PureGusto - Coffee Machine Buying Guide

Everyone loves a steaming cup of their favourite coffee. Gone are the days when pots of tea were the top beverage on everyone’s agenda - more and more of us enjoy coffee to help us power through our busy days, catch up with friends or take a moment to ourselves.
‍
If you run a cafe or restaurant, you will know that great coffee is something that customers truly appreciate. More and more people are becoming coffee aficionados. And along with using high quality freshly roasted coffee beans, if you want to cater to the true fans of this delicious drink you will need to invest in a commercial coffee machine.
‍
And yet, when you look at what the world of coffee machines has to offer, it can sometimes feel a little overwhelming. Here, we have outlined the most popular kinds of coffee machines, how they work, the benefits that each has to offer, and which may be suited to various business types.

Read on to discover the perfect coffee machine for you.

What Type Of Coffee Machine Do I Need?

Coffee is a very popular option in the world of hot drinks. But more than that, there are so many varieties! People have their own specific tastes when it comes to coffee, from the beans they prefer to the milk to water ratio.
‍
With such a wide range of different coffee drinks to create - from the humble Americano to the Australia-born flat white - it is a great benefit to you if you can cater for the desires of your most loyal customers. The right coffee machine will allow you to do this easily.

Commercial Espresso Machines

A commercial espresso machine is the domain of a talented barista. If you have ever enjoyed a coffee that you asked to be made in a highly specific way, the barista will have likely used an espresso machine to create it perfectly.

When it comes to the authentic coffee experience, the process of using an espresso machine is hard to beat. These pieces of equipment have a beauty and elegance all of their own, and are often the preferred choice for coffee purists.
Espresso machines do not produce a cup of coffee by themselves in an automated fashion - the barista needs to grind the coffee beans separately using a coffee bean grinder and then use the machine as a tool to create the coffee.

Once ground, the coffee is tamped and finally the drink extracted using the machine. This involves hot, pressurised water passing through the beans before being released into a cup.

Expobar G10
Espresso Machine

Iberital IB7
Espresso Machine

Expobar Diamant Pro
Espresso Machine

As the name suggests, espresso machines typically deliver coffee in espresso shots. The barista will steam milk separately and can use this to create the impressive and whimsical latte art you may see in artisanal coffee shops, or use the espresso as a base in order to create a wide range of coffee shop drinks.
‍
The upside of an espresso machine is that it allows your staff to really show off their skills, and they can then produce a highly customisable drink for every customer. However, if you do not have skilled baristas on staff, this type of machine may not be the most suitable for your business - it takes talent to produce great coffee this way.

Nevertheless, espresso machines are hugely popular, and the knowledge required to use one can be picked up quickly - it may simply take a little more practice to become a highly skilled barista.

View All Commercial Espresso Machines

Bean To Cup Coffee Machines

A popular choice for those who love a professional tasting cup of coffee, a bean to cup coffee machine delivers consistently good coffee with minimal effort required.

These machines grind the coffee beans themselves for a fresh flavour, extracting the shot of espresso necessary to make a delicious coffee. The milk is also prepared within the bean to cup coffee machine, and then mixed once poured into the cup.
You may also choose a semi-automatic variety, which has a steam wand that can be used to steam milk in a jug in a manual or automatic way.
‍
Bean to cup machines make a range of popular coffees, such as a latte or cappuccino. However, they are not customisable to quite the same extent as drinks made using an espresso machine where there is more human involvement in the coffee making process.

Coffeetek Vitro S1
Bean To Cup Machine

WMF 1500S
Bean To Cup Machine

Jura JX8 Platinum
Bean To Cup Machine

Commercial Bean to cup machines are available in options to suit all types of businesses, from light use models designed to handle up to 75 cups per day, through to ultimate volume machines that can make over 300 cups on a daily basis. This means that it’s possible to get the right machine for your needs, without needing to spend more for features that aren’t required.
In addition to providing a convenient and reliable means to offer freshly made coffee in a commercial premises, bean to cup machines are popular as home use coffee makers. This is because they require no skill to use and produce a consistently good result.

Perhaps the main difference between models designed for the home and commercial bean to cup coffee machines is that professional machines are designed to deliver hundreds of drinks on a daily basis, each of a consistently high quality. They also include advanced features for commercial settings, such as large touchscreens to enable customers to select their own style of drink. Machines for home use work on the same basis, however are designed to handle the smaller demands that you would expect in a residential setting.

If you do not plan to have skilled baristas on staff, if you would like to enable customers to serve themselves, or if you simply need a convenient way to make consistently good coffee, then a bean to cup machine would make a great choice for any establishment or business.

View All Bean To Cup Machines

Filter Coffee Machines

You may think that espresso and filter coffee are basically the same thing - while this is technically true, there is a world of difference in the little things.
‍
With an espresso machine, pressure is used in order to “push” the water through the beans in order to create a strong shot of coffee fast. When it comes to filter coffee, the process is a little slower.
‍
When using a filter coffee machine, the water runs over the coffee grounds using gravity, which means it is a much more slow-paced process overall. Brewing coffee this way will take longer than with other machines mentioned, however, it is often a favourite among coffee fans.
‍
Often called pour and drip coffee, these machines are often cheaper overall than an espresso machine. This means that a filter coffee machine could be a good choice for your commercial premises if you are just starting out and are not sure how much coffee you will actually sell, or how artisanal you will need it to be.

Bravilor Matic 2
Filter Coffee Machine

Bravilor RLX 31
Filter Coffee Machine

Bravilor RLX 575
Filter Coffee Machine

View All Filter Coffee Machines

What Are The Best Coffee Machine Brands?

In the world of commercial coffee machines, there are a huge number of brands and manufacturers. So how do you know if a machine will be any good?

When it comes to coffee machines, some of the most important qualities are reliability, value and features; you need a machine that does everything you need, that won’t break the bank and that won’t let you down. And while it’s always recommended to undertake servicing to keep your machine in tip top condition, the most reliable coffee machines should provide many years of service without a hiccup.
Some of the leading manufacturers of coffee machines in the world today include:

WMF

WMF is well known for its quality, and the German made range of WMF coffee machines is no exception. Designed for professional use, these sophisticated bean to cup machines combine the latest features, proven reliability and sleek looks.

Jura

This famous Swiss brand offers a wide range of coffee machines, including Jura commercial coffee machines for professional use as well as Jura home coffee makers for individuals. Established in 1931, Jura continuously innovates to offer feature packed machines that are suitable for any setting.

Iberital

Founded in Barcelona in 1975, Iberital is a leading manufacturer of professional coffee machines. The company produces cutting edge as well as classically designed espresso machines that look great and work beautifully.

Expobar

Another Spanish based brand, Expobar produces machines for baristas and coffee aficionados, but with all the ease of use and reliability you’d expect from a modern piece of equipment. Founded by a small group of coffee lovers, Expobar coffee machines come packed with innovative features.

La Spaziale

A passion for coffee - and for creating the perfect espresso - has driven the La Spaziale brand for over 65 years. Drawing on decades of experience, the iconic Italian company produces espresso machines for professionals that combine gorgeous hand built quality with the latest technological advancements.

Gaggia

One of the world’s most famous coffee machine brands, Gaggia was formed in Milan, Italy in the 1930s. The company produces a range of machines for professional and residential use, including a beautiful selection of Gaggia home coffee makers that deliver a truly authentic Italian coffee experience.

Coffee MachineBuying Guide