7 Best Commercial Espresso Machines That Bring A Profit To Your Business

Whether you are looking to serve a brew high-quality espresso to your customers, you need a commercial espresso machine.

However, have you tried looking for one? There are a thousand results you need to sift through and numerous things to keep in mind, including design quality, efficiency, heating system, brewing mechanism, etc.

This can be a very tiresome job especially if you do not know your way around these machines. We are here to help! We covered everything from their features and functions, maintenance and warranty, benefits of buying a new and used machine, etc. Let us dive in.

The Rundown

What Is A Commercial Espresso Machine?

A “commercial” category refers to all the models that feature exceptional quality and meet all the commercial-grade standards for brewing espresso.

How Is It Different From Home Models?

Home espresso makers do not meet the same quality, durability, and efficiency standards. Also, they have a much lower extraction pressure that simply wouldn’t suffice for professional use.

Why Are Industrial Espresso Machines So Big?

This is not the case with all commercial models, but rather ones that are used in restaurants and professional environments. Big size refers to big capacity which is necessary to serve a lot of customers at the same time. Larger machines come with multiple brew groups that allow you to make at least 3 to 4 servings at once (if not more). Smaller machines usually make 2 serves at a time.

Top-Rated Brands

Top-rated brands you can trust when looking for a commercial-grade model are Breville, DeLonghi, Gaggia, Brim, etc. If you want to opt for a model of higher efficiency, you can also look for Nuova Simonelli, La Pavoni, and similar brands.

Benefits Of Choosing A Commercial Brewer

There are many benefits to buying a commercial model (whether it is for home or professional use) including:

• higher quality and durability level
• more programmable features and functions
• higher control level
• powerful grinding performance
• high extraction pressure
• higher brewing capacity

The main downside of these machines is that they come with a learning curve you need to master to get a handle on their performance. They also require much more maintenance than basic home models and are much more expensive.

Where Can You Use These Machines?

High-grade espresso machines are suitable for use in versatile professional environments. This includes:

• small and large coffee shops, bars
• food trucks
• catering services
• offices
• hotels, spa resorts, and restaurants

Small coffee shops and carts do not really need a large capacity brewer. They might prosper the most using a semi-automatic or super-automatic machine that comes equipped with a grinder and convenient programmable or pre-programmed features.

Large cafes and restaurants that brew several hundreds of servings per day need a powerful machine with multiple brewing groups that can make several servings at once.

Can You Use A Home Machine For Commercial Use?

Unfortunately no, because of all of their differences. However, you can use a commercial brewer for home use. While it is a bit larger investment, it will allow you to brew and enjoy much higher quality espresso shots from the comfort of your home.

Important Things To Consider

Since you are making a long-term investment, there are some things to consider before making your final decision:

Size & Space

If you are in a need of a brewer for a hotel or a restaurant with a large kitchen, you can comfortably choose a somewhat larger, 32 x 22 x 24-inch model. However, if you are looking for a brewer for your small coffee shop, you need a somewhat smaller model, such as a 9.5 x 8 x 14.2-inch one with a somewhat smaller footprint.

Design Quality

While simple plastic models are good enough for home use, you want to stay as far away as possible from them when looking for a commercial model. Make sure that your brewer is made out of stainless steel as this is the most durable material often used to manufacture commercial-grade appliances.

Voltage Rating

As is the case with all kitchen appliances, these machines also require electricity. This means that you need to know where you can plug them in. Generally, these machines use 110 or 220 Volts. Keep in mind that if you purchase a model from a European manufacturer, you will probably need an outlet adapter (like the one shown in the picture below).

Power Rating

Since they need to meet higher demand, commercial models need to be very powerful. While other machines use from 700 to 1200 Watts of power, when choosing a perfect brewer you need to make sure that it uses at least 1500 Watts (or more).

Heating System (Boiler Type)

Once you start looking for the optimal brewer, you will find that different models use different heating systems. They either come with a:

• single boiler heating system
• heat exchange boiler system
• dual boiler system

Single Boiler System
It is used to heat both the brewing and steaming system. What this means is that you can use either one or the other function, but not both at the same time. As a result, you need much more time to complete a single beverage. These boilers are usually found more often in home models. are much more energy-efficient, and affordable.

Heat Exchange (HX) System
Although it still uses a single boiler, it comes with a heat exchange mechanism that ensures you can use both the brewing and the steaming function at once. It makes the machine much more efficient but it does not provide as powerful performance as dual boiler machines do.

Dual Boiler System
As its name applies, it consists of two separate boilers, one for the brewing and one for the frothing system. This means that you can use both functions simultaneously and continuously without compromising the results. While they are much more efficient, they also need more time to heat up at first and are much more expensive.

Boiler Quality

Once you cover different boiler types, it is time for us to talk about their quality. When it comes to commercial-grade models, they are made using these materials:

• copper – these boilers ensure the highest heat conductivity and are found n the most expensive machines.
• brass – these boilers are a bit more affordable to manufacture, but their downside is that they do not conduct heat as efficiently.
• stainless steel – these boilers offer exceptional durability but they initially require more time to heat up to the needed temperature.

PID Temperature Control System

Temperature is the most important part of both the brewing and frothing process. So, if you want to be sure that the machine you buy will provide you with optimal performance, choose one that allows you to control its temperature levels.

Mechanical Vs Electromagnetic Pumps

While home models come with somewhat smaller electromagnetic vibratory pumps, commercial-grade ones usually feature a mechanical rotary pump. The latter pumps are much more durable, heavy-duty, and cost more to make and replace (if the replacement is needed).

Rotary pumps also work with direct water line connections, ensure much better brewing flavor, and work more quietly.

Extraction Pressure

Only machines with a high extraction pressure can pull a perfect espresso shot with a rich flavor. For that reason, make sure that the model you buy offers at least a 15 bar pressure. The ones with a 15 to 20 bar pressure are even better. Keep in mind that the pressure should not be any higher than 20 bars as you will end up burning your coffee.

Group Head Design

Once you start looking into group heads you will notice that there are three main types:

• electric group heads – they are the most expensive as they come with a built-in heating element. However, this also means that they provide you with the most control.
• saturated group heads – they provide the optimal temperature stability as the water goes directly from a boiler into the group.
• E61 group heads – while they are the most common ones, they are made more for low volume use.

Filter Baskets

Filter baskets come in versatile shapes and sizes. For that reason, you must know what is their main function and what can you get with different options.

Grinder & Grinding Options

You should always look for a machine that comes with a coffee grinder as it provides you with the freshest brewing results possible. Conical burr grinders are your best choice as they ensure consistent results and provide you with versatile adjustments to ensure you can choose how coarse you want your grinds to be.

Additional Bypass Doser

People often want to enjoy a cup of decaf coffee. For that reason, an additional bypass doser is an amazing feature. You can fill it up with pre-ground decaf coffee and have the option of brewing both options at a simple push of a button.

Steamer & Steam Control

All commercial-grade machines come with a steaming wand. What is even more important is that they provide you with a whole range of motion and an additional steam control function to ensure that you can choose the consistency and thickness of milk you prefer.

Direct Plumbing Vs Water Reservoir

Keep in mind that only espresso machines that come equipped with rotary pumps can be plumbed directly to a water line. Other models come with a water reservoir you need to refill when needed. If you are in a need of a high capacity machine, simply choose one with a larger water reservoir, such as a 2-iter one.

Water Filters

While some machines do come with water filters, most of them allow you to add one if you want. By doing so, you can ensure that your brew has a much fresher taste. Also, your machine will be less likely to suffer scale damages.

Draining Systems & Drip Trays

Every machine comes with a drip tray that, if properly designed, catches all the water that runs from the group heads. Now ideally, the drip tray should siphon the liquid away. The ones that don’t need to be emptied more often (you need to be careful for them not to overfill).

Yor Brewing Skill Level

Now that we covered all the mechanical features and functions, it is time that you consider your brewing skills. Semi-automatic machines are the most favored ones for professional use. However, if you feel that your skills do not meet, consider going for a super-automatic machine with much simpler controls.

Versatile Accessories

There are versatile additional accessories you can look for when buying an espresso machine:

• group heads – some machines come with one, two, three, or even four group heads. Consider the capacity of your business to ensure that you choose the best option. If you run a busy restaurant, the machine with four group heads will payout and you won’t lose customers. If you only have a small coffee cart, there is no sense buying one with more than two group heads tops.
• portafilter – you want to be sure that it is ergonomically designed to ensure that you can easily handle it throughout the working hours.
• a tamper – a tamper is an essential accessory for every espresso machine because you need to tamp the coffee grounds before you make every espresso shot.
• milk pitcher & thermometer – these are also very handy accessories since you want to be sure that you can easily steam and froth milk into the perfect consistency.

7 Best Commercial Espresso Machines

While the first model offers a super-automatic brewing performance, for the second one you will need some experience to master its performance. Read on to find out more about their performance.

Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine

This espresso maker comes with a powerful conical burr grinder. It is mounted atop the machine to ensure that you can easily fill it up with coffee beans when required. Due to this feature, you can easily make the freshest brew with every single batch.

Its control panel is front-mounted and features a simple touch display with pre-programmed beverages. Most importantly, it offers 8 different customizable profiles that allow you to adjust the coffee strength, temperature, and milk texture to your liking. You can save the settings and enjoy a preferred brewing style with a simple touch of a finger.

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La Pavoni Volumetric Espresso Machine

The amazing thing about this machine is that it provides you with a manual override of all its functions. It provides 4 different volume settings per group, both automatic and programmable coffee dosing systems as well as hot water delivery systems.

Another thing worth knowing is that its boiler can easily hold up to 14 liters of water at once. It comes equipped with a water softener that makes it great for use if you only have hard water available for use.

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Gaggia Pro Espresso Machine

This espresso machine for commercial use features a very simple design. It is also made out of brushed stainless steel material that provides it with exceptional quality and durability. It offers high resistance to exterior damages such as rust, corrosion, scratches, and stains.

Apart from its design, this model also comes with a three-way solenoid valve, an 8mm chrome-plated brass portability and brew group, and a steam wand that provides you with a whole range of motion. Its water reservoir provides a capacity of around 2.1 liters, meaning, you won’t have to refill it too often.

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De’Longhi La Specialista Espresso Machine

This is another espresso machine that uses specially designed sensor grinding technology. This means that it grids and delivers the perfect amount of coffee for a single espresso shot straight into a portafilter. It does allow you to adjust its grinding size depending on how coarse you want your grinds to be.

Another thing worth mentioning is that this brewer uses a high, 19 bar extraction pressure to pull a rich and flavorful espresso shot. It does come with pre-set functions for espresso, americano, and coffee; but it also allows you to make your adjustments.

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Brim 19 Bar Espresso Machine

The great thing about this machine is that it comes with a universal portafilter holder that features a wooden handle that makes it much easier to grip. It also comes with a single and a double shot filter basket, both pressurized and non-pressurized, a milk pitcher, a filter cleaning tool, a metal tamper, and a coffee scoop.

Note that this machine comes both with a milk frother and a hot water dispenser. Both come with coated handles that make them much safer for use as they ensure that you do not accidentally suffer a heat burn. The steam wand comes with a rotating control knob to ensure that you can set the steam pressure.

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Chef Prosentials Espresso Machine

While this machine does offer exceptional 2000 Watts of power, it uses an extraction pressure of only around 9 bars. This makes it a great choice for those looking for commercial-grade models for home use. Its dual boiler system ensures you can both brew and steam at once and achieve amazing results with both functions.

Its control panel is very simple to operate and is front-mounted to ensure easy access. It features three push-button controls: one for a single cup setting, one for a double cup setting, and one for hot water. Its small display helps you manually time the water dispense system.

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Simonelli Aurelia Espresso Machine

Since this machine also provides a semi-automatic performance, you get the opportunity to adjust all its brewing parameters. This includes programming the dosage, internal boiler pressure, the pre-infusion process, and even controlling its energy-saving settings. Most importantly, it can easily produce multiple servings at once.

The best thing about this machine is that it comes equipped with all the accessories you need to get started, one of which is a powerful coffee bean grinder. Thanks to this feature you will be able to make the freshest brew possible with every single use.

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How Long Do Industrial Models Last For?

The great thing about commercial models is that, although they are a bit higher investment, they can last you anywhere from 10 to 15 years. However, for the brewer to have such a long lifespan, you need to take its maintenance seriously.

Maintenance Level

To ensure that your machine always works perfectly, make sure that you always keep up with its maintenance requirements.

Once every 3 months you need to:

• replace shower screens and group gaskets
• check the group flow and its temperature
• make sure that all the switches work properly and replace the ones that don’t
• check group head and boiler water quality

Once every 6 months, you need to:

• complete all the instructions from the 3-month service
• rebuild the water tap and the steam assembly
• replace the anti-suction valve
• clean the boiler level probe
• remove exterior panels and vacuum all the dust out from the machine

Once a year, you need to:

• check on everything from a 3-month and a 6-month service
• replace the pressure safety valve, portafilter baskets, and the waste pipe (if needed)
• check and replace the capacitor on the pump motor
• replace sight glass and a non-return valve
• check if there are any water and steam leaks from the machine

Why Do They Go Down Faster Than Home Models?

Well, this is very simple. Whenever you visit a specialized coffee shop, the machines are always running. They are constantly under the pressure whether for the brewing or steaming process. Rubber gaskets on the heating elements and steam tanks go bad. Additionally, if you are “blessed” with hard water, the scale can easily build up inside the machine and ruin it (for this reason it is often recommended that you use filtered water).

Warranty & Customer Support

The warranty period is important as it tells you for how long you can service your machine for free. Commercial models, such as Nuova Simonelli come with a 2-year warranty for parts and a 1-year warranty for labor. To ensure that their warranty is not voided, they require a professional setup and a proper water quality connection.

How Much Does A Commercial Machine Cost?

This depends solely on the machine’s type, design, and performance. Generally, commercial models that are suitable for both professional and home use range from 200 to 2000 dollars. However, models that are made only for professional use (the ones with multiple brew groups and much higher capacity) range anywhere between 2000 and 20 000 dollars.

What Is The Most Expensive Model?

One of the most expensive espresso makers you can find for commercial use is the Slayer Three Group Espresso Brewer with a price of around 30 000 dollars. It offers many amazing features, a high 8000 Watt power rating, and comes with UL, NSF, and CE certificates. If you wonder who would pay this big amount of money for a machine, the thing is that the Slayer is not available for sale. It’s an invention of Slayer group that owns luxury cafes and uses this model just for the purposes of their cafes.

Can You Buy A Used Machine?

Buying a used machine can be a great choice if you don’t want to pay the full price for an espresso maker. While this is very eco-friendly, there are some things you need to think about:

• how often was the machine used
• whether it was serviced properly and regularly
• does it come with all the original parts
• is it still covered by a warranty

What About Renting It?

Some commercial brewers are available for rent. If you choose this option you are required to pay only a partial price at once and then make predictable monthly payments to the renting company. The great thing is that rental company contracts usually eliminate your liability. Another thing worth mentioning is that you usually get to swap the machine for another model if the one you rent out does not meet your needs.