Top 5 Coffee Machines.

Luc

If you were opening a cafe what 5 Machines would you look at? I don't know much about them so once I've done my research I will look around for the best priced one that is respected.
I plan to be making coffee all morning, lunch and afternoon. Coffee will be the main focus(And spot on everytime). Small cafe, maybe 50 people tops, at a time.

What Top 5 Machines do you know about or know of people using?


Thanks

...and yes I know that there is more to making a great coffee than the machine..

Luc

Okay so I've done a bit of research.... La Marzocco Synesso. Are these the bees kness? Kees Van der Western? Are these any good? They look different and cool.

Unknown

Hi Luc. don't the larger coffee companies basically give you a machine when you sign up to buy a certain amount of coffee from them ? I know one that doesn't is Genovese. And actually I really like the machines they have which are the Wega. Good Luck ! Cheers, Frank.

FreshCoffee2

Frank, dont get too carried away with that one. Without figures to show what kind of turnover the cafe will give back in exchange for a loaner, or without a location that will guarantee such, either the price of the coffee will "loaded" with a premium to offset the lower than optimum turnover, or the answer will simply be a flat "no". It's a 2 way street. Incidentally the above "idea" gets a lot more "airplay" than really happens, and is dependent on the marketing politics of companies in any given area at any given time & the market share game being played out....so best to stay away from that one. A business needs to be able to stand on it's own 2 feet & be viable, & not rely upon something like that OR you might have to be the type of person that is willing to sacrifice the type of coffee or roaster he/she really wanted to use or deal with, for the sake of obtaining a loaner machine from a coffee roaster that wasnt his/her first preference (or not a preference at all). With regard to the question at hand: The first 2 brands of machine mentioned are the most "technical" around in terms of internal engineering & design and are therefore going to be the most troublesome when something goes wrong. That's not to say that things are going to go wrong often, just that when they do, I personally would prefer to have chosen a nice conventional design machine that anyone anywhere should be able to service & get bits for. This is particularly important depending on the area you are going to open up in. The third name I've never heard of and therefore cant comment other than to say that if it isnt a common brand in the market, the same applies. NZ mentioned his "favourite" brand either here or in the other topic where you asked the question. But honestly, I have only ever found their service backup to be substandard. It is either unnacceptably slow, or non existent, you have to contunally chase them up, they dont call you back, misunderstandings occur and not all, or some wrong parts turn up. So I am wondering what is the point of something that someone says may be "up there", when from a backup service point of view it is of no use to any of my business clients that have them. There are other very well known brand name machines that I simply (as both a coffee roaster wanting to look after my own "brand" coffee and as an espresso machine importer, vendor & service provider), dont think make very good coffee. Some of them are very good work horses from the point of view that they keep on keeping on...but the problem is they do that ad infinitum while they brew rubbish. That's not very good where both cafe owner & coffee supplier should be trying to make a name for themselves & the coffee purveyed, not destroy it!

Unknown

Hi FC. Actually I suspected what you say about getting machines from coffee suppliers might be the case. I am in IT , but after 20+ years, I would some day like to open a little cafe (dream on). And to that end, I would not try and get a loaner machine. I am not sure exactly what they are worth, but I fgure that spending $6000-$8000 or so on a good machine is minor to the cost of setting up the rest of the cafe. Pleas eyou can always sell it if things go awry. I like Wega/Genovese as one of my favourite cafes is Cafe Racer in Melb and that is what they use. I also like Pellegrinis and they use Vittoria/Faema. I like Faema given I got 19 years of great service from my Faema domestic machine. Unfortunately, Faema dont seem to sell a semi-commerical machine in the Giotto class , other wise I would ave seriously considered it. Cheers, Frank.

Unknown

Hi Is there anyone out there (barista or otherwise) who would like to name their favourite machines/grinder with reasons.  It seems that everyone has an opinion on everything else, but no serious replies to this question.  Scenario:  About to buy cafe currently doing 30kgs per week with serious potential for more...don't want to be tied down to any supplier.  Sky is the limit as to budget, so which machine (3 group) or grinder.  Any opinions on Azkoyen out there.  Also what is difference between Mazzer Major and Mazzer Super Jolly.  Only serious replies please.

Lukey

Hi Is there anyone out there (barista or otherwise) who would like to name their favourite machines/grinder with reasons.

nzroaster

The difference between the Major and Super Jolly is burr diameter. The Major has a larger diameter burr therefore running cooler with greater efficientcy. In terms of machines, FC brought up a good point about service. Try to find a local agent with their own service rep. Maybe post up your options when you have those, that way you dont get tons of suggestions where we dont know what your service will be like for them.

FreshCoffee2

NZ, I honestly agree this is the best course of action, except I am not so sure that requesting information about various brands or models on sites like this will help much due to the largest majority of participants not necessarily being commentators with the actual knowledge or experience to be able to give considered replies.

Unknown

Hi FC Tks for your commentary, went to your site...nice photo (of you?) by the way. Being in Sydney, I think its just a matter of coming to a decision as to which machine and no doubt that company will recommend a service rep.  As majority of brands are imports anyway, no doubt problems as to availability of parts will most probably apply to all brands. Anyway, haven't got much time to think about this and all this jargon is spinning my head. So....if I had to choose between an Azkyoyen and an ECM (price much of a muchness) which should I go with.  Just a short paragraph with a direct answer would be great. This question is open to anyone out there who has used either machine and and comment as to their pros and cons.  Much appreciated. :D

FreshCoffee2

Thanks for your reply. Of the two brands you mentioned I would have to direct you first to myself and my own, ;D, and secondly to Charles at ECM. If you are going to ring him please tell him I referred you... Check your private mails. Regardz, FC.

deanK

Live2Learn we use an ECM Veneziano 2 group in our small shop and find it great to use , steams very well - all in all a great machine....(as are pretty much all machines in that price range) only problem is all that beautiful stainless steel takes some polishing at the end of the day ;D