If you've decided to open up a coffee shop locally, one of the first things that you need to do is invest in the right equipment for the job. Perhaps the single biggest investment is in the equipment that you'll need to produce that coffee. Espresso machines are a significant investment. As a result, you will want to give your selection a lot of careful thought and preparation to ensure that you get the right ones for your needs and your future plans. Here's a look at some of the things that you need to understand before you buy the coffee machines that you'll need for your shop.

Water Processing Considerations

Those who truly know coffee (and especially espresso) know that water is just as important as beans when it comes to the final product. It's important that you keep that in mind when you're looking at your commercial espresso machine options. After all, there are several factors that will directly affect the quality and quantity of the water in your machine.

For example, you'll want to start by considering the size of the water reservoir. Remember, the smaller the reservoir, the more frequently you're going to have to add water and then wait for the machine to warm that water to the right temperature. However, avoid choosing a machine with too large a reservoir because you don't want the water to sit in that reservoir for too long, otherwise, it could get stale. That affects the taste of the water, which will affect the taste of the coffee.

You should also think about any filtration features for the water reservoir. If you're concerned about mineral content or anything else that can affect the quality of the water, you should look for an espresso machine that comes with a water filtration system. That way, you can be confident that you're using the purest possible water for your final product.

Brew Temperature Control

The temperature of the water used to brew your espresso and other coffee brews will have a significant effect on the flavor of that final product. Many brewing machines, including commercial espresso machines, are designed to heat water with the assumption that the brewer is starting with cold water. If you fill the brewer with warm water, or the water sits long enough to become room temperature, that's going to directly affect the final flavor of the brew.

Look for commercial brewers that allow you to actually specify water temperature for the machine instead of having it run on an automated heating cycle. This way, it heats the water to a specific temperature instead of for a predetermined period of time. That gives you greater control over the consistent quality of your espresso brew.

Head Options

Another thing you'll find when you're looking at the different commercial espresso machines on the market is that there are different head options for the machines. You can choose from one or two heads depending on what you anticipate needing from your espresso machine. One head will only allow you to brew one single espresso shot per handle, while two heads will allow you to use a double-shot brew and fill two separate cups at the same time or a double shot in a single cup with only one brew cycle. 

Think about what your customers are most likely to order or how many espresso shots you'll need to brew at a time so that you can determine which head selection is going to be the right fit for your operation.

These are some of the most important things to think about when it comes to choosing the espresso machines for your coffee shop. Check with a supplier near you today for more help and guidance through the brewer options.