Beverage equipment: what to look for
While few catering products offer a greater profit margin than beverages, it's easy to get production and service wrong. The choice of system requires a careful balance between menu choice, perceived drink quality, production speed and service format - table service, self-service, counter service - relative to available staff skills.
Pour-and-serve - Available for under þ200 (and often provided free on loan by beverage suppliers), countertop pour-and-serve sets provide a compact way of making fresh filter-brewed coffee in 2-3 pint glass or steel jugs. They also make it feasible to offer a menu of different coffee origins (and also tea). Hotplates (integral or separate) hold the brewed coffee for up to an hour or so (after which it soon "stews").
Alternatives to pour-and-serve - Percolators also continue to find applications e.g. in outside catering and have the advantage of not needing constant filter changes. Once the coffee is fully brewed, the percolator stops automatically, storing coffee at the correct serving temperature by means of a low heat element. TSE supply a range of commercial percolators in the Argo range.
Another alternative to the pour-and-serve is the Cona vacuum brewer, comprising two interconnecting glass bowls with a heater base. Infusion at the correct temperature without boiling or over-extraction is automatic. Capacities range from 1 to 2 pints with prices from £70 to £100. There are also modern versions of the traditional samovar; WMF make an electrically heated 3 litre vessel with tap.
Individual service - Cafetieres or plunger pots work in conjunction with boilers to enable ground coffee (or leaf tea) to be served direct to the diner while still brewing. Sizes range from 1-2 cup to 10-12 cup and options now include heatproof glass, polycarbonate or coloured stoneware. Unit price is modest (£4-35) but wash-up and replacement costs need to be taken into account.
Coffee bags avoid mis-portioning errors with ground coffee and also suit simplified systems using insulated urns e.g. in outside catering and banqueting.
Vacuum jugs - For functions, meetings and events, double-walled vacuum flasks, jugs and pressure pots in plastic or steel enable beverages, hot or chilled, to be held at correct serving temperature for several hours. Matching vessels hold milk. An extensive choice of sizes, colours and styles are available from þ10-30 from Elia International, Zojirushi and Thermos.
Water boilers - Continuous tea production is possible with an adequately sized water boiler, which can also be useful for dealing with other drinks to order such as decaffeinated coffee, soups, single cup filter products and cafetieres. When considering applications involving high volumes at peak periods, it is important to establish the rate of continuous hot water output available. Expansion boilers, available in a wide range of outputs from popular counter-top "Hot Tap" units upwards with water fed through a heater in an expansion chamber.
Latest electronically controlled beverage brewers offer easily programmable ingredient throw, brew time and water volume to suit the application and customers' strength requirements. Other useful features include indicators which automatically warn when the integral waste container needs emptying, initiate self-cleaning, etc.
Bulk boilers and urns - Where a large number of drinks is needed within a short time, such as at a function, it may be best to use a bulk boiler to heat up and keep the required batch of water on tap, or else make and hold the drink in a thermostatically controlled urn.
Pressure boilers - These comprise a pressure vessel - normally housed separately under the counter - which heats and holds the water at pressures up to 7 psi for rapid tea production. Main snag is the need to have annual inspection and certification by an engineer to meet insurance needs.
Soluble ingredient brewers - Machines which mix hot water with single cup quantities of coffee, chocolate, tea and whiteners in soluble form (powder or liquid) cannot match the finished drink quality of machines handling fresh-ground coffee or leaf tea but they score on speed of service and cost. Thanks to the small internal storage space needed to hold soluble ingredient canisters, machines are also very compact and can handle a wide range of drink variations and combinations, notably the popular frothy-top styles of coffee. Machines also in many cases suit self-service applications, coin-operated if required.
Bean-to-cup espresso brewers - Boosted in importance by the espresso coffee boom over the past 5 years, bean-to-cup machines grind a measured amount of beans and feed it to a dispense section where the drink is converted to fresh, strong coffee under pressure. The "cake" of spent coffee is then automatically passed to a disposal bin.
Addition of frothed fresh milk to produce cappuccino can also be an automatic process through an internal system (as on Black and White machines) or a fitment to the steam outlet. Machines can also provide a hot water outlet for decaff or tea in modest quantities.
Many of the latest bean-to-cup machines bristle with automatic features such automatic self-cleaning cycles which come into action at the end of shifts. Hobart's Viva series has programming which enables machines to be switched on and off at predetermined times, with coffee brew volumes varied to match changes in demand during the day.
Traditional espresso - Despite the spread of deskilled coffee-making methods, traditional espresso makers still have an edge at outlets seeking Continental authenticity and panache. These pump hot water under pressure through fresh ground coffee (usually from an adjacent grinder)in a steel filter cup which is slotted into "groups". Operation of the water output is by manual lever, push-button or automatic dosage control. Most machines also have hot water and steam outlets for frothing milk.
One conspicuous problem with espresso making is the care and skill needed by staff to ensure that customers get a well-made drink with adequate strength, aroma and body. One approach introduced this year by Bezzera is to supply coffee in permeable plastic pots which fit into the group holders of traditional espresso coffee brewers.
Accessories - Successful beverage service depends heavily on well-thought-out systems involving location of equipment, ergonomics, staff training and the right ancillary equipment such as milk dispensers and cup carousels.
Beverage carts - Demand for "on the move" provision of hot beverages in such applications as shopping malls, leisure centres and stations has encouraged a growing choice of beverage carts available on sale or rental terms, in some cases tied to branded ingredient supply. As well espresso brewers, carts incorporate water tank, hand-washing sink and storage for ingredients and disposables.
Cold drink dispense - Much of the equipment used for serving cold drinks is loaned or rented on a service-inclusive basis by ingredient suppliers relative to notional weekly sales. Dispensers for milk, flavoured milk, squash and speciality drinks such as slush or granita still drinks normally take the form of chilled reservoirs (typically 10 litre capacity and made of clear acrylic)with liquid kept mixed by paddle or fountain-type spray and a tap or cup-push lever to control dispensing.
For service of carbonated drinks and other concentrate-based drinks in large volumes, post-mix dispensers are outwardly similar but are plumbed-in, with dilution carried out automatically in a secondary tank. High volume outlets may warrant draught dispense systems using under-counter bag-in-box containers and counter-top taps. Automatic juicers which convert whole oranges into fresh, premium-price juice have become available in a growing range of options, including coin-operated.
Milk shake dispensers machines work on similar lines to soft-serve ice cream machines and likewise are mostly self-standing, with a floor requirement of 500 x 500 mm. The shake mix (made up from liquid or powders) is kept chilled and constantly stirred in a stainless steel tank, with pump action dispense similar to ice cream.
WHAT TO BUY
Pour-and-serve coffee makers (including two jugs)
Autobar Bev Systems
Series: Gourmet UA100
Power: 3kw
Jug size: 2x3pint
List price from: 250
Bravilor
Series: Mondo 2
Power: 2.17kW
Jug size: 1.7ltr
List price from: 249
Bravilor
Series: Novo
Power: 2.24kW
Jug size: 1.7ltr
List price from: 189
Bravilor
Series: TH10
Power: 2.01kW
Jug size: 2.2ltr
List price from: 230
Bravilor
Series: Matic 2
Power: 2.17kW
Jug size: 1.7ltr
List price from: 329
Douwe Egberts
Series: New model
List price from: TBA
First Choice Coffee
Series: Bloomfield
Power: 3amp
Jug size: 1.9ltr
Price list from: 160
Instanta
Series: C100M
Power: 2.6kW
Jug size: 1.8ltr
Price list from: 259
Lincat
Series: LCM2
Power: 2.5kW
Jug size: 1.8ltr
Price list from: 315
Melitta
Series: 171M
Power: 13amp
Jug size: 1.8ltr
Price list from: 150
Matthew Algie
Series: Vacuum Brewer
Power: 240V
Jug size: 1.42ltr
Price list from: Loan
Countertop water boilers
Electrically heated non-pressure boiler for beverage-making.
Bravilor
Series: HW10
Power kw: 2.08
Max output (ltrs/hour): 18
List price from: 278
Bravilor
Series: HWA20
Power kw: 2.1
Max output (ltrs/hour): 18
List price from: 365
Bravilor
Series: HWD30
Power kw: 3
Max output (ltrs/hour): 25
List price from: 819
Cafe Du Monde
Series: Manual/plumbed
Power kw: 2.4
Max output (ltrs/hour): 20
List price from: Loan
Calomax
Series: Cascade
Power kw: 3
Max output (ltrs/hour): 30
List price from: 349
Calomax
Series: Clipper 5L(wall)
Power kw: 3
Max output (ltrs/hour): 25
List price from: 448
Calomax
Series: Kudos
Power kw: 3
Max output (ltrs/hour): 40
List price from: 480
Calomax
Series: Kudos-6
Power kw: 6
Max output (ltrs/hour): 78
List price from: 660
Calomax
Series: Kudos-9
Power kw: 9
Max output (ltrs/hour): 109
List price from: 715
Douwe Egberts
Series: Cafitesse 110
Power kw: 13amp
Max output (ltrs/hour): 275cups
List price from: 1500
Douwe Egberts
Series: Cafitesse 400
Power kw: 3,6,9kW
Max output (ltrs/hour): 700cups
List price from: 2596
Hobart
Series: 50E
Power kw: 3
Max output (ltrs/hour): 28
List price from: 1462
Hobart
Series: 100E
Power kw: 6
Max output (ltrs/hour): 56
List price from: 1741
Hobart
Series: 150E
Power kw: 9
Max output (ltrs/hour): 84
List price from: 1880
Hobart
Series: 200G
Power kw: 42,500BTU
Max output (ltrs/hour): 112
List price from: 1612
Hobart
Series: HTS2
Power kw: 3
Max output (ltrs/hour): 36
List price from: 593
Hobart
Series: HTS3
Power kw: 3
Max output (ltrs/hour): 39
List price from: 672
Hobart
Series: HTS4
Power kw: 6
Max output (ltrs/hour): 72
List price from: 860
Instanta
Series: 1500
Power kw: 3
Max output (ltrs/hour): 27
List price from: 335
Instanta
Series: 2000
Power kw: 3
Max output (ltrs/hour): 28
List price from: 490
Lincat
Series: EB3(auto-fill)
Power kw: 3
Max output (ltrs/hour): 34.5
List price from: 341
Lincat
Series: EB4(auto-fill)
Power kw: 4.5
Max output (ltrs/hour): 39
List price from: 404
Lincat
Series: EB6(auto-fill)
Power kw: 6
Max output (ltrs/hour): 50
List price from: 440
Lincat
Series: LWB2(manual)
Power kw: 3
Max output (ltrs/hour): 9
List price from: 138
Lincat
Series: LWB4(manual)
Power kw: 3
Max output (ltrs/hour): 18
List price from: 149
Lincat
Series: LWB6(manual)
Power kw: 3
Max output (ltrs/hour): 27
List price from: 161
Marco
Series: Aquarius
Power kw: 3
Max output (ltrs/hour): 26
List price from: 344
Matthew Algie
Series: Twin Urn
Power kw: 30amp/1ph
Max output (ltrs/hour): 350
List price from: Rental
Parry Catering
Series: 1879
Power kw: 3
Max output (ltrs/hour): 25
List price from: 325
Parry Catering
Series: 1979
Power kw: 6
Max output (ltrs/hour): 50
List price from: 415
TSE
Series: 10 litre
Power kw: 3
Max output (ltrs/hour): 25
List price from: 120
Viscount/Jackson
Series: JJ3
Power kw: 2.8
Max output (ltrs/hour): 21.5
List price from: 299
Espresso machines bean-to-cup
A selection of espresso brewers with integral bean grinders and fully automatic operation for push-button production of fresh-brewed coffee.
Autobar Beverage Systems
Model: Carimali FIID
Max output (cups/hour/cup size): 180/6oz
Steam wand? yes
List price from: 2600
Autobar Beverage Systems
Model: Carimali F21D
Max output (cups/hour/cup size): 180/6oz
Steam wand? yes
List price from: 3500
Buttress/Bezzera
Model: BZ99
Max output (cups/hour/cup size): Espressopot/7g
Steam wand? -
List price from: 770
Douwe Egberts
Model: Vitesse 42
Max output (cups/hour/cup size): 300/50ml
Steam wand? yes
List price from: 7242
CMC/Simonelli
Model: Auto-Froth
Max output (cups/hour/cup size): 120/7-12oz
Steam wand? yes
List price from: 3350
Cafe Du Monde
Model: Mon Ami 80
Max output (cups/hour/cup size): 120/7oz
Steam wand? yes
List price: 3950 (or rent)
Douwe Egberts
Model: Vitesse 42
Max output (cups/hour/cup size): 300/50ml
Steam wand? yes
List price from: 7242
Douwe Egberts
Moel: Arco
Max output (cups/hour/cup size): 220/50ml
Steam wand? yes
List price from: 5626
Douwe Egberts
Model: Opal 50
Max output (cups/hour/cup size): 50/day
Steam wand? yes
List price: 899
Euro/Nuova Simonelli
Model: MAMD
Max output (cups/hour/cup size): 180
Steam wand? yes
List price from: 4450
First Choice Coffee
Model: Black & White / Barbini
Max output (cups/hour/cup size): 200 / 80
Steam wand? opt
List price from: 5700 / 3900
R.H. Hall / Maestrowave
Model: Siemens
Max output (cups/hour/cup size): 60
Steam wand? yes
List price from: 699
Hobart
Model: Viva
Max output (cups/hour/cup size): 240-400/5oz
Steam wand? yes+frother
List price from: 10,021
Matthew Algie
Model: 550
Max output (cups/hour/cup size): 150/8oz
Steam wand? yes
List price from: Rental
Melitta
Model: C5
Max output (cups/hour/cup size): 200/125ml
Steam wand? yes
List price from: 6500
Taylor Company
Model: X90
Max output (cups/hour/cup size): 50cups
Steam wand? auto foamer
List price from: 1800
Taylor Company
Model: Eclipse M
Max output (cups/hour/cup size): 100cups
Steam wand? yes
List price from: 3550
Taylor Co/Horizon
Model: Classic
Max output (cups/hour/cup size): 150cups
Steam wand? yes
List price from: 4550
WMF
Model: Bistro 8204
Max output (cups/hour/cup size): 300cups
Steam wand? yes
List price from: 7400
Espresso machines - traditional
A selection of machines with 2 groups for traditional espresso brewing, plus automatic dosage control and steam wand.
Aberna/La Pavoni
Model: BarTV2(20amp)
Max output (cups/hour/cup size): 120/std
List price from: 1799
Aberna/La Pavoni
Model: PubTV2(13amp)
Max output (cups/hour/cup size): 60/std
List price from: 1649
Autobar Bev/Carimali
Model: Gamma e2
Max output (cups/hour/cup size): 240/6oz
List price from: 2100+grinder
Buttress/Bezzera
Model: Bistro
Max output (cups/hour/cup size): -
List price from: 2350
Buttress/Bezzera
Model: Elisse
Max output (cups/hour/cup size): -
List price from: 3100
CMC
Model: Rancilio
Max output (cups/hour/cup size): 240/7-14oz
List price from: 3125
Cafe Du Monde
Model: Gaggia TE2
Max output (cups/hour/cup size): 120/7oz
List price from: 20/week
Douwe Egberts
Model: Leone
Max output (cups/hour/cup size): 200/50ml
List price from: 2543
Euro/Nuova Simonelli
Model: 2V
Max output (cups/hour/cup size): 240
List price from: 2950
Matthew Algie
Model: Moderna
Max output (cups/hour/cup size): 200/4oz
List price from: Rental
Melitta
Model: Reneka
Max output (cups/hour/cup size): 200/125ml
List price from: 3450
Taylor Company
Model: HKB200-2
Max output (cups/hour/cup size): 12ltr boiler
List price from: 2495
Soluble ingredient beverage dispensers
Autobar Beverage Systems
Model: OA6-4-12
No. of canisters: 4
Max output (cups/hour): -
List price from: 1900
Balmoral/Scanomat
Model: Cafecino Pro4
No. of canisters: 4
Max output (cups/hour): 150
List price from: POA
Bravilor
Model: Bolero 10/11
No. of canisters: 1
Max output (cups/hour): 180
List price from: 565
Bravilor
Model: Bolero XL42
No. of canisters: 4
Max output (cups/hour): 240
List price from: 990
Douwe Egberts
Model: Vision
No. of canisters: 4
Max output (cups/hour): 275
List price from: 2951
Douwe Egberts
Model: Fantasy
No. of canisters: 1 (choc)
Max output (cups/hour): 180
List price from: 1348
Drink making/serving accessories
Bravilor
Milk heaters, milk froth
Carpigiani
Dispensers shakes
Elia International
Vacuum jugs/pots
Euro Catering
Dispensers shakes, juice
Hobart
Milk froth
Instanta
Cup carousel
Jet Spray
Dispensers shakes, post-mix, juice
Macdonald's
Juice
Malibu Corporation
Dispensers shakes
Marco
Cup carousel
Pasadele
Juice
Robot Coupe
Juice
Servequip
Dispensers shakes, juice
Taylor Co
Milk heaters, milk froth, dispensers shakes
Thermos
Vacuum jugs/pots
Zojirushi
Vacuum jugs/pots
Planning pointers
Including tips on machine investment from CESA, the Association of Catering Equipment Manufacturers and Importers.
Consider the consumption habits and patterns of your customers, not just overall volume.
Consider quiet periods and the ability to make small quantities quickly without wastage.
Staff experience and training levels are crucial issues; or accuracy in portioning.
Investment and regular maintenance of water filtration equipment is well repaid in terms of better drink taste, aroma and appearance and fewer breakdowns attributable to scale build-up.
Beverage machines are in constant use so ensure that adequate servicing arrangements are in place, with good spare parts back-up.
