What to consider when buying a commercial coffee machine for your business?

A commercial coffee machine is an essential investment for any business. Whether you own a restaurant, café, or office, having a high-quality coffee machine can enhance the overall experience for your customers and employees.

For instance, having a coffee machine in the office can increase the employees ‘ well-being by promoting coffee breaks, which can improve the team’s socialization and encourage brainstorming and idea sharing among them. On the other hand, having a top-notch machine in your establishment can make the customers stay for longer, acquire more options from your menu and come back more often.

There are various benefits of investing in a commercial coffee machine. Therefore, in this article, we will guide you on the different types of machines available on the market, factors you should pay attention to while buying and some useful information on prices and the maintenance of your equipment.

Types of Commercial Coffee Machines

Several commercial coffee machines are available, each with unique features and advantages. Some would be used more in coffee shops, bars and restaurants; others are more usedost used in offices and houses. Below, we share a few types that would be ideal to fit your business’s needs for a coffee break.

Instant Coffee Machines

These machines use instant coffee granules to make coffee quickly and easily. They are ideal for businesses that need to serve large volumes of coffee quickly.

Filter Coffee Machines

These ones brew coffee using filter paper and ground coffee, creating a smooth and rich flavour. They are good for smaller teams, so people can use the filter to make coffee at once.

Capsule/Pod Coffee Machines

Capsule or pod use pre-packaged coffee capsules or pods to make coffee quickly. They are ideal for businesses that want to offer a variety of coffee flavours without needing a barista. Nowadays, it’s one of the companies’ favorites due to its practicality.

Bean-to-Cup Coffee Machines

These machines grind fresh coffee beans, providing a high-quality and fresh-tasting cup of coffee. They are ideal for businesses that want to offer a premium coffee experience.

Barista-Style Coffee Machines

These machines are designed to replicate the barista experience, allowing businesses to offer high-quality coffee with a personal touch. They are ideal for businesses that want to create a premium coffee experience and have skilled staff to operate the equipment.

What to pay attention to when buying?

When choosing a commercial coffee machine, several factors should be considered:

Volume Capacity: The volume capacity of the coffee machine should match the demand of the business. If the business serves a high volume of coffee, a machine with a large capacity is necessary. In this sense, you can also understand how many coffee places you want to set up. For instance, if you have a team of 50 people but have two different places your employees would go for a break, then you could choose two coffee machines instead of one and match the volume capacity with the number of employees who would access them.
Brewing Time: The brewing time of the coffee machine should also be considered. If your business is a regular office, consider one that can brew coffee quickly. However, if the idea is to give your employees or customers a real coffee experience, you could think about getting slower to serve, but with a high-quality end product.
Ease of Use: Another thing to consider is that the coffee machine should be easy to operate, clean, and maintain by your staff. So, pick the user-friendly ones to ensure that everyone is able to operate them without difficulty. On the other hand, if you pick specialised coffee machines, you need to think about training your staff on how to use them.
Cost: The cost of the coffee machine should be considered, as it should fit within the budget of your business. It is also essential to consider the long-term costs of maintenance and repairs.
Type of business and customer preferences: Lastly, you need to think about what the role of the coffee machines in your business would be. For instance, if your company serves speciality coffee, you may need a barista-style machine to fulfil your client’s expectations. In contrast, an office that serves coffee throughout the day may require a filter coffee machine or a capsule/pod coffee machine.

Prices

The cost of a commercial coffee machine can vary depending on the type of machine and its features. Instant coffee machines are typically the cheapest option, while barista-style machines can be the most expensive. Factors that impact the cost include the machine’s capacity, features, and brand. It is important to consider the long-term cost of maintenance and repairs when choosing a coffee machine.

Maintenance

Regular maintenance and service are essential for keeping a commercial coffee machine in good working order. Steps that can be taken to maintain the machine include regular cleaning and descaling, replacing worn parts, and ensuring that the water supply is clean and free of impurities. It is also important to have the machine serviced regularly by a professional technician to prevent breakdowns and ensure it operates efficiently.

Conclusion

A commercial coffee machine is an important investment for any business that wants to offer coffee to its customers or employees. When choosing a coffee machine, it is important to consider factors such as volume capacity, brewing time, ease of use, and cost. The type of business and customer preferences should also be considered. Regular maintenance and service are essential for keeping the machine in good working order and ensuring that it operates at peak efficiency.

By investing in a high-quality commercial coffee machine, businesses are not only enhancing the overall coffee experience for their customers and employees but increasing the sense of well-being among their employees and encouraging the team to integrate with each other healthily and productively. After all, who doesn’t like a good and tasty coffee break?