Coffee has become a staple in most people’s daily routines. In fact, according to a recent study, 7 in 10 people in America drink coffee every week, and 62% of Americans drink it every day.
Espresso is a bit different from coffee but is just as popular, if not more so. Espresso is brewed in a way that uses less pressure and no filter, giving it more oils and bean content than standard coffee, giving it a richer taste. Since it is stronger than regular coffee, it is typically served in much smaller portions. Many people prefer espresso over coffee because they can receive the benefits of coffee without having to consume as much liquid.
You don’t need to be in a coffee shop or café to benefit from a commercial espresso machine. Having one available in a common area or breakroom can make you stand out as a business and employer. This can eliminate the need for “coffee runs,” and win the appreciation of your customers and workers.
What are Professional Espresso Machines?
A professional espresso machine is a coffee preparation machine that uses pressure and boiling water to extract rich flavors from the beans. They typically come with milk frothers and steam wands for specialty drinks, and many have the option to make either espresso or regular coffee.
Commercial Espresso Machine: Picks For Your Café or Breakroom
| Features / Model | Top Pick: Jura E8 Commercial Coffee Machine | Runner Up: La Pavoni PUB Group Volumetric Espresso Machine | Best Value: De’Longhi La Specialista Prestigio Espresso Machine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | Sturdy, industrial grade build | Press-forged brass and chrome plated | Sturdy and aesthetic design |
| Drink Variety | Espresso, coffee, cappuccino, flat white, latte macchiato | Espresso | Espresso, coffee, latte, hot chocolate |
| Water Tank Capacity | 64 oz | Not specified | Not specified |
| Bean Container Capacity | 10 oz | Not specified | Not specified |
| Grinding System | Aroma G3 grinder | Not specified | Integrated Burr Grinder with 6 settings |
| Brewing Technology | Jura’s Pulse Extraction Process | Vertical Infusion Chamber and pressurization system | Smart Tamping Station |
| Smart Features | Smartphone App for control | Programmable, 4 cup size selections | MyLatteArt steam wand |
| Special Features | Selector buttons, user-friendly color display | Water softener, steam wand, stop button | Hot water tap for tea or hot chocolate |
| Certifications | Not specified | NSF certified | Not specified |
| Price Range | High-end | High-end | Mid-range |
| Ideal For | Commercial use and enthusiasts | Busy coffee shops and restaurants | Commercial use and home enthusiasts |
| Country of Origin | Switzerland | Italy | Italy |
Jura E8 Commercial Coffee Machine
Top Pick: Our top pick is the E8 by Jura, based on customer reviews and features. The Jura E8 claims to allow the user to prepare different drinks, including espresso, coffee, cappuccino, flat white and latte macchiato with the touch of a button. The user-friendly color display with selector buttons eliminates any guesswork.
This machine uses Jura’s Pulse Extraction Process which promises the perfect beverage every time. It also features an Aroma G3 grinder, 64 oz water tank and a 10 oz bean container. Jura has a downloadable app that allows you to operate the machine from your smartphone or tablet.
Jura E8 Piano Black Automatic Coffee Machine
La Pavoni PUB Group Volumetric Espresso Machine
Runner Up: La Pavoni’s PUB espresso machines are made with press-forged brass and chrome plated, with a vertical infusion chamber and pressurization system which eliminates group dripping. This machine is programmable and offers 4 cup size selections including continuous brewing and a stop button.
Additional features include a water softener, steam wand, one double portafilter, and 2 coffee baskets. Ideal for busy coffee shops and restaurants. The PUB espresso machine is NSF certified and made in Italy.
La Pavoni PUB 1V-R 1 Group Volumetric Espresso Machines, Anti-vacuum Valve
De’Longhi La Specialista Prestigio Espresso Machine
Best Value: The De’Longhi La Specialista Prestigio comes with some innovative features, including an integrated burr grinder with two sensors, a proprietary Smart Tamping Station, and a built-in sensor grinder with 6 settings.
Customers who reviewed this machine have said it makes restaurant-quality coffee and espresso drinks, as well as lattes and other specialties and is easy to use. There is a hot water tap for tea or hot chocolate. A MyLatteArt steam wand is included.
De’Longhi La Specialista Prestigio Commercial Espresso Machines
Sincreative Espresso Machine & Coffee Maker
This 2-in-1 machine by Sincreative allows you to brew both coffee and espresso. It features a built-in grinder with 15 different settings so you can always get the optimal flavor. The dial interface for selecting steam, hot water and pre-programmed single & double shots makes this machine easy to use. It has a 92oz detachable transparent water tank for easy filling.
Other features of this machine include a 20 bar pressure, a powerful steam wand, and digital temperature control.
Sincreative Commercial Espresso Machine & Coffee Maker With Grinder & Steam Wand
Rancilio Silvia Professional Espresso Machine
The Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine is a good option if you have limited countertop space but still want a high-quality machine. Customers who reviewed this item praised its ability to make delicious espresso.
This manual espresso machine has an iron frame and stainless steel side panels and is a petite 11.4″ x 13.4″It has a commercial-grade group head for superb heat stability and extraction quality, an articulating steam wand, and a professional steaming knob that precisely controls steaming pressure.
Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine with Iron Frame and Stainless Steel Side Panels
Saeco Xelsis Super Automatic Espresso Machine
The Xelsis is a super-automatic espresso machine, which automates the brewing process. You can customize the strength, volume, temperature, taste of coffee, the milk foam amount, espresso volume, and even the coffee and milk order. You can also save your preferences to your personal profile so you get your perfect coffee drinks every time.
This machine uses a HygieSteam function to clean the milk circuit with steam, from the spout to the milk tubes. In addition, each time you make a drink with milk, Saeco Xelsis automatically cleans the milk system with a jet of hygienic steam, so it is clean and ready to make your next drink. It also uses a proprietary AquaClean filter that prevents scale buildup. The grinder is made from high-quality, durable ceramic material.
Saeco Xelsis Super Automatic Machine, Titanium Metal Front
Gaggia Classic Pro Espresso Machine
Gaggia takes coffee very seriously, and it shows in their updated Classic Pro semi-automatic machine. Its commercial features, including a steam wand, commercial-style 58 mm portafilter, and commercial single and double shot baskets, make the Gaggia Classic Pro one of the most popular espresso machines on the market.
This machine also features a pressurized basket for use with pre-ground coffee or ESE pods. The reservoir holds 72 oz of water, is made of stainless steel, and is available in several color choices.
Gaggia Classic Pro Espresso Machine, Solid, Brushed Stainless Steel
Philips 3200 Series Automatic Commercial Grade Espresso Machine
Another super-automatic machine, the 3200 Series model by Philips is a customer favorite. For a fraction of the cost of some other commercial espresso machines, you get many of the same great features, including an AquaClean filter, 12 grinder settings, and an intuitive touch display that allows you to choose from three different settings to adjust the strength and quantity of your coffee drink.
This machine comes with a Panarello steam wand, a classic milk frother, and can serve up to 12 cups of coffee in one fill.
Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Commercial Grade Espresso Machine
CYETUS Portable Espresso Maker for Home Barista
This small countertop model by CYETUS has impressive features at a low price point. PCB electronic temperature control regulates the temperatures of water and steam, pre-brew system, a powerful steam wand, and a cup warm-up rack are just some of the components of this small, affordable machine.
Customers who reviewed this espresso machine mentioned its ease of use and cleaning, portability, and quality beverage output.
CYETUS Portable Espresso Machine for Home Barista
Casabrews Professional Espresso Coffee and Cappuccino Machine
20 Bar Espresso Commercial Machine.
Hipresso Super-Automatic Espresso Maker
This super-automatic machine by Hipresso features one-touch brewing and frothing for 11 different types of drinks. It has an automatic cleaning function and alarms for low water and low beans. An adjustable professional conical burr grinder and 19-bar pump promise the smoothest coffee and espressos with each use.
This coffee maker comes with a large HD touchscreen display with programmable brewing options for espresso, latte, macchiatos, flat whites and more, as well as options for hot water and has a large, 60.87 oz water tank.
Hipresso Super-automatic Espresso Coffee Machine
Breville Barista Express Manual Espresso Machine
The Breville Barista Express uses what they call the “four keys formula” to deliver specialty coffee at home or at the office. This machine features digital temperature control (PID) to ensure the correct water temperature, a manual steam wand, and an easy-to-use grinder with a sizing dial to control the grind size of your choice of bean.
The manufacturer offers a 1-year warranty on this product.
Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine.
How to Choose the Right Commercial Espresso Machine
Selecting the optimal commercial espresso machine for your business can be challenging, given the wide array of available choices. To narrow down your options, take into account these key factors:
- Type of Machine: Commercial espresso machines come in manual, semi-automatic, automatic, and super-automatic variants. Your decision should be based on your team’s proficiency and the amount of hands-on interaction you prefer during the brewing process.
- Manual machines, though challenging to operate, offer traditional brewing experience and are ideal for experienced baristas.
- Semi-automatic machines offer more control over brewing factors, which makes them popular among specialty coffee makers.
- Automatic machines provide consistency and simplicity in operation, ideal for a bustling environment such as a breakroom.
- Super-automatic machines handle all aspects of brewing and are excellent for environments where user-friendliness is key.
- Cost: Budgeting for your machine in advance will streamline your search. Remember, higher-priced models often offer greater build quality and output capacity.
- Output Quantity: Assess your business’s coffee consumption to find a machine that can cater to your specific needs. Review product descriptions and customer reviews to gauge the machine’s performance under different usage scenarios.
- Certifications: Your espresso machine should comply with the food safety laws in your state and be NFT certified and up to OSHA standards to ensure safety and credibility.
- Size: The machine’s size should be proportional to your available countertop space. If space is a constraint, consider compact yet high-quality machines.
Remember, the ideal espresso machine will efficiently cater to your specific needs while complementing your business’s aesthetics. Take time to research and understand each machine’s unique features before making a decision. Your customers’ and employees’ appreciation for consistently excellent coffee will be worth the effort.
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This article, "Commercial Espresso Machine: Picks For Your Café or Breakroom" was first published on Small Business Trends