Commercial espresso machines range in price from $5,000 to $30,000. They are built to withstand constant use in a busy cafe environment with higher-quality materials and components than home machines. Commercial machines have larger boilers, more powerful pumps, and higher-quality grinders.
Considerations for Choosing a Machine
When choosing a commercial coffee machine, consider the volume of coffee needed to produce, the level of control desired, and the expertise of the baristas. This helps determine the most suitable type of machine. Costs vary significantly depending on type, brand, features and capacity. But single group espresso machines use less than 3000 watts. By comparison, the Mastrena espresso machine that Starbucks uses costs $18,000.
Productivity and Barista Training
One barista can serve up to 80-90 cups per hour individually. Two baristas working together can serve up to 160-180 cups per hour. Both productivity and drink quality are important factors when operating a busy cafe. Careful selection of an espresso machine and proper training of baristas is key to success.