When it comes to running a successful coffee shop or café, having the right equipment is essential. One of the most important pieces of equipment is the commercial espresso machine.
These machines are designed for heavy-duty use in a commercial setting and can handle the demands of high-volume use. They are typically larger and more powerful than home espresso machines, and are built to withstand the demands of high-volume use. They also come with advanced features such as programmable dosing, automatic milk frothing, and built-in grinders. With so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the best commercial espresso machine for your business.
In this guide, we will explore some of the top commercial espresso machines on the market, and provide tips on what to look for when making a decision.
Factors to Consider
When choosing a commercial espresso machine, there are several factors to consider:
- Size and Capacity: Consider the size of your business and the volume of customers you expect to serve. Larger machines with higher capacity may be necessary for busy coffee shops.
- Features: Look for features such as programmable dosing, automatic milk frothing, and built-in grinders that can save time and improve the consistency of your drinks.
- Build Quality: Commercial machines are subjected to more wear and tear than home models, so look for machines made with durable materials and a strong build quality that can withstand heavy use.
- Brand and Service: Choose a reputable brand with a good track record of service and support.
- Power and Plumbing: Consider the electrical and plumbing requirements of the machine and make sure they are compatible with your current setup.
- Price: Commercial machines can be costly, so make sure you are getting the best value for your money.
- Maintenance and Support: Check the machine's manual for regular maintenance needs and ensure that the manufacturer or supplier provides good technical support.
It is also important to remember that the best machine for one business may not be the best for another, so be sure to consider your specific needs and budget when making a decision.
Best Commercial Espresso Machine: Some Popular Models
There are some popular models of the best commercial espresso machine on the market you can find. Let's take a closer look.
1. La Marzocco Linea PB
The La Marzocco Linea PB is a popular commercial espresso machine known for its durability, consistency, and versatility. It features a sleek and modern design, and is built to withstand the demands of high-volume use.
One of the key features of the La Marzocco Linea PB is its volumetric dosing system, which allows for precise control of the amount of coffee dispensed for each shot. This helps ensure consistency in the quality of the espresso and reduces waste. The Linea PB also has a programmable pre-infusion feature, which allows the user to control the amount of time and pressure used to pre-infuse the coffee grounds before extraction. This can help improve the overall flavor and aroma of the espresso.
Another key feature of the Linea PB is its built-in water filtration system, which helps remove impurities and improve the taste of the water used to make the coffee. The machine has also a temperature stabilization system that can keep the brew temperature stable throughout the day and even during the busiest hours. In terms of design and build, the Linea PB has a durable stainless steel body and high-quality components, making it built to last.
Overall, the La Marzocco Linea PB is a high-performance machine that offers a wide range of features to ensure consistency and quality in your espresso drinks. It is a popular choice among specialty coffee shops and cafes.
2. Nuova Simonelli Appia
The Nuova Simonelli Appia is a compact and efficient commercial espresso machine designed for small cafes or businesses with limited space. Despite its compact size, it is packed with features that make it a great option for producing high-quality espresso drinks.
One of the standout features of the Nuova Simonelli Appia is its semi-automatic dosing system, which allows the user to control the amount of coffee dispensed for each shot. This helps ensure consistency in the quality of the espresso and reduces waste. The Appia also has a built-in water softener which helps to remove mineral build-up, prolonging the life of the machine and ensuring that the water is of the best quality for brewing.
Another key feature of the Appia is its temperature stabilization system, which helps to keep the brew temperature stable throughout the day, even during busy hours. This helps to ensure that the espresso is consistently hot and of high quality. In terms of design, the Nuova Simonelli Appia has a sleek and modern look, with a durable stainless steel body and high-quality components. The machine is also designed for easy maintenance, making it a great option for busy cafes and restaurants.
Overall, the Nuova Simonelli Appia is a compact and efficient commercial espresso machine that offers a range of features to ensure consistency and quality in your espresso drinks, while also being easy to maintain. It's a great option for small cafes and businesses.
3. La Cimbali M100
The La Cimbali M100 is a high-performance commercial espresso machine known for its ability to produce high volumes of coffee. It features a large water tank, a built-in grinder, and a programmable dosing system, making it perfect for busy cafes and restaurants.
The M100 is equipped with a built-in grinder that allows you to grind the beans fresh for every cup, ensuring maximum aroma and taste. The programmable dosing system allows for precise control of the amount of coffee dispensed for each shot, helping to ensure consistency and reducing waste.
The machine also features a large water tank which allows for continuous brewing throughout the day, even during busy hours. This makes the M100 ideal for high-volume coffee shops and cafes. In terms of design, the La Cimbali M100 has a sleek and modern look, with a durable stainless steel body and high-quality components. The machine is also designed for easy maintenance, making it a great option for busy cafes and restaurants.
Overall, the La Cimbali M100 is a high-performance commercial espresso machine that offers a range of features to ensure consistency and quality in your espresso drinks. Its high-volume capabilities and built-in grinder make it a great option for busy cafes and restaurants.
4. Faema E61
The Faema E61 is a classic commercial espresso machine that has been in production for over 60 years. It is known for its durability and its ability to produce a consistent shot of espresso. It is widely used among specialty coffee shops and cafes.
The E61 features a semi-automatic dosing system, allowing the user to control the amount of coffee dispensed for each shot. This helps ensure consistency in the quality of the espresso and reduces waste. Additionally, its heat exchanger system enables the machine to brew and steam simultaneously, which makes the process faster and more efficient.
One of the unique features of the Faema E61 is its lever-operated grouphead, which allows for manual control of the brewing process. This gives the barista more control over the extraction and allows for fine-tuning of the espresso shot. In terms of design, the Faema E61 has a classic and timeless look, with a durable stainless steel body and high-quality components. The machine is also designed for easy maintenance, making it a great option for busy cafes and restaurants.
Overall, the Faema E61 is a classic commercial espresso machine that offers a range of features to ensure consistency and quality in your espresso drinks. Its durability, manual grouphead, and heat exchanger system make it a great option for specialty coffee shops and cafes.
5. Wega Atlas
The Wega Atlas is a compact commercial espresso machine with a sleek design, and known for its reliability and ease of use. It features a volumetric dosing system, a built-in water filtration system, and a programmable pre-infusion feature.
The volumetric dosing system allows for precise control of the amount of coffee dispensed for each shot, ensuring consistency and reducing waste. The built-in water filtration system helps remove impurities and improve the taste of the water used to make the coffee. The programmable pre-infusion feature allows the user to control the amount of time and pressure used to pre-infuse the coffee grounds before extraction, which can help improve the overall flavor and aroma of the espresso.
In terms of design, the Wega Atlas has a sleek and modern look, with a durable stainless steel body and high-quality components. The machine is also designed for easy maintenance, making it a great option for busy cafes and restaurants.
Overall, the Wega Atlas is a compact commercial espresso machine that offers a range of features to ensure consistency and quality in your espresso drinks. Its ease of use and built-in water filtration system make it a great option for busy cafes and restaurants.
6. La Spaziale S1 Vivaldi
The La Spaziale S1 Vivaldi is a popular commercial espresso machine known for its performance and consistency. It features a programmable dosing system, a built-in water filtration system, and a temperature stabilization system.
The programmable dosing system allows for precise control of the amount of coffee dispensed for each shot, ensuring consistency and reducing waste. The built-in water filtration system helps remove impurities and improve the taste of the water used to make the coffee. The temperature stabilization system helps to keep the brew temperature stable throughout the day, even during busy hours, which helps to ensure that the espresso is consistently hot and of high quality.
In terms of design, the La Spaziale S1 Vivaldi has a sleek and modern look, with a durable stainless steel body and high-quality components. The machine is also designed for easy maintenance, making it a great option for busy cafes and restaurants.
Overall, the La Spaziale S1 Vivaldi is a high-performance commercial espresso machine that offers a range of features to ensure consistency and quality in your espresso drinks. Its programmable dosing system and temperature stabilization system make it a great option for specialty coffee shops and cafes.
Tips for Maintaining Your Commercial Espresso Machine
Regular cleaning: Keep your machine clean to ensure optimal performance and to prolong its lifespan. Clean the machine after each use by removing the used coffee grounds, wiping down the machine, and running a cleaning solution through the group heads.
- Daily maintenance: Perform daily maintenance tasks such as refilling the water tank, cleaning the drip tray, and checking the water hardness level.
- Regular descaling: Depending on the water hardness in your area, you may need to descale the machine every few months to remove mineral build-up.
- Properly store the beans: Coffee beans should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
- Check the grind: A consistent grind is essential for a good espresso, so make sure the grind setting is appropriate for your beans and your machine.
- Use fresh beans: Use fresh coffee beans to ensure the best flavor and aroma.
- Use filtered water: Using filtered water can help prevent mineral buildup and keep your machine running smoothly.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions: Be sure to read the manual and follow the manufacturer's instructions for using and maintaining your machine.
- Have a professional technician to check the machine: It's a good idea to have a professional technician check the machine and perform any necessary repairs or maintenance at least once a year.
By following these tips and regularly maintaining your machine, you can ensure that your commercial espresso machine will continue to produce high-quality drinks for your customers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing the best commercial espresso machine for your business will depend on your specific needs and budget. It is important to consider factors such as size and capacity, features, build quality, brand and service, power and plumbing, price and maintenance when making a decision.
Some popular commercial espresso machines include the La Marzocco Linea PB, Nuova Simonelli Appia, La Cimbali M100, Faema E61, Wega Atlas, and La Spaziale S1 Vivaldi. Each of these machines offers a range of features to ensure consistency and quality in your espresso drinks, and all are built to withstand the demands of high-volume use.
Ultimately, the best machine for your business will be one that meets your specific needs and budget, and one that you can maintain properly to ensure optimal performance and longevity.
See also: 6 Best Espresso Machines under $1000
Ernest Brewer is a 35-year-old man with a passion for blogging, diving, and traveling. In his free time, Ernest can be found exploring the depths of the ocean, discovering new and exciting destinations, or kicking back and watching a good movie.
