Best commercial espresso machine

If you are looking for a commercial espresso machine, I can draw the conclusion that you didn’t use to be the kind of person who drank his or her coffee at home. But circumstances have changed, only that you still love the taste of the coffee you bought on the go. Or maybe you just like the taste of the coffee that only a manual espresso machine can brew. 

Coffee shops don’t use regular coffee machines, so their coffee tastes better most of the time. Why do you think that is? It’s because they spend thousands of dollars on espresso machines. They are more complicated, and they are bigger, but the coffee they can brew is absolutely heavenly, which is why I am happy to say that you can make that exact same coffee in the comfort of your home. All you have to do is purchase a commercial espresso machine or a commercial coffee maker.

Yes, they are more expensive than regular coffee machines, but if you landed on this page, that means you are interested, which leads me to believe that you can afford one. Trust me, it’s worth it. Drinking one cup of excellent coffee can brighten your entire day.

The benefits of a commercial espresso machine

There aren’t just a few, but I am not going to bore you with the technicalities, but rather focus on those who have an impact on your well-being.

Every day you will be enjoying the best coffee you have ever had in your life. That’s right. It’s not something new that commercial espresso machines make the best coffee. After all, it’s inspired by the Italians. And they should know better. They invented espresso. The thing is that every cup will have a heavenly taste, that few machines can replicate. Better said, no machine can replicate. The flavor is distinctive, and it’s like you can feel the bean of coffee in your mouth. I don’t know about you, but I am craving a cup of coffee while writing this. The best coffee I have ever had came from a machine like this. So I know what I’m saying.

You will be able to prepare not only one sort of beverage but whatever you like. Do you like a macchiato? So do I. On such a machine a macchiato is very simple to prepare. But that is not all. You can brew 5-color coffee, cappuccinos, espressos (long or short), a latte, or whatever else you can think of. That is the beauty of a commercial espresso machine. The possibilities are endless. And I know what you are going to say. That you can do all those things using an espresso machine that works with coffee capsules. Yes. You are right. But they will never taste as delicious as the ones you can get from a real espresso machine. I hope I made myself clear.

It will make your kitchen look more interesting. Yes, I know, that may seem shallow, but it’s actually not. Don’t act as if you have never tried to impress your family or friends at a dinner party you organized. Maybe you like to do it with an expensive bottle of wine. I like to do it with my house appliances. And don’t forget the coffee. You’ll have an interesting kitchen, but the coffee will be divine. Which, as it happens, your guests will always appreciate.

There are no special skills required to use a commercial espresso machine. Indeed, that counts as a benefit. Why? Because there are people who live with the misconception that such a machine is more of a rocket than a kitchen appliance. But in fact is very easy to use. You just have to read the manual, just like with any other appliance you own.

What to look for in the best commercial espresso machine?

Unfortunately, choosing the right machine may prove to be confusing for two reasons. One, you have no knowledge whatsoever of what most of the specifications mean. It’s simple to use, but trying to read the specs feels like reading an engineering textbook from MIT. And two, you may not know what exactly you want. But I put together a list of simplified features you should consider when purchasing a commercial espresso machine.

Design of the espresso machine

You have to like how it looks. Otherwise, it will ruin your entire day. And not only for a while but every single day. Entering that kitchen of yours and looking at a hideous home appliance will not put you in a good mood, so yes, design is important.

Espresso machine’s quality

Obviously, you do not know the matter, but you can turn to perceived quality. That means you can do some research about the brand, or you can do something even better. Search for reviews. Paying customers will always tell the truth about a product. Maybe people don’t write about the things they appreciate, but they will almost always complain if they have a reason. So, if you decide on a model, read the reviews. If they are bad, then pick another. If they are good or if there are none, you know you made the right choice. There you have it.

Functions the espresso machine has

There are a few technicalities here, but what you should know is what you want. Do you want an espresso machine that will only brew espressos, or do you want the entire experience? Because that is what function basically means (not only, of course). It can do a single kind of coffee or a lot of assortments. I chose the whole experience, and to this day, I have no regrets. The function also means plumbed or not plumbed. Do you want the machine connected to a water pipe, or use the water from a tank? That is entirely your call. There are advantages and disadvantages either way, so whatever you choose, you’re okay.

The physical size of the expresso machine

Before even considering buying a commercial espresso machine, ask yourself if you have space for it. Wouldn’t it be a shame to order the machine and then find out that it doesn’t fit in your kitchen? I believe so. Make the measurements and then decide. Fortunately, commercial espresso machines come in a variety of sizes so you can take your pick.

How easy it is to clean the espresso machine

Usually, commercial espresso machines are easy to clean. That is the advantage of their massive size. I find it harder to clean a little coffee maker than a stovetop maker.

There you have it. That is all you have to know in order to make a smart decision, but feel free to add whatever you want. After all, it is you who is looking for the best commercial espresso machine. I already have one.

What is the best commercial espresso machine?

I don’t really know if there is a ‘best.’ Not because there aren’t any, but because there are so many. A lot of them are manufactured by respected brands that have been in this business for decades. But then again, good will never be good enough when better exists. Here are my suggestions.

Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine

I decided to start with this one because it’s the exact model I have in my home. I have had it since last year, and let me tell you, each day when I enter my kitchen it’s as if the sun shines on my face. Even if it rains outside. But that’s just me. I get excited by little things.

The machine is made of stainless steel, which makes it very easy to clean. I had one accident once, and the coffee was all over the place, but it took me longer to clean the surroundings than the machine itself. But what you should know is that there is a light that lets you know when it’s time for a circuit cleaning. The manufacturer even sends you a cleaning kit. 

What I love the most about this espresso machine is that it can go from coffee beans to espresso in a minute. I like my coffee fresh, which is why I purchase beans instead of ground coffee. The machine has an integrated burr grinder. It goes from grinding your coffee beans to the coffee in your cup in almost a minute. I tell you, this machine is a miracle. I know that all people who love coffee will feel the same.

You can also choose the grind size if you like. Other features include a 54mm tamper, a hands-free grinding cradle, and a 67-ounce removable water tank. The thermocoil heating system controls the water temperature, but you also have a pressure gauge. Bad accidents can happen when the pressure exceeds the maximum, but this machine has it under control. I never had trouble with mine. You will love the 360º swivel action steam wand. You can use it for smooth milk texturing. The “Empty me!” indicator will let you know when it’s time to empty the drip tray.

That is pretty much it. There are a lot of specs, you must read the manual to understand them all. But overall, this is a great machine. It will bring you 100% satisfaction. 

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Breville BES98XL Oracle Espresso Machine 

Honestly, I like looking at a picture of this commercial espresso machine, and I wish I had it, but it’s a bit pricey for my taste. But I read enough about it to reach a conclusion. After all that research, I still want it.

This one automatically grinds the coffee, doses, and tamps the exact amount of coffee to avoid making a mess. That is an issue if you are a beginner, but the Breville BES980XL is beginner-friendly and will help you with all that. An experienced barista will have no issues. You can even program the hands-free milk texturing with an automatic purge. Maybe that is why this product is so much more expensive than the previous model. It does all the things by itself.

Also, the BES980XL can brew two cups of coffee at the same time. It is more suitable for a large household. It saves some time, which is always a plus. This too is made of stainless steel, boilers included, and there are two Italian pumps with PID. If you like and think you can handle it, you can descale the boilers yourself. That is a real issue where the water is not quite as soft as it should be. Usually, you have to call someone to do it for you, but this is not the case.

You can program the shot temperature from 190º to 205º. But you can change the units on display to degrees Celsius if you are more comfortable with it. The display comes in handy and lets you know pretty much what you need to know. Also, you’ll be using it when choosing one of the 3 preset settings. You can customize up to 6 settings, depending on what you like and how you like it. Overall, I think it’s worth all that money.

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Best small commercial espresso machine: Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine

This commercial espresso machine is a bit smaller than the other two but surprisingly substantial. It may look small, but it weighs 30 pounds. At least space is not an issue, right? It’s not like you are going to carry it every day.

It has an ergonomic portafilter handle that follows Rancilio’s design. You may have the tendency to believe that it doesn’t matter, but trust me, it does. The commercial-grade group head provides excellent heat stability, and the quality of extraction is absolutely pristine. The steam wand provides a complete range of motion, and the steaming knob works at a professional level. It controls the steaming pressure with maximum precision. I told you before, and I am telling you again. Never mess with pressure. That is how espresso machines put people in the hospital. They simply transform into a shrapnel bomb.

I like the design. It’s simple and elegant. It will blend perfectly in the kitchen, no matter how you choose to decorate it. What you’ll love about this machine is that it’s versatile. If you like, you can give up ground coffee and just install an adaptor kit for pods and capsules.

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My recommendation

I am going to go with the one I already own. The Breville BES870XL Barista Express might as well be the best commercial espresso machine. Mostly because I tried it and liked the results. Still do. The coffee is great, the cleaning is easy, and the machine looks sturdy enough to last a very long time.

Conclusion

I always say that you should never underestimate the power of a freshly brewed cup of coffee. It can dictate your daily mood. It can either improve it or ruin it. It’s up to you which one you choose.

Last Updated on April 22, 2023