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Cafe / Coffee Shop Building Construction Requirements for Espresso Machines
The most critical element in cafe/coffee shop design is
the set up for the espresso machine. Based on the differences
between espresso
machines , it would be wise to select an espresso machine sooner rather than
later.
As
far as building requirements, the most important construction
related aspect
has to do with the espresso machine(s). There are some general
guidelines you
should take into account, but very specific requirements can’t be
provided as
Espresso Outlet has numerous different models from numerous
different
manufacturers. Specifications from the manufacturer tend to change frequently.
One of the requirement of every espresso
machine is an
electrical connection. In fact, each machine should have its own
dedicated
circuit. Without a dedicated circuit, you may cause breakers to
blow or
otherwise have interrupted operation. The type of connection depends on the machine
selected. For a 110
volt/15 amp machine, a standard 110/120 volt power supply is
sufficient. The
plug should be 110 volt, 20 amp rating, three prongs, including a
ground. For a
110 volt/20 amp machine, a standard 125 volt power supply is
sufficient. The
plug should be 125 volt/20 amp rating, three prongs, including a
ground, on a
cord that is NEMA configuration L5-20P. The plug should have three
terminals,
one of which should be horizontal. For the more likely, 220 volt
machines, the
electrical connection should generally be as follows:
- Two group head machines need to have single phase power with a NEMA configuration L6-20 plug/20 amp dedicated circuit.
- Three group head machines need to have single phase power with a NEMA configuration L6-30 type plug /30 amp dedicated circuit.
Another critical building requirement is a cold
water supply
line. This should within 48 inches of the machine, or directly
below it. It is
highly recommended that the water line going to the machine have a
shut off
valve. This will aid in maintenance, emergency, or serving
situations.
Depending on building codes in your area, the water line should
also have a
backflow preventer. To reduce excess pressure on machine
components, a pressure
reducer should be installed and set to a maximum of 40 LBs. The
water
connection for almost all commercial espresso machines is a 3/8
inch diameter
water line. Consult with a plumber for state laws, etc.
Last but not least, is a drain – whenever
possible, a floor
drain. Each espresso machine usually has a drip tray that drains
into a catch
basin, which drains into a vinyl tube. The tube from the catch
basin runs to
the floor drain. This tube needs to be kept as steep as possible
to prevent
clogging – for every foot of hose that goes horizontal; the drain
hose needs to
drop one inch in the direction of the drain. Based on this
configuration, the
floor drain needs to be close enough to the machine to accommodate
the
steepness required.
Something that can benefit construction teams
is
specifications in technical manuals. Many of our machines have technical manuals linked to in the product descriptions, if the don't please contact us and we'll send one to you.
What is a Automatic Espresso Machine?
The
functionality and operation of an automatic espresso machine is similar to an
semi-automatic espresso machine, with the main difference being the addition of
programmable settings for the extraction process and the automation of the
extraction process. After settings have been programmed, the extraction process
starts with a press of a button and runs for a predefined time frame before
stopping on it’s own. The programmable settings of the temperature, amount of
water used, and extraction time allow the machine to create consistent shots
each time the machine is run.
What is a Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine?
Semi-automatic
espresso machines are the most popular type used by home users. They are easy
to use, and with the right brand they can deliver outstanding espresso.
A
semi-automatic espresso machine uses an electric pump to force heated water
through finely ground espresso that has been compressed in a portafilter. The
semi-automatic espresso machine was invented to reduce some of the physical
effort and skill needed to operate a traditional hand lever operated machine.
The machine is operated by first placing finely ground coffee in a portafilter
and then compressing the coffee with a tamper to ensure that it is compact
enough to create resistance when water is forced through the grounds, creating
the pressure needed to properly extract espresso. After the portafilter has
been mounted on the machine, the user can simply push a button or flip a switch
to start the pump that will force preheated water through the grounds.
Most
semi-automatic machines also have steam wands for frothing or steaming milk
used in making cappuccinos, lattes and mochas. For people who like tea and
other hot beverages, some models even have a built in hot water dispenser.
What is a Manual Piston Lever Espresso Machine?
The
manual lever espresso machine is a traditional espresso machine that has a hand
operated piston that is used to extract espresso. Lever operated espresso
machines tend to have elegant designs and are popular with homeowners or
businesses that appreciate design aesthetics and European tradition. Many fans
of this type of machine also feel that they are unmatched in their ability to
pull a perfect shot, although it can take some practice to reach this
perfection. To produce the needed pressure for extraction, it can also require
a decent amount of arm strength.
To
operate the machine, the user must first allow the boiler to heat water to the
proper temperature. Once the proper temperature has been reached, the user
pulls the lever (usually in a downward motion) causing a piston in the machine
to push the heated water through finely ground coffee that has been compressed
in a filter. After the water has been pushed through the grounds, the user
lifts the lever to complete the process. To pull a shot correctly, it takes
practice to learn how much pressure to apply when pulling the lever. Once this
has been learned, customer satisfaction with this type of machine tends to be
very high.
Lever
espresso machines, and especially the machines on this site tend to be very
reliable and can last for many years with proper maintenance and minor repairs.
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