10 Reasons You'll Need To Be Educated About Commercial Espresso Machine
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What to Look For in a Commercial Espresso Machine
There are a myriad of aspects to consider when buying commercial espresso machines. The volume of your cafe's operation, use for service, and barista's experience will determine which type of espresso machine is best for your business.
A double boiler system provides the ability to brew as well as steam simultaneously. This can reduce the time needed to recover between pulls. Proportional-integral-derivative (PID) temperature control manages on/off cycles for optimal boiler temperatures.
Productivity
A commercial espresso machine can handle a higher volume of coffee than an home machine. A home espresso machine will not be effective in a professional environment.
A commercial machine of high quality will be able to serve up to 100 cups of coffee per hour during peak hours. This can be an enormous help in busy offices, as it prevents employees from waiting for hours to get their coffee.
A coffee machine can also help workers bond. Teams of workers often are able to take turns ordering coffee for one another, which can encourage collaboration and teamwork in the workplace. A coffee bar can help new employees feel more comfortable at work and reduce the barriers between them, senior employees and other workers.
Commercial espresso machines are available in a variety of sizes to meet a variety of requirements. Some models are entirely automated and others are able to program espresso shots in advance so that operators don't have to guess at the correct size of each shot. This is particularly important for businesses with untrained baristas, as incorrect shots can greatly impact the quality and taste of espresso. It is also best to buy commercial espresso machines made of ethically-sourced materials that support the communities in which coffee beans are harvested. This will ensure that the product is of good quality and minimize the negative impact on the environment.
Safety
Espresso machines are massive machines that weigh a lot that can cost more than a brand new compact car. They are designed to produce hundreds of shots and drinks in one day. Commercial espresso machines pose unique health and safety risks to employees due to their large volume.
It's important to keep it in mind that commercial espresso machines are likely to function with warm water, which can cause the growth of bacteria. Inefficiently maintained machines that are not regularly cleaned and descaled will accumulate spent espresso. This could cause it to turn rancid, and possibly cause illness if consumed by customers. Commercial espresso machines with steam wands that are not sealed may allow bacteria to grow in the milk that is frothing.
When deciding on the best commercial espresso machine, it is important to think about the kind of drinks you'll be serving and the amount of cups per hour your space can hold. You'll also here want an espresso machine that has automated features, which make it faster and easier to serve your patrons their favorite coffee drink. Also, look for a warranty that includes parts and labor to ensure that any technical issues can be solved quickly and efficiently.
Energy Efficiency
Commercial espresso machines require substantially more power than the home models. This is because professional espresso machines have more powerful frames and large capacity boilers that can handle the numerous group heads needed for standard cafe production. These machines also operate at a much higher ambient temperature and are typically located in an indoor space (such as cafes or restaurants) where the electronics could quickly overheat, resulting in the machine breaking down.
The boiler of commercial espresso machines heats and stores pressurized water that is supplied by an electric pump. This water is used to brew and steam espresso. The boiler is comprised of multiple copper tubes heated by electric elements. If the brew sensor detects that the water level has reached its target level the solenoid valve opens and the boiler is filled with fresh water. The heating element is then turned off.
There are four different types of espresso machines. They differ by their ability to be brewed or steamed the coffee: the TB (brewing-only), TX (twin-boilers), HX (double automatic), and DA (double automated). TB and TX machines have stable brew temperatures while DA can provide rapid steaming using a single boiler. Many cafes are converting to HX machines as they have been shown to provide the best of both worlds, in terms of the temperature of steam and brew.
Maintenance
Commercial espresso machines need regular maintenance as do cars. They require maintenance to work efficiently and smoothly. If you maintain your machine and you are able to enjoy a better-tasting coffee and it will last longer.
It's an everyday ritual to clean your espresso machine, but you must be aware of the parts that need a deeper clean. There will be leftovers from coffee grounds and other milk products that could cause the machine to fail over time. Regular cleaning will keep your espresso machine in top condition.
The majority of commercial espresso machines require descaling every three months. This process requires a few additional steps when compared to normal cleaning. You'll want review your manual so that you follow all the instructions. The solution used to descal the tank dissolves the scale. To complete this task you'll need to place a container underneath the steam wand or, in certain models, under the coffee spouts. Follow the steps for your specific model.
Another step in maintenance is changing the water filters. This is something that can be overlooked however it's essential to remember so that there isn't a build-up of mineral deposits. You'll also want to check for calcification within the spray head, which can be difficult to remove.