Commercial espresso machines have large, robust parts made of steel. They can be left on forever, and work intensively.
Should you buy a home-use or a commercial espresso machine?
All espresso machines, no matter what the brand or type, must be operated with skill, patience, and, if you will allow the word, devotion. Some of these devoted espresso fans go as far as saying that buying an espresso machine resembles the beginning of a love affair. You need to make a match. And if you do not get it right, both parties lose.
But why do you need to own an espresso machine, when so many cafes sell espresso and cappuccino these days? Why bother to prepare coffee when you can go to Starbucks? If we say “commercial cup” to define the coffee prepared in cafes, we can certainly say that most of the time, this phrase may not be equivalent to what we think of as “a good cup”.
Espresso machines for home use
So you have decided to make espresso at home, and you do not want to spend a large amount of money. In this case, a semi-automatic espresso machine for home use, starting at $150, may be the answer for you. This type of machine is fairly easy to use. It needs around 20 to 30 seconds to switch from brewing to steaming temperature. The machine usually comes with plastic components, although not all components are necessarily plastic. However, this means a shorter life period.Capresso Ultima Model # 121 , Solis Crema SL70 and Rancilio Silvia are semi-automatic machines for home use.
CapressoBAR Model #351 is a semi-automatic machine for home use that also features a coffee maker. Spidem Trevi Combi Plus combines the semi-automatic machine with a burr grinder. This is a built-in model.
Rancilio is an exception. Whether we are talking about home or commercial use, Rancilio parts are all the same, durable and sound, of commercial quality. The portafilter, brewhead, and steam wand are all made of the same marine-forged brass found in cafe machines. The body is stainless steel.
If you choose a home-use machine, consider the price. Two to three hundred dollars is acceptable. Think of the number of cups you are planning to brew daily, and the life-span of the machine.
Semi-commercial espresso machines
What exactly is a semi-commercial espresso machine? Here are a few pointers:
- the reason for buying: you need it for home use, but you want it to be more robust, with metallic parts and the whole shebang.
- the cost: you have to see if the investment is worth it, and how much time it takes for the machine to return this investment. The first aspect just depends on the money you afford to pay. As far as the second part of the question is concerned, return on investment depends on how many cups you intend to brew every day.
- when you need it: if you want the machine to be ready for a quick brew at any time of the day, this is a good choice, as semi-commercial machines are designed to be left on 24/7;
- the soft spot: for semi-commercial espresso machines, the soft spot is the pump, the only part of the machine which does not follow commercial standards. Perhaps this was the point to cut costs and make it worthy of its name, that is semi commercial. The pump will likely be the first component to break on this machine.
Commercial espresso machines
Needless to say, we do not recommend buying a commercial espresso machine for home use. But, let us suppose that you have enjoyed making espresso at home for quite a long time now. You have made espressos or cappuccinos for visiting friends. In fact, you often found yourself craving a visit only for the joy of practicing a new extraction.
Suppose your friends and neighbors not only love your coffee. They often encourage you to open a small cafe, and promise to be your ultra-loyal customers. And finally, suppose one day you find out about an unexpected inheritance from a rich, distant aunt.
Given this particular situation, we would be the first to encourage you to buy a commercial espresso machine. La Pavoni, Capresso, Espressione, Gaggia,Pasquini, Rancilio, Briel, Saeco, are all worth a look. It will very much depend on what you intend to do. If you want to bring a touch of entertainment, buy a piston type and have the bar placed in the middle of the place. You can also try to explain the operations if you are performing in front of an enthusiastic public. Otherwise, if you want to make sure the customer has the same quality of coffee, day in, day out, the super-automatic type is the best choice.
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