Whether you are in need of a commercial espresso machine because you have a coffee shop or because you have a lot of people to serve in your home, you have quite a few options. They range in price from less than $100 to more than $3,000, and come with many different options. If you are going to be using the device at a coffee shop, you need to get a plumbed in type. That means that it will be directly connected to the water supply so you won’t have to keep filling it up manually. This is mandatory in order to continue to use it quickly.
Some commercial espresso machine options are designed to just put out espresso, while others have built in milk steaming capabilities. In most cases, you are going to want to invest in the latter, unless you don’t foresee ever needing to make a latte, cappuccino, or mocha. The other options are automatic or semi-automatic. The latter are more common and less expensive, but unlike the former they require you to manually turn on and turn off the pump. You will also have to control some of the other features manually as well.
The commercial espresso machine models that are automatic start and stop the pump of the machine for you. They usually do this by using the water volume meter, but they can sometimes do it with a timer. The volumes or times are programmed by you to suit your needs based on how many shots you will be doing. So don’t just assume that the automatic types are better. They are mostly always going to cost more money, and if you don’t really have the need for the added convenience, you will be fine with the units that require you to push a few more buttons.
Remember, some commercial espresso machine units will clean themselves, while others need you to do it. Either way, it’s important that they are kept as clean as possible, because not doing so will start to affect the flavor of the espresso. If you’re trying to run a business, that is something you can’t afford.