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  • 1 or 2 group for office

    Hi All.
    Been a while since Ive been here. After some advice. Our current coffee machine at work (1 group LaPavoni, with a seperate L Pavoni grinder, both coming on 10+ years old) is about to be returned to its original owner. It has served us well in an office of about 50 people. It gets a floggin throughout the day probably achieving 70+ cups a day. In the morning we have a small but very tolerable que of people waiting to use the machine (probably no more than 5 minute wait) So my question is.. Do you think I should spend more on a better 1 group machine or the same sort of money a lesser specd 2 group? as far as budget goes, not quite sure exactly yet, but assume between 3-5k (but still working on final numbers). the machine could be plumbed in, we have a 15amp single phase circuit available for the machine as well.
    Any advice would be great.
    Is second hand risky to go for heavy office use? is 70+ cups a day heavy use?
    Thanks in advance

  • #2
    Re: 1 or 2 group for office

    i have a Q, do you think 2 people will make coffees at once?
    is there space to be able to do this?

    what happens now in the process? eg does a 2nd person make there shot while waiting for the steamer? or does one make the coffee while one steams?


    if you bought a 2 grp compact it might not help you at all as two may not be able to stand at it etc
    you might need a machine with dual steam wands as well to?

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: 1 or 2 group for office

      I agree with that. You really need one person at a compact 2 group who knows the machine very well and can work two groups because it might be a hassle with 2 seperate people doing that.

      Cheers

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: 1 or 2 group for office

        5min is not a long time to wait for a decent cup, especially compared to leaving work and waiting in line at a cafe to get one.

        As already mentioned, 2 groups doesnt necessarily allow for 2 people to use simultaneously.

        Also keep in mind costs of plumbing, filtration, installation and, if youre planning on it, a new grinder.

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        • #5
          Re: 1 or 2 group for office

          at the moment, yes sometimes someone will be steaming whilst someone loads and pulls a shot. If it was 2 group, then we would really need 2 steam wands, haveing a hot water outlet is not essential at all, that why we have a kettle! It seem most 2 groups that I see have the heads close together with the hot water outlet taking up a third of the room, which to be honest I dont get the design philosophy behind that.
          I would actually prefer to spend money on a better 1 group but just opening up the debate. Of course my next question would be what make/model will take this punishment.

          Thanks

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: 1 or 2 group for office

            it crossed my mind that a good single grp machine with a good layout of the bench would be just as fast as a 2 grp maybe with 2-3 grp handles. Then person 2 can start to dose and tamp a bit early?

            that said but you can often buy 2nd hand 2grp cheaper than a single........ (if you go 2nd hand) so there might be no cost benefit in a 1grp.

            How many of us here at CS would hog the machine and make coffee for everyone in the que ;D just for the practice 8-)

            Leeham

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            • #7
              Re: 1 or 2 group for office

              70 cups a day for a commercial single group is not heavy use, 2 groups are only an advantage when you have the capabilities of using them. Having said that the price increase for a standard 2 group is not dramatic 1-1500 and the extra steaming capacity is a big stepup and you would probably take advantage of the extra group over time as you got used to it. OMaras would have appropriate machines from time to time if you are in Sydney.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: 1 or 2 group for office

                Originally posted by 3A363F32323B570 link=1265510520/5#5 date=1265513276
                it crossed my mind that a good single grp machine with a good layout of the bench would be just as fast as a 2 grp maybe with 2-3 grp handles. Then person 2 can start to dose and tamp a bit early?
                hey leeham
                i have to disagree there....on a 2 or 3 group, if youre a fast and good barista, then you can be pulling 3 shots at the one time, or at least have two shots going at once.
                plus youll tend to have more steam reserve with a larger boiler from a larger machine...

                aaron

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: 1 or 2 group for office

                  Originally posted by 524F4B4E4545200 link=1265510520/7#7 date=1265538242
                  Originally posted by 3A363F32323B570 link=1265510520/5#5 date=1265513276
                  it crossed my mind that a good single grp machine with a good layout of the bench would be just as fast as a 2 grp maybe with 2-3 grp handles. Then person 2 can start to dose and tamp a bit early?
                  hey leeham
                  i have to disagree there....on a 2 or 3 group, if youre a fast and good barista, then you can be pulling 3 shots at the one time, or at least have two shots going at once.
                  plus youll tend to have more steam reserve with a larger boiler from a larger machine...

                  aaron
                  not sure we are discussing "good baristas"  in this topic......
                  but for sure your right in most commercial situations, but i want the barista pulling MY SHOT ONLY when i order please thanks lol

                  Leeham

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: 1 or 2 group for office

                    Hello vfxmorley.

                    If people are liining up to make their own coffee in an office then 1 group is sufficient. Its about managing the staff in using the machine, for example we have a 1 group machine for staff use and my rule is if you want a cuppa first thing, you come in early and make it before start time ie....no groups, no lines, no "parties" around the machine during work time.

                    Having multiple groups on a machine is about 1 person managing / using them at the same time, rather than having a couple of people using the 2 groups at the same time.

                    Very often people presevere with old or obsolete used equipment that is not a pleasure to use and may not be producing good coffee. Its a work situation, efficiency and ease of use are important just as ablity to produce a first rate cuppa is. I am sure your boss doesnt want people hanging around the machine for too long.

                    Therefore suggest you purchase a nice NEW 1 group commercial machine.

                    We import and sell them, and if you are interested please do give me a call off line.

                    Lets say you buy something around the $3500.00 to $4000.00 mark.

                    At $3.50 per cup (if you had gone down the local) the machine has "paid for itself" (depending on which way you look at it) after it has produced berween 1000 & 1150 coffees.

                    At 70 a day, 5 days a week that occurs after around 3 weeks use., and it has kept the staff at work instead of having them wonder off site.

                    And the coffee should be a lot better.

                    Win / win for both employees and the boss!

                    Regardz,
                    Attilio
                    very first CS site sponsor.


                    Comment

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