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Professional coffee machines for cafe

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About Professional Coffee Machines for Cafe

Professional coffee machines for cafes are specialized, high-performance coffee brewing systems designed to meet the demands of commercial coffee establishments. These machines are the backbone of any successful cafe, providing the capability to create a wide range of coffee beverages with precision and consistency. They come equipped with advanced features, such as multiple group heads, steam wands, and precise temperature control, enabling baristas to craft exceptional espressos, lattes, cappuccinos, and more.

How to Choose a Commercial Espresso Machine?

Among all commercial coffee machines, professional espresso machines stand out as the preferred choice for businesses aiming to provide top-quality espresso-based beverages. However, the size and type of your business play a pivotal role in determining the most suitable one.

Espresso coffee machine for coffee shop

When selecting an espresso machine for a coffee shop, several crucial factors should be considered. Firstly, assess the expected volume of customers during peak hours and choose a machine with enough group heads to meet this demand efficiently. If your café experiences high traffic, La Marzocco coffee machines with 2, 3, or 4 brewing groups are an excellent choice.

Furthermore, these machines come equipped with programmable buttons, PID temperature control functions, and easily manageable steam wands. These are all important factors to consider when selecting a high-quality barista machine that not only makes work easier but also helps achieve the highest possible beverage quality.

Espresso coffee machine for cafe

Cafes often need versatile espresso machines that can handle varying levels of customer traffic. Depending on the size of the café, opt for a machine with one or two group heads if the café experiences moderate to low traffic. The Rancilio espresso coffee machines are an excellent choice for this scenario. However, if you anticipate a higher volume of visitors, larger La Marzocco models might come in handy.

Additionally, focus on ease of use and consistency in extraction, as cafe staff may have varying levels of barista expertise. Choose a machine with programmable settings and volumetric dosing for consistency. Consider the barista cafe machine’s footprint, as space may be limited in many cafes. 

Coffee machine for restaurant

In a restaurant setting, professional espresso machines are often used to complement the dining experience. Consider the size and type of your restaurant; a two-group machine may suffice for most, but larger restaurants may require more capacity. Focus on the machine’s ease of use, as restaurant staff may have diverse skill levels. Choose models with quick heat-up times to serve coffee promptly after meals. Additionally, the coffee machine should be seamlessly integrated into the restaurant’s layout and feature a design that complements the environment. Therefore, a model from the Sanremo coffee machine range would certainly not go unnoticed in a modern-style restaurant.

Coffee machine for pub or bar

Espresso machines in pubs and bars are typically used for a limited coffee menu or to create coffee-based cocktails. Therefore, for low demand, a single-group Rocket Espresso machine should suffice.

Also, don’t forget to prioritize ease of use, as bartenders may not have extensive barista training. Choose models that can handle milk frothing for drinks like Irish coffee or espresso martinis. Additionally, make sure that the bar or pub coffee machine fits within the available countertop space and complements the overall interior. Ascaso espresso machines offer a wide range of colours, but bear in mind that they are suitable only for smaller workloads.

What is a Group Head on an Espresso Machine and Which One to Choose? 

The number of group heads on a professional coffee machine for cafe determines how many shots of espresso it can make simultaneously. Thus, it directly impacts your expected production volume and number of baristas working in your coffee shop.

Single group coffee machine 

If you own a small cafe, 1-group commercial coffee machine is a suitable option for you. These machines are relatively compact compared to their larger counterparts and can handle coffee volumes of 5 kg per week. Furthermore, single group head commercial espresso machine is often user-friendly, typically providing basic functions for espresso extraction and milk steaming. 

Ascaso and La Marzocco offer the widest selection of 1-group machines, but Elektra espresso machines are also worth considering.

2-group coffee machine

Dual group heads are typically found in most espresso machines for coffee shop or cafe. A commercial 2-group coffee machine from the Rancilio or La Marzocco range can handle up to 10 kg of coffee per week. Moreover they are suitable for business with moderate counter space available and typically provide a higher output and greater versatility. 

3-group coffee machine

For bustling places with substantial coffee production demands, consider buying a 3 group commercial coffee machine. Thanks to the skill of a trained barista, these machines can process up to 60 coffees per hour. At this point, however, you should consider whether you have the space and sturdy countertop you need for a heavy barista coffee machine. 

In our range, La Marzocco models can offer 3 or even 4-group coffee machines. By using the filter at the top of the page, you can narrow down these brand’s machines and review their similarities, differences, and specifications.

Professional Espresso Machine Boiler System

The boiler system in commercial coffee machine for cafe is crucial for maintaining the water temperature needed for brewing espresso, which directly impacts the coffee’s quality and consistency.

Single boiler espresso machine 

Single boiler espresso machines require the user to switch between brewing and steaming modes, resulting in some downtime between tasks. While it offers a cost-effective solution for businesses with moderate espresso demands and space constraints, it may not be ideal for high-volume coffee shops or establishments where rapid service is paramount. You will most commonly find this system in Ascaso models and other espresso machines designed for home use.

Dual boiler commercial espresso machine

A dual boiler espresso machine is an advanced coffee machine designed for professional use in cafes and high-volume coffee establishments. These machines feature two separate boilers—one dedicated to brewing espresso and the other for steaming milk. The key advantage is the ability to simultaneously brew espresso and steam milk, significantly increasing productivity during peak hours. These machines provide precise temperature control, ensuring consistent and top-quality coffee drinks. Moreover, this is the most popular system you’ll find in the majority of our professional espresso machines.

Heat Exchanger espresso machine 

Heat Exchanger espresso machine utilizes a single boiler with a copper pipe running through it. The pipe allows for simultaneous brewing and steaming by borrowing heat from the steam boiler to heat the brew water. Heat exchanger machines offer a balance between affordability and performance, making them a popular choice for many businesses. The La Marzocco Linea coffee machine is a perfect example of this.

Advanced Settings

If you want to make a distinctive coffee among the competition, you will need a commercial espresso machine with even better temperature control, pressure profiling, multi-boilers, advanced PID and programming options, pre-infusion, and other similar features. Every feature mentioned above will ensure optimal performance and result in more consistent and flavorful espresso shots. Furthermore, check if the professional coffee machine for the cafe has an eco mode feature. It helps lower your energy bills and minimizes your carbon footprint.

How to Clean Barista Coffee Machine?

Regular maintenance is crucial for coffee machines, especially professional ones, to ensure their longevity and performance. Every day, rinse the portafilter and basket, wipe the steam wand and barista coffee machine‘s exterior, and flush hot water through the group head. After each use, purge the steam wand and wipe it. Every few days, backflush using a blank blind basket, add cleaning detergent as instructed, lock the portafilter, and run water through the group head to thoroughly clean it. Weekly, soak and clean the group head, portafilter, and basket. Monthly, clean the water reservoir, drip tray, and removable parts, and check the water filter if applicable. All the necessary tools can be found in the coffee machine cleaning products section.

If you need help

Coffee Friend offers a range of professional espresso machines for cafes tailored to meet the demands of discerning coffee enthusiasts and businesses alike. Our commitment to quality and performance ensures that you can consistently brew exceptional espresso. If you have any questions or require guidance in selecting the right espresso machine for your needs, our team of experienced Coffee Friend consultants is here to assist you. Beyond espresso machines, we also offer a diverse selection of other coffee machines, including bean-to-cup, built-in, coffee pod and filter coffee machines, to cater to every coffee lover’s preferences.

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