How to Choose a Coffee Shop Espresso Machine

Choose a Coffee Shop Commercial Espresso Machine

Coffee Shop Equipment Series

How to Choose Your Coffee Shop Espresso Machine

One fun and most exciting part of opening a coffee shop is choosing the right equipment. You will use your various coffee equipment items to deliver amazingly tasting coffee to your coffee shop customers.

Choosing your coffee equipment and your commercial espresso machine is a big deal. This is why we've dedicated an entire hour to talking to a coffee equipment expert in our Complete Coffee Shop Startups Kit audio interview series. It is an interview you shouldn't miss!

Before choosing your coffee equipment, you will want to make sure that you have written a coffee shop business plan and determined your coffee shop budget and coffee shop menu. Your equipment decisions ultimately depend on these elements.

We hope that this espresso machine guide will help you choose the best espresso machine for your coffee shop!
Your coffee shop espresso machine will be a keystone piece of equipment that you will rely heavily upon. It is arguably the most critical piece of equipment you will be using daily.

Commercial Espresso Machine Vs. Home Espresso Machine

There are plenty of excellent and expensive home espresso machines made by popular espresso machine manufacturers, but they are not suitable for commercial use. Often, this has to do with the materials they are constructed with and the capacity of usage.

A commercial espresso machine is made with different materials and constructed to handle more uses and wear and tear than a home espresso machine. A commercial espresso machine is also safer to use, especially at higher volumes.

For example, you might need an espresso machine to pull 200 espresso shots in one hour. Your home espresso machine will probably burn out after a short period of time.

Buying a commercial espresso machine for your coffee shop is not only a smart money-saver, but it is often required.

The NSF Seal

Many health departments, building departments, and other agencies will require commercial-only equipment and appliances. UL listed products and constructed with NSF seals – National Sanitation Foundation. The NSF seal indicates that the item in question is built with only materials approved by the FDA.

An essential aspect of commercial espresso machines is that they utilize stainless steel or FDA-approved materials that won't leak chemicals or rust into your coffee.

So, while some home espresso machines appear perfect for your coffee shop, they will not handle the volume of drinks. They will as well pose a safety risk for you, your employees, and your customers.

How to Choose Your Commercial Espresso Machine?

If you ever stepped into a restaurant supply store or a commercial coffee equipment store, you will see many options for your espresso machine purchase. It could be overwhelming. So before deciding on which espresso machine to choose from, let's decide on what type of coffee shop you will have.

Consider the following questions:

• What type of environment will your espresso machine work in?
• Will you have a high-volume coffee shop?
• Will you use your espresso machine in a drive-through, where space can be very tight?
• What is your budget?

There are three general categories of espresso machines.

They are:

• Manual espresso machines,
• Semi-automatic machines, and
• Super-automatic machines.

The names of categories almost speak for themselves. They are determined by how much work you will need to do to operate them properly.

The manual espresso machines often contain a lever, which, when pulled down, actually places pressure to extract the espresso shot. These are old-school espresso machines that look classic and beautiful. They may fit the look and feel of your coffee shop, but they are hardly practical and require a lot of labor. The good news is that by the end of your shift, you will have more muscular biceps!

While we love the look of classic “lever” machines, I say stick with the automatic espresso machines.

Next on the list is your semi-automatic espresso machine. This is the most common type of espresso machine. They deliver excellent espresso shots, can handle quite a bit of volume, and allow you the ability to control the shot to each customer's preference.

Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines Are Most Common

Semi-automatic machines require barista training to produce excellent-tasting coffee. This usually isn't a problem for most coffee shops and baristas. Staying consistent is one of the most challenging aspects of using a semi-automatic espresso machine. You want your first espresso shot to be just as delicious as the 100th espresso shot of the day. Hiring great baristas and continually training them will play a part in addressing your level of consistency.

As mentioned, the semi-automatic machine allows you or your baristas to make minor but essential adjustments to change or alter the quality of the espresso shot. These aren't the machines that Starbucks has, which mostly have automatic machines for high volume and consistency.

Your semi-automatic machines will also have a steam wand where you can steam and froth your milk for every beverage. While this takes more time than, say, a fully automatic machine, it can deliver high-quality coffee drinks your customers will love!

A super-automatic espresso machine is entirely automatic, often with built-in grinders. You add the cup and press the type of coffee you want. They require no thinking, work, or creativity and have a significant decrease in variability. You often find super-automatic machines in high-traffic areas like airports, sports arenas, etc.

How to Choose Your Coffee Shop Espresso Machine

How to Choose Your Commercial Espresso Machine?

What Is Your Coffee Shop Concept?

You should purchase your commercial espresso machine based on your needs and your concept. Remember that even the busiest coffee shops usually have semi-automatic machines, which allow customers to extract coffee at their request.

Your coffee shop concept and your business plan should spell out just what type of commercial espresso machine you will need, even before you set out to purchase it.

For example, a slow, high-end café might want a manual espresso machine, while a small to busy café will prefer a semi-automatic machine. A coffee business in very high-traffic areas may decide to go super-automatic. It's worth noting that about 95% of coffee shops will likely have a commercial-grade semi-automatic machine.

Since such a high percentage of coffee shops use semi-automatic espresso machines, we're going to assume that you will probably purchase one, too, for the remainder of this article.

How to Choose Your Commercial Espresso Machine

How Busy Will Your Coffee Shop Be?

The volume of your coffee shop will also determine what kind of espresso machine you will get. For starters, you will want to estimate the coffee beverages you will serve. Your volume is key when deciding which espresso machine to purchase.

Some commercial espresso machines can handle more than others. A single-group espresso machine will handle only 15-20 espresso shots an hour (at a maximum), 50% of the two-group machine. A three-group machine can handle 200% more volume than a single-group machine. So it makes a big difference.

If you anticipate serving 50 to 100 coffee beverages an hour, you should consider getting a three- or four-group espresso machine or having two 2-group machines in your coffee bar workstation.

Even with such a high volume of customers, it still makes sense to utilize semi-automatic espresso machines because of their distinct ability to customize drinks.

Your Coffee Shop Type Matters Too

You probably never want to use a manual machine if you have a busy drive-thru coffee stand or a coffee kiosk. Fully manual espresso machines are heavy, cost more, and are not practical for serving coffee with the same speed and flexibility as semi-automatic espresso machines.

A super-automatic espresso machine may also limit your ability to make various coffee drinks in these settings. So, we hardly recommend these types of machines in most coffee shop businesses.

If you have a small café where speed is not an issue, you may consider getting a single-group semi-automatic machine. A single-group espresso machine is smaller but allows you to create fantastic coffee.

If your coffee business is more of a cafe or small restaurant, you might also want to get a coffee brewer for drip coffee. Often, you may get customers who want drip coffee. The closest coffee beverage that you can make with an espresso machine is an Americano.

If your business focuses on food or pastries and is unsure if you need a commercial espresso machine, a traditional coffee brewer might be okay to work with.

Make Profits With Your Espresso Machine

Remember that while you want to have a drip coffee option for your customers, you will also want to offer espresso-based beverages. Espresso-based drinks provide variability but also deliver high profit margins.

Espresso-based businesses can generate significant profits over time. For example, you might be able to charge $2 for a cup of brewed coffee.

In contrast, you can charge $6 for a vanilla latte.

Of course, this all depends on your customer base. If your ideal customer is looking for an espresso-based beverage, you want to be sure that you have a semi-automatic espresso machine to build drinks. While drip coffee is excellent (I need a cup right now!), the numerous options for making coffee drinks with an espresso machine completely outshine, offering only drip coffee.

Volume of Customers

When shopping for an espresso machine, you want to inquire about the volume that each device can handle. This should be a primary question when choosing among various commercial espresso machines.

If you estimate that your morning rushes will serve 120 beverages between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., then you need a semi-automatic espresso machine that can handle that load. Look at your pro-Forma estimates or sales estimates in your business plan to determine just how many customers you will have during your peak times.

Additionally, you want to plan for growth. As a new coffee shop owner, you might have a pre-determined number of sales per day. Yet, as your business grows, it is not unreasonable to anticipate growth. Likewise, your coffee equipment, and especially your espresso machine, should have the capacity for growth.

If you don't know the estimated number of customers during specific times or days of the week, consider visiting a nearby coffee shop. How many customers do they have during their morning rush hour? Consider counting customers or potential customers by utilizing similar businesses. If you don't know, estimate for growth. It's better to have more capacity than a smaller capacity to serve coffee.

Remember that each espresso machine is different and might have various capacities. For example, a two-group espresso machine (semi-automatic) will have a lower volume than a three-group semi-automatic machine.

The Importance of Barista Training

Knowing how to pull shots from a semi-automatic espresso machine efficiently takes some training. And yet, a little bit of barista training can go a long way in terms of developing the skills of your baristas and staff members. Never hesitate to train your baristas by offering them in-person training or online barista training opportunities to develop their skill.

Hiring baristas with little or no experience is fine, but you must train them. Training them on the proper use and maintenance of your espresso machine will be vital in keeping it running smoothly.

Training your baristas to properly grind the coffee, tamp, and extract the perfect shot may take work, but it is well worth the time and effort. This additional training will help your customers consistently enjoy delicious coffee.

There are plenty of factors to consider when hiring a barista. These include honesty, reliability, and trainability. A new staff member may not have the experience, but they may have the traits that make them a quick learner and easy to train on the espresso machine of your choice.

How to Choose Your Coffee Shop Espresso Machine

Differences Among Espresso Machines

It is essential to note those espresso machines that are similar to each other in level (manual, semi, and super-automatic) – and despite having the same number of groups – there are distinct differences in espresso machines.

For example, some differences in the group heads, display settings, or steam wand could offer stark differences in how the machine is handled and its performance. For example, buying a car with similar gas mileage and the number of cylinders may provide essential differences in performance.

The same is true for espresso machines. Therefore, I recommend that before you buy an espresso machine, see if the vendor can give you a test run on pulling shots. However, you might not get the opportunity to have a trial run on every potential machine. But if you have your eye set on a particular brand or type of machine, consider doing more research on it.

For example, consider asking an existing coffee shop business how they like their espresso machine. Watch YouTube videos on extracting coffee with specific machines. Still, other manufacturers make their machines available at trade shows, coffee festivals, and seminars. Take every opportunity to see how well the espresso machine you are interested in – performs. The last thing you want to do is buy an expensive espresso machine only to not like how it extracts coffee, steams milk, or performs overall.

How to Choose Your Commercial Espresso Machine

This article is not an espresso machine buying guide; however, I want to highlight some pretty reputable espresso machine brands. I won't cover the fully manual lever machines or the super-automatic machines.

Since most coffee shops run on various semi-automatic machines, I will highlight a few espresso machine brands. Let's take a look at some popular semi-automatic espresso machine options below.

Popular Semi-Automatic Commercial Espresso Machines

La Marzocco Linea 2 Group

The classic Linea 2 group is a coffee shop workhorse. It's made to withstand the high demands of a busy coffee shop. Its boiler system offers stability and consistently extracts espresso shots. It's a beautiful machine, and I would have all the confidence in running a bustling coffee shop with this behind my coffee bar.

Rocket Boxer Alto 2 Group

The Rocket Boxer Alto is a premium Italian-made espresso machine perfect for compact settings where space is an issue. Its sleek and low-profile design and its reliability make this an excellent option for any coffee shop. I have a Rocket Boxer and feel very good about it – it delivers amazing espresso shots and has never had a problem with my peak times.

Nuova Simonelli Appia 2 group

The unique exterior design offers a covering for another reliable espresso machine that offers high-quality extraction.

Slayer Commercial Espresso Machine 2 Group

The Slayer 2 group espresso machine might be in a league of its own. It's beautiful, sleek, and pulls some fantastic espresso shots. It's at a higher price point but doesn't leave you disappointed.

Modbar Under the Counter Espresso Machine

How can we have an article about espresso machines and not mention under-the-counter espresso machines? The Modbar is a leader in under-the-counter espresso machines, offering baristas a way to extract delicious espresso. Depending on your setup, concept, and counter space, a Modbar espresso machine may be exactly what you want.

How to Choose Your Coffee Shop Espresso Machine

Coffee Grinders

While highlighting the purchase of your commercial espresso machine, we must mention the importance of choosing your coffee grinders. Your coffee grinder may often be a coffee shop's unsung hero. The quality of your grind impacts your baristas' ability to extract the perfect espresso shot.

Your coffee grinder also must be a commercial NSF-certified coffee grinder. Your ability to grind your coffee properly will impact the taste of your espresso. Depending on conditions, a coffee grinder must be dialed appropriately before the start of your day and even throughout the day. Changes in temperature and humidity can impact the grind, so slight adjustments may need to be made before dosing your coffee into your portafilter.

Your grinder should be able to grind large volumes of coffee without overheating. The heating of coffee during the grinding phase could impact the taste of your coffee.

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Pick the Best Espresso Machine For Your Coffee Shop

Related Espresso Machine Questions:

How much should you spend on an espresso machine?

The cost of espresso machines varies considerably. A new espresso machine can cost anywhere between $4500 for a single group to $40,000 for a 3-group machine. The brand and the number of group heads will impact the price of a semi-automatic machine.

If you are a standard coffee shop with a reasonable budget, you should estimate that a new espresso machine will cost between $7,000 and $13,000

Should I get a one-group, two-group, or three-group espresso machine?

The number of groups of your machine depends on your coffee shop concept, space availability, and your demand. For example, if you have a small mobile coffee business or a smaller drive-thru coffee stand, it may not make sense to purchase a 3-group espresso machine.

The more group heads you have, the heavier and longer your espresso machine will be. Most coffee shops have two-group machines. If you have a low-volume coffee shop or a mobile coffee business, you may only need a one-group espresso machine. However, consider planning for growth – or an increase in sales.

Do you need to buy an espresso machine?

After writing this entire article on choosing your commercial espresso machine, it turns out that you may not need an espresso machine after all. Your decision to purchase an espresso machine rests entirely on your menu, concept, and customer base. A majority of your customers may only want drip coffee.

Your coffee shop concept may be such that you can't carry a large espresso machine with you. Or your menu may dictate that all you want to serve is cold brew and manually brewed pour-over coffee beverages. So the answer is no. No, you may not need an espresso machine for your coffee business. Your coffee business may do very well without serving espresso.

Should you buy a used espresso machine?

Espresso machines can be expensive. Sometimes, buying a perfectly good espresso machine that is used may make sense. If you decide that you are going to buy a used one, start your search early. Espresso machines in good working order can be sold quickly in some markets.

If you are buying from a private individual or party, consider all the safety measures you would normally take. These include getting the name, address, and phone number of the seller. Always make sure you have a bill of sale with any serial codes that may be relevant.

Finally, you want to make sure that the espresso machine works. If it is possible, have the seller demonstrate that the espresso machine works before buying it! Oftentimes, sellers will have espresso machines in storage. While this is common, years of storage might indicate that the espresso machine needs servicing or may not work at all. As a result, I prefer purchasing my coffee equipment – even used coffee equipment – from a reputable dealer. 

Choosing a Commercial Espresso Machine

We've discussed a few considerations when buying your commercial espresso machine. While there are plenty of options for your choice of machine, you want to purchase an espresso machine that will specifically cater to your coffee business. 

Remember, before shopping for your espresso machine:

• Plan your menu
• Determine your price range
• Make a decision based on space availability and anticipated growth
• Determine your volume of customers

Once you have this information, you will be better equipped to make the best choice for your coffee shop.

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