Have you considered a prosumer machine for the experts alongside a good super-auto for those who don't want to bother or for when you don't have the time? Say a Quickmill Monza (which gets pretty good press around here, for a super-auto, although I haven't used one), alongside a double boiler or HX machine? That also deals with some of the issues with maintenance etc., as you have a backup in place.
So, the thinking with the need for 2 groups is exactly the wait. While it's not high volume, people tend to drink coffee at the same time, and that could be an issue, especially when we have visitors and a set schedule. This becomes 10-20 drinks in 15 minutes, hence my concern. On a positive note, we do enlist a part time person, so they'd make coffee or run drinks them when we have visitors. Dquring regular days, then each person makes their own... I don't mind people using it, heck, it can be fixed, and if they screw things up too bad, then they can pay to fix it...
Unless your "part time person" is a serious barista, even with a 2-group, it's going to be difficult for him/her to churn out 20 drinks in 15 minutes. (IMHO, of course, as is everything else I write here.) And regardless of the relative few number of "addicts" in the office normally, I've seen/heard of too many machines "damaged" by untrained multiple users -- ergo, my concerns re: daily operation and the operators.
leroygibbs Said:
With regards to the lever, I didn't think Pompeii was in the budget, but I haven't come across a 2 group for sale.
The appointment of a dedicated individual to do daily and weekly maintenance, as needed, is essential. Glad to hear it will be you. That eases, but does not eliminate, my own concerns re: multiple users. Still, I've had prosumer machines get f****d up in offices twice when I went on vacation, and found zero maintenance done in my absence. Both times it necessitated taking the machines in for costly repairs. I no longer let anyone use the HX machine in my office but me. I'm happy to make drinks for other employees -- then again, it's a small office with only 5 employees, plus clients -- and this has eliminated the problem(s).
Every office is different, but I think you can understand where my concerns originate.
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