Commercial Espresso Machine Reviews – Buying Guide 2019 *

Espresso machines have long since been commonplace in our homes. The more we drink tasty coffee in gourmet coffee shops, the more we want to replicate that at home.

Today, though, we will take a look at some far more heavyweight machines. We’ll show you what to look out for if you’re in the market for the best commercial espresso machine.

After that, we’ll reviews 8 of the very best industrial espresso machines on the market.

If you have a business and want to start serving up top-notch espresso, think of this article as a starting point in your research. These machines are not cheap so you won’t want to make a false move.

Best Commercial Espresso Machine Reviews

*Click on any Commercial Espresso Machine above to see customer feedback reviews and price on Amazon.com

Read More: Top 10 Espresso Machine Reviews

First Things To Think About When Buying a Commercial Espresso Machine

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The larger the number of groupheads, the more staff can simultaneously use the machine.

Analyze your business and ask yourself if you need to prioritize a machine that will maximize the number of coffees you produce or whether you could settle for a 2 grouphead machine.

The good news here is that the only difference between these machines is the efficiency factor so if you have a little café or a limited drinks menu, a smaller machine will deliver outstanding coffee without compromising on performance.

Getting the size in place makes the rest of your purchase easier as your options will be thinned down.

Budget

Cash rules when it comes to any purchase but it’s not purely about the bottom line.

You are making an investment in your business so you should look to spend what it takes to get the best solution for you. There is no one-size-fits-all answer.

Price varies quite drastically in the field of commercial espresso machines. Brand name is always a driving factor in this. The mechanics and diagnostic functionality will also have an impact on price.

If you are clear about your needs and set a firm budget, getting a cost-effective commercial espresso machine need not be a headache.

We’ll look now at some of the ways in which these coffee makers differ.

4 Main Types of Commercial Espresso Machine

Commercial espresso machines can be divided into 4 main types:

• Manual: This style is very popular in Italy and throughout Europe. You work the machine with a hand-operated lever
• Semi-Automatic: With the semi-auto, you’ll need to stop the pour of your espresso manually. You use either an electric pump or a hydraulic delivery method
• Automatic: The machine stops the length of your pour automatically
• Super-Automatic: From grinding and packing the coffee through to brewing and spitting out the grounds, these espresso machines really do it all. 1-step machines add heated or frothed milk into the cup. With 2-step machines, you take care of this separately

What Else To Look Out For In The Best Commercial Espresso Machines

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Boiler Size

The size of the boiler plays a key role in your machine’s ability to dispense hot water and deliver steam.

Here is a look at the standard boiler sizes for the different categories of espresso machine:

• 1 Grouphead: 1.8 liters – 5 liters
• 2 Groupheads: 5 liters – 12 liters
• 3 Groupheads: 11 liters – 18 liters
• 4 Groupheads: 20 liters – 22 liters

Your espresso production will be least affected by boiler size while using hot water will consume the most power.

Think here about the size of your drinks…

If you have a restaurant and serve a few espressos or some 6 oz single cappuccinos, you do not need to focus so much on this side of performance. Those who sell a high volume of takeouts, lots of 16 oz grande or 20 oz vente, need to prioritize a boiler size in line with the job.

Groupheads

While the delivery method is obviously critical, the way in which your machine delivers is equally important.

As mentioned, you can have a one group machine but for commercial purposes, the machines usually come with two, three or four groupheads.

For small restaurants serving coffee to seated customers after their meal, a one group might do the job but most commercial outlets opt for the versatility and extra production capability of a two group machine.

Busy takeway outlets or kiosks at an airport will experience much higher demand and a three group machine is better suited.

Large coffee chains with a heavy throughput of customers need the added scope of a four group machine. You can then enjoy making up to 8 cups of coffee at the same time. Four group machines are the most expensive by far and comprise only a small percentage of the market for commercial espresso machines.

Power

The element rating or electrical draw of the espresso machine will affect how quickly it recovers from heavy use.

Do you have a morning or lunchtime rush? Do you serve mainly Crema coffee and Americanos? If so, you’ll want to look for a higher capacity machine.

Check closely as these ratings vary quite dramatically depending on the manufacturer.

Temperature

The driving factor for good espresso is the temperature of the water. The ideal temperature is 95C or 203F.

Using a pressurestat or thermocouple, boiler pressure and water temperature can be easily adjusted.

Being as little as 1 degree out temperature-wise can negatively impact the quality of the coffee. Get it correct.

Ease of Use

It’s no use having the best available coffee machine if it’s too tricky to teach staff to use.

Think about how easy it is to train people to use the machine and choose wisely.

It’s also worth asking yourself some other basic questions…

Is the machine easy to clean? Is it simple to operate the steam valves and hot water valves? Is the cup warming area large enough for your needs?

How Does It Look?

Appearances count and when it comes to aesthetics, not all espresso makers are created equal.

Firstly, think about the color scheme and how the machine will look in your establishment.

Next, think about the size…

Get The Right Size

In addition to the logistics of how many baristas will simultaneously use the machine, think about counter presence…

Counter presence is the perceived value of a larger machine in the eyes of customers. They think that a bigger machine is more professional and this can have a positive effect on your business.

Think carefully about what size will have the best overall benefit and buy accordingly.

Best Commercial Espresso Machines For The Money - 2018

1. Nuova Simonelli Aurelia II Volumetric 2 Group Espresso Machine

The Aurelia II is not a case of form over function, either. As well as its stunning looks, functionality is unparalleled. For such a complex machine, it’s incredibly simple to use. The reverse mirror is a slick touch enabling you to see the shot without crouching down. The user-friendly, programmable nature means you’ll be able to train up any new baristas in minutes and they’ll be serving espresso in short order.

Of the 4 models available, the Volumetric we checked out differs from the Semi-Auto in that it shuts itself down automatically. You’ll be able to program each of the group heads in 4 ways (single or double short, single or double long). There’s also a manual override.

The soft infusion system (SIS) sees a chamber inside meaning you’ll get a deliciously creamy espresso with no harshness. Even an untamped shot will be serviceable. Although we wouldn’t recommend skipping the tamping stage, we mention this to illustrate how forgiving the Aurelia II is.

If you want that rare combination of quality and quantity in espresso making machines, you simply can’t go wrong with the Nuova Simonelli Aurelia II.