It is well known that, for bars, the choice of an espresso coffee machine, is very important. The cup of coffee is the perfect representation of the bar. How many people would rather say “let’s take a coffee” than “let’s go to the bar”? As a result, selecting a good machine might have a significant impact on your company’s revenue. Basically, we can say that the choice falls between the lever and the automatic coffee machine. These are in turn divided between automatic and super automatic models.
There are two important things to consider: performance and stage presence.
Professional coffee machines can be chosen to favour performance or beauty.
In the first case it’s more important to consider the high quantity of espresso coffees expected to be prepared. And in the fear of not being able to satisfy the request, the choice goes towards an automatic machine where the extraction is faster than in the lever machine.
Lever coffee machines are slower because every time it is necessary to prepare the filter holder and lower the lever.
So, choosing an automatic model means focusing on the speed of execution.
To be honest, we must say that automatic coffee machines, compared to lever machines, are also subject to other types of breakdowns.
Therefore, if it is certainly true that automatic models allow for a much higher preparation rate, it is also true that they are more complex machines and fail much more.
Obviously, the type of machinery also affects costs.
The cost of a coffee machine for a bar varies according to the design, but it is above all performance that increases spending.
Coffee machines with one brewing group are cheaper but can prepare only two coffees at the same time.
While lever coffee machines with two brewing groups allow you to serve four customers at the same time.
Lever or automatic coffee machine for a bar?
The coffee machine plays an important in the bar, both as a decorative piece and as a practical component. In reality, most bars generate a significant part of their revenue thanks to this machinery.
As a crucial work tool, it is consequently important to pay close attention to both the aesthetic and technological aspects.
To compare the two types of coffee machines, you must first understand how a lever coffee machine works and how to use an automatic machine. Each coffee machine has its own qualities, is distinguished by its design and has distinct methods of operation and necessitates more or less effort during extraction and maintenance.
Now we’ll look at the differences between the two types of espresso machines for the bar and decide which one to use.
When it comes to the mechanism, it’s important to note that the more advanced models are more difficult to maintain, and they wear out faster. The lever machine has various advantages from this perspective. Mechanical rather than electronic operation is easier to operate and requires less maintenance.
The lever itself has a retro aspect to it, but it’s also extremely lovely, and it contributes to making the bar’s ambiance more authentic and fascinating.
The barista’s talent and engagement increase the extraction of the coffee. Movements that, in an automatic machine, vanish as soon as the ignition button is hit,
The pressure control provided by the lever allows you to enhance the various types of blends that would otherwise be uniform in normal preparations.
Let’s look at the variables to consider when making a decision.
Lever coffee machines have essential mechanics.
Lever coffee machines have essential and simple mechanics, which have evolved during the last century and a half.
Modern models, on the other hand, are equipped with many technologic devices that complicate its interior.
An electronic failure, for example, can hardly happen when using a lever coffee machine.
So, it is clear that when you have to make this choice, you have to carefully consider what type of lever coffee machine for a bar to buy.
Its lines, compared to those of automatic machines, are more vintage and classic. The profiles are leaner and essential, and the shapes more solid and classic.
There are other fundamental aspects for a bar such as beauty, design, furniture.
A bar is not just a place where to stop for a coffee.
For us Italians, the bar is a sort of extension of our home.
We all have our favourite bar, with our trusted bartender mastering the coffee machine to make us our favourite coffee.
Our models are more fascinating
The lever machine as we know it today represents the organic development of the first models of the late nineteenth century.
The gestures and rituals of actions that belong to the classical imagination.
It is clear that the customer of the bar has the perception of drinking real espresso in a workmanlike manner. It is one of those cases in which we can speak of the experience of consuming a product.
The presence of the lever on our coffee machines gives it an intriguing aspect, as if this detail were enough to make the machine even more precious.
The vintage design makes Pontevecchio coffee machines suitable for any type of atmosphere.
Just choose one of the different colour variations to give the room a different and renewed air.
When you choose a lever coffee machine for a bar, you should also consider the fatigue factor. In fact, to extract the coffee, the machine requires manual action on the lever so as to exert pressure on the coffee.
Instead, it is clear that an automatic machine requires only the effort of pressing a button, so it is more suitable for those who want to avoid any effort.
Maintenance changes a lot between the different models.
What changes in terms of cleanliness between the different models of espresso machine?
In the case of the manual machine, the bartender must, every time before preparing a new espresso, drain a small amount of hot water that cleans the pipes.
This means that this type of machine is always clean, so in terms of maintenance it requires slightly less effort.
This affects the quality of the espresso: the flavour varies less after a long use.
Automatic machines require frequent cleaning cycles so that the coffee is not altered in flavour.
Depending on the price range, the number of coffees that can be extracted between descaling cycles varies: economic machines must be cleaned every 300/400 coffees while high-end ones can even reach 5000 cups.
Pontevecchio manual coffee machines have the advantage of being completely mechanical.
Actually, only the boiler and the on and off lights are powered by electricity. This avoids complex and hard-to-repair damage, making Pontevecchio lever coffee machines an investment that can last a lifetime.
In manual models the pressure exerted varies
Another positive aspect of the lever machine concerns the pressure profile exerted.
The automatic models obviously have constant pressure, while the manual ones do not.
By their nature, depending on the gesture of a bartender, the pressure varies.
This causes the pressure to reach a slightly higher level in the initial part of the extraction.
The correct value would be 9 bars, and the fact that in the initial phase it is slightly higher causes the coffee to lose its bitterness.
The variation in the pressure exerted allows to preserve the organoleptic characteristics of the powder, developing a delicate and pleasant taste.
Some of the substances that cause bitterness do not affect espresso coffee as in the automatic ones.
A too high or, on the contrary, too low pressure, does not allow to respect the right extraction times (the ideal value is 25 seconds). Generally, automatic machines tend to speed up times and coffee can lose its more particular aromatic notes.
The flavour of the espresso with the manual machine varies
Despite this, it must be said that using a manual espresso coffee machine involves an inconsistency in the flavour of the different cups.
Obviously, this aspect depends also on the fact that there is the human component in its use which is by its very nature inconstant.
A bar must therefore carefully evaluate these different variables.
For example, it must consider the skill of the staff who will handle it.
Manual models are simple, but they require practice. Automatic models, on the other hand, are more complex but require less practice.
Then we have the design: the manual models furnish with their classic shapes, the automatic ones have the most futuristic air.
It must be said that the “futuristic” design ages faster than the “classic” one, which as such never goes out of fashion.
What does not change, however, are the preparation possibilities: with both choices you can prepare more coffees, cappuccinos or long coffees. This last category is absolutely not to be confused with American coffee, for which there is a completely different method of extraction.
How much does a lever coffee machine for a bar costs
Lever coffee machines for bars are in a range of prices ranging from 700 euros to 4.500 euros.
The difference between the appliances is given in particular by the number of brewing groups:
- Lever coffee machines for bars wit on brewing group have an average price of 1.200 euros and range between 700 and 1.700 euros.
- Lever coffee machines with two brewing groups cost around 2.400 euros.
The lowest price is around 1,000 euros while you can also spend around 3.500 euros to buy one.
- the price of a three-group lever coffee machine for bars exceeds 4.000 euros.
Pontevecchio’s offer of professional lever coffee machines includes three models:
- Export model costs 990.00 euros.
- Lusso I with 1 brewing group costs 1.190 euros.
- Lusso II with 2 brewing groups costs 1.399.
The Export model also has a golden version which is sold for 1480.00 euros.
The higher price is due to the processes to which the machine is subjected, the gilding with 24K gold, carried out through a galvanic process, and the three-dimensional colouring applied to the surface of the metal by water transfer printing.
Pontevecchio manual models are the ultimate expression of design with classic references. Their operation is the result of artisan passion that has improved the details over the years.
Choosing your ideal bar model is quick and easy on our site, where you can choose between different colours. So as to be able to make the best possible contribution in terms of beauty and design.
If the manual machine is suitable for your bar, then its best expression is a Pontevecchio model.