Which coffee machine is best for me?
If you’re looking for a machine for a self-service space like an office, a bean to cup machine is great for the simplicity and quality it offers. Traditional espresso machines are better for regular service environments like cafes, where their versatility can be used to full advantage.
Coffee to go machines and instant coffee machines are both well suited to high footfall areas where speed and reliability are most important, while automatic vending machines can be used as an extra revenue source in a venue.
When you’ve chosen the right category of commercial coffee machine, decide which model is best for you by considering what size your space can handle, how often it’ll be used, and what selection of drinks you want it to dispense.
Is it worth getting a coffee machine?
Leasing or buying a coffee machine is an investment in your commercial space. It’s an extra cost that might not seem necessary but having a Rijo coffee machine offers a range of workplace benefits.
Coffee is the most popular office drink, but instant coffee isn’t up to scratch a lot of the time. If you’re wanting to provide quality coffees to employees to improve their work environment, a commercial coffee machine is the most effective way of doing it.
In other commercial spaces like receptions, foyers, and conference centres, a coffee machine is a great way to make customers feel welcome. If you choose to go for a coin operated vending machine, you can even make money from selling coffee.
What drinks can coffee machines make?
Bean to cup machines, coffee to go machines, and instant coffee machines generally have the most diverse menu options; offering espressos, americanos, lattes, macchiatos, cappuccinos, and more.
Traditional espresso machines can only make espressos which can then be turned into longer drinks by a barista in a café or restaurant setting.
Lots of commercial coffee machines can also dispense hot chocolates and plain hot water to make tea, so they offer something for non-coffee drinkers too.
How do coffee machines work?
Fundamentally, all commercial coffee machines work in the same way. You fill them with coffee beans or grounds and fresh or powdered milk, connect them to a water supply, and press a button when you want a coffee. The machine will then rapidly heat water, pass it through the coffee, add milk if required, and dispense the drink you ordered into a waiting cup.
The differences between how different types of commercial coffee machines work are mostly in what form the ingredients are in. In a bean to cup machine, whole coffee beans are added to a chamber where they stay fresh before being ground. In instant machines, the coffee is pre-ground which means operation is quicker, but the coffee is less fresh.
Traditional espresso machines operate in a completely different way, relying on a manual process to brew the perfect espresso, but these are only used by professionals.