Choosing the right commercial coffee machine for your business doesn’t need to be a difficult task and we know that you’ve probably got tons of questions running through your mind. But there are only 3 questions in particular that will ensure that you’re happy with your product.
What are they? Keep reading to learn about which questions to ask and why they’re important.
What is your budget for a commercial coffee machine?
When it comes to your budget, there are many things to consider. Here are a few of the main questions you need to answer.
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- How busy is my business?
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- Should I buy or should I rent?
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- How often should I get my machine serviced?
Buying
Buying a barista commercial coffee machine is an investment for your business. This can be an expensive exercise without doing the correct research. Prices can range from $3000 for a small 1 group coffee machine and go up to $35,000 for a 3 or 4 group coffee machine.
Many people think buying a cheap commercial coffee machine is the way to go for a business. While this may be true in some aspects because it’s cost-effective, it can actually be detrimental for a busy, high traffic business. Why? Because the machine will not be able to keep up with the output demands from your customers.
On the other hand, if you buy the most expensive commercial coffee machine in Hobart for a small quiet business, then this would be a waste of money. Doing the correct research and dealing with the right company will help you decide on which coffee machine to purchase.
Renting
If you are just starting out, there is always the short and long term rental options. This could be a great way to get started and to get an idea of how busy your business can be. Once you’ve got a better idea of your demand you can then purchase the correct commercial coffee machine in the future.
With all commercial coffee machines, whether purchases or rentals, there are ongoing running costs. Depending on how busy you are, you may need to have your commercial coffee machine serviced. This could be once a month or once every 3 months.
How busy is your business?
When looking to buy a commercial coffee machine in Adelaide. It is a good idea to assess what machine you will need. These range from 1 group to smaller businesses. Right through to 4 groups for bigger and busier businesses.
1 and 2 group commercial coffee machines
The 1 group commercial coffee machines are used for small businesses. They are a good entry-level coffee machine because they’re budget-friendly and are mainly suited for quieter businesses.
They still produce the same quality coffee as the bigger commercial machines but at a slower rate. These models have only one brew head so they can only produce one coffee at a time.
The 2 group commercial coffee machines are one step up from the base model. They are low to mid-range in price. These are more for small to medium businesses that have slow but consistent traffic. They have 2 brew heads that can produce the same quality coffee at double the speed.
3 and 4 group commercial coffee machines
The 3 group commercial coffee machines are mid to high range in price. These can produce 3 coffees at one time due to having 3 brew heads, but they come at a significant investment. They are best suited for high-traffic businesses as commercial coffee machines in Brisbane or other major cities.
On the other hand, 4 group commercial coffee machines are the biggest and are best suited for serious use. These models can produce 4 coffees at one time and usually need a trained barista to operate them. These commercial coffee machines are for big and busy businesses like those located in the heart of the CBD or a restaurant.
Where is your business located?
When choosing to buy a commercial coffee machine. Your budget, machine type and location all need to match.
As we mentioned before, you shouldn’t buy the most expensive coffee machine if you’re in a quiet area. And you shouldn’t buy the cheapest commercial coffee machine for a busy intersection.
The correct size does matter.
Are you located in a busy area?
If you are located in a busy area, like the Flinders Street train station. You would purchase a 4 group, commercial coffee machine in Melbourne. This would easily keep up with the high demand of traffic passing in the early hours and throughout the day.
If your budget won’t allow for the cost of a 4 group commercial coffee machine. Then the 3 group will be satisfactory. These would be best suited for a very busy cafe. And could easily produce 3 coffees at one time with an experienced barista.
Are you located in a quiet area?
If your business is located in a quieter area away from the hustle and bustle, then you may opt for one of the smaller 1 group or 2 group commercial coffee machines, in Perth for example.
These budget-friendly models still produce delicious coffee and don’t break the bank in the process. For example, if you only have 4 customers per hour buying coffee, then it’s best to choose a 1 group commercial coffee machine.
But if you had a constant stream of customers, then it’s better to go with a 2 group barista commercial coffee machine. Both the 1 and 2 group machines produce the same quality coffee as each other and are comparable with the bigger 3 and 4 group coffee machines.
If you are unsure about your next commercial coffee machine purchase. Essential Coffee can help advise you which is best suited for your needs. We take in all the factors ranging from your budget, coffee machine expectations, and your location.