Those levers are fire and forget. What an advantage for a busy barista. Also noted pouring between milk containers to apparently separate the thick from the thin foam. Hope the OP plans on a cushy mat to stand on all day. Standing on concrete can be very hard on the body over time.

HB wrote:Hardly! Check out this routine by Dritan Alsela:

While you probably won't need it, levers also have the option of being heated by propane, reducing your reliance on power hookups/generators if you go mobile.

So things are progressing and it appears I'm getting closer to being a cafe owner/operator. The machine decision is looming.

I'm liking the idea of 2 machines instead of one 3gr. Maybe a Bosco 2gr and another single or 2gr pump machine. This would allow me to serve tradition espresso as well as more modern espresso-based drinks. Bad idea?

Thinking out loud:
(2) 2gr machines? 1 lever, 1 pump?
(1) 2gr lever, (1) 1gr pump?
(1) 1gr lever, (2) 2gr pump?
(1) 1gr lever, (1) 1gr (1)

I would suggest you start with a two group lever machine and add an other identical machine later on when you have some money to invest. I love commercial lever machines and they are very easy to service. I am in fact in a very similar situation btw

Alan, you plan on providing and roasting your own coffee, running 2 separate espresso machines (possibly one lever and one pump) and providing a pour over service? All the while maintaining your business as a whole, all by yourself? I respect you man, but maybe this isn't the best place to be getting advice and you might want to really really think about what you're about to do.

Zero disrespect intended.

Séb wrote:I would suggest you start with a two group lever machine and add an other identical machine later on when you have some money to invest. I love commercial lever machines and they are very easy to service. I am in fact in a very similar situation btw

2 identical 2gr Boscos side by side would be a site! Cost of shipping one machine is almost $800 and not much more for two. Might be worth the savings to just buy 2 from the start. I can always sell one if I find it's overkill taking less of a hit than the $800 it would cost to ship a second one separately.

Good luck on your venture!

If I recall correctly, Synesso offers multi group machines with paddles and buttons allowing manual, volumetric and profiling all in one machine.

Dan, What lever machine is Dritan Alsela using in your video? thanks.

Ellejaycafe wrote:Alan, you plan on providing and roasting your own coffee, running 2 separate espresso machines (possibly one lever and one pump) and providing a pour over service? All the while maintaining your business as a whole, all by yourself? I respect you man, but maybe this isn't the best place to be getting advice and you might want to really really think about what you're about to do.

Zero disrespect intended.

Alas, I've resigned to the fact that there will be employees involved, as well as business and marketing consultants. I've reached out to one of my greens suppliers for suggestions. I've also asked here for advise of where I should go for help and advise. I'm open. Way open!

Right now I'm maintaining the business, limited as it is with 2 markets a week and internet sales, while maintaining a day job and working 7 days a week. This would only be 6 days a week!!

I learned a long time ago that I'm only capable of doing so much. If I can't get to everyone on line, so be it. But if I can sell 30-40 drinks an hour, plus bean sales, plus some gear and hardware, I'll be a happy camper and will be earning a decent living making and talking coffee. For me it's not about the money. It's about spending whatever time I have left not doing things I do not want to do in places I don't want to be.

Pino wrote:Dan, What lever machine is Dritan Alsela using in your video? thanks.

I believe it's one of these.

You could also talk to Caffe Lusso. They roast and have a Bosco lever machine. They also distribute Bosco from what I understand.