If you’re a café owner, or you’re about to be, you are about to become part of the backbone of modern society. Why? There are very few of us who do not rely on an excellent cup of coffee to get us going in the morning.
The tools of your trade are vital to creating the best coffee you can, and almost nothing matters more than the type of coffee machine you choose. But if you’re just arriving at that stage now, you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the choices.
The truth is, there are many types of commercial espresso machines, each one designed to withstand the rigours of daily use at the hands of a trusted barista (or several). To keep things a bit simpler, we will focus on three distinct types of coffee machines: manual, semi-automatic, and fully automatic.
By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clear idea of what each of the coffee machine types does, how they might serve you, and even which one is best for your shop. Let’s go!
A Manual Coffee Machine
The first of the three types of commercial espresso machines we’ll explore places heavy emphasis on the tactile nature of coffee making.
Manual espresso machines are the OG workhorses of the espresso world. They’re purely mechanical and beautifully hands-on, operated by a lever that gives your baristas complete control over the pressure, timing, and flow of the water through the tamped coffee.
This is the most tactile way to make coffee, and it often produces stunning results in the right hands. For one thing, it grants your baristas complete control over the brewing process and imparts exceptional flavour and texture into the espresso when it’s mastered. Not to mention, there’s an embedded experience for your customers in watching an artisanal barista press down that tall chrome handle. A sort of theatre that brings regulars back again and again, so that they can watch the process.
Of course, manual machines aren’t for every café. They require a certain skill, strength, and experience to operate effectively, so new baristas need significantly more training to get it right. This style of machine is also generally slower to operate, making it less ideal for peak-hour demand in the middle of a busy CBD.
In short, if you run a café where craftsmanship is part of the brand, or a boutique spot for true coffee lovers, then among the many coffee machine types, this might be the perfect choice for you.
A Semi-Automatic Coffee Machine
If you’re looking for the most reliable go-to of the many types of commercial espresso machines, then a semi-automatic machine might be the way to go. It’s a craftsmanship-friendly option with consistency built in, allowing your baristas to manually control the shot’s course with automated water pressure and pump systems as backup.
You still grind, tamp, and time the shot, but you’re not manually forcing the water through the puck (the machine takes care of that part). This balance makes it one of the most common coffee machine types you’ll see in commercial settings.
There’s a reason these types of commercial espresso machines are well-loved. They provide an excellent balance between control and convenience, offer consistent results with an experienced barista at the helm, and make it much easier for a barista to get up to speed if they’re just starting.
That said, semi-automatic coffee machines still require plenty of training and technique to get it right. Aside from that, unlike manual or fully automatic machines, a semi-automatic machine has more moving parts, which invite a touch more maintenance over the years.
If you’ve got a busy café with a dedicated barista team, then a semi-automatic machine is likely the ideal choice. It keeps your coffee high-quality while maintaining the necessary rhythm of service that keeps customers coming in the door.
A Fully-Automatic Coffee Machine
Finally, you’ve got a fully-automatic option. Of the various types of commercial espresso machines, this is – as you might guess – the most automated process. From the timing and pressure of the shot to frothing the milk and grinding the beans, automatic machines handle the entire process.
These machines are ultimately built for speed, consistency, and ease of use. This makes them ideal for high-volume cafes or venues where your staff might not have barista-level experience.
If you pick up one of these machines, you’re getting something fast, consistent, and highly efficient. You can put anyone at the helm, which makes it an ideal choice for offices or takeaway environments.
That said, there is less creative control for your baristas, and the automatic coffee machine types can feel impersonal for artisan-style café environments. While the gap between semi-automatic and automatic machines is narrowing, this might not be the right choice if you’re opening a classic café. However, if you’re handling a high volume of orders in an office environment or a similar setting, this is an excellent choice.
At the end of the day, all coffee machine types have one thing in common: they’re only as good as the hands that guide them. If you choose the system that best fits your café’s rhythm, then you’ll be rewarded with plenty of smiling regulars at the counter each morning.
Explore your options for coffee machine types with Segafredo Zanetti.
We offer a comprehensive range of café coffee machines to suit every restaurant, café, or hotel. Our international hospitality experience makes us uniquely suited to serve your needs.
We have no shortage of the types of commercial espresso machines, so explore your options with us today.
