Picking the right Commercial coffee machine can feel like a challenge with the plethora of options available across price ranges all fulfilling different needs. Well fear not for you are in the right place!
Grydle & Sync has a team with significant experience in the coffee industry and we pride ourselves on being able to help you decide the best commercial coffee machine choice for your business.
Deciding Between Semi-Automatic and Fully Automatic:
The first step towards buying a coffee machine is deciding which mode of operation you would like to go for, Semi-automatic or Fully- automatic. This largely depends on your business’s size and needs.
The choice you make here is essential and needs to be based on your needs and the utilization of the machine.
A semi-automatic coffee machine gives the user the choice to make their coffee (such as baristas or servers in a restaurant) and an automatic coffee machine is best for use in office environments, or self serve environments.
1. The volume of your business
The size, scope, and volume of your business is arguably the most important consideration, as this will determine the capacity of the machine that you need.
As a general rule, commercial coffee machines come in either two, three, or four group heads, which are capable of producing four, six, and eight drinks respectively.
This provides a great starting point as it enables you to purchase a machine that can meet your needs while also providing genuine value for money.
In simple terms, machines with a larger amount of group heads allow more staff to use the equipment at any given point in time, driving simultaneous use and maximizing the number of drinks that can be produced each hour.
So if you have high sales projections or figures that suggest a high amount of regular footfall, the larger and more expensive machines represent a viable investment.
2. Financial Budget
Once you have determined which type of machine will best suit your needs, the next step is to ensure that you operate within a predetermined budget.
After all, the price of machines with a certain number of group heads will vary according to other factors too, including the brand name, mechanics and additional diagnostic features. If you have a mid-level coffee shop business, you may choose to invest in a machine with three group heads.
3. How much will repairs and servicing cost?
If you do need to employ the services of independent maintenance firms, it is important to understand the costs involved.
After all, it is inevitable that even the most expensive commercial coffee machines may break down from time to time, so you will need to create a detailed budget that accounts for such instances.
In terms of annual service, your costs will vary depending on what is provided.
You can also tailor your costs depending on the precise level of service that you require, as while all firms over basic checks some will also perform useful additions such as pressure safety, electrical safety, and boiler tests.
Much will depend on the value of your machine, but it is worth servicing premium equipment to the highest possible standard in most cases.
Some service providers will also operate out of hours, offering emergency repairs to local coffee shops.
By keeping these points in mind and following a similar thought process when comparing the market, you can invest in a cost-effective coffee machine, within the budget and capable of meeting the demands of your business.
Maintenance of commercial coffee machines:
After you have invested in a new coffee machine, the next important step is maintaining it.
Depending on the type of machine you are using, there are different methods for maintaining a commercial coffee machine. Efficient maintenance requires one to follow a set of precautions and check-points.
One should regularly clean and maintain the machine, as this will not only improve performance and longevity but it will also minimize the future repair costs.
You will need to plan your cleaning routines and techniques according to the machine you buy.
In some instances, your supplier may have advised you on the best practices for cleaning your coffee machine. This is usually a key feature of after-sales, particularly when you procure a premium machine from a reputable brand. Utilizing the best techniques will extend the life of your machine and prevent residue from clogging up your filters, enabling you to maintain the quality and consistency of your beverages.
Large machines may also come with automated cleaning cycles, which should be activated when the equipment is not in use. These self-clean cycles help to maintain the inner components of the machine such as the heating elements, although they can take a while to complete.
We would always recommend running these at the end of the day so that the machine get is desired cleaning with minimal downtime for your business. One should clean and refresh the steam wand after every individual cup of coffee you make and wipe the entire machine down regularly throughout the day.
Test Out Our Coffee Machines :
You can test out our range of semi-automatic and fully automatic commercial coffee machines. We would be delighted to help you with product catalogs and any assistance that you need.
Grydle & Sync always provides complete support from purchase to after sales service. So, get in touch if you’d like to test out one of our coffee machines. Our main coffee machine ranges include premium Europeans Brands such as Gruppo Cimbali’s Faema, Casadio, and many more.
