coffee equipment Archives

How to Repair a Commercial Coffee Machine: Troubleshooting Guide

August 22, 2023

concept of repairing a commercial coffee machine

Owning and operating a bustling café or food service establishment comes with its fair share of challenges. Among the most crucial pieces of equipment in this type of business setting is the commercial coffee machine. A steady flow of delicious coffee keeps your customers satisfied, and a well-functioning coffee machine is the heart of your beverage service.

How to Repair a Commercial Coffee Machine: Troubleshooting Guide

However, just like any other mechanical equipment, commercial coffee machines can encounter issues from time to time. It is better to address these issues right away rather than wait for the machines to completely break down. In this article by SC Beverage, your local beverage equipment supplier, we’ll walk you through how to repair a commercial coffee machine with this troubleshooting guide.

Learn the Basics of Your Machine

Before delving into troubleshooting, it’s essential to have a firm grasp of how your commercial coffee machine works. This knowledge will help you more quickly identify issues and invest in better repairs to avoid issues in the future.

Refer to the manufacturer’s manual – if your machine included one – and familiarize yourself with the components, functions, and maintenance requirements of your machine. You may even want to consult with your professional commercial machine supplier to see if there are local repair experts who can walk you through the basics of your coffee maker if you aren’t sure what the source of the damage is.

Diagnose Common Coffee Machine Issues

When it comes to physical equipment, a lot can go wrong. Take note of these common issues and invest in the proper fix as soon as you can:

A Lack of Flowing Water:

If your coffee machine is not dispensing water or coffee as expected, there could be a water flow issue. Check the water reservoir, hoses, and filters for any blockages or leaks. Clean or replace any clogged filters and ensure proper water connectivity before restarting the machine.

Hot or Cold Temperatures:

Inconsistent temperature levels can lead to uneven coffee dispensing, making the beverage taste bad or turn up too cold in the customer’s cup. An easy way to test this is to put a thermometer inside the machine where the water heats up. If the temperature is too high or too low, the heating element or thermostat may need replacement.

Weak Coffee:

If your coffee tastes weak or watery, it might be due to having the wrong amount of water pressure. Adjust your hose according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and your desired coffee strength, and get in touch with repair experts if the problem still continues.

Machine Not Turning On:

If the machine doesn’t power up, check the power source and check to see if the machine is properly plugged in. If it still won’t turn on, examine the power switch, circuit breaker, or power cord for any damage.

Sometimes, you may not be able to identify and troubleshoot coffee machine issues on your own. In that case, getting in touch with one of our beverage experts is recommended so you can properly diagnose the issues within your commercial machine.

Regular Cleaning and Maintenance

Routine cleaning and maintenance are integral to preventing coffee machine issues. Just as a well-maintained engine keeps the whole car running smoothly, a clean coffee machine brews better coffee. For any major restaurant or beverage company, daily cleaning is an absolute necessity. Clean removable parts such as the portafilter, drip tray, and steam wand after each use to prevent residue buildup. Regularly empty and clean the tray so you do not have old liquid overflowing, which also avoids constant phone calls to your local repair service.

Perform a deeper cleaning once a week by backflushing the group head and cleaning the shower screen. Use a group head brush and a cleaning solution designed for coffee machines. Replace water filters and descale the machine’s internal components at least once a month to prevent mineral buildup. You can always refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines for proper descaling procedures.

Update Your Commercial Coffee Machines with SC Beverage

A well-maintained commercial coffee machine ensures that your coffee service runs smoothly, keeping your customers satisfied and your business thriving. By understanding the basics, diagnosing issues, and practicing regular cleaning and maintenance, you can ensure the longevity and reliable performance of your commercial coffee machine. Browse our selection of brand-new commercial coffee equipment when you visit us online or get in touch with us ASAP.

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Making the Perfect Cup of Coffee

November 3, 2021

As coffee lovers, we could spend pages waxing poetic over how to make the perfect, painstaking brew. However, for a busy restaurant, cafe, or bar that simply isn’t practical. It’s time to talk about coffee pragmatically.

Making the Perfect Cup of Coffee

Let’s look at what elements you can put together to create the best cup of joe without locking one employee in place for 5-10 minutes at a time to serve just one customer. In the end, all you really need is the right coffee, the right machinery, and clean water.

The Right Coffee

Investing in high-quality fair-trade coffee doesn’t have to break the bank. Most major coffee brands have boarded the fair trade train, ensuring that the people who produce and harvest your coffee beans are appropriately compensated. Among these brands, you can find every variation of roast and flavor, offering ample opportunity for you to find just the right coffee(s) for your establishment.

In addition to choosing fair trade coffee beans, always opt for whole bean coffee. As long as you store your coffee beans in an airtight container, you will be able to use them for about a month without losing much flavor. By comparison, ground coffee rarely holds its flavor for more than a day or two even when properly sealed. Choosing whole bean coffees offers higher quality and better shelf-life, so it’s a win-win situation.

The Right Machinery

To make the perfect cup of coffee without turning it into a laborious enterprise, you will need three primary components.

Burr Grinders

To grind whole bean coffee, you will need a burr grinder. Blade grinders are a bit cheaper, but they chop the beans rather than evenly grinding them down. A burr grinder crushes the beans, which helps to express their full flavor profile. It’s a must for anyone serious about making quality coffee. In many cases, one grinder is enough. However, a cafe may want to have two, so one of them can be designated for decaffeinated coffee.

Commercial Coffee Makers

To serve a room full of under-caffeinated guests, you’ll need machinery that’s up to the task. Commercial coffee makers make that part easy. They are typically drip-style coffee machines, which offer a relatively fast and effective brew.

When you’re shopping for commercial coffee makers with Southern California Beverage systems, always look into the brew speed and the temperature of the water. Ideally, you want the brew to take about five minutes and the water to be between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit.

A Built-in Water Line Complete with Filter

You can always filter your own water using a filtered jug, but this can be time-consuming when you’re busy. Purchasing a commercial coffee maker that connects to your water line and includes a built-in filter is just easier on a daily basis. Whichever way you decide to do it, just make sure you’re exchanging your filters as suggested by the manufacturer.

Clean Water

As stated above, hot, filtered water is absolutely essential to properly brewing coffee. If the water is below 195 degrees Fahrenheit, then it is unlikely to activate the grounds properly, resulting in less flavorful coffee with a more bitter taste. If the water is unfiltered, then minerals and other impurities will alter the flavor profile of your coffee.

In the long run, your filtration system can’t provide clean water for you without a little help. Depending on your manufacturer’s instructions, parts of your coffee making machinery will have to be cleaned every day, while others may only need monthly cleaning. Sticking with these prescribed cleaning schedules ensures that your coffee will be as safe and delicious as your patrons deserve.

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What Customers Want in a Coffee Shop

September 3, 2021

Customers in a coffee shop enjoying their time.

Coffee culture is about more than getting a jolt of caffeine in the morning. In fact, it’s about the holistic experience created by carefully sourced ingredients and the perfect atmosphere. That is why the most successful coffee shops invest in making their spaces almost therapeutic in nature. So what do customers want in a coffee shop?

What Customers Want in a Coffee Shop

Friendly staff, comfortable lounges, and a perfectly poured espresso are a triple threat when it comes to making your coffee shop competitive. So let’s take a quick look to see what small but meaningful changes you can make and how SC Beverage company can help to make your coffee shop dreams into a reality.

Upgrade Your Ingredients

Great coffee is what keeps customers coming back for more. Therefore, you might want to revisit where you source your ingredients if you’re struggling to compete. Pay careful attention to where you’re getting your beans and make sure you’re grinding them fresh every day. You might also consider upgrading the syrups that you use most frequently.

Use Area Rugs

Panel flooring feels sophisticated and is relatively easy to clean. However, adding an area rug here and there is low traffic areas can help to make your coffee shop feel welcoming and comfortable. They are especially useful for visually dividing different lounge areas from one another.

Clean Your Equipment Regularly

In order to make high-quality coffee, your commercial coffee makers have to be cleaned regularly. The coffee pot and filter should be cleaned at least once a day, but every piece of commercial beverage equipment should be thoroughly cleaned in and out at least once a week. Without a proper cleaning schedule, the flavor of your coffee will be altered by whatever additives remain in the system.

Opt for Earthy Tones

Use earthy tones in your paint and décor to create a comfortable space. Greens, in particular, are commonly associated with a calming effect. When paired with darker wood and brown furniture, a well-designed coffee shop can feel like a journey back into a safe, suburban version of nature.

Make the Origin of Your Coffee Known

Given the environmental and economic effects of poorly sourced coffee, it makes sense that customers want to know where their coffee comes from. A simple blackboard can be used to highlight one of your select coffee beans, where it comes from, and the relationship your supplier has built in the community.

Choose Comfort

A few hard chairs can be paired with tables for those who want to work as they sip away, but the majority of your seating should be as cushy as possible. If you’re on a budget, second-hand furniture can be re-stained and reupholstered with relative ease in a handy family member’s garage.

Lower the Lights

Bright white lights are the opposite of comforting. Instead, opt for light fixtures that offer a warmer glow. This will allow your customers to settle in for a cozy cup or two of their favorite brew.

Bring in Books

The ideal coffee shop feels like the private library most of us will never have. If you really want to upgrade the look and cozy feel of a coffee shop, then install a bookshelf. For bonus points, you can introduce a “leave a book, take a book” system. This allows avid readers in your area to swap their favorite reads and build community around your store.

Add Plants

Plants provide oxygen and reduce air pollution, all while making your store feel like an ideal arboretum. A few succulents can be kept near your windows for added atmosphere, and you can literally forget to water them for weeks without them dying.

Play Music

Music is the final key to making the ideal coffee shop for your customers. You can create a playlist yourself. Or use an ad-free subscription to one of the many apps available to provide your guests with some low-volume, relaxing tunes to help maintain their flow.

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How Does Coffee Work?

May 7, 2020

In North America, 90% of people drink coffee daily. Coffee is technically the most commonly used drug in the world. Fortunately, coffee isn’t a dangerously addictive substance. But how does coffee work?

You or your co-workers may be a little crabby before your morning cup of joe. And, you might experience a headache if you go too long without. True, these are symptoms of caffeine dependence. But it is not addiction, as the National Institute on Drug Abuse defines it. The difference is that a regular coffee drinker can decide to stop drinking coffee without engaging in destructive behavior.

Coffee and Your Health

If you weigh the scientific evidence surrounding coffee, then it is hard to deny the health benefits. Of course, as with all good things, moderation is key. Additionally, those with acid reflux should abstain, as coffee will aggravate the condition. For the rest of us, drinking a cup of coffee every day comes with two major benefits. We get a boost in mental performance and improved organ health.

Boosting the Brain

When it comes to your brain, coffee causes two responses. How does coffee work? It results in adenosine suppression and dopamine production. Normally, adenosine works with natural chemicals in the brain to make you feel gradually more tired throughout the day. With coffee, caffeine prevents adenosine from performing this function. That’s one of the reasons why caffeine makes you feel awake.

At the same time, your brain is producing slightly increased amounts of dopamine in response to the caffeine. As a chemical messenger that we also associate with pleasurable sensations, dopamine works as a mood booster and a stimulant. If you notice that you’re a little sharper, you’re right. You will better remember things 20 minutes to an hour after finishing your morning cup of coffee. So, it isn’t your imagination. It’s science.

Lesser-Known Benefits

Most of us are already aware, at least tangentially, of what coffee does when introduced to the brain. However, recent research shows that we should also be paying attention to the role coffee plays in the rest of the body.

Given that the research is new and occasionally contradictory, scientists must continue research. They must work to better understand the complex interactions that result from coffee consumption. The American Heart Association warns that the near impossibility of eliminating all possible factors aside from coffee means that it will take years of research to get closer to the truth. However, early studies are promising.

Keeping Your Organs Healthy

Based on the current data, caffeine and chlorogenic acid appear to be the primary elements with beneficial qualities. As discussed previously, caffeine blocks adenosine receptors. It keeps you alert, but it also seems to reduce arrhythmic heartbeats and positively benefit cardiac health in general.

More definitively, recent research has shown that the chlorogenic acid found in coffee prevents pancreatic cell death. And, caffeine simultaneously works to block harmful proteins from attacking cells. Yet another study found that patients who consumed at least 2 cups of coffee a day saw a notable reduction in hepatic fibrosis symptoms. The researchers are less certain as to what element in coffee has this effect, but further research will help to narrow down the possibilities.

A Cup of Coffee for a Healthier You

Simply put, as long as you don’t suffer from a medical condition that coffee is likely to exacerbate, drinking a cup or two while at the office is probably in your best interest. Now that you know how coffee works, go drink some. SC Beverage offers commercial coffee makers, allowing you to make strong, black coffee for your entire office in a matter of minutes. No gimmicks, just pure coffee.

If coffee is not your cup of tea (see what we did there?), we also have a range of other beverage supplies. Perhaps you need professional-grade soda dispenser equipment. We are also a top provider of beer dispensing equipment in Los Angeles.

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