Completed drip coffee setup for work place.

Want to talk espresso but not sure which forum? If so, this is the right one.
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redbone
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Joined: 12 years ago

#1: Post by redbone »

Workplace G.M. approached me a while back about purchasing are own coffee equipment with an emphasis an increasing the quality of coffee. Currently we were renting hardware and purchasing pre portioned ground coffee at what I thought was an exorbitant amount. Service from convenient one stop provider began to diminish along with the quality of coffee. Machine and dispenser were no longer being serviced on a regular basis unless we mentioned it. At one time they would swap the carafe with a clean one weekly. This coupled with rising costs prompted change.

Switched to a timed Bunn LPG grinder for simplicity for all staff. Plumbed in Bunn CWT15 brewer with metal funnel and Zojirushi S.S. lined airpot.
Everpure filtered water T'd off from water cooler supplies machine. (On left not seen in picture)

Hardware minus grinder via Green Beanery. LPG purchased used via Kijiji.

Coffee quality has improved immensely. Setup will pay for itself in less than 6 months.
Between order and chaos there is espresso.
Semper discens.


Rob
LMWDP #549

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happycat
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#2: Post by happycat »

Cool...

Last time I was in the shared kitchen on campus, the inside of the microwave looked like a biology experiment gone horribly wrong...

Since you mention costs... total cost of operation includes assigning someone duties and allocating time for monitoring, ordering and replenishing coffee and filters, making coffee, cleaning the grinder, coffee maker and airpot, turning equipment on and off, explaining equipment operation to users, and trouble-shooting. There's also issues related to the noise of grinding (someone will complain about impact on productivity or migraines or something) and the issue of identifying and disciplining free-riders who take and never clean or make (often management).

Did someone get tasked with all that? When I was articling at a law firm I got tasked with keeping the beer keg full (it was the 2000's). Somehow I always found ways of not having time to do it :D Office coffee drama was the reason I stuck to drinking diet cola the whole time I was there (free in the fridge).

I'm impressed you took this on.
LMWDP #603

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redbone (original poster)
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Joined: 12 years ago

#3: Post by redbone (original poster) »

happycat wrote:Cool...


Did someone get tasked with all that? When I was articling at a law firm I got tasked with keeping the beer keg full (it was the 2000's). Somehow I always found ways of not having time to do it :D Office coffee drama was the reason I stuck to drinking diet cola the whole time I was there (free in the fridge).

I'm impressed you took this on.
The kitchenette is located far enough whereby the 18 sec 2.5 oz grind is not an issue. Bad coffee was more painful than taking on this setup task. Would not have been keen on the project without the grinder which I pushed for. Using whole bean opened up coffee choices and bean quality. Staff learning curve is low since we are replacing a previous setup. This brewer is even simpler eliminating the hot water spout option and dual brew option of rented Newco machine. With the old machine staff would take hot water during a brew cycle and wreck havoc with water temp and dose. Also purchased some citric acid and PBW for monthly carafe deeper cleaning beyond regular soapy water rinses. Clean up duties stay the same minus my end of month deeper clean by me which involves adding teaspoon of PBW to carafe for overnight soak. First time in working history I'll be drinking "work" coffee.
Between order and chaos there is espresso.
Semper discens.


Rob
LMWDP #549

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redbone (original poster)
Posts: 3564
Joined: 12 years ago

#4: Post by redbone (original poster) »

Our coffee was disappearing at a high rate overnight. Understand that someone could grind out coffee but the effort on our part came with enough awareness. No questions asked just a solution which solved the issue.

Hasp and Lock added to grinder bean hopper. Small allen key security screw vs common head on latch.

Tight fitting low flex plastic lid. Does not allow for corners to be lifted.
Between order and chaos there is espresso.
Semper discens.


Rob
LMWDP #549