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Buying A Coffee Machine for the Workplace

Don’t Start The Day Without It

Millions of people drink coffee every single day. We estimate that the average worker drinks 2 cups of coffee during the course of any working day. Because of the large demand, coffee shops and cafes are on almost every street corner in America. But buying coffee twice a day can be an expensive venture in the long run, so many workers buy their own machine for the workplace to brew their coffee- which is cheaper and offers a far more satisfying experience. There are many coffee machines on the market- so which one should I buy? From where?. Read on for tips on how to buy your next coffee machine.

Research

Before you invest any money, you need to know that there are three significant types of coffee machines:

Pods
Espresso
Bean to cup

Each has its pros and cons, plus the cost also varies significantly.

Bean to Cup

Bean to cup is the most expensive coffee machine and is best suited for coffee lovers who are very particular about the quality of their coffee. The bean-to-cup machine is elementary to use and very popular. The essential advantage of these machines is that they come with a built-in grinder, enabling you to extract coffee directly from beans, making it fresh and of good quality. The other advantage of these machines is that you have complete control over the coffee strength, size of the drink, and extraction time. The latest machines even come with an automatic milk frother. Some good bean-to-cup coffee machines include:

Price: The average cost for a decent bean-to-cup coffee machine is between $250-$350. Of course, there are some expensive machines, but those are more geared toward businesses

Espresso

There are many styles and designs of espresso machines- many are used widely in cafes and restaurants. They function like pods; they extract the flavor from the coffee grounds. The only downside is that you must measure and tamper the ground beans before extracting. Your coffee may take a few minutes longer to prepare, but the result is a delicious hot cup of coffee.

If you want the espresso machine to extract the flavor from beans, you must purchase an electric coffee grinder or buy the pre-ground coffee from a grocery store.

Espresso machines are an excellent option if people at work favor a range of milk-based beverages or lattes. These machines also come with various accessories, such as a portafilter, frothing jug, and interchangeable filters.

Some of the excellent espresso machines include:

You cannot go wrong with the DeLonghi brand if you have a bigger budget. The price of espresso machines is variable and depends on the available accessories. Expect to pay anywhere from $100-$400 for a decent machine.

If you want a no-hassle, no-thrills coffee machine, then go with a pod. These are the easiest coffee makers to use- they usually serve single drinks from ground beans sealed inside capsules or pods. Simply insert the coffee pod in the designated slot and extract the coffee. You can’t go wrong with a pod for reliability and consistency in the coffee. It is perhaps the coffee maker of choice for the workplace, where everyone is too busy to tinker with coffee-making gadgets. The latest pods also have an automatic milk frother if you like milk-based beverages. Some of the good brands of pods include:

Pod coffee makers are some of the cheapest on the market; the price varies from $30-$100. These coffee makers are also sturdy and will stand physical abuse in the workplace.

Things To Consider When Buying A Coffee Machine

Milk frother

If you love milk-based beverages or frothing on your coffee, then you have to ensure the device comes with a frother; many of the newer coffee machines have an automatic frother, or you can purchase a frothing accessory to froth the milk.

Steam Wand

If you want a similar latte type as Starbucks, look for a machine with a steam wand that generates a glossy microfoam.

LIVING basics 2 in 1 Espresso Machine with Milk Frother, Cappuccino Maker, Latte Maker, 15 Bar Espresso Coffee Maker
Mr. Coffee One-Touch CoffeeHouse Espresso and Cappuccino Machine
Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine – BREBES870XL
Oster BVSTEM6601S-033 Prima Latte 15-Bar Pump Espresso, Cappuccino, and Latte Machine, Stainless Steel

Strength

The latest machines also allow you to personalize the size and strength of your coffee. If you do not like to drink the dark charcoal-type coffee served at gas stations, make sure the coffee maker allows you to change the coffee settings.

Automatic Control

If you want to stay super organized, you want to get a coffee maker with intelligent controls connected to an app so that the coffee is always ready on demand. However, this means that someone needs to ensure ample water and coffee beans or grounds are in place.

Cuisinart DCC-3200C 14-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker, Silver
BLACK+DECKER Coffee Maker, 12 Cup, Programmable, Black, CM1105BC
Oster BVSTEM6601S-033 Prima Latte 15-Bar Pump Espresso, Cappuccino, and Latte Machine, Stainless Steel
Nespresso Vertuo Next Coffee and Espresso Machine by De’Longhi, White (ENV120WCA)

Ease Of Cleaning

Coffee machines get dirty, so you’ll want one with an automatic cleaning program, or at least one that is easy to keep clean. Some of the latest models allow you to set the cleaning schedule at night or at the end of the day.

Maintenance

No matter which coffee machine you buy for the workplace, you must maintain it if you want it to last. Regular maintenance will increase your machine’s lifespan and help ensure the coffee tastes fresh. Make it a habit to clean the coffee machine, dispose of the spent grounds, and never leave spent coffee stagnant overnight.

Store the beans in an airtight container to keep them fresh
Use fresh water to brew coffee every day.

Coffee Accessories

Number Of Coffee Drinkers

If you have more than five people in the office, you’ll need to consider a larger coffee machine. The small ones will not be able to keep up with demand. Chances are there will always be a line of people waiting for their coffee. Consider buying a 12-cup coffee maker. Some popular brands include the following:

The downside to these large coffee machines is that you will sacrifice some quality, and they generally won’t make all types of lattes. The positive is that hot coffee will always be ready when you need it. The cost of these large coffee makers ranges from $70-$140

Space Considerations

There are coffee makers of all sizes and shapes, so you’ll also need to consider space in your workplace. Most can fit on the countertop or beneath an upper cabinet.