full auto commercial suggestions?

[celement]

We have purchased our vehicle for a mobile operation and are in the process of working it up. When we bought the vehicle we planned on a semi auto dual head like the one in our shop, but I'm trying to determine if a full auto would be better for our mobile operation. This vehicle will end up at some large events and needs to put out drinks fast. One think I like about reading on some of these full auto's is they refrigerate or store milk, they froth or steam right into the desired cup, and thus I have less need for cleaning, sinks and milk storage?

Ideas?

 

[CCafe]

I have a ton of experience when it comes to milk frothing systems. If you don't baby it, it will not be worth your time. There so much of a pain in my ass, I don't offer them to my customers anymore. I am so tired of having to replace tubing or solenoids that fail when milk dries. I would suggest any type of a machine that has an auto frothing system. Cimbali sell the M2 Super auto with a Turbosteam. They also sell it on their traditional lines as well.

I just saw an add for Nuova Simonelli offering a system like this too. This is a much better route to go.

 

[celement]

Thanks CC

I have bookmarked info on the M2 and its a leading candidate. I was wondering if any of those smaller "commercial" machines would do...at $1k a piece or less I could do two of those easy

 

[CCafe]

A small machine like a Jura Capresso wouldn't be able to handle the load. Hell it can't even make a full 16oz drink in under a minute and half. Now tack on a line of 3 or 4 customers and now you have a problem. The other thing is those machines aren't meant for commercial use.

I have a few out there in the market and it’s a nightmare. They weren't designed for the loads they are being used for. So they break. I have sold a few M2's, the only draw back I have found is it takes a while to steam 4 drinks at once. But as soon as you get done you can turn right around and do it again.

But if you’re doing 1 or 2 drinks at a time its great! I love this machine, it is a breeze to setup. Its easy to maintain, and it looks great. The feature I really like is that you can mix espresso as it’s being ground to produce half caff drinks. I have found that you can go as far as 75% decaff and 25% regular and it still taste great. Most of my clients have chosen a 50/50 blend. You really get the best of both worlds

 

[celement]

Thanks

appreciate the heads up on the cheaper machines, here are some I've considered;

http://www.mercantila.com/catalog/store ... sionsSpecs

A $5300 machine but seems as though it would be fast

http://espressoworks.com/osCommerce/cat ... ucts_id=64

Cimbali M2 - can't tell the price

http://www.coffee-makers-espresso-machi ... resso.html

Impressa Z5 a cheap piece compared to the other two

 

[slugline]

Commercial superautos

Check out Jura commercial models X7 and X90. They are on sale at Zaccardis.com in New York ranging from 2K to 3K with dual grinders.