Good coffee comes from four ingredients: a coffee machine, a coffee grinder, a coffee mix, and the hands of a barista. That is, an intelligent coffee machine for business is only a quarter of success, and the remaining three quarters fall on the shoulders of a barista, competent grinding and a variety of coffee. With varieties of mixtures and a coffee grinder, everything seems to be clear. As for raw materials, for such a drink it must be expensive and always of high quality. Here, any savings are simply inappropriate.
With the main apparatus, things are somewhat different. On the one hand, it seems to be nothing complicated - I bought more expensive / more and forward, but on the other - it is not so simple. Determining the best equipment for a coffee shop is a very delicate matter, but one thing is certain for sure - it must necessarily be professional coffee machines.
Types of equipment
In total, four main types of devices of this kind can be counted. They differ from each other both in price and in the technology for preparing drinks.
Drip type
The simplest coffee machine for business refers to the drip type. This is a simple and inexpensive device with intuitive functionality that almost any user will understand even without instructions. The principle of operation is as follows: heated water drops into a special filter, and, passing through the grains, it appears in a flask, while collecting taste and aroma from the raw materials.
The operation of the drip coffee machine does not require any serious preparation, and the drink can be prepared, as they say, on the knee. Such equipment is suitable for the most modest establishments, designed for a small number of visitors (and unpretentious). In addition, the maintenance of coffee machines of such a plan costs practically nothing, but the performance of the equipment is poor because of its simplicity.
Geyser type
The principle of operation of geyser equipment is fundamentally different from drip. Here we have the process of the same name, that is, hot water rises from the bottom up like a geyser and fills the raw material, after which it is in the flask and then in the cup. A coffee machine for a business of this type has a small volume and a modest price, which means that it is also not designed for a large number of clients. Such equipment is quite suitable for serving coffee with some kind of parallel services (bars, clubs, canteens).
Carob type
The horn coffee machine for business has a simple but at the same time a long process for preparing drinks. Here, the raw materials are compressed under the required pressure (about 10-15 bar) and mixed at the outlet with water. This type is used mainly for serious devices where good performance is needed.
Capsule type
The capsule type coffee machine has a principle of operation similar to the horn equipment. Such a device uses raw materials in special capsules. In this case, there are both pros and cons. The capsule type coffee machine is noticeably easier to operate: it is easy to operate, easy to wash, but not all customers are satisfied with the taste of the drink. Therefore, for serious institutions it is better to choose another, more universal (in terms of taste) option.
In addition, equipment of this kind is automatic and semi-automatic.The latter option requires any additional action from the operator, while the automatic coffee machine will grind the raw materials, mix them and pour them into the cup.
Manufacturer
The most venerable manufacturers of this kind of equipment are considered the Italian company "Delongi" (Delonghi) and the German "Melitta" (Melitta). Professional coffee machines from these brands are reliable and high-quality machines designed for serious establishments with a lot of customer traffic. The companies also produce related surroundings for their equipment. Here we have a tool for cleaning coffee machines, some special containers, coasters, and even a uniform with signs and banners. Companies mainly serve the premium segment, but on the shelves of these manufacturers you can find budget solutions.
As for the reviews on coffee equipment from Delonga and Melitta, everything is fine here: users know very well how much a coffee machine of such a plan costs and what they pay for. The owner receives high-quality and high-performance equipment that works without failures and no overlays. Some users in their reviews complain about the availability of service, but this point can hardly be called critical, because this equipment breaks extremely rarely.
Middle and budget class
In the middle and lower price category, the German company Bosch distinguished itself, which is generally considered a competent specialist in the field of household appliances. The quality component of this segment depends, as a rule, on how much the coffee machine costs. In this case, the rule: “The more expensive, the better” is 100% valid.
If you are the owner of a small coffee house, then you can pay attention to the more modest (far from always bad) devices from the companies Panasonic, Philips, Mulineks, Krups (Krups) and Seiko (Saeco). In the assortment of these brands, worthy options may well come across.
About manufacturers of the medium and budget category reviews are motley. Models from the popular Bosch, Panasonic, and Mulinex are naturally not as good as those from Delonga or Melitta, but brand service centers can be found, as they say, on every corner. Therefore, special attention should be paid specifically to reviews about a particular model or line, and, based on the personal experience of other users, determine which coffee machine for a cafe or bar suits you.
Next, we will consider some of the most successful models that will become excellent helpers in your coffee business.
Melitta Caffeo Barista TS
This automatic coffee machine of the famous German brand is the flagship of its series. The model is a real find for cappuccino fans. The device received a stylish case made of varnished plastic, as well as an intuitive and modern touch control system.
The available characteristics are quite enough to indicate what the coffee machine is suitable for - for a cafe or a bar: power - 1450 W, volume - 1.8 l, pump with a pressure of 15 bar, support for up to five degrees of grinding. In addition, the device automatically monitors the filling level of raw materials and notifies the user about the need for bookmarks. There are 18 prescription programs for making coffee or coffee and milk drinks. There is a highlight of all the important controls and main components. Also included is a nice jug of milk and a good tool for cleaning coffee machines.
Advantages of the model:
- quite reasonable price for its class;
- a large number of preset recipes and flexible settings;
- An ideal tool for making cappuccino and latte.
Disadvantages:
- the main body parts are plastic;
- passive cup heating.
Estimated cost - about 90,000 rubles.
Delonghi ESAM 6900 M PrimaDonna Exclusive
This is a medium power model from the premium segment. The main direction of the machine is the preparation of grain or ground coffee.The machine copes well with serving medium and small coffee houses: a 1.4 liter tank, 13 degrees of grinding, a pump pressure of 15 bar, an integrated coffee grinder and an energy-saving mode.
There is also a special waste container, a removable drip tray, a clear display with backlight and indication of liquid levels with raw materials. In addition, the machine proved to be excellent at preparing choosy drinks such as cappuccino, latte and classic hot chocolate.
Pluses of model:
- ergonomic and pleasant to the touch body;
- many functional settings that are not reset when disconnected from the network;
- a good and rich recipe book in mind;
- almost silent and smooth operation of the machine;
- the quality of drinks is at a very high level (with proper raw materials).
Minuses:
- picky in service (frequent and thorough cleaning);
- the water filter often fails (our water does not meet the norms and requirements of the machine);
- the tank is small for a large flow of customers.
Estimated price - about 95,000 rubles.
Philips HD7762
This is a pretty sensible drip apparatus for a small coffee shop. The capabilities of the machine will surely be appreciated by ardent fans of American coffee. The model has a stylish and extremely attractive design, as well as a good set of technical specifications.
In addition, the apparatus is equipped with two separate containers for raw materials, which allows you to simultaneously fill the grains of two completely different varieties. The degree of grinding is user-adjustable, and the grain selector allows you to make mixes of drinks for particularly picky customers.
The advantages of the device:
- the possibility of combining different varieties and types of coffee;
- the presence of a start timer and auto power off;
- setting the strength of the drink;
- nice appearance of the machine along with compactness;
- Convenient and intuitive controls.
Disadvantages:
- the cost is a bit overpriced for the available features;
- high consumption of raw materials.
Estimated cost - about 16,000 rubles.
Saeco HD 8969 GranBaristo Avanti
This unit is the flagship of the series. Despite the fact that the brand mainly specializes in more affordable coffee machines, the model rightfully takes its place of honor in the premium class. The device can prepare extremely high-quality drinks, even remotely (you need a tablet or any other mobile gadget with installed software).
The machine works with both ground and grain raw materials. Power (1900 W) and tank volume (1.7 L) is enough to work in any coffee shop. Ceramic materials significantly reduce the noise level of the device, and also protect the grains from overheating. The pump pressure is standard for this kind of equipment - 15 bar.
The machine can automatically prepare an excellent cappuccino, and upon completion of the process, it will also clean the milk circuit with steam. The user just needs to press one button. In addition, 18 built-in beverage recipes, several settings for their strength and varying degrees of grinding will help satisfy even the most demanding visitor.
Pluses of model:
- solid and extremely attractive appearance;
- There are absolutely no complaints about the quality and taste of drinks (with good raw materials);
- preparation of drinks like "Americano" at a slight pressure;
- it is possible to program the pre-wetting time;
- large volume of the waste compartment (about 20 servings);
- rich scope of supply (cleaning products, useful brochures with recipes, stickers, etc.).
Minuses:
- the price of the machine is too high for an average domestic coffee shop;
- no active cup heating.
Estimated price - about 160,000 rubles.
