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 models of professional coffee machines for a traditional coffee shop
In this situation, you need a device capable of preparing high-quality coffee in large volumes. Options for coffee machines that fit these criteria are presented below.
Saeco Aulika Top High Speed Cappuccino
This is a stylish device, fully automated. It has many settings (grinding degree, strength control, cappuccino preparation, water portion adjustment, etc.), which allows you to adjust the taste, strength of the drink, and provide an almost individual approach to the client’s wishes, despite the industrial scale of preparation. The operation of the device is easy to understand; operating it does not require any special knowledge or experience; a bartender can handle it.
Saeco Aulika FOCUS
This is a more compact model, very attractive in appearance, and will fit into the most stylish interior. Despite its more compact size, the number of settings and adjustments is also impressive. The coffee machine brews and dispenses 2 servings of drink at the same time. The cooking process is described on the display on the front panel of the device. The selection of drinks here is one of the best.
Saeco Aulika Office
This is an automatic coffee machine designed for the office. Therefore, this device does not provide for operator intervention in the cooking process, all parameters are set in the control panel, and then the machine does everything itself. The loading volume is 1 kg of beans - enough for a long time even with a large flow of visitors. The coffee brewing process is thought out to the smallest detail. From grinding to bottling the finished drink, the coffee bean does not lose a drop of its taste and aroma.
De'Longhi ESAM 2600
This is a relatively inexpensive multifunctional coffee machine model. It works equally well with beans and ground coffee. De'Longhi ESAM 2600 prepares delicious cappuccino. The device uses electricity economically; after the end of the cycle, it automatically turns off. The device has a self-cleaning option, making it easier to maintain.
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.
The best budget professional coffee machines
First, let's look at a selection of coffee machines, albeit entry-level, but still professional. The term “budget” applies to them only relatively - in comparison with high-performance machines for HoReCa, which we will pay attention to in the second part of the review. Such models are designed for offices or catering establishments where coffee is not the most popular menu item. The material is based on the results of an analysis of technical characteristics on the resource https://rankquality.com/coffee-maker/.
Saeco Lirika One Touch Cappuccino
Rating: 4.9
Let's start with the most inexpensive machine that can cope with average loads, providing decent drink quality, convenience and speed, without requiring particularly close attention from the barista. The manufacturer is the Italian company Saeco International Group SpA with almost half a century of history. Since 2009 owned by Philips. This model is directly assembled in Romania.
This is an automatic coffee machine designed for bean coffee with one preparation group for one or two cups. The device dimensions are 22x38x45 cm, weight is 8 kg, body color is metallic silver. It is controlled by electronic switch buttons and equipped with a compact LCD display. Power - 1850 W, pressure - 15 bar (without pressure gauge), boiler-type heater. Separate boilers for coffee and boiling water are used.
The coffee machine provides a full cycle, from the very grinding of the beans. The degree of grinding can be selected from 5 positions. The container for raw materials holds about 500 g of coffee beans. The volume of the water compartment is 2.5 l.
The coffee machine has the following basic programs: cappuccino, espresso, latte macchiato, Americano, ristretto. Cappuccino preparation is even included in the model name thanks to the One Touch Cappuccino function - preparation with one touch. If you are extremely meticulous, then you still need two clicks on the factory settings, and only one if you program the button.
Additional useful functions: coffee strength control, hot water portion adjustment, pre-wetting, automatic decalcification. The machine allows you to adjust the amount of coffee and the volume of the drink per cup. For the convenience of the barista, the dispensing unit can be adjusted in height. For security against accidental (or non-accidental) access, a lock is provided on the container lid.
The coffee machine is supplied with a separate power cord, a drip tray, a cappuccino maker, a spout for boiling water, a knob for adjusting the degree of grinding, and documentation.
Formally, the described model is considered for home use, but its functionality and resources are sufficient for a small cafeteria, and the price cannot be compared with professional options in every sense.
In general, there are practically no serious comments about this model. The only point of caution from the professional consultants of our publication is that the cappuccino maker still does not reach the professional level in terms of resource and endurance.
Advantages
- European assembly;
- large tanks for coffee, water and milk;
- five levels of grinding adjustment;
- separate boilers;
- One Touch Cappuccino function;
- easy cleaning;
- combination of price, functionality and quality.
Flaws
- weak cappuccino maker, breaks down after a few months of intense use.
Philips EP3243 Series 3200 LatteGo
Rating: 4.8
The second relatively inexpensive coffee machine in our review, close to professional characteristics, is one of the popular models produced by Philips. It is slightly less productive than the previous one, but allows you to much more finely regulate the degree of grinding. The Philips brand does not need any special introduction, and the machine is assembled in Romania.
This is also a fully automatic coffee machine, like the previous one, but with different types of suitable raw materials - the device prepares drinks from both ground coffee and beans. There are as many as 12 degrees of grinding, the container is designed for 275 g of beans. The controls are touch-sensitive and have a backlit LCD screen. The power of the device is 1500 W. The capacity of the water tank is 1.8 liters, for milk - 0.26 liters. There is no water level indicator, which is inconvenient for use in HoReCa. The maximum pressure is up to 15 bar, there is no pressure gauge.
The water hardness in this model can be adjusted, but automatic descaling is not provided for descaling. The preparation of cappuccino is complete and automatic, and the LatteGo cappuccino machine technology allows you to obtain impeccable milk foam at the optimal temperature. Basic automatic programs: cappuccino, espresso, latte macchiato, Americano. The machine also allows you to adjust the volume of a portion of boiling water, the temperature of the drink (3 positions), and the strength (3 positions). The waste unloading and cleaning system is well thought out. The waste container holds 12 servings of brewed coffee.
The aforementioned lack of automatic decalcification is partly compensated for by the use of the AquaClean filter. This is a patented technology developed by the Italian company Saeco, which allows you to prepare up to several thousand cups of coffee before the inside of the coffee machine needs to be descaled, and the machine will specifically indicate this need.
Additional features of the model that may be important: removable brewing group, ceramic millstones, cooking two servings, eco mode, 2 years warranty from the manufacturer. The delivery set includes the aforementioned AquaClean filter, lubricant in a tube, a measuring spoon, a lid for storing the cappuccino maker, and an indicator for determining water hardness.
Advantages
- quality and convenience;
- raw materials - grain or ground coffee;
- 12 degrees of grinding adjustment;
- LatteGo cappuccino maker;
- AquaClean filter included;
- convenient and quick cleaning;
- equipment.
Flaws
- no automatic decalcification;
- no water level indicator.
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.) |
Professional coffee machines, their features and functions
Professional coffee machines are used in cafes, restaurants and other establishments that have many visitors, as they are designed to serve a large number of people at the same time. Such devices, as a rule, have built-in coffee grinders, which allows you to use beans rather than ground coffee.
Features of professional coffee machines
When considering household and professional coffee machines, one cannot help but highlight a number of features that distinguish them from each other. So, the main distinguishing features of professional devices are:
- preservation of the quality of coffee regardless of productivity, in this case it means that high cooking speed does not spoil the taste and preserves all its qualities;
- the ability to prepare several different drinks at the same time, it is possible to use several cups at the same time;
- resource, such machines are more durable and durable, since more durable materials are used in production, and this is the reason for the differences in cost;
- autonomy, automation, professional coffee machines perform all the actions themselves, starting from grinding the beans, thereby making the bartender’s work easier;
- convenience: the machines are equipped with all the necessary functions, and some even have a special compartment for drying dishes;
- functionality, the machines can prepare different types of coffee (Americano, latte, cappuccino, etc.) and other drinks such as tea.
The devices have special screens that display information about the state of readiness of the portion, and also display information about the occurrence of errors or service messages. Another feature of professional coffee machines is the presence of a cappuccino maker, a compartment for frothing milk into foam, which is necessary for preparing coffee such as cappuccino, latte and macchiato.
Basic functions of coffee machines
When purchasing any equipment, the buyer will first become familiar with its capabilities or so-called functions. As for coffee making machines, they also have a number of functions that should be taken into account when choosing a particular model:
- the ability to grind grains;
- the presence of a function for changing the grind size;
- automatic cleaning, moving recycled contents to a special waste compartment;
- liquid distribution in accordance with the configured settings;
- ability to warm cups of liquid;
- milk frothing and heating function;
- formation of briquettes from ground grains;
- heating the boiler in the apparatus;
- processing of raw materials with steam or boiling water;
- the ability to choose the type of coffee to prepare;
- automatic completion of the procedure.
Coffee machines are selected according to the needs of visitors to the establishment, as well as their quantity.
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.
Rating of the best professional coffee machines
| Nomination | place | Name of product | price |
| The best budget professional coffee machines | 1 | Saeco Lirika One Touch Cappuccino | 27 996 ₽ |
| 2 | Philips EP3243 Series 3200 LatteGo | 36 580 ₽ | |
| 3 | Saeco SM5573 PicoBaristo Deluxe | 63 889 ₽ | |
| 4 | Saeco SM7580 Xelsis | 114 890 ₽ | |
| 5 | Caffitaly Professional S9001 | 83 993 ₽ | |
| The best high-end professional coffee machines | 1 | Nuova Simonelli Appia II 1Gr V high bands | 136 223 ₽ |
| 2 | La Spaziale S9 EK, 2 low groups | 295 000 ₽ | |
| 3 | Ascaso Barista T Zero two-group, black | 259 000 ₽ | |
| 4 | Dalla Corte Evolution Nera (3GR) | 383 000 ₽ |
Bottom line
Coffee culture is becoming more and more popular and demands for delicious coffee are also growing. A high-quality coffee machine will help your coffee shop reach a new level and earn more profit, regardless of the format; even for a coffee shop on wheels, the taste and quality of the drink are important. But to make delicious coffee, you need to spend a lot on coffee shop equipment.
You should not skimp on a coffee machine, as this is the main attribute for a coffee shop. Select equipment based on the flow of visitors and the format of the coffee shop.
The best high-end professional coffee machines
In the second part of our review of the best professional coffee machines for the HoReCa sector, we will introduce you to the most remarkable high-end models. All of them are very expensive, and older models can only be afforded by very confident HoReCa enterprises or new establishments with decent investments.
Let's make a small remark. This part of the review will include semi-automatic machines. Semi-automatic - this should in no way be understood as a disadvantage. Hereinafter, deviation from full automation is precisely a sign of high class. The thing is that full automation eliminates the role of the barista and makes it difficult to prepare coffee for real gourmets who distinguish the finest shades. Therefore, full “automatic machines” are good for fast food enterprises, but for more refined and expensive establishments, some scope is already needed for the implementation of the talent and professional skills of the barista.
Nuova Simonelli Appia II 1Gr V high bands
Rating: 5.0
First we bring to your attention a coffee machine produced by the famous Italian company Nuova Simonelli. The company has been producing high-quality equipment for preparing coffee drinks since 1936 and exports it all over the world. Appia II has become a successful continuation of the successful and sought-after model of the first generation Appia. Actually, the second one is not fundamentally different from the first one.
This is a professional carob coffee machine of a semi-automatic commercial type. In the Nuova Simonelli model range there is an even newer series - Appia Life, but Expertology experts recommend Appia II, since in professional communities it is considered something like a “default coffee machine” for the HoReCa sector. It has been much more thoroughly tested by time and many establishments around the world and in the CIS in particular.
There are several modifications in the series, differing in the number and parameters of brewing groups. They are indicated directly in the name, respectively - 1gr, 2gr and 3gr with letter prefixes that indicate the parameters of the groups (low, high, different) and the presence of options (power, boiler volume, etc.).
The 2gr modification with two brewing groups is considered the most universal. But as a starting point, we will take the most relatively inexpensive modification 1Gr with the prefix V, which implies high groups - the distance to the nose of the horn from the working surface is 140 mm.
The power of the machine is 2000 W. The horn material is only metal, and this is another indicator of the high-class device. The boiler heater is made of copper. Volume - 5 liters. Maximum pressure - 15 bar. There is a pressure gauge, but the accuracy of its readings is not perfect. There are such important functions for professional machines as pre-wetting and heating of cups. There is no anti-drip system, which upsets some buyers. This model is only for ground coffee as raw material.
The machine is not very large - 40x53x55 cm, but definitely heavy - 42 kg, which must be taken into account when planning the installation location. The case is made of durable ABS plastic, the design is very attractive and presentable. Stable fit with rubber feet.
Advantages
- a legendary brand with a century-old history, recognized throughout the world;
- expensive and high quality materials;
- time-tested;
- metal horn and copper boiler;
- Possibility of connection to water supply.
Flaws
- not very accurate pressure gauge;
- no anti-drip system.
La Spaziale S9 EK, 2 low groups
Rating: 4.9
In contrast to the previous compact single-group model, let's consider a professional coffee machine from another manufacturer - La Spaziale. This is also an Italian company with a rich history dating back to the 70s of the last century.
This machine is already fully automatic. Dimensions - 580x530x520 mm, weight - 54 kg. The case is metal. Convenient control panel, equally convenient and reliable levers for supplying steam or water. The device is available in several body colors - black, white, red and anthracite. The heater is a boiler with a volume of 5 liters. Steam serves as a heating agent when preparing drinks - this not only makes it possible to achieve high consumer characteristics of drinks, but also saves electricity, and also partially prevents the rapid formation of scale.
Steam is supplied by the machine through rotating tubes, and boiling water is supplied through taps. Dosing is carried out automatically. For personal control of the barista over the pressure in the pump and boiler, pressure gauges are provided for each group. Each pressure gauge is equipped with a double scale for separately monitoring the pressure in the boiler and pump. The boiler here has improved characteristics - copper with a nickel-plated surface, increased strength. There is a water level sensor.
The power consumption of the machine is 2.3 kW. The delivery set, in addition to the device itself, includes three filter holders, a spare set of filter meshes for the brewing group, a device for removing filters and a brush.
Among the features of the model, one can also highlight the electronic temperature control in the boiler, while the temperature data is demonstrated by a barograph with pleasant backlighting. The thermostat will protect you from emergency situations related to overheating. The machine will signal any difficulties or malfunctions.
Advantages
- materials and assembly;
- metal case;
- two independent brewing groups;
- reliability and reliability;
- fault indicators;
- heavy-duty boiler;
- precision pressure gauges with double scale;
- safety thermostat;
- equipment.
Flaws
- no fundamental disadvantages or systematic complaints were identified.
