Coffee and similar frothy drinks like cappuccino are in demand beverages for not only the home but the office. While cafes and coffee shops are popular spots to grab one of these comforting drinks, it is becoming more common for businesses to have coffee makers available for customers as well as staff. A conventional unit is not designed to handle large quantities throughout the day, so commercial coffee machines are a must for busy companies or offices.
Choosing the proper machine is based upon several factors. The first of those is determining how many cups of coffee will be needed during a day. Some units are designed for specifically lower volume demands while others operate at their best with high volume use. A cup is typically based on an 8 ounce serving and commercial machines will range from 50 cups daily to 400-500 cups daily. From basic to extremely complex designs, there are multiple choices to fit any need.
There are different styles of coffee makers to consider before purchasing a specific product. Coffee hoppers have a blender type design on top of the machine. The beans are placed inside and ground into fine powder. Bean to cup varieties are one of the most popular self-service choices. They are normally equipped with a push button start that begins the grinding of beans. They are then brewed and ready for dispense. Some of these units have a built in milk foamer to create cappuccinos and similar beverages.
Another factor to consider is how the water is dispensed from the machine. Automatic dispensers are designed to hook up to a water supply and automatically fill the compartment as it empties. This eliminates the need for constant monitoring of the water levels. A pour over design requires an actual person to pour water from a pot into the container for each supply of coffee that is made. Various specialty options can also be found on certain commercial coffee makers. Multiple pot warmers, digital timers and additional hot water faucets are great features that may be convenient in certain settings.
The cost of these products can range from $1,000 to over $40,000, depending on the size, features and capabilities. If a business can not make such a significant purchase, there are companies that will lease these units. The lease will usually include servicing when needed and options to upgrade or buy when the lease is over. Important questions to ask when purchasing a commercial maker include warranty specifics, costs for potential repairs, included options and overall ease of use.