Advice on commercial espresso machine for coffee van

Recommendations for buyers and upgraders from the site's members.
Razzman
Posts: 2
Joined: 5 years ago

#1: Post by Razzman »

Hi guys,
I'm new here but i want to purchase a coffee machine for a coffee van and i was thinking to get this one, i'll set it up next to a mazzer Major electronic.
My biggest concers is that is a 6bar max machine and how that will affect my espresso regaring that im aning to use an 1/2 ratio 17.5in /35 out. Beeing in a coffee van i have to use an flojet system using 20L gallons.
Any advice will huge help.
Thanks a lot guys!

Coffee machine specs further down

Installation Services Required

Power Supply Required
32 Amp Single Phase
Water Supply Required
15mm Cold Water. ¾ʺ BSP Connection. 6 Bar Max Pressure
Waste Drainage
40mm Gravity Drain with U trap and Upstand



From the sales literature...
Plus4You - fully satisfies the barista & the roaster

Plus4You grants you maximum quality in the cup and flexibility to adjust the machine according to the coffee origin/blend. Different roast profiles require specific extraction temperatures for the best results in the cup. The water reservoirs are dedicated exclusively to coffee. You can regulate the temperature of each group independently according to the origin/blend. Temperature stability is within one degree. The steam boiler is dedicated exclusively to steam and hot water.

Plus4You intelligent system compares the extractions of every espresso. If coffee extraction is not perfect (e.g. due to incorrect grind/tamping etc.), the barista receives instant detailed information on the coffee he has just prepared. Plus4You suggests via the LCD display the appropriate corrective actions.

Plus4You - energy saver

Plus4You is the first eco-espresso machine in the Astoria Green Line range, a range of energy saving espresso machines which allows you to save up to 47.6% on your power bill as well as reducing carbon emissions.
Most espresso machines waste enormous amounts of energy during off peak periods and when left on overnight. Plus4You only carries power when and where it is specifically required, thus saving energy. The integrated PID manages the automatic stand-by mode during off peak periods and at night, as well as the intelligent control of temperature settings. Settings can be easily programmed via the arrow keys and LCD display located on the push button panel (no need to open machine). Adjusting the settings takes only seconds.

Features
  • Steam boiler and one coffee water reservoir for each group
  • Electronic temperature control of the coffee water reservoir
  • Electronic temperature control of the steam boiler
  • Electronic temperature control of each groups
  • Display showing the pressure of volumetric pump
  • Display showing the ambient humidity
  • Display of water pressure in the hydraulic circuit
  • Programming of the washing cycles
Standard functions & devices
  • Electronic dispensing of servings
  • Automatic water refill
  • Hot water mixing system
  • Electronically controlled cup heater
  • RS 232 serial line
  • Multifunction key for guided navigation in the display menus
  • Smart card reader
  • Display
  • Display functions language options:
    ◦ Italian, English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese
    ◦ counter of selections for each serving type
    ◦ diagnostic messages for easier service
    ◦ settings for manual or automatic energy saving
Voltage (V) 230v (Single Phase)
Rated power (W) 5600
Power per group (W) 150 x 2
Heating element of coffee water reservoir per group (W) 1.000 x 2
Steam Boiler power (W) 3.000
Steam Boiler capacity (litres) 8
Coffee water reservoir capacity (litres) 1.2
Width (mm) 800
Depth (mm) 560
Height (mm) 580
Weight (kg) 94
Power Supply Required 32 Amp Single Phase
Water Supply Required 15mm Cold uWater. ¾ʺ BSP Connection. 6 Bar Max Pressure
Waste Drainage 40mm Gravity Drain with U trap and Upstand

User avatar
SteveRhinehart
Posts: 295
Joined: 5 years ago

#2: Post by SteveRhinehart »

The machine is capable of pulling at 9 bars - the "6 bar max" is a requirement for your incoming water pressure.

Razzman (original poster)
Posts: 2
Joined: 5 years ago

#3: Post by Razzman (original poster) »

Steve, I understand now. Thank you ! Do you know on what I should pay attention on this machine before purchasing it ?
Thank you

User avatar
Almico
Posts: 3612
Joined: 10 years ago

#4: Post by Almico »

The only machine I would consider for a mobile van is an Astoria Gloria or Rapallo lever machine with propane hookup. Victoria Arduino used to supply their Athena Leva with propane, but they don't any longer. If I was setting up an espresso cart I would call them directly and have them make me one, custom.

A machine like that would be able to make espresso on a desert island for weeks with only a car battery to power the grinder.

"Most espresso machines waste enormous amounts of energy during off peak periods"

That's not a true statement. It actually takes relatively little energy topping off the heat on a commercial espresso machine overnight. It takes "an enormous" amount of power to get it up to temperature.

ira
Team HB
Posts: 5497
Joined: 16 years ago

#5: Post by ira »

Almico wrote:That's not a true statement. It actually takes relatively little energy topping off the heat on a commercial espresso machine overnight. It takes "an enormous" amount of power to get it up to temperature.
Unless I'm completely mistaken, simple physics would prove this statement wrong. There's lots of reasons to leave commercial machines on all the time, but energy savings is not one of them.

If you want to use electricity to run a cart, a bank of Decents might be the most energy efficient choice.

Ira

User avatar
HB
Admin
Posts: 21981
Joined: 19 years ago

#6: Post by HB »

Almico wrote:It takes "an enormous" amount of power to get it up to temperature.
See La Marzocco Linea Mini - Follow up question on leaving on 24/7 for the latest lengthy discussion of this point (TL;DR - continuous operation does not save energy).
Dan Kehn

User avatar
Almico
Posts: 3612
Joined: 10 years ago

#7: Post by Almico »

ira wrote:Unless I'm completely mistaken, simple physics would prove this statement wrong. There's lots of reasons to leave commercial machines on all the time, but energy savings is not one of them.

If you want to use electricity to run a cart, a bank of Decents might be the most energy efficient choice.

Ira
Let's see how the upgrade does here: I wasn't clear. I did not mean to say that leaving a commercial machine on overnight saves energy, just refuting the marketing hype stating it wastes an enormous amount of energy.

I've powered a mobile business on a generator. I ran an air conditioner, heat gun and several power tools (not running simultaneously). It needed to at least power the heat gun and A/C at the same time, maybe 15 amps. A 5500W Onan barely did the job. To power electrically heated espresso machines, along with everything else (A/C? Heat? water boiler?) would take a mighty big generator, with the noise and exhaust that goes along with it. Much better to run the espresso machines off gas. At least that's how I would do it.

ira
Team HB
Posts: 5497
Joined: 16 years ago

#8: Post by ira »

Almico wrote:Let's see how the upgrade does here: I wasn't clear. I did not mean to say that leaving a commercial machine on overnight saves energy, just refuting the marketing hype stating it wastes an enormous amount of energy.

Much better to run the espresso machines off gas. At least that's how I would do it.
Ah, that was not clear to me. And yes, a gas powered machine would make the most sense, but if you're stuck with electricity, a Decent might be the best choice.

Ira