The Difference Between Home and Professional Coffee Machines: Which One Should You Choose?

And in general, coffee in coffee shops tastes much better than at home. The secret is in properly selected professional equipment.

Also read How Ukrainians switched from “3 in 1” coffee to specialty beans

Together with a Ukrainian coffee producer Gemini 24 Channels It will tell you how professional coffee equipment differs from home equipment and how the choice of equipment affects the taste of coffee.

Professional and home coffee machines: types

A coffee machine and a coffee machine for the home are two devices without which it is difficult to imagine making espresso. But despite the same action, the meaning of each of them is completely different. This is reflected in cost, operation and end use. In addition, each type of device has its own modifications.

Cafes use professional machines, which are divided into semi-automatic, automatic or super-automatic espresso machines. They have pre-programmed settings that optimize the coffee brewing process.

In semi-automatic espresso machines, the barista starts and stops the flow of water. The device itself is responsible for managing pressure. This type of machine is popular in many commercial establishments and small coffee shops that prepare coffee to go.

Automatic coffee makers are a more convenient option. They are special because they allow you to program the existing buttons for a specific coffee recipe. This makes them a good choice for venues with a large flow of guests.

Fully automatic machines, often called “bean-to-cup” machines, have more automatic features. These tools cover the entire process. They grind beans, brew coffee, froth milk and prepare full-bodied espresso or a drink based on it.

But among home coffee machines, there is still demand for carob, drip, pod and capsule coffee machines. They are united by the fact that each process must be controlled by a person. When using the equipment, you must fill the tanks with cold water and coffee (or a capsule with beans), choose a method. You also need to clean and monitor the condition of the filters yourself.

At the same time, automatic coffee makers for the home have become increasingly popular recently. They allow you not only to prepare coffee, but also to make foam for cappuccino. However, in most models this function is still manual. These options are intermediate and are usually installed not in home kitchens or establishments, but in offices to save staff time and make coffee times more delicious.

What is the difference between home coffee makers and professional coffee machines?

In addition to partial or complete automation of processes, professional coffee machines have several other important differences. Among them:

1. Reason. Professional coffee machines are designed for use in coffee shops and restaurants. Home is the best choice for those who want to enjoy a delicious drink without leaving home.

by the way, the number of people who drink coffee at home is growing. According to the data National Coffee Association “National Coffee Data Trends” by 2023, 82% of people will be drinking coffee at home. This is 4% higher than in January 2020.

2. Power. Home coffee makers are the ideal device for preparing the required amount of coffee for a family or small groups of friends. They can usually prepare 2 – 10 portions of coffee at the same time. At the same time, commercial machines are designed for a constant flow of guests and can prepare from 120 to 480 portions of coffee per hour. Therefore, they have a wide compartment for storing water and coffee, higher power and a durable body design.

3. Brewing methods. Professional coffee machines are about a combination of optimal pressure, temperature accuracy and time set correctly. As a result, this allows you to extract the maximum flavor from the grain. In addition, these parameters can be changed, which allows you to prepare both richer and weaker coffee, according to the wishes of the guest. Instead, home coffee machines offer simpler brewing methods and fewer procedures, which means that the taste and aroma of coffee cannot be tailored to individual desires.

4. Longevity. Professional equipment is built to withstand heavy use. Therefore, the components in them are stronger and more durable. But a home coffee machine has a shorter shelf life and can wear out faster.

5. Service. Commercial coffee machines have the following:

• built-in sensors that monitor equipment condition,
• self-cleaning function,
• notification system about the need to fill water and coffee bins.

At the same time, a home coffee machine needs extra care, replace capsules or pods.

6. Dimensions. Professional coffee makers are the main feature of coffee shops. This also affects their appearance. Modern models are as elegant as possible and at the same time large. Not only to include all equipment, water boiler, portafilters, etc., but also to stand out from the overall interior. At the same time, home appliances are designed to fit into the kitchen, saving counter space and preventing unnecessary visual noise.

7. Power consumption and noise. When brewing coffee, professional equipment is very noisy. In addition, it consumes a lot of electricity. This is another proof that such equipment should not be used in everyday life.

The main difference is the price

We could go on and on about the differences between professional machines and home coffee machines. And still one of the most important is the price.

Professional coffee machines are much more expensive. Their cost, depending on the manufacturer, varies on average from 3,000 to 15,000 euros.

At the same time, the cost of budget coffee machines is 70 euros, the main-segment machines will cost 400 euros, which is at least significantly lower than the cost of professional equipment.

Of course, devices like these will help you prepare delicious coffee at home. To do this, it is enough to organize the process correctly, choose high quality coffee beans, grind them immediately before preparing coffee and use clean filtered or bottled water.

Will the taste of this coffee be different from what is offered in institutions? There are. And this is logical. After all, professional equipment takes care of what even the most expensive home coffee maker cannot do.

What causes the high cost of professional coffee machines?

The high cost of professional coffee equipment is primarily due to its functionality, as well as the high quality of coffee. A coffee machine for 15,000 euros is a good investment in the coffee industry, because it allows you to prepare the perfect drink with a good atmosphere, without losing the microelements contained in the coffee beans.

In addition, this method has voluminous bunkers, and the tanks can take more grains. Some commercial coffee makers are connected directly to the water supply to provide a constant supply of water for heavy use. This allows the barista to work faster. And guests get high-quality coffee, and most importantly, without unnecessary expectations.

Among other things, high-quality components and mechanisms are used for branded equipment. This makes automatic coffee machines more reliable. And building owners will be able to reduce breakdowns, repair costs and additional maintenance.

There is one more part – an image. Professional coffee equipment emphasizes the status of the establishment and can attract customers who are interested in the technical side of coffee brewing. And with superior product quality, premium equipment helps you stand out from your competitors.

Other coffee equipment without which it is impossible to imagine a coffee shop

Professional equipment, such as a cappuccino maker, often has additional functions. But despite this, there are often individual devices, as well as installed. First of all, these are coffee grinders. The cost of each of them, however, is also very high. On average, such a coffee grinder costs from 1200 euros. But this is also very reasonable.

First, the owners of establishments pay for the quality of the millstones that grind the coffee. After all, this is what affects the grind, the uniformity and, accordingly, the taste of the finished drink.

But, why do establishments use several of these coffee grinders? The truth is that each of the coffee grinders provides a different level of grinding. One can be set large, the other small. And so that you don’t have to constantly redesign the grinding, it is more profitable to buy several tools and fix them at once.

In general, it is about different ways of brewing coffee. For example, for espresso and all drinks based on it, a good grind is necessary to get a good and rich coffee in a short time. But for filter coffee that brews slowly, the grind should be coarse. If you grind the beans too fine, the coffee will taste hard, and some of the powder will end up in the cup after passing through the filter with water.

Which coffee machine should you choose for your home?

A professional coffee machine, for use by experts in restaurants, coffee shops and large companies. Buying such an expensive device for your home is completely unrealistic.

Compared to home models, this method is more difficult to use and requires special skills and can be inconvenient without barista experience. And in general, for home consumption you do not need the same functionality that professional coffee machines offer.

In addition, due to the high cost, it is not profitable to buy professional equipment for home consumption, so it is enough for yourself to buy a compact, quiet and energy-efficient coffee machine.

It is very common to choose affordable coffee machine options for home use, but it is not common for establishment owners to skimp on equipment. A high-quality machine is the foundation that provides guests with high-quality coffee.