A coffee machine for a coffee shop is the main work tool, so you need to choose it as carefully as the accounting program for a coffee shop, and look at the characteristics at the stage of opening the coffee shop. The operating principle of professional coffee machines is the same, but there are different types of machines, equipment and costs. The taste of the final product depends on this, along with the grain. Together with expert Roman Tyutyulin, co-owner of the coffee shop chain “By the way, coffee”, partner of “Surf coffee vlg” and owner, we figured out what types and brands of coffee machines there are and which one is better to choose for a coffee shop.
Types of professional coffee machines for cafes
Depending on the flow of people in the coffee shop and the price level, you can choose a suitable coffee machine. For example, those who prepare the drink themselves or where the barista does 80% of the work: whipping milk and grinding coffee. We will tell you about the main types of coffee machines for coffee shops.
Automatic
Automates the coffee brewing process, there is an electronic memory for different preparation modes: cappuccino, espresso, latte. An automatic coffee machine for a coffee shop prepares one mug of coffee in about 40 seconds.
Rozhkova
It brews coffee from ground beans; you will also need a coffee grinder. This coffee machine for cafes prepares an excellent basis for coffee drinks - espresso. In its design, you definitely need to pay attention to the horn itself; it must be steel and massive in order to maintain the temperature and produce delicious coffee.
Capsule
Makes coffee using a coffee capsule. Boiling water passes through the capsule and the finished drink is obtained. The downside is that there is no variety of drinks. Separately, you can froth the milk with a cappuccino maker and prepare a cappuccino or latte.
Super automatic
A professional coffee machine for a coffee shop can literally replace a barista, since it prepares coffee and froths milk itself, and is programmed with several dozen coffee recipes that can be prepared by pressing one button. You can set up a semi-automatic coffee machine - only the drink is prepared, and the barista whips the milk himself. This coffee machine is suitable for a specialized coffee shop with a large flow, as it can prepare up to 600 cups of coffee per day. Of the minuses: high price, which takes longer to pay off, although the productivity of the coffee machine is higher.
The principle for all coffee machines is the same - using pressure, “pull out” all the flavoring and aromatic substances as much as possible from the coffee bean.
One more thing that all coffee machines have in common is the presence of a built-in boiler. There are multi-boiler machines, there are single-boiler machines, it all depends on the requirements and tasks that the machine must perform in the coffee shop.
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The best professional coffee machines for a mini coffee shop
In a small establishment there is no need to overpay for high productivity. But there is an opportunity to focus on the quality of the drink. A good coffee machine will save time and work resources.
Nivona CafeRomatica 680
This compact, stylish car is not inferior to its full-size “colleagues” in terms of the number of options. She knows how to prepare different coffee drinks; she has the ability to add 5 original recipes. The device has good self-cleaning and filtration capabilities to prevent scale formation. The nice thing is that the coffee machine can be controlled from your phone.
Nuova Simonelli Oscar II Black
This is a classic professional model of a carob-type coffee machine. She makes excellent espresso and cappuccino coffee. This device has a faucet with a steam generator that spreads a seductive aroma throughout the coffee shop. The design of the device is very interesting, the control panel is touch-sensitive with convenient backlighting.
Nivona CafeRomatica 778
This is an automatic device for preparing drinks from ground and bean coffee. The operator can adjust the degree of grinding of the beans. When the device is idle, it automatically turns off. The serving size (cup) can be specified from the control panel.
The device is made in a classic style, in black and white colors. It looks very interesting and can become an interior decoration.
Features of installing coffee machines
To make delicious coffee, you need to take care of the quality of water and grain. Coffee beans can be selected according to the type of roast and variety, but with water it’s a little more complicated - you have to figure out the mineralization and filtration of the water.
Water affects not only the taste of coffee, but also the calcification of the coffee machine - the formation of plaque. If you reduce the mineralization of the water so that plaque does not accumulate, the coffee will not taste good. If you increase it, there will be large deposits on the coffee machine. In this regard, everyone selects different filters. You can install a filter with high mineralization of water to get more tasty and aromatic coffee, but thereby shorten the life of the coffee machine by half than when using filters with low mineralization.
How to choose the right water filter
There are a lot of filter manufacturers, it all depends on the type of input water and what the tasks are. You can buy a filter for 40 UAH (100 rubles) and it will work, or you can buy it for 40,000 UAH (100,000 rubles) and it will not work, because no one has done laboratory tests.
For establishments that specialize in coffee drinks, you need to select a filter using laboratory water tests. Testing your water will help you decide which filter to choose to achieve the level of coffee taste you want.
98% of a cup of coffee is water, it should act on both the taste and the equipment. Therefore, preparing a drink in a coffee machine must begin with selecting and purifying water.
Saeco SM7685 – for those who need to be reminded about the quantity of products
An automatic professional coffee machine works with beans and ground coffee. The model has grinding and temperature adjustment, a self-cleaning option, and a display. Universal equipment for cafes and offices is reliable, does not require cleaning, and quickly prepares various drinks.
The body is made of plastic, simultaneous filling into 2 cups is provided. Heating element – boiler, capacity – 1.7 l. Assortment: espresso, Americano, cappuccino, latte macchiato, flat white, ristretto.
The advantages of the model include - it works with beans and ground coffee, there is a measuring spoon for ground coffee, and a decalcification option is provided.
The control is carried out using a display, a waste tray is provided, and a drop collection system is thought out.
Built-in option, does not take up much space, indicator of power on and water level allows you to control the cooking process. 12 grind options provide a wide choice of drink for every taste.
Features of the device - quiet operation, there is an option to remind you that water and grains are running out. The disadvantages include the plastic case, which is easy to damage.
How to choose a coffee machine for a cafe
To choose a coffee machine for a coffee shop, it is important to understand for whom and how many cups per day you will prepare. For example, there are super-automatic coffee machines that make coffee tastier than other machines, but here the uniqueness is lost.
An important attribute for specialty coffee shops is multi-boiler equipment. The multiboiler provides temperature stability, thereby ensuring stability in the preparation of each cup. That is, with a large flow, single-boiler machines can lose temperature, while multi-boiler machines are more thermostable.
Multi-baller equipment is not cheap, but in specialty coffee shops a cup of espresso costs 60 UAH (150 rubles) or more, which will allow you to recoup the costs.
What else you should pay attention to when choosing a coffee machine:
- Availability of a dealer in the region . For example, you decide to open a coffee shop in the city of Volgograd and plan to buy a coffee machine. You need to know if there is a Nuova Simonelli dealer in your city. This way you will know that the machine can be repaired if something happens or you can ask for help in setting it up. The service center always has spare parts and trained personnel for installation and repair of coffee machines. This is one of the very important factors for decision making.
- Aesthetic beauty. Agree, if a coffee machine is expensive, you want to show it to everyone. You'll want to place it on the front counter of your coffee shop. Here it is important to buy a beautiful coffee machine, but remember that a beautiful one must have a cool “filling”. Each manufacturer has top models: there are bright lights, lighting solutions, futuristic design, etc. You also need to pay attention to this if the coffee machine is on display.
- Convenience of work for employees. This is important, since baristas work 10-12 hours behind the counter and must be comfortable working on the fly. In order for the machine to be convenient for operation: the cappuccino maker should not burn, the drain should not become clogged. Please note that the width of the stand should be more than 50 cm, preferably +30 cm for different gadgets and devices.
Basic functions of coffee machines
A mandatory function of a coffee machine is to ensure safety; all cappuccino makers must be “cool touch”, that is, they must not burn. The purpose of a coffee machine is to simplify the preparation of the drink and make the coffee delicious. To do this, the coffee machine must be heat-resistant, that is, multi-boiler.
What other functions does the coffee machine perform:
- Grinding and Coffee - Not all machines have a built-in coffee grinder, but if they do, it's important to have access to the grind settings. The taste of coffee depends on the coarseness of the grind.
- Automatic On/Off - Helps reduce energy consumption and turn off the machine when not in use.
- Coffee cup counter - convenient for counting the cups of coffee brewed per day.
- Overheat protection - increases the service life of the coffee machine and helps avoid burns.
- Self-cleaning – removes coffee waste in a timely manner.
Weaknesses of coffee machines
The main weak point of a professional coffee machine is thermal stability. It all depends on the material from which the coffee machine is made, as well as the presence of several boilers. The second weak point is the elastic bands; if they are not original, they wear out very quickly. With a large flow of people, the ears on the holders quickly wear out and the so-called screws wear out in groups.
High-quality coffee machines have almost no weak points, since they are made from expensive materials that are wear-resistant to chemical and thermal stress. Plus, almost all professional coffee machines have a multi-boiler system, which allows them to maintain thermal stability.
Comparison of popular coffee machine models
Most often, coffee shops install automatic or super-automatic coffee machines, as they produce more cups of coffee and are more convenient to use. We have reviewed the most common professional coffee machines.
| Model | Characteristics | Price |
| Nuova Simonelli Musica Standard AD, Italy | Machine; power: 1.2 kW; connects to the water supply; Possibility of preparing 2 cups at the same time. | 50,000 UAH (130,000 rub.) |
| Jura Giga X3 Professional, Switzerland | Superautomatic; power: 2.3 kW; connects to the water supply; automatic cleaning. | 120,000 UAH (317,000 rub.) |
| Synesso Hydra MVP 1 GR, USA | Machine; power: 2.7 kW; programmable coffee dosing system; tap for supplying boiling water. | 400,000 UAH (1,000,000 rub.) |
The best professional coffee machines with a large coffee pot
Coffee machines with a larger pot capacity are ideal for cafes or coffee shops with a large number of visitors.
Saeco Aulika Top High Speed Cappuccino
pros
- Quick preparation of drinks
- Large waste tank
Minuses
- Lack of connection to water supply
From 64988 ₽
A coffee machine from a famous Italian brand will allow you to prepare any hot drink with just the press of a button. Among the undoubted advantages are fast operation, efficiency, and intuitive operation. The coffee recipe is set using the buttons located on the front panel. Nearby there is an information liquid crystal display. The volume of the water tank is 4 l.
Jura WE8 Dark Inox
pros
- Simple controls
- Functionality
Minuses
- Overpriced
From 125990 ₽
The coffee machine from the Swiss manufacturer has a modern body design and a built-in information display that allows you to control all stages of preparing the drink. The capacity of the built-in water tank is 3 liters.
Nuova Simonelli Appia II Compact 2Gr V
pros
- Possibility of connection to water supply
- Adjustment of working pressure
- Simultaneous dispensing of drink into two cups
Minuses
- Large dimensions and weight
From 145330 ₽
A traditional automatic coffee machine has the ability to be connected to a water supply. It is equipped with two temperature-compensated groups, a water supply tap and two stainless steel steam taps. The model is well suited for professional use in restaurants, coffee shops or cafes. High groups provide convenient pouring of drinks into glasses, speeding up the preparation of coffee to go. Water tank volume – 7.5 l.
How much does a coffee machine cost for a coffee shop?
A professional coffee machine can be bought for 11,000 UAH (30,000 rubles), or for 1,000,000 UAH (2,700,000 rubles). It all depends on the budget and the goal that you set for the coffee machine and your target audience. For example, a Synesso coffee machine is expensive, but thermostable. It can cook about 10 kg of grain in an hour and its temperature will not change. This is a very important factor in flow. The most common version of the coffee machine is “Nuova Simonelli”, costing up to 55,000 UAH (150,000 rubles). Of the minuses: there is no thermal stability and aesthetic beauty, some of the elements are plastic.
Superautomatic machines are the future, as this coffee machine practically replaces the barista. It works clearly and according to the settings: the barista can prepare automatic milk frothing or foam. The only drawback is the price; for a good super-automatic machine you will have to pay about 400,000 UAH (1,000,000 rubles), but for a high-end coffee shop this is an excellent option.
