Jan 25 2009
Commercial Espresso Machines
These days, you can buy some really fine espresso machines for the home, but there are still many models that rank up there as “commercial”.
The most noticeable difference between a commercial espresso machine and one designed for home use, is size. An average home espresso maker will have only one group (that’s the name for the spout where the espresso pours from). Larger home machines may have one group that is split so that you can still pull 2 shots of espresso at a time. But when you move up to the larger professional models, they usually have at least 2 groups (if not 3) which can pull 4 to 6 shots of espresso at once. Unless you throw big coffee parties, most folks at home don’t need that kind of capacity.
And along with high-volume brewing capabilities, comes the need for a large water reservoir. A commercial espresso machine should have a tank that can take a few quarts of water at a time to minimize the need for constant refilling.
But as they say, size isn’t everything. Sometimes what raises the quality of the machine is what you can’t see. In the case of a commercial espresso machine, the internal boiler, pump and groups must be top-notch in order to survive the constant heat and use. Parts should be solid copper, brass or stainless steel, rather than the cheaper aluminum or even plastic.
Other features you expect to find on a professional machine would be a space to keep warmed cups, and a milk steamer/frother for making cappuccinos and lattes. A busy coffee shop might need a stand-alone milk steamer to handle the volume.
Commercial espresso machines are designed for business use, and they are priced for business as well. Quality espresso machines designed for the professional can run several thousand dollars, and finding one with a price tag of over $10,000 would not be unheard of. Names like Pavoni, Astoria and Saeco all carry some of the best. Finding machines of this caliber can be challenging, though you can usually order them from the manufacturer online or possibly at a restaurant equipment and supply store.
While these espresso machines are a necessity for a busy coffee-house, that doesn’t mean a really good home espresso machine couldn’t be used in a small cafe or restaurant.
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