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Types of Coffee Makers

Last updated on Dec 12, 2024

Whether you serve a straightforward cup of joe or a full menu of signature coffee drinks, a dependable commercial coffee maker is a must. We've made this guide to help you understand the different types of coffee machines that are available and to identify which ones are best for your business.


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Different Types of Coffee Makers

Each type of commercial coffee maker offers unique features and benefits, catering to different preferences and operational needs. By understanding the various options available, you can select the best coffee maker for your establishment and ensure that you can serve delicious coffee to your customers or employees.

Restaurant Equipment

Automatic Coffee Maker

Automatic coffee makers are a popular choice for busy establishments looking to streamline their coffee brewing process. These machines are designed to automatically refill water from a direct line, ensuring fast and efficient brewing with minimal downtime. To operate efficiently, automatic commercial coffee machines need to be set up near a water line connection.

One of the key benefits of automatic commercial coffee machines is their ability to consistently produce large quantities of coffee quickly and easily. This makes them ideal for high-traffic environments such as restaurants, cafes, and office break rooms where a constant supply of fresh coffee is essential. With the convenience of automatic water refills, users can enjoy a steady flow of brewed coffee without the need for manual intervention.

Output: 32 to 400 cups per hour

Best for: High-volume restaurants, offices, and convenience stores

Pros
  • Water automatically refills from direct line for fast brewing
  • Simple controls make it easy to use
  • Single brew types or multi-brew options
  • Most include a decanter warmer
  • Some include a pourover design; ideal for high-volume use
Cons
  • Limited control over coffee brewing
  • Warming plate can burn coffee if it sits on it for too long
  • Needs to be set up near a water line connection

Restaurant Equipment

Pourover Coffee Machine

It's important to note that pourover coffee machines should not be confused with the pourover brewing method. In the context of commercial coffee machines, a pourover machine refers to a unit that requires manual water addition rather than being connected to a water line.

The main benefit of using a pourover commercial coffee maker is its flexibility. Since these machines do not need a direct water line connection, they can be placed virtually anywhere, making them ideal for small cafes, food trucks, or catering businesses. This portability allows you to set up a coffee station in different locations without the need for plumbing changes.

Output: 48 to 140 cups per hour

Best for: Offices, break rooms, and convenience stores

Pros
  • Does not need to be attached to a water line
  • Portable design is easy to set up in any location near an electrical outlet
  • Simple controls make it easy to use
  • Most include a decanter warmer
  • Ideal for low- to moderate-volume use
Cons
  • Water needs to be poured into the reservoir for each batch
  • Limited control over coffee brewing
  • Warming plate can burn coffee if it sits on it for too long

Restaurant Equipment

Espresso Machine

If your restaurant prides itself on offering a wide range of specialty coffee beverages such as lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos, investing in an espresso machine is essential. Espresso machines are designed to brew concentrated coffee shots that serve as the base for a variety of espresso-based drinks.

Operating an espresso machine typically requires more skill and training than using a standard drip coffee maker. Baristas must have a good understanding of espresso extraction, milk frothing techniques, and drink preparation to consistently deliver high-quality beverages. You can learn more about these machines in our espresso machine buying guide.

Output: 32 to 720 cups per hour

Best for: coffee shops, cafes, sandwich shops, and restaurants

 

Pros
  • Can be brewed from a direct line or pourover
  • Ideal for making a variety of specialty beverages like lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos
  • Many include features like built-in grinders or steam wands for frothing milk
Cons
  • Costly investment
  • Requires training and skill

Restaurant Equipment

Satellite Coffee Brewer

If your establishment serves a large number of customers or requires coffee to be readily available in multiple locations, a satellite coffee maker can be a valuable addition to your equipment lineup. These coffee makers are designed to brew large quantities of coffee and keep it hot for extended periods, making them ideal for high-volume environments.

Satellite brewers are equipped with multiple portable servers that can be placed in different areas of your establishment, allowing for convenient access to freshly brewed coffee without the need to constantly brew new pots.

Output: 64 to 960 cups per hour

Best for: catering, banquet halls, cafeterias, buffets, and restaurants

Pros
  • Brews from direct line into airpots
  • Some are designed to fill several coffee servers at once
  • Many feature hot water spouts to make tea or hot chocolate; Ideal for high-volume service
Cons
  • Unit needs to be set up near a water line connection

Restaurant Equipment

Coffee Machine Urn

Coffee machine urn brewers are a versatile option for businesses looking to efficiently brew, hold, and serve coffee all in one unit. These machines are specifically designed to streamline the coffee-making process, making them a convenient choice for commercial settings.

One of the key advantages of coffee machine urn brewers is their ability to brew large quantities of coffee and keep it hot for extended periods. This makes them ideal for self-service stations at events such as conferences, catered parties, or buffet-style gatherings. With a coffee machine urn brewer, you can easily provide a continuous flow of hot coffee to your guests without the need for constant monitoring or refilling.

Output: 30 to 110 cups per hour

Best for: Caterers, schools, churches, and offices

Pros
  • Allows you to brew, hold, and serve coffee from one machine
  • Insulated tanks keep coffee at optimal serving temperature
  • Sightglass provides brew level visibility so staff knows when to refill
  • Feature cool-touch handles for easy transportation
Cons
  • Limited control over coffee brewing
  • May not come with a drip tray
  • Stainless steel exterior gets hot and is dangerous to touch

Restaurant Equipment

Liquid Coffee Dispensers

Liquid coffee dispensers are a convenient and cost-effective solution for businesses that serve a high volume of coffee throughout the day. These dispensers are designed to hold large quantities of coffee concentrate, which can be easily mixed with hot water to provide a fresh and consistent cup of coffee with minimal effort.

One of the key benefits of using an instant coffee dispenser is the potential for increased profitability. By utilizing coffee concentrate instead of brewing individual pots of coffee, businesses can significantly reduce waste and labor costs. This efficient method of serving coffee allows for quick and easy preparation, leading to faster service and higher customer satisfaction.

Output: 120 to 576 cups per hour

Best for: Cafeterias, hospitals, convenience stores, and buffets

Pros
  • No brewing required
  • Fast dispensing time
  • Ideal for high-volume self-service applications
  • Some models feature LED refill lights to alert when concentrate is running low
Cons
  • Expensive
  • No control over the coffee's flavor

Restaurant Equipment

Cold Brew Coffee Maker

Cold brew coffee has become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. This smooth and bold coffee beverage offers a unique flavor profile that many coffee enthusiasts love. If you're looking to expand your coffee offerings and cater to the growing demand for cold brew, investing in a commercial cold brew coffee system is a smart choice for your business.

A cold brew coffee system is specifically designed to brew large batches of cold brew coffee. Unlike traditional hot coffee brewing methods, cold brew coffee is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee beans in cold water for an extended period, typically 12-24 hours. This slow extraction process results in a smooth, less acidic, and highly concentrated coffee concentrate that can be diluted with water or milk before serving.

Output: 3 to 20 gallons per extraction

Best for: Coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, and diners

Pros
  • Cold-brew extraction process brews full-bodied, aromatic coffee
  • Cold brew concentrate can last a long time
  • Concentrate can be used to make hot or iced coffee
Cons
  • Takes a long time to brew

Restaurant Equipment

Single-Cup Coffee Maker

Single-cup coffee makers are a popular choice for hospitality businesses looking to provide a quick and convenient coffee option for their guests. These compact machines are designed to brew one cup of coffee at a time, ensuring that each serving is fresh and hot.

The main advantage of single-cup coffee makers for hospitality businesses is their efficiency and ease of use. Guests can quickly brew a fresh cup of coffee to their preferred strength and flavor without the need to brew an entire pot. This is particularly beneficial for hotels, bed and breakfasts, and other accommodations where guests may have varying preferences for their coffee.

Output: 1 cup at a time

Best for: Hotel rooms, vacation homes, break rooms, and waiting rooms

Pros
  • Easy for anyone to use
  • Quickly brews coffee
  • Can accommodate multiple cup sizes
  • Able to make a wide variety of coffee and hot beverage drinks
  • Some have programmable timers and auto-shutoff features
  • Compact design won't clutter countertops
Cons
  • Capsules may not be recyclable
  • Typically have a small water reservoir
  • Not ideal for high-traffic areas

Restaurant Equipment

French Coffee Press

A French press coffee maker, also known as a press pot or plunger pot, is a popular brewing method that produces rich and flavorful coffee. It consists of a cylindrical glass or stainless steel container with a plunger and a mesh filter. This simple yet effective design allows for the full immersion of coffee grounds in hot water, resulting in a full-bodied and aromatic brew.

French presses offer a hands-on experience for guests, allowing them to actively participate in the coffee-making process. This interactive element can enhance the overall dining experience and create a memorable moment for patrons.

Output: 1 to 4 cups at a time

Best for: Restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, bakeries, and vacation rentals

Pros
  • Preserves delicate coffee flavors
  • Steeping time is easily controlled
  • Easy to use and clean
  • Visually appealing and popular for direct table service
Cons
  • Glass pots are fragile
  • Does not keep coffee hot

Restaurant Equipment

Vietnamese Coffee Press

A Vietnamese coffee press, or phin, consists of four parts: a perforated filter plate, a brew chamber, a perforated filter press, and a lid to keep the heat in. The phin filter works by slowly dripping hot water over the coffee grounds, resulting in a rich and flavorful brew. This method allows for a more controlled extraction process, producing a smooth and aromatic cup of coffee.

Vietnamese coffee presses are specifically designed to brew Vietnamese-style coffee, which typically uses a strong, dark roast with sweetened condensed milk. By using a phin filter, you can recreate the authentic flavor and experience for your customers.

Output: 1 cup at a time

Best for: Coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, and cafes

Pros
  • Portable design
  • Great for offering specialty drinks
  • Easy to clean
  • Brews bold, flavorful coffee
Cons
  • Longer brewing time

Selecting the Correct Voltage for Your Coffee Maker

Choosing the correct voltage is an important factor when selecting a coffee maker. Typically, the higher the voltage, the faster the machine's recovery time is. Therefore, establishments with a high demand for coffee should look into coffee makers with a higher voltage rating.

To decide on the correct voltage you'll need, you should ask yourself two questions:

  • How much coffee will you make on an average day?
  • Is your business outfitted correctly for the applicable voltage?

Many coffee machine types come with ratings of cups per hour, generally referring to 5 or 8 oz. portions, to help you decide what unit is best for you. Additionally, you'll need to make sure you have the correct electrical setup for the machine you require. 120V units can often be plugged into a common wall outlet, whereas 208V and 240V machines may require a different outlet formation.

The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. Please refer to our Content Policy for more details.

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