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Commercial coffee machines. No ingredient tie-ins.
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Coffee machine buying guide

Choosing a coffee machine for your business

Start with the coffee people want and how your day works. These questions will help you explain what you need, compare proposed setups and see what still needs checking.

You do not need to choose a machine or know all the details before asking for help.

Start with your busiest coffee break

Twenty drinks spread across a morning is a different brief from everyone arriving at once. We'll help you look beyond the daily total.

  • About how many drinks would you serve on a usual day, and on a busy one? An estimate is a useful start.
  • When do people want their drinks? Note how many might arrive together and how much time they have.
  • If you already have a machine, when do people have to wait, and what would you like to improve?

Ask how a proposed setup suits those busy periods and your drinks menu. A daily cup figure alone does not settle the choice.

Put the drinks before the features

Black coffee, fresh-milk drinks or something more varied? Tell us what matters to your team. We'll explain which machine and options suit that menu.

  • List the drinks you need, then separate any extras you would like to explore.
  • Tell us if you prefer fresh milk, powdered milk or a milk alternative. We’ll check which machines and options can support your choice.
  • Who will make the drinks: people helping themselves, or a team serving others? Include that in the brief.

Ask what the proposed version will actually make and which options are included. Do not assume every version of a model has the same drinks or milk setup.

Plan space for the whole setup

Measure the area you have in mind, then ask what the exact machine and any separate equipment need. Include the practical space for using and looking after them.

  • How much space is available? Measure the width, depth and height, then ask about room for opening doors or lids, refilling, cleaning and any milk storage.
  • Does the proposed machine need a fixed water connection or a refillable tank? Ask whether it also needs drainage, what work your site needs and who will arrange it.
  • What power supply and connection does the exact equipment need? Ask for the requirements to be checked against your site before installation is agreed.

Tell us your site postcode and anything that could make delivery or installation difficult, such as limited access. It is fine to leave uncertain details for us to check.

Give daily care a clear owner

Start with the model and its cleaning system. Different products do different jobs, so check the instructions for your machine before choosing.

  • Who will handle refilling and daily care, and who will cover when they are away?
  • Ask to see the care routine for the exact setup, including any coffee and milk systems. Check which tasks are automatic and which still need a person.
  • Ask which cleaning products to use and what training is included in the proposal. Follow the machine’s instructions for how much to use and how often.

Choose a machine your team can look after day to day. We’ll help you understand the care routine before you decide.

Compare more than the machine price

Ask for costs based on the same equipment and expected use. Check what each proposal includes and what you would pay for separately.

  • The equipment price, whether it includes VAT, when payment is due and what the proposal includes.
  • The coffee, milk or other ingredients and the cleaning products needed for your planned drinks and care routine.
  • What installation, training, servicing and repairs are included, and what is charged separately.

You can choose brüud coffee and ingredients or another compatible supplier, without a compulsory ingredient contract. The products you use still need to suit your machine.

Know who to contact and what is covered

Ask who handles your enquiry, who carries out the work and what the proposed support arrangements cover. Check the answer for the particular machine and your site.

  • Who should your team contact about a fault, and what information will they need?
  • What work, parts or visits are covered, what is excluded and which charges may still apply?
  • If you need an engineer, how soon could they visit your site? Ask what options you would have while the machine is out of use.

For WMF service enquiries, brüud helps manage and coordinate the request. WMF carries out engineering and repairs, with arrangements checked for your machine.

Turn your answers into a short brief

A few notes are enough to start the conversation. Share what you know and leave anything uncertain as a question:

  • Your business, site postcode and who will use the machine.
  • Roughly how many drinks you need on a normal day and at your busiest times.
  • The drinks you want and any preferences about milk or ingredients.
  • Available space and what you know about water, power and access.
  • Who will look after the setup and any support you need to discuss.
  • Any budget, preferred timing or existing machine you would like us to consider.

Let's work through your coffee setup

You do not need all the answers. Tell us what you know, and we’ll help you work through the machine choices and practical details.

Talk to brüud