No matter how high-quality and fresh coffee beans and other ingredients are, the success of delicious coffee is largely determined by the equipment with which the drink was prepared. Despite the popularity of alternative types of brewing, the classic method of making coffee in a coffee machine will remain unchanged for any establishment. In a broad sense, coffee machines can be divided into 2 categories: professional and automatic. In this article, Coffee Factory will tell you about the criteria by which you should choose professional coffee machines for cafes and restaurants.

Choosingcoffee machine for rent or when purchasing it for your establishment, you need to answer several questions: how do we position our establishment, what volumes of preparation we predict, what space can we allocate for coffee equipment?

Choosing a coffee machine

After we have decided on the volume of preparation and purpose, we need to determine the type of equipment that suits us. Modern coffee machines and coffee makers include:

• Geyser and drip type coffee makers

• Carob coffee machines (espresso)

• Supermachines

• Vending machines

Geyser coffee makers popular in hotel buffets, super-automatic coffee machines are more often located in self-service areas where there is no barista, and the drink is paid for at the checkout along with other food.

Vending machines can accept cash and are usually located in locations that do not require vendors such as mall lobbies, hospitals, car washes, educational institutions, banks, etc.

If you want to choose a coffee machine for a coffee shop or restaurant, then professional carob coffee machines are almost always ideal for an average establishment with sufficient attendance. They are quite easy to use and have minimal functionality. Let's consider them in more detail.

Espresso coffee machines

Рожковые кофемашины espresso machines are called differently, since they are mainly used to make espresso-based drinks: americano, latte, mocha, flat white, cappuccino, macchiato and of course espresso itself.

Peculiarities

- For the preparation of drinks in carob coffee machines is used ground coffee, which must be formed into compressed tablets.

- The espresso machine cannot grind coffee (not applicable to all models), but it automatically controls the steam pressure, level and temperature of the water in the boiler, which simplifies its operation.

- The taste of coffee depends from the water pressure in the system - according to the standard 9 bar, water temperature in the boiler (adjustable in most devices), degrees tablet grinding and density – with the right combination of these indicators, we can get the perfect espresso.

- Professional espresso machines are equipped with a steam wand (cappuccinatore), which creates a lush coffee foam in lattes, cappuccinos and other coffee drinks.

More coffee terms here >>

- Carob machines are single-horn (on average for patency up to 100 cups per day) and two-horn (cooking volume over 100 cups per day). There are also three-horn units - for places with very high traffic.

- Thanks to efficient coffee extraction, consumption coffee in espresso machines small - up to 8-9 grams per serving.

How to choose an espresso coffee machine?

Having become acquainted with the main characteristics of carob coffee machines, we can proceed directly to their comparison and selection. Here are the main criteria that you should pay attention to when buying:

1. Degree of automation

According to the degree of automation of the espresso preparation process, espresso machines are divided into:

- semi-automatic - pThe hot water roller for cooking must be stopped manually (widespread in coffee shops where professional baristas work to monitor the process of making coffee)

- automatic - devices in which it is possible to program the amount of water needed to prepare a particular drink (suitable for restaurants, cafes, bars, where the bartender works with the coffee machine, and he does not need to monitor the process of making coffee).

Remember, at the beginning of the article, we asked you to answer a few questions about the tasks that your coffee machine should solve? So here you are guided by precisely these criteria.

2. Horn material

During the preparation process, coffee passes through the horn, so it is very important to choose horns made of metal. The metal cone warms the drink evenly and does not give it a sour taste (unlike plastic cones).

3. Automatic overheating protection

The presence of this function in the device will not only save your barista from burns, but also extend the life of the coffee machine.

4. The drip tray is a must have, as they say!

5. Keep warm function

Even slight fluctuations in water temperature can affect the taste of espresso. Modern coffee machines are mostly designed for constant loading and often have a constant temperature function, however, if the machine is idle, it is recommended to drain a small amount of water before preparing a new cup to restore the original settings.

6. Auto on and off function

These are perhaps the main principles that should be followed when buying professional carob coffee machines.

Coffee Factory specialists will be happy to advise you on choosing a coffee machine forHoReCa or find the right one for youcoffee machine for rent.