Hot drinks are an integral part of many employees’ daily lives. The caffeine buzz from a cup of coffee helps to fuel long days in the office, whilst a hot chocolate is a comforting break from strenuous tasks. And while many struggle on with even the blandest cup of instant coffee for their hit of energy during the workday, what if there could be something better?

A commercial coffee machine offers top quality hot drinks and is a welcome addition to any office, workspace or communal area. And not every machine is the same. Some models are better suited to smaller businesses and teams, whilst others are ideal for high-traffic areas.

Here at Aquacool we have a range of commercial small coffee machines and touchscreen coffee machines ready to be installed into kitchens, cafes and communal areas. So if you want to know more about what a commercial coffee machine is, and whether it is right for you, stay tuned as we discuss further in this article. 

What is a commercial coffee machine?

A commercial coffee machine can commonly be located within offices, hospitals, gyms, spas and other such businesses. There are a few types of coffee machines ideal for commercial use, such as bean-to-cup models that perform coffee grinding, tamping and brewing automatically, eliminating the need for a barista and providing quick and easy hot drink selections. And these models are an ideal addition to communal areas such as office kitchens, hospital cafes or sixth form cafeterias as users can operate them themselves. Other types such as traditional espresso machines and filter coffee pots are other examples of commercial coffee machines great for business use.  

How do commercial bean-to-cup coffee machines work?

Commercial coffee machinea use a mixture of hot water and freshly ground coffee in order to produce single and double shot espressos within seconds. Depending on the model, fresh or powdered milk can also be added or steamed to make drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos.

Bean-to-cup coffee machines can either be mains fed and plumbed into a building by a trained professional, or use a water tank that would need refilling manually. In order to actually produce hot drinks, they also require plugging into an electrical socket. Once plugged in and complete with a water supply, the grinder will then need to be filled with coffee beans. Some bean-to-cup models will also require fresh milk to be added to an attached milk tank, but many will come equipped with powdered milk which is supplied internally. 

Many models will utilise a digital screen so that users can visualise the drinks that they are picking from, and depending on which bean-to-cup coffee machine you opt for, the selection process will either be touchscreen or button operated. From here, place a cup under the dispensing nozzle and make a hot drink selection. And for models that offer a purely hot water option, there will be a separate hot water nozzle to place a mug under.

The differences between bean-to-cup and traditional coffee machines 

Whether you opt for a barista-operated traditional espresso machine, or a commercial bean-to-cup coffee machine, there will be slight operation differences.

Coffee bean grinding and tampering:

Whilst bean-to-cup models grind coffee beans internally within the machine, traditional espresso machines have a separate coffee bean grinder. This grinder will be operated by a trained barista, and it will then need to be tampered (pressed down into a portafilter) before it can be used.  

Making espressos:

A traditional espresso machine requires ground coffee to be added to a portafilter (a silver basket with a handle), tampered, and then attached to the group head. A selection on the machine then needs to be made depending on whether a single or double shot is needed. The machine will then filter hot water through the coffee in the portafilter in order to produce an espresso. With a bean-to-cup coffee machine, a user simply has to make a drink selection, and the machine will automatically run hot water through the pre-ground coffee and produce a shot. With a commercial bean-to-cup coffee machine, the hard part is done for you.

Steaming and adding milk:

Bean-to-cup coffee machines will often use powdered milk, which is added internally once a drink selection has been made, and a traditional espresso machine will expect a barista to steam or add milk manually. Some bean-to-cup commercial models may also have an attached steamer where fresh milk can be added. For instance, Aquacool’s Jura JX8. Either way, a bean-to-cup model will steam the milk to create your desired drink quickly, and efficiently.

Size and cost:

Traditional espresso machines that you may see in your local coffee shop take up a large amount of space, and this makes them really only compatible for larger countertops. Whereas commercial bean-to-cup coffee machines can fit into any space due to them being quite a bit smaller, and over 10kg lighter. The price tag for traditional espresso machines may also be off putting, with many starting at over £1000 to buy. Renting a coffee machine with Aquacool however, is significantly less — so if you want to know more about our prices, get in touch today. 

Coffee machine parts: Traditional espresso vs Bean-to-cup 

Without a doubt, traditional coffee machines are more complex to use than a bean-to-cup coffee machine that you would usually find in the likes of an office break room. Bean-to-cup coffee machines offer a more hands-off approach for users in comparison to a traditional espresso machine. 

In the table below we have listed some of the parts that you would likely interact with depending on the type of coffee machine you opt for. 

Do commercial coffee machines offer plant-based milk?

Not everyone’s first choice of milk will be dairy-based — so, can commercial coffee machines cater to those who require alternative or plant-based milk? Some models will come equipped with powdered milk which will contain dairy, however, plant-based powdered milk can also be provided. For instance, Aquacool’s Vitro X1 coffee machine also has a plant-based milk option available. Some commercial coffee machines will utilise a fresh milk tank, in which any type of milk can be added for steaming purposes. And this is ideal for those who may require an alternative type of milk such as oat, coconut, soy or almond. 

Businesses and areas that benefit from coffee machines

Various businesses can benefit massively from adding a coffee machine to areas like on-site cafes, cafeterias or communal workspaces. And it means that employees can take well-deserved breaks during their 9-5 workday, or students can grab a coffee between lectures. So, let’s run through who benefits, and why:

• Hospitals: Whether it’s waiting to be seen by a GP or to fuel an overnight hospital stay, patients and visitors have the option to grab a hot drink from a commercial coffee machine. Best placed in hospital and healthcare cafes, cafeterias, kitchens and staff areas. 
• Spas and gyms: After a long day of pampering, or a sweaty and tiring workout, spa visitors and gym-goers are sure to benefit from a hot drink to finish off. With a commercial coffee machine in spa treatment rooms, gym cafes and more, everyone can enjoy a quick hot drink. 
• Offices and government offices: The best time for staff to refuel is with a quick trip to a commercial coffee machine. So encourage staff to take a well deserved break and place coffee machines in communal areas such as break rooms and kitchens, or utilise them in on-site cafes and cafeterias.
• Sixth forms and universities: From the late night crammer to the early morning riser, students are sure to welcome a caffeine boost day or night. Commercial coffee machines are ideal for sixth form centre cafeterias or university cafes. And don’t forget the staff areas too. 

Why opt for an Aquacool commercial coffee machine?

From small coffee machines to touch screen models that come equipped with a touchable digital screen, there is a commercial coffee machine to suit every business. If you have a smaller office, or lower traffic spa or gym cafe, models such as the Jura WE8 offer just the right amount of products to satisfy customers and visitors. And for a great price, you can rent or buy any of our models. So, why not check them out?

If you want to kit out your business with a commercial coffee machine, contact us today for your free, no-obligation quote. And for more on which commercial coffee machine is right for you, check out our ‘Commercial coffee machine buying guide’.