso machine with the steam wand that isn't sealed with an effective seal could allow for bacterial growth in the milk frothing system since it might not be able to attain temperatures sufficient to kill all bacteria.
Consider the type of beverage you'll serve and how many cups an hour can be served when selecting the right commercial coffee machine. You'll want to look for a machine with automation features that will make it simpler to serve your customers their preferred coffee drink. Additionally, look for a warranty that covers parts and labor so that any technical issues can be dealt with quickly and efficiently.
Energy Efficiency
Commercial espresso machines require significantly more power than the home models. Professional espresso machines are more heavy and feature larger capacity boilers to accommodate multiple group heads for regular cafe production. These machines operate at a higher ambient temperature and are usually placed in indoor areas (such as in a coffee shop or restaurant) where the electronics can overheat.
machine espresso of a commercial espresso machine heats and holds the pressurized water, which is supplied by an electric pump. This water is then used to brew and steaming espresso. The boiler is comprised 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 target level, a solenoid valve opens to fill the boiler with water that is fresh and the heating element shuts off.
There are four variations of espresso machines, differentiated by their ability to brew and steam: TB (brewing only), TX (twin boilers) HX, DA (double automatic). TB and TX machines have stable brew temperatures, while DA allows rapid steaming from one boiler. Many cafes are switching to HX machines, as they have been shown to offer the best of both worlds, in terms of steam and brew temperatures.
Maintenance
Just like cars need routine tune-ups commercial espresso machines need maintenance to ensure that they function smoothly and efficiently. If you maintain your machine, you will enjoy a better-tasting coffee and it will last longer.
It's a regular practice to clean your espresso machine, but you must pay attention to the parts that require an extra clean. There's going to be residue from the coffee grounds and milk products inside the machine that can break down various components over time. Regular cleaning helps to prevent this from happening and helps keep your espresso machine running the best it can.
The majority of espresso machines in commercial use require descaling every 3 months. This procedure requires additional steps than regular cleaning, so you'll want check your manual regularly to ensure that you're adhering to the instructions. The solution used to clean the tank dissolves the scale. To accomplish this, you'll need to put an item under the steam wand and in some models, underneath the coffee spouts. Follow the instructions on the model you have.
Another maintenance step includes changing the water filters. This is something that could be overlooked but is important to remember so that you don't end up with a build-up of mineral deposits. You'll also want to check for calcification within the spray head, which can be difficult to remove.