Hi all,
My church is looking at options around setting up a basic cafe for after our services!
In short, funds are limited, and use will largely be restricted to one or two windows each week, and at a guess, might need to pump out around 25 to 30 coffees/hot chocolates (give or take) over a half hour period. There may not be massive time pressures to pump them out super quick (i.e. a 3 group monster going hammer and tong), but obviously a Sunbeam 6910 is going to be ill equipped on a number of levels.
So, the options main in my thinking, that I'd welcome input on, are:
Option 1 - Second hand 2 group commercial machine via well known auction/sales websites. Pro's: up to the task in terms of delivering high volume of coffees required. Con's: I realise this option is an absolute minefield and comes down to sheer luck terms of getting a good one, or getting an overworked, abused example. Verdict: if cheap and clean enough, and can view working, perhaps work the gamble...
Option 2 - a variation on option 1 is to find a supplier/technician who can supply a decommissioned/change over cafe unit recently taken of a cafe. I understand it may be possible to hit such a place up for a suitable machine and potentially have them give it a service/once over before handing it on to us. Pro's: more piece of mind than option 1 that we know the history of the machine, and have had it checked over and serviced prior to purchase. Con's: I'd imagine it might be difficult to source such a machine within budget, and ultimately it still carries some of the same risks as option 1. Verdict: appealing if the price is ok. Any recommendations on such companies in Melbourne (I think there's one or two I've noticed selling machines on ebay so I'll start there I guess!)
Option 3 - a smaller single group commercial/semi commercial hx machine. I've spotted a few machines like this where they make have had a limited time of service in a low volume commercial setting (bakery, etc) and/or seen more use in a domestic setting. In this case, lower volume of work and higher level of care might be assumed (i see this the 'pro'... but as always, buyer beware... do your homework etc etc). My biggest query ('con') is whether a semi commercial hx machine (say, for example, a La Cimba M30 single group) is capable of pumping out 30 coffees in as many minutes?
Now i understand there'll be people wanting to suggest dripolator, aeropresses, moka pots and what not. I understand the logic of these options, but ultimately the average consumer can justify spending $2.50 on a cappuccino, whereas a drip/aeropress coffee etc would be a hard sell... therefore these types of options have been considered and ruled out... heck, we even have a fair bit of consideration to a bank of pod machines! :-D
Anyway, any experiences, added thoughts I may not have considered, or other advice on the options I've outlined would be appreciated!
Cheers,
Damien
My church is looking at options around setting up a basic cafe for after our services!
In short, funds are limited, and use will largely be restricted to one or two windows each week, and at a guess, might need to pump out around 25 to 30 coffees/hot chocolates (give or take) over a half hour period. There may not be massive time pressures to pump them out super quick (i.e. a 3 group monster going hammer and tong), but obviously a Sunbeam 6910 is going to be ill equipped on a number of levels.
So, the options main in my thinking, that I'd welcome input on, are:
Option 1 - Second hand 2 group commercial machine via well known auction/sales websites. Pro's: up to the task in terms of delivering high volume of coffees required. Con's: I realise this option is an absolute minefield and comes down to sheer luck terms of getting a good one, or getting an overworked, abused example. Verdict: if cheap and clean enough, and can view working, perhaps work the gamble...
Option 2 - a variation on option 1 is to find a supplier/technician who can supply a decommissioned/change over cafe unit recently taken of a cafe. I understand it may be possible to hit such a place up for a suitable machine and potentially have them give it a service/once over before handing it on to us. Pro's: more piece of mind than option 1 that we know the history of the machine, and have had it checked over and serviced prior to purchase. Con's: I'd imagine it might be difficult to source such a machine within budget, and ultimately it still carries some of the same risks as option 1. Verdict: appealing if the price is ok. Any recommendations on such companies in Melbourne (I think there's one or two I've noticed selling machines on ebay so I'll start there I guess!)
Option 3 - a smaller single group commercial/semi commercial hx machine. I've spotted a few machines like this where they make have had a limited time of service in a low volume commercial setting (bakery, etc) and/or seen more use in a domestic setting. In this case, lower volume of work and higher level of care might be assumed (i see this the 'pro'... but as always, buyer beware... do your homework etc etc). My biggest query ('con') is whether a semi commercial hx machine (say, for example, a La Cimba M30 single group) is capable of pumping out 30 coffees in as many minutes?
Now i understand there'll be people wanting to suggest dripolator, aeropresses, moka pots and what not. I understand the logic of these options, but ultimately the average consumer can justify spending $2.50 on a cappuccino, whereas a drip/aeropress coffee etc would be a hard sell... therefore these types of options have been considered and ruled out... heck, we even have a fair bit of consideration to a bank of pod machines! :-D
Anyway, any experiences, added thoughts I may not have considered, or other advice on the options I've outlined would be appreciated!
Cheers,
Damien


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