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Split Bean Coffee

Commercial Espresso Machines

Commercial espresso machines are the traditional, barista operated machines you see behind the bar in coffee shops, restaurants and specialty cafes. We carry different group configurations to suit different bar sizes, and we help you spec the right one for your business.

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La Marzocco Linea Classic S traditional espresso coffee machine
La Marzocco Linea Classic S
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La Marzocco Linea PB traditional espresso coffee machine
La Marzocco Linea PB
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Sanremo D8 traditional espresso coffee machine
Sanremo D8
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Sanremo Zoe traditional espresso coffee machine
Sanremo Zoe
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  • Hand built quality

    Built to the standard cafes, restaurants and specialty coffee shops expect from a bar machine.

  • Built for the busiest bars

    Heavy duty boilers, saturated brewing groups and the build quality to keep pace with continuous commercial use, day after day.

  • Configured to your bar

    Different group sizes, finishes and grinder pairings, all selected and specified for the way your bar runs.

  • Engineer install included

    All our machines are professionally installed, plumbed and commissioned so you can be confident in serving great coffee from day one.

What is a traditional espresso machine?

A traditional espresso machine is the barista operated machine you see behind the bar in cafes and specialty coffee shops. It has dedicated group heads where the barista locks in a portafilter of fresh ground coffee, alongside steam wands to texture milk by hand.

Every drink is made one at a time by a trained barista, with full control over how the coffee is dosed, brewed and finished with the milk. Built for continuous commercial use, the machines produce excellent quality in the cup when paired with the right barista.

Why choose a traditional espresso machine

If coffee is central to your business, a traditional espresso machine gives the barista full control over how every cup is made. Precise water temperature, professional brewing groups and the steam capacity to keep pace with milk drinks all the way through a busy service.

The result is excellent espresso, latte art on every cappuccino, and a piece of equipment that signals to customers you take the coffee seriously.

What you get when you buy one from Split Bean

Every machine we supply comes with engineer install, plumbing, water filter and delivery, configured to the exact specification you need. We work with you on the configuration, finish and grinder pairing so the machine fits your bar from day one.

After install, you have one team handling servicing, parts and ongoing support, wherever your business is.

Common questions about commercial espresso machines

What is the best commercial espresso machine?
The right machine depends on the way your bar runs. The most important factors are your daily drink volume, the counter space available, the power supply at the site and the level of finish you want for the area customers see. Compact machines suit tighter spaces and lower volume sites. Larger machines and premium tier models suit higher volume bars and specialty operators. Get in touch and we will help you spec the right machine for your business.
How does a commercial espresso machine work?
The machine maintains water at a precise temperature and around 9 bar of pressure. The barista grinds the coffee on a separate grinder, doses it into the portafilter, tamps it level, then locks the portafilter into the group head. When the shot is started, water is forced through the compacted coffee bed and extracts the espresso in 25 to 30 seconds. Milk is steamed on the steam wand alongside.
Does a business need a trained barista to use one?
Yes. A commercial espresso machine needs someone behind the bar to dose, tamp and pull the shot, and to steam milk on the wand. In practice the skill is more straightforward to pick up than the machines look. Anyone can be brought up to a competent standard with a basic introduction. The Specialty Coffee Association publishes industry standard barista training if a business wants to formalise it. If a trained operator is not part of the setup, a commercial bean to cup coffee machine is the right category instead.
How long does a commercial espresso machine last?
Commercial espresso machines have an exceptional lifespan. From our experience, customers run them seven to ten years in active service and they still perform. Lifespan tracks cleaning and yearly engineer visits more than anything else, so a machine looked after properly will keep going for years.
How often does a commercial espresso machine need cleaning?
Daily. At the end of each day, the group heads need backflushing with cleaning tablets, the steam wands wiped and purged, and the grinder doser cleared. It is a quick part of the closing down routine, not the chore it can sound like. Milk residue left in steam wands overnight hardens and blocks them, so the wand clean is the one not to skip.
How many group heads should a commercial espresso machine have?
Commercial espresso machines come in different group sizes. A smaller count is the standard for most independent cafes and restaurants, while higher counts suit busier sites or businesses that want two service points from one machine. Get in touch and we will help you spec the right one based on your daily drink volume and how the bar is laid out.
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Ready to see why a traditional espresso machine would work for your business?

Let us show you how a traditional espresso machine can work in your business.

Send your enquiryCall 0191 491 1999