Coffee Machine advice

Ladybird99

I am adding a small internet cafe to an established services business, I know it is not going to make me a lot of money but we have the space, manpower & the computers so there is no real outlay or expense involved and we have had a lot of interest. I would like to sell soft drinks, bars, tea, coffee etc but I know the volume will be low. My question is how much would I need to spend on a coffee machine and does anyone have a recommendation for a decent but reasonably cheap machine.

I might only sell 5-10 coffees per day to start, could I get away with a decent domestic coffee maker?

Also do I need a commercial fridge to store milk? Sorry if these are stupid questions.

Thanks in advance.

Southsider1

You will probably get away with something like this:
http://www.krups.co.uk/NR/rdonlyres/A88F2D47-CA6D-4145-95FB-4686B4C640B9/0/XP2000_main.jpg

You can use a small domestic fridge for the milk if you want as long as it cools to max 4c. You may never get a visit from the health inspectors but if they do call they'll expect to see the HACCAP paperwork...

Ladybird99

Thanks Southsider. Thats very helpful.:)

Lloyd Xmas

Hi Ladybird,

Not sure where you're based, but if you're around Dublin you could maybe head in to the Bald Barista Cafe on Aungier St and ask him what he'd recommend for the setup you have in mind.

He seems to enjoy chatting away to people about all things coffee, so i'm sure he'd be happy to share a few ideas with you.
Get a White Choc Mocha while your there, haven't found a nicer one yet anywhere on the planet

Best of luck with your plans anyway!

lucasw

perhaps the simple solution would be to get a nespresso machine, if your looking for ok coffee without any real hassle could workout well. added advantage of not having to grind beans and you know precisely what it is costing you to make per cup.
http://www.nespresso.com/#/ie/en/coffee_machines/selecteur_gamme
and yes some people are going to say that the coffee isn't the best and I agree 100% but your looking for a simple solution.

Bandara

lucasw wrote: »

perhaps the simple solution would be to get a nespresso machine, if your looking for ok coffee without any real hassle could workout well. added advantage of not having to grind beans and you know precisely what it is costing you to make per cup.
http://www.nespresso.com/#/ie/en/coffee_machines/selecteur_gamme
and yes some people are going to say that the coffee isn't the best and I agree 100% but your looking for a simple solution.

the cost per cup with the nespresso is about double the normal with beans

Also there are big problems getting the nespresso pods as afaik Brown Thomas have stopped doing them.

Ladybird99

Thanks everyone for replying. much appreciated. The Nespresso looks like a good bet but I will check the pod prices and availability first. There seems to be empty pod you can fill yourself so I will check these also.

I might be in town this weekend and will check out the bald barista. thanks for the tip Lloyd!

Two more questions-I need to put in a sink unit. Will this be ok, do you think? http://www.ikea.com/ie/en/catalog/products/S39817388

I have been trying to get in touch with my local EHO for over a week now and if she agrees I will use a domestic fridge for the milk. Do I really need HACCP though? There will be no food prep of any kind. We will just be selling tea, coffee, cans & bars.

Sorry for the questions, I have no experience in this area and am trying to keep costs to a minimum.

Thanks again for the help.