Location of business
A café in Little Italy or other ethnic area - where espresso is almost always preferred over regular coffee - would have to be able to produce a fairly large quantity throughout the day with an even higher than normal demand during peak periods. The same is true for establishments located in busy urban centres and those with take-out options. You may even choose not offer regular brewed coffee at all, preferring instead to offer an “Americano” (a shot of espresso in a standard-sized cup filled to the brim with hot water); in this case, the espresso machine is the source for all coffee drinks and will be a busy area in your restaurant or café. In instances where only occasional or limited demand is expected, you might start small and upsize later if demand increases.

Available space
In locations where space is restricted or at a premium, a good option could be a super-automatic model like the Café Swiss CS200 (above), which incorporates a built-in grinder for each of its’ two top-mounted coffee bean hoppers (one for regular and one for decaf or flavoured coffee beans) in a very tight footprint. The space-saving design means a busy operator could easily produce up to 400 cups per day in just over 30 cm of space (width) compared to a standard 3-group espresso machine with 2 external grinders which would require almost 140 cm.
 

Visibility
Will the machine be a highly visible focal point of your establishment, or will it be hidden away in a kitchen or service area? If aesthetics as well as performance are key issues then units such as the Elektra line of espresso machines featuring shining chrome or copper & brass exteriors and several distinctive designs could be the type of machine that sets your establishment apart from the others.

Diana Olsen, owner of Balzac’s Coffee Roastery, chose this turn-of-the-century styled Elektra “Belle Époque” espresso machine (right) that perfectly compliments her café atmosphere in the historic distillery district of downtown Toronto.

When looking for a machine for the renovated Drake Hotel in Toronto's trendy new Queen Street West area, the owners quickly realized that the beautiful Elektra "Classic Barlume" (below) would be the smart choice to perfectly complement their decor.

Meanwhile, Nick Meli of Eurest Dining Services (a division of Compass Group) chose this more modern-looking Saeco SE2000 (left) for Toronto’s Globe & Mail cafeteria, since this unit offers high performance at a very competitive price-point.

 

Characteristics of machine
Commercial or semi-commercial construction – Although standard commercial espresso machines (the large rugged machines found in most establishments) are the machine of choice for quality, durability and performance, a smaller establishment may only require a “semi-commercial” machine (a scaled-down version designed for home or office use). If you only expect minimal demand (20-30 cups per day), this type of machine may be ideal.

The Pasquini Livia (right) is a 1-group semi-commercial machine that can simultaneously brew espresso, steam milk and provide hot water for tea or other hot drinks. Although it would not be able to handle large orders as well as a fully-commercial machine (with a larger boiler capacity and higher wattage), it will cost about half as much as its’ commercial counterpart and may be a good starting point if you are not sure that espresso-based beverages will be in great demand. As well, it does not require any plumbing or drainage, and conveniently plugs into a normal 110-volt wall plug, thereby eliminating installation costs.

Groups
While some businesses will choose a 1-group (expecting minimal to average usage) and still others a 3-group (which can handle extremely high traffic), the most popular machine remains the 2-group. Most 2-groups will offer very high capacity and 1 or 2 experienced baristas could work very comfortably to produce a great deal of high-quality product.

Steam arms
One “steam arm” (used for steaming, frothing or foaming the milk used in making a cappuccino, latte, hot chocolate, etc) will handle an average flow, but two steam arms (one on either end of the machine) are preferred for managing more traffic, especially if there is usually more than one barista working directly on the machine.

Boiler

The power rating (measured in watts) and the size of the “boiler” (the heart of the espresso machine where water is boiled for tea-water and steam, and the water for espresso is heated in a “heat exchanger” as it passes through) will vary depending upon the machine.

Softener
Espresso machines require an in-line water softener to neutralize the minerals present in the water as it flows through your machine, and prevent them from building up inside your boiler (known as “scale”). This component is more important in areas where water hardness is over 6 grains (Toronto for instance has a water hardness reading of about 8 grains). There are several styles of water softeners to choose from - make sure your dealer reviews your specific needs and includes this important piece of equipment in your installed equipment cost.
 

Special features
Machines can be equipped with special features such as a “pod assembly” (allowing you to forego the grinder and use pre-ground & compressed espresso in small pre-packaged “pods”) or an automatic foaming device (that uses the machine’s steam to draw cold milk through an aerator to automatically dispense hot foamed milk).

Both are easier to use and create a more uniform result, but the quality can be slightly diminished compared to what a trained barista can produce manually. And computerized controls that help manage quality and consistency can also provide more uniform results when there are many users. Again, make sure you review all these different features with your dealer.
 

Quality of components
Although espresso machines are built using a variety of materials, the most important parts are the boiler (normally constructed in copper & brass), and the brew group & “portafilter” assembly (the “handle” that you fill with coffee grounds and place in the group), which should always be constructed of nickel-plated brass for maximum durability and heat stability (which helps create hotter espresso and better “crema”).

Reputation of manufacturer
There are a large number of manufacturers to choose from, but select a manufacturer that specializes in espresso machines and has been in operation for a significant period of time. The most reputable companies are Italian and have been building standard espresso machines for 50 years or more, while it is the younger Swiss companies that have been mainly responsible for developing “super-automatic” technology.

Installation, training & support
There are special requirements for installing espresso machines, and they are different for each machine. Make certain you choose a dealer who can provide you with all of the necessary information and has an established reputation for excellent customer service. They should be able to provide a list of satisfied customers, a written commitment to fully installing your machine and providing complete training for your key staff. Make sure they can provide leasing options along with readily available telephone and on-site support before and after the sale.

Service & warranty
Although any decent espresso machine requires a fairly significant investment, a quality espresso machine can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years or longer if you maintain it properly. Look for a dealer with a significant service reputation and one who employs full-time technicians on staff who are experienced and knowledgeable. Availability of parts is essential since few machine parts are interchangeable, and make sure that they can guarantee you quick response in case of emergencies. A one-year warrantee is standard but ask for a service contract to cover maintenance after the warranty period. Regular maintenance - both by your staff as well as by a trained technician - is the key to maintaining your investment and guaranteeing the longevity and profitability of your machine.

To download a pdf version of "Choosing the Espresso Machine that's Right for your Business",
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