Purchasing a commercial coffee maker can be more difficult than acquiring a coffee maker for your household. You’re not just shopping for yourself, but instead trying to please your discerning customers.
The type of coffee maker and its capacity are just a few of the features to consider, and they should be carefully aligned with your requirements. The entire process can be a bit confusing, especially for those who are new to buying commercial coffee makers. We’ve compiled detailed reviews of commercial coffee makers, taking a close look at design, price, quality, and warranty, to help you make a more informed decision.
Reading: Best commercial coffee brewer
comparison of our favorites (updated in 2022):
the 8 best commercial coffee machines:
1. bunn pourover commercial coffee maker – best overall
several coffee makers require plumbing. this makes it inconvenient to relocate the machine. The Bunn VP17-3SS3L Pourover Commercial Coffee Maker promises to solve this problem with its ability to work by simply pouring cold water into the water storage. therefore, it is easy to transport and relocate. all you need to do is plug in the machine.
With this machine, you can expect to produce an average of 3.4 gallons of coffee per hour to fill 64-ounce carafes. therefore, it is ideal for offices, convenience stores, small family restaurants and small cafes.
The machine is not only convenient and efficient, but also automatic, so you won’t have to hire special staff to operate it. features three heaters and a splash guard funnel to protect users from burns caused by hot coffee.
Most coffee makers are difficult to take apart, making cleaning a challenge. the bunn vp17-3ss3l coffee maker does not have this problem and has a stainless steel finish, which makes cleaning easy.
this machine is automatic; however, it requires users to have basic knowledge of coffee preparation. When making coffee with this machine, you will need to pour in cold water and wait until it is hot enough before adding the coffee. the machine has no indication that the water is hot enough.
All in all, we think this is the best commercial coffee maker of 2021.
2. keurig k155 k-cup coffee maker
The Keurig K155 Commercial Single Serve K-Cup Coffeemaker is not only exceptionally aesthetic; allows users to benefit from instant-like speed and the rich flavor of coffee produced from quality brewing. It has a one-minute brew time, which most users will find quite satisfying.
you can adjust the brew temperature with the touch of a button on a full color touch screen interface. there is also the option to choose between a mild and strong preparation. these features cater to different coffee preferences, so all users are equally satisfied.
This coffee maker has a water tank with a capacity for 18 cups of coffee. The water tank is removable for easy filling and cleaning. the hot water storage compartment can be easily emptied, so you can store the machine quickly and conveniently.
sometimes the coffee produced retains a metallic taste; some consider this a deal breaker.
-> You can see our roundup of the best keurigs for office use here.
3. focus 57060 professional coffee maker – best value
Many people enjoy coffee in large cups, but most coffee makers fit small cups and mugs. either you have to make two servings of coffee or be content with the normal serving of coffee. The Focus Foodservice 57060 Commercial Coffeemaker is an exceptional machine that accommodates large cups and coffee mugs, aided by a faucet with increased headroom capacity.
The machine brews up to 60 cups of coffee in less than 45 minutes, making it highly efficient and great for commercial use. the machine’s dual thermostat heats the coffee faster and ensures that it retains its temperature for longer.
See also: The Best Coffee Subscriptions for Single-Origin Obsessives, Decaf Drinkers, and Everyone in Between
An anti-drip option feature is integrated to prevent dripping from the faucet. If you are concerned about the durability of a machine, the focus foodservice 57060 is made of stainless steel for durability and strength.
If you are looking to save when buying a quality machine, this coffee maker will be the perfect choice. it is significantly affordable, despite all the useful and beneficial features.
On the negative side, the filter could be improved, as some coffee beans occasionally find their way into the produced coffee.
4. bunn 12 cup pour over coffee maker
The bunn vpr-2gd 12-cup commercial pour-over coffeemaker is the ideal solution for preparing coffee in professional environments, due to its highly aesthetic appearance. It comes with two black decanters and two warmers, for added convenience.
The machine is very easy to use and requires no plumbing. all that is required is to plug it in, pour water into the water tank and press a button. It has a highly efficient production capacity that reaches up to 3.8 gallons of coffee per hour, poured directly into the decanters.
The machine is made of stainless steel for durability. The exterior has a polished black coating that adds to its appearance and makes the machine easy to clean. As a safety measure, an anti-splash funnel is integrated to protect users from the hot liquid.
This coffee maker makes quite a bit of noise when heating water and the coffee has a slightly metallic taste.
5. hamilton beach 45 cup commercial coffee maker
The Hamilton Beach 45-Cup Coffeemaker is a great coffeemaker for social gatherings and crowds, with the capacity to produce up to 45 cups of coffee per hour. It has a bidirectional dispenser for single dose or continuous service. this is especially convenient as it allows you to fill smaller cups or larger pitchers.
The coffee maker has a water level mark so you can measure the amount of water needed and a light indicator that lets you know when the coffee is ready. the general operation of the machine is simple and its cleaning is very simple.
This coffee maker is more of a percolator, because it doesn’t have a filter. the coffee produced has a metallic taste and cools quickly because there is no insulation system built into the machine.
6. commercial aluminum west bend coffee makers
Like the coffeemaker above, the West Bend 33600 Commercial Aluminum Coffee Urn is suitable for social gatherings and crowds. It has a capacity of 100 cups of coffee at one cup per minute, which is quite fast and efficient.
This coffee maker includes an automatic temperature control to keep coffee hot for longer. there is a two-way dripless faucet that accommodates single or continuous fill.
The machine is easy to transport as it has a heat resistant base and insulated handles. its structure makes cleaning easy, but the addition of a brush and cleaning tool simplifies the cleaning process.
This machine includes water level markings and a light indicator to show the end of the brewing process.
This coffee urn makes noise when heating water and the faucet tends to leak. the outside gets hot, but there is no insulation to control this problem.
7. hamilton beach commercial coffee maker
See also: 8 Best Travel Mugs For Coffee reviewed
To check the coffee level in most coffee makers, you need to lift the lid, but this can cause unnecessary cooling. The Hamilton Beach D50065 solves this problem with its clear cafe window. however, the lid is easy to remove, for easy water refilling.
the hamilton beach d50065 allows you to serve many people at once. it can produce 60 cups of coffee at a rate of one cup per minute. a keep-warm heater is included to maintain the temperature of the coffee.
Polished stainless steel exterior makes cleanup easy, and indicator lights let you know when the machine is on or when the water is ready.
the downside is that it makes a lot of noise when heating water. the coffee retains a metallic taste. the bottom of the machine rusts quickly and the machine parts appear to be loose.
8. prepare espresso machines
the brew express bec-110bs 10-cup countertop coffee system promises to correct the problem of creating a mess when putting water in the coffee maker, by integrating an auto-fill system. This also means you can eliminate recovery time issues as the auto-fill system accommodates continuous brewing.
The machine is easy to clean thanks to its stainless steel exterior. It has a thermal jug to maintain the temperature of the coffee.
This countertop brew express coffee maker is not a machine we would recommend. it is noisy when in operation. the bottom inside starts to rust after a few uses and is very messy. the coffee produced has a metallic taste and the machine needs regular repairs.
buyer’s guide: how to choose the best professional coffee maker
A commercial coffee maker can be an important investment for your business. You’ll need to discuss the key features of such a machine before committing to it. Paying close attention to the following characteristics will make it easier for you to choose the best commercial coffee maker for your needs:
capacity
Find a balance between overworking and underusing your machine. An overworked machine won’t last long, but if you underutilize your machine, you’ll lose your investment. Calculate the number of cups of coffee you plan to serve each day. Two factors that contribute to the production capacity of a coffee machine are the amount of beans it can store and the amount of water it can store.
If you’re making a lot of coffee, you might choose a model that connects directly to a water line. you’ll need to plug these models in, but you won’t have to waste time refilling the water tank.
types of coffee machines
Before you make your choice, you may want to think about how you will use your coffee maker. Certain coffee makers are very easy to use, requiring only the push of a button to work. other machines require users to have a good understanding of the brewing process to operate them. We differentiate between bean to cup, combined bean to cup and manual or espresso machines. bean-to-cup and bean-to-cup combination machines can be operated by virtually anyone. espresso machines are more complex, but produce top quality drinks.
see also: what are the 10 different types of coffee makers?
size
If you’re short on space, a coffee machine with one or two group heads is best. Three and four group head machines are also available, but they take up a lot of space and require more maintenance.
additional features
Certain machines come with foaming features. this is especially crucial for the production of specialty coffees such as cappuccinos and Americanos. Decide if you need a machine that grinds the coffee beans internally or one that requires the beans to be ground before they are stored in the machine.
cleaning
Your machine should be cleaned regularly, not only to optimize its efficiency but also to extend its useful life. an easy to disassemble and assemble coffee maker will be easy to clean.
final verdict
Of the commercial coffeemakers reviewed above, the bunn vp17-3ss3l pourover commercial coffeemaker is our most recommended coffeemaker. The Focus Foodservice 57060 Commercial Coffeemaker isn’t as well-designed as our top pick, but it’s the most affordable. Hopefully, after reading our reviews, you’ll be better equipped to make a more informed decision.
We really hope that our guide will help you choose the best commercial coffee maker for your needs. happy crafting!
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