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  • Help: Advice on coffee machine for the office

    Hello all!

    New to the forums, but have to say - brilliant site

    Alas, I must confess - Im not exactly a coffee connoisseur, and usually just drink your standard Nescafe Blend XX with a touch of milk. But looking to change my ways with your help

    I’ve got no idea with coffee machines unfortunately, so I’m pretty much open to all suggestions. I’m looking to buy a machine for the office. So here she goes:

    Requirements:
    - A coffee machine for the office.
    - Simple and easy to use
    - Easy to clean
    - Reliable
    - Preferably not a huge machine
    - If possible, bigger capacity (to save constantly having to refill etc.)

    Users
    - Staff of 10 (plus a client here and there)
    - On average, we’re looking at approx 20 cups (2 p.p) a day

    Budget
    - $1500~2500. I can push $3000, if there is a ‘must have machine’
    - Will purchase outright (unless advised otherwise).

    What we’re drinking
    - Mainly white coffee (although I’m sure that will change with a fancy new machine)

    Before I found this site, I was looking at a few brand name machines - Delonghi Primadonna & Magnifica, Saeco Royal Professional & Talea Touch > reading the Choice review and both the Magnifica & Saeco Talea are on the recommended list. My main worry is, while for consumer usage – might be fine, how would they fair in an office environment, where the machine would have to cough up at least 100 cups of coffee a week).

    Many thanks in advance!

  • #2
    Re: Help: Advice on coffee machine for the office

    Welcome to Coffee Snobs apricot.

    Firstly, Choice doesnt hold much weight around here.

    Secondly, your worry about a consumer machine coping in an office environment is valid.

    Originally posted by 3627253E343823570 link=1232519966/0#0 date=1232519966
    Requirements:
    - A coffee machine for the office.
    - Simple and easy to use
    - Easy to clean
    - Reliable
    - Preferably not a huge machine
    - If possible, bigger capacity (to save constantly having to refill etc.)
    If only going by your stated requirements, I could answer Sunbeam 6910. At less than $600 youd have plenty of budget left for a good grinder (back to the grinder later).
    However, Ive seen a Sunbeam in use at the office and 20 cups a day really pushes it beyond what it was built to take and after 12 months it was in for a major repair and Sunbeam consider office use as "commercial" which only has a 3 month warranty not 12 months as for domestic use.

    To get the best coffee you need freshly roasted coffee, not anything from a supermarket.
    If you cant see a "Roasted On" date look elsewhere.
    Once youve obtained fresh beans you can only get the best out of them with a good grinder (read about $350 and up).

    I suggest sending an email to the site sponsors with your requirements and talk to them about what suits your needs and environment best.

    They are all very nice and professional and give great service.

    Your requirements etc. as stated above are a great start but you might also want to consider whos going to clean the equipment.
    Regular cleaning and maintenance will keep your investment in good order and continue to provide excellent coffee.
    A dirty machine produces undrinkable swill.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Help: Advice on coffee machine for the office

      HI Apricot, if you are going the fully auto path all the research I have read points to a Jura, forget about Delonghi and Saeco they just wont cut the mustard for the amount of coffees you are looking at per week.
      As TG said freshly roasted beans are essential for a good espresso, dont go for stale big brand c......p, find a specialty roaster with a roasted date on packet.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Help: Advice on coffee machine for the office

        Originally posted by 5468756E646572676F64000 link=1232519966/1#1 date=1232521069
        Welcome to Coffee Snobs apricot.
        Cheers!

        Firstly, Choice doesnt hold much weight around here.
        lol. Doesn’t surprise me I’m more of a geek than a coffee lover, so my area of expertise is in the IT field. Some of the ‘recommendations’ from Choice are questionable to say the least.

        Secondly, your worry about a consumer machine coping in an office environment is valid.
        Hence, why I’ve asked you experts. I think most of you guys will agree that they don’t make goods (especially electrical/automatic) like they used to. Go back to the 70’s and 80’s… buying an iron or a fridge or a telly – these things were meant to last at least 10 years or so. Nowadays, most electrical items (and I assume coffee machines are in the same boat) are almost like disposable items. Use for 2~3 years and then you have to replace with a newer model.  
        I’m especially worried about coffee machines, as they look quite fancy (seems to me that the more bells and whistles they stick on something, the more likely it will break down). Bar the industrial grade machines they use at coffee shops (which are very pricey and also seem to be manual(?)), or coffee vending machines (which I was looking at as well) – there doesn’t seem to be a ‘middle market’ for these type of auto machines. It’s either high grade consumer models, or middle grade industrial (which start off at 5k) that’s too expensive for me.

        I’ve been doing some more homework, and I’m also considering getting a machine on a rental/maintenance agreement as well. Let’s say $30~40 a year that covers the machine fully. All I need pay is the rental/maintenance fee + consumables. Anyone heard of similar type plans and thoughts?

        Also – What do you guys think of those capsule machines?

        To get the best coffee you need freshly roasted coffee, not anything from a supermarket.
        If you cant see a "Roasted On" date look elsewhere.
        Once youve obtained fresh beans you can only get the best out of them with a good grinder (read about $350 and up).
        I’ve got to say – at this point of time, the quality of coffee comes in second to the quality (and convenience) of the machine. I know it sounds like blasphemy to some, but please remember – we’re coffee Neanderthals here!

        Case in point – currently sitting on our coffee bench:
        - jar of Nescafe Blend 43
        - jar of Nescafe Decaf
        - jar of CoffeeMate
        - 2 x jars of raw and white sugar

        I can hear the murmurs of ‘how can they drink that swill?!?’ and ‘disgusting’ already


        I suggest sending an email to the site sponsors with your requirements and talk to them about what suits your needs and environment best.
        Thanks for the tip – although there are a fair few sponsors there. Who should I ask?

        Your requirements etc. as stated above are a great start but you might also want to consider whos going to clean the equipment.
        No problems with cleaning and maintaining the equipment. I’ve got 2 workers who have volunteered to do the job

        Originally posted by 677265656E6D616E000 link=1232519966/2#2 date=1232524597
        HI Apricot, if you are going the fully auto path all the research I have read points to a Jura, forget about Delonghi and Saeco they just wont cut the mustard for the amount of coffees you are looking at per week.
        Jura? I’ve seen that name, but haven’t investigated. Thanks for the tip and will have a look into it.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Help: Advice on coffee machine for the office

          Thanks for the tip – although there are a fair few sponsors there. Who should I ask?
          Use the email address on the last tab (contact all site sponsors at once)
          However you will need to enter is manually (stops spammers)
          This in turn will be received by all sponsors and the ones that can help will reply to you in due course

          KK

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Help: Advice on coffee machine for the office

            Originally posted by 01101209030F14600 link=1232519966/3#3 date=1232576369
            I’ve been doing some more homework, and I’m also considering getting a machine on a rental/maintenance agreement as well. Let’s say $30~40 a year that covers the machine fully. All I need pay is the rental/maintenance fee + consumables. Anyone heard of similar type plans and thoughts?

            Also – What do you guys think of those capsule machines?  
            All those agreements cost you more than you need to pay.
            They build in profit to every component.
            The coffee purchases alone usually cover the cost of the machine, maintenance, delivery mans time, plus profit.
            They write them so they cant lose and you pay through the nose.
            If you redo the math and see how much you are really paying over say 12 months, as opposed to the weekly figures or cost per coffee capsule, you should see what I mean.

            Speaking of capsules, refer to my previous comment regarding freshness (they dont contain fresh coffee).

            Now as for quality, Im in IT too; Im a QA Auditor.
            I hear that same old argument all the time and its still rubbish whether you are talking IT or coffee.

            Scrimping on $$$ up front is false economy.

            Example:
            I always tell people to spend a litle more on a new PC than that think they can afford.
            The reason being something like this...
            The first year youll grow into your machine; learn all about the new features and how to get the most out of it.
            The second year youll be humming along nicely not even thinking about the PC.
            Year three youll start to outgrow the PC; it will start to seem slow and get progressively more so as the world evolves and technology speeds ahead.
            Time to think about upgrading again.

            Now if you had scrimped on the $$$ for the PC, that three year period would be shortened considerably.
            Year one would probably disappear entirely and youd be left with 2 years at best and maybe a frustrating one year at worst, where hopefully you berate yourself for not listening to Thundergod in the first place.

            You have to spend money to save money.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Help: Advice on coffee machine for the office

              Originally posted by 0B2F262625251F0B2F332D2F400 link=1232519966/4#4 date=1232579480

              Use the email address on the last tab (contact all site sponsors at once)
              However you will need to enter is manually (stops spammers)
              This in turn will be received by all sponsors and the ones that can help will reply to you in due course  

              KK
              Cheers for that. Ill send out an email now (btw - is it ok to redirect them to this thread?)

              [QUOTE=1428352E242532272F24400 link=1232519966/5#5 date=1232582212]

              They write them so they cant lose and you pay through the nose.
              If you redo the math and see how much you are really paying over say 12 months, as opposed to the weekly figures or cost per coffee capsule, you should see what I mean.
              Probably right. I suppose unlike my copier & plotter machines, it’s a fairly small market with little or no competition. Scrap the maintenance/rental idea then.

              Speaking of capsules, refer to my previous comment regarding freshness (they dont contain fresh coffee).
              Lol. And see my argument about being Neanderthal coffee drinkers
              #1 priority for me atm is grabbing a reliable & easy to use machine (although getting the two to go hand in hand may be a problem). #2 is taste.

              Scrimping on $$$ up front is false economy.
              That’s true. But you also have to work within your budget.
              I don’t mind paying $1500~2500 up front, but I’m worried about all the things I mentioned in my first post. In saying that, definitely cant afford any thing in the realm of $4~5k. While it would be a nice luxury to have, unfortunately not affordable for me.

              You have to spend money to save money.
              Actually, I tend to take a different approach and try to tailor a PC to the user, rather than the other way round.
              In most cases, I find that people that come to me for PC advise – come with a budget and then want an ‘all round’ system that’s future proof. No dramas there. We all want best bang for buck. Unfortunately, ‘future proofing’ is a silly word used by us ‘tech heads’ and is a pointless exercise My philosophy is, just buy the components most suitable for your needs. Why buy an expensive quad core, if you’re only browsing the net and using office. Why the need for 500gb storage, if you aren’t using your PC for media purposes.

              In most cases, I find 80% can save a fair bit of dosh by eliminating components they don’t need. Unless you’re a gamer, you can usually pick up a fairly good system for a decent price. I tend to advise people to get better than average peripherals. Drop the CPU notch a bit, and get a bigger LCD or rechargeable mouse.

              Obviously, for professionals and businesses, it’s a different kettle of fish.

              Lol… I’m ranting already. Apologies for going off course

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Help: Advice on coffee machine for the office

                Apricot,

                I went down a similar path for my workplace about two years ago and ended up with a HX machine and grinder from one of our site sponsors. I was a little concerned about whether people would be able to use it, but a short time after buying it people were using it regularly.

                Ive made one modification to the machine, which is a small strip of paper with a little message - If you are incapable of emptying your coffee grounds or wiping down the steam wand after using it, please feel free to buy a coffee downstairs. Seems to work just fine.

                Grant

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Help: Advice on coffee machine for the office

                  Originally posted by 72667D7A73714B70637178787166140 link=1232519966/7#7 date=1232598756
                  If you are incapable of emptying your coffee grounds or wiping down the steam wand after using it, please feel free to buy a coffee downstairs.
                  Grant may I copy and use that when I get back to work?

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Help: Advice on coffee machine for the office

                    For this brief, Id be suggesting something like a volumetric touchpad HX machine such as (in order of $$$-$$$$):
                    [*]Expobar Office FA[*]Diadema Junior Elettronica[*]VBM DOmobar Super Electronic

                    with a timed grinder such as:
                    [*]Compak K3 Touch[*]Macap M4D[*]Mazzer mini-e

                    These options cover a price range of not too much over $2.5k to $4ish k and will not be too daunting for any staff member but will allow those who are coffee crazy to get brilliant results.

                    Any combination of machine and grinder will produce dramatically better coffee than any Superauto or pod machine...

                    Happy to assist with further info if required

                    Chris

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Help: Advice on coffee machine for the office

                      Originally posted by 6955485359584F5A52593D0 link=1232519966/8#8 date=1232600293
                      Grant may I copy and use that when I get back to work?
                      By all means Maybe I should trademark it...

                      Grant

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Help: Advice on coffee machine for the office

                        Another option: if you have 2 people prepared to do the maintenance, send them (or one of them) on a proper coffee making course, then they can show you all how to make coffee with a good quality manual machine and grinder.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Help: Advice on coffee machine for the office

                          Originally posted by 5E5C41485A415B5C404B5D41422E0 link=1232519966/11#11 date=1232692483
                          if you have 2 people prepared to do the maintenance, send them (or one of them) on a proper coffee making course, then they can show you all how to make coffee with a good quality manual machine and grinder.
                          This is a must if you are looking at a PROPER machine and grinder setup. It really depends how interested the workers are, firstly in coffee and secondly about cleaning the machine.

                          I have to disagree with greenman about a Saeco. The Royal Cappuccino is ideal for an office environment - forget about the other Saeco machines, they are too new for my liking and too similar to the Incantos or as I called it Incatossitoutafter3months.

                          You need a realistic office solution that is not an instant solution - as it where. Time spent trying to perfect coffee pours and steaming milk (there are probably some OH&s things to consider too) from staff will end up possibly frustrating some and they may go back to instant anyway.

                          This is coming from my experience in offering these types of machines and advice for many years.

                          I am sure there is a site sponsor who can offer one of these machines.

                          James Carter

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Help: Advice on coffee machine for the office

                            Originally posted by 7549544F454453464E45210 link=1232519966/8#8 date=1232600293
                            Originally posted by 72667D7A73714B70637178787166140 link=1232519966/7#7 date=1232598756
                            If you are incapable of emptying your coffee grounds or wiping down the steam wand after using it, please feel free to buy a coffee downstairs.
                            Grant may I copy and use that when I get back to work?
                            TG here is another one to try as it has been successful for me

                            COME ON NOW
                            LET’S BE FAIR
                            IT IS TIME TO DO YOUR SHARE
                            IF YOU WANT TO STAY AS MATES
                            Add your phrase e.g Please wash up and put away your cups & plates
                            :P
                            KK

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Help: Advice on coffee machine for the office

                              I found your query relevant as I work in an office of 30 people, 25 of whom drink Instant coffee and are quite happy with it. I and a few other would-be coffee snobs have been using Plungers & Dripolators with reasonably fresh pre-ground coffee that one of the staff gets from Sexy Coffee in Maryborough. The Social Club recently put in a Lavazza Blue pod machine (machine free- you buy the pods at $1. each)
                              I tried this but unfortunately I am too spoiled and would rather have Dripolated and plunger coffee if I cant have a real cup.
                              I have been observing the Lavazza Blue experiment with interest as I am intrigued to know whether the Instant drinkers will be won over to the pods. 3 weeks down the track it seems that there have been several converts but about half find the Instant cheaper, easier and just as satisfactory. We decided against a proper Espresso machine as our judgement was that most people are just not that fussy about their coffee (most are milk drinkers) and all the work involved in monitoring/supervising the running of the process would fall to a couple of people. I would try to convert most of the staff to better coffee before spending a few grand on a machine. A dripolator is a good way to start. I will follow your voyage with interest. Good Luck.

                              Comment

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