A commercial espresso machine is an integral part of your cafe, coffee shop or restaurant. But, how much does a commercial espresso machine cost? To put it in gross oversimplified terms, this will depend on the features the machine has. A good entry-level machine will cost anywhere from $3000 all the way up to $40000. The final choice will depend on your business requirement and personal preferences.
Prior to opening your business, you need to make a capital investment on a quality machine. To do this, consider the cost of the equipment, maintenance costs, and depreciation value.
Why commercial espresso machines tend to be expensive
To make a delicious cup of espresso coffee, you need a machine with consistent pressure and temperature. Most brands are expensive because of the quality of materials used in construction. With advancement in technology, aluminum and copper is getting out of the `friend zone’ quickly due to health issues. Secondly, the extensive research can build to the overall cost.
If you’ve been on the lookout, you might have noted that the manufacturers don’t churn out thousands of machines every year. Thirdly, they maintain excellent temperature consistency. For example, a classic Italian espresso machine may work flawlessly within certain degrees of temperature while still maintaining the quality of the coffee.
Most commercial espresso machines excel in the performance department. In the early 80s, there were no machines that could maintain pressure consistency. Today, many manufacturers use new techniques to meet the high demand for espresso coffee lovers. And because
we’re in the era of specialty coffee, you should pay special attention to grind fineness, grind consistency, dosage quantity, and brew weight – all these come at a cost.
Features that affect the cost of commercial espresso machines
Temperature adjustment
Some commercial espresso machines come with advanced temperature advancement control. This brilliant feature comes in handy to coffee enthusiasts who want to take control of the brewing temperature. It’s important that you choose a machine that meets and exceeds
all your needs.
Quality of construction
While most commercial machine manufacturers tend to use different materials on the body, frame, and internal parts, the high-end models use brass. The material you choose can make the temperature change abruptly.
The bottlenecks
If you want to a run a larger café, you should consider a model with two brew heads. Trust me; you don’t want to bog down the coffee brewing process where baristas have to wait for their turn.
Digital display
It simplifies the brewing process. Those machines with a digital display contain useful tools like shot timers, pre-infusion delay, water temperature adjustment, filter placement prompts, cleaning programs, on/off programming, and equipment diagnostics.
Service and guarantee
Servicing your commercial espresso machine can be a daunting task if you don’t know where to start. A golden rule of thumb is to buy a machine from a manufacturer who guarantees a quick call out. You probably need to service the machine once a year at a cost of $ 200 to $500 depending on the model.
Automatic or semi-automatic
Semi-automatic machines have an on/off button for controlling the amount of water while a fully automatic machine has preset buttons for water dosage. While an automatic machine may be expensive, it’s easier to use and gives more consistent coffee flavors.
Boiler size
The boiler ensures hot water supply. Depending on your needs, you may choose to buy a bigger boiler.
A commercial espresso machine that brews quality coffee can be a driving force of your clientele. If you’re looking for a reliable model that will serve you for many years to come, you should invest in a high-quality machine. You don’t want a unit that will breakdown more often. To put it succinctly, being frugal with your initial expense may be costly in the long-term.
Most popular commercial espresso machine brand
Nuova Simonelli Appia II Group espresso machine
This is the most modern, hi-tech machine that uses a winning combination of high pressure, tightly packed grounds, and high steam. If you’re operating a high-end coffee shop, you can be guaranteed that this model will not compromise on the quality of the coffee. It’s also designed to respond to any counter space needs. And when it comes to looks, this model is a winner.
Looking at the technical and functional aspects, this model leaves no details untouched. It features a stainless-steel design that can match with any decor. Other than that, it’s equipped with a reserve mirror which allows the barista to use the machine without having to bed down.
Another notable feature is that the cup warmer is aligned to speed up the work of the operator. Just like other high-end models, this unit comes with a push-button panel that is resistant to wear.
In terms of functionally, Nuova is a masterpiece. It’s available in both automatic and semi-automatic formats to suit your preference. Trust me; even the less expert baristas can prepare cappuccinos with thick milk froth. The unit comes with an innovative auto steam system that allows the user to heat the milk quickly. It’s worth mentioning that frothing starts immediately and stops automatically. The auto steam feature is hygienic, reliable, and safe. This coffee machine costs about $7155.00.
How Does Much Commercial Espresso Machine Installation Cost
Once you buy a commercial espresso machine, you need to install it in your business. While this is something you can do for yourself, it’s best when left in the hands of a professional. Most suppliers will install the machine for free while professionals will charge $250 to $300.
Cost of automatic vs semi-automatic commercial espresso machines
These coffee machines had an interesting history before arriving at the beauties we see today. A semi-automatic machine is user-friendly and convenient, something its predecessor couldn’t offer. It comes with up to 9 bars of pressure and an electric pump to make the brewing process a breeze. And as its name suggests, you still have to do a bit of work before you prepare a delicious cup of coffee.
First, you have to grind and stamp the coffee before the machine takes over. Next, you should attach the portafilter and the process begins immediately. Because of their simplicity, they tend to be more affordable.
What else do you get for your money? With super auto, you can decide when to start the brewing process and when to stop. Then’ of course, the material you use for construction will determine the final price. You should expect a machine made of all-metal to cost more than one made of a mixture of steel and metal. The only downside is that semi-automatics don’t come with a built-in grinder. They are within the price range of $5000 to $16,500.
Brewing system
On the other hand, the fully automated machines come with a one-touch brewing system. You simply turn it on and it will control the water pushed through the volume of coffee grounds. It’s a great option for baristas who like to brew coffee while doing other things. The only advantage the fully automatic machine has is that you simply touch a button and the brewing process will start. Better still, you have an option of choosing the type of drink you want- cappuccino, macchiato, and latte. A fully automated machine tends to be more expensive. Sometimes, the added convenience is worth the extra price.
What is the Commercial espresso machine budget/cost (as type and size)
Depending on your needs, you can buy a low-cost or expensive commercial espresso machine. In a nutshell, the semi-automatics will do less work at a low cost. This means you can count on investing on a modest sum to keep things going for you. However, you still have to purchase a grinder.
The semi-automatics will make the whole process as simple as possible but at an extra cost. If you’re looking for ultimate user experience, you may want to skip the semi-automatics and invest into a fully automated machine. Believe it or not, the cost-reward ratio is off the charts. On the surface, they may look alike but they are not the same.
Before you invest in a machine ask yourself; how many customers do you receive in your busiest hour? Most coffee shops will have a massive influx of customers between 8 and 10 in the morning. So, will your customers wait for you to brew the coffee? It pays if you invest in a high-capacity espresso machine.
If you’re looking for a machine that will grow old with you, be prepared to pay a hefty cost for a quality model. On the upside, most of these machines come with full barista training which means there’s a lesser chance of things going wrong.
The Final Words
So, how much does a commercial espresso machine cost? Be ready to pay $3000 and above for a quality machine. To ensure you make a worthwhile investment, determine your circumstances and then buy a machine that can accommodate your needs. Regardless of the model you buy, chances are that it will pay itself within 1-2 years depending on the traffic in your business. It’s time you prepare that delicious cup of coffee for your customers.
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