Kooler Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2012 Posts: 6 Location: Salt Lake City Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sun Dec 9, 2012, 1:52am Subject: Need some Suggestions on a Home/Small Business Countertop Coffee System
Hello. I am new to this website, and from what I have been reading it appears I have a lot to learn. I would like to purchase a Coffee system that can be used in a home and also in a small business I have. In the basement of my home I have a 200 sq ft. wellness/fitness studio. Frequently our clients reuse the post workout smoothie and instead ask for a "healthy" latte or espresso based drink. I have been looking at the systems Miele sells on their website and other websites that sell their systems. Rather then just buying a Miele countertop system that can used whole beans, grind them up and produce the basic drinks most of us have been buying for years. I just do not have the knowledge that I need to pick out a good, high-quality machine, that will grind the whole beans (with various settings from fine to course), and has the other options like ease of use, the option to froth the milk for a latte or similar drink, and most importantly can be cleaned with not a lot of work involved. I think we would make about 3-4 specialty espresso drinks/day, regular coffee, the option to make tea would be a plus, and anything else you experts think I should look for before I purchase a machine. As far as the Miele systems I have been looking a the 5000 & 5100 espresso machines. I am not interested in the Nesprsso machines, but several others I have viewed the video on YouTube have my interest. Some can be cleaned fairly easily by removing certain parts to the machine and others require a tablet added to dissolve the calcium deposits that have accumulated in the machine. I would rather not have to use a tablet and have that mixture go through the machine to clean it out and remove the deposits. I wish I had more knowledge on what exactly I am looking for. One other thing I would like the machine to have is good looks which would allow me to keep in up on the countertop down in the studio where our clients come and go all day. I have seen some videos from a Whole Latte Love that have covered the area of purchasing a machine for home use. Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions the experts can give me.
johnboddie Senior Member Joined: 28 Nov 2008 Posts: 154 Location: Virginia Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Brasilia Mini Classic,... Grinder: Rocky, KitchenAid Pro Drip: Cuisinart (non-grinding)
Posted Sun Dec 9, 2012, 9:34am Subject: Re: Need some Suggestions on a Home/Small Business Countertop Coffee System
If your clients are going to be making the coffee, you're probably best off considering one of the new Starbucks capsule machines that also has steaming capability. The footprint is small and the mess can be better controlled than if you were using an HX machine and grinder.
Posted Sun Dec 9, 2012, 10:30am Subject: Re: Need some Suggestions on a Home/Small Business Countertop Coffee System
Don't know how much you're willing to spend. This may be a situation where a Super Auto machine is called for. This one from Chris Coffee service appears to be at the top of the list for performance and reliability.
Stratocaster Senior Member Joined: 15 Apr 2011 Posts: 12 Location: Port Elizabrth South Africa Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Breville 900d Grinder: San Marco Vac Pot: No Drip: No Roaster: No
Posted Sun Dec 9, 2012, 12:07pm Subject: Re: Need some Suggestions on a Home/Small Business Countertop Coffee System
Hi Steven,
Perhaps you should look at a Pod system, it is simple, easy to use, not so messy as portafilter based machines, you can keep tabs on stock and usage. Only downside coffee in pod form is more expensive.
Kooler Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2012 Posts: 6 Location: Salt Lake City Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sun Dec 9, 2012, 6:23pm Subject: Re: Need some Suggestions on a Home/Small Business Countertop Coffee System
John- No I will be making the drinks just like I make the post workout smoothies. I really prefer not to get a machine that uses the capsules. I would like to be able to put in whole beans and have the machine grind the beans and make the drinks with my assist.
Kooler Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2012 Posts: 6 Location: Salt Lake City Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sun Dec 9, 2012, 6:27pm Subject: Re: Need some Suggestions on a Home/Small Business Countertop Coffee System
I can spend about $1500-$2000. I was looking at the Miele home/commercial systems because they use whole beans, grind them up, seem to have decent reviews, can steam the milk and there are no capsules to waste. Anything with Starbucks on it I would have a tendency to stay away from. I would like a system that allows me to do some of the work if it is making sure beans are put in, the water is in and fresh, the espresso consistency is right and the milk can be frothed/steamed.
I used to have a machine about 8 years ago which was great but I had to do all the work, but once I did it I got the hang of it and the drinks were great. I am not looking for one of the machines that does it all for me.
I was looking at the Miele home/commercial systems because they use whole beans, grind them up, seem to have decent reviews, can steam the milk and there are no capsules to waste.
Kooler Senior Member Joined: 9 Dec 2012 Posts: 6 Location: Salt Lake City Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sun Dec 9, 2012, 7:37pm Subject: Re: Need some Suggestions on a Home/Small Business Countertop Coffee System
Doesn't a Miele system - I'd never recommend one, btw - "do it all"?
?????????
no not in my humble opinion. compared to the type of machine I had about 8 years ago, yes the Miele does a lot of the work, but that is the reason why I came on here where the experts are. To get ideas on what are some good coffee systems that like the Miele will aloow me to pour in whole beans …. the post is there if you want to read it.
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