Commercial Espresso Machines & Coffee Makers

While plain old coffee has been a part of the American experience since the late 1800’s, the last thirty years have seen an explosion in the demand for higher quality coffee and espresso drinks from consumers of all ages and walks of life. Starting in the early 1990’s and driven by the expansion of major brands and franchises like Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks coffee, the percentage of Americans that drink coffee daily continues to rise, and consumption of espresso-based beverages is growing the fastest.

It has gotten easier to provide a good cup of espresso to customers as the technology and equipment have improved, so more and more restaurants, cafeterias, snack bars, convenience stores, entertainment venues and retailers are now able to offer these very profitable beverages. There are four basic types of espresso machines and choosing the right one for you depends on many factors, including the volume and variety of drinks you will be serving, the skill level of employees and plumbing available for your equipment.

The four types of espresso machines available are manual, semi-automatic, automatic/volumetric, and super-automatic. The highest level of skill is required to use a manual machine, which will also be the slowest to operate, but can provide businesses with the most artisanal feel, and if you have skilled baristas, great drinks for customers. As the level of automation in the equipment increases, the required employee skill level is reduced, allowing businesses to deliver consistently good products without extensive employee training. More automated machines are also often able to make a higher volume of drinks more quickly, so if you expect high-demand, an automatic or super-automatic might be the right choice for you.

Plumbing is also a factor to consider. Direct-connect machines that can be directly plumbed into available water lines are available and allow for ongoing usage with minimal labor. Pour-over machines that have a reservoir are another option that allows for flexibility in where a machine can be used but do require manually refilling the water supply.

High-quality espresso machines from recognized brands can provide years of reliable service. Recommended brands include Astra, Azkoyen, Bunn, La Cimbali, Grindmaster, La Marzocco, La Pavoni, Mazzer Luigi, Nuova Simonelli, Rancilio, Schaerer, Victoria Arduino.