Fracino or La Spaziale for a new cafe?

[StuW]

Hi all,

I'm working in a small organisation at the moment that's going to be opening a small cafe which will cater for sit down coffee and take away coffee. The intention is to have a 3 group machine and grinder and although I have had my own Rancilio Silvia for a few years now (which satisfies my OCD just fine!), I don't know as much much about commercial machines.

The cafe will be refitted and will accommodate whatever commercial machine we choose. It is located in a touristy place and the bus stop is just outside so during the summer, the cafe will be pushed to the max making coffee as all the tourists decant from the hourly bus. Thus, good coffee is paramount but speed is also essential.

One suggestion has been to go for something like a La Spaziale 3 group machine. Another is to go for a Fracino - the advantage with the Fracino being that it will accommodate a paper cup under the group handle which saves time pouring the espresso from a small cup into the larger paper cup during really busy periods for take away coffee (is this significant?).

Anyway, if anyone has any experience of Fracino (good or bad), it would be good to hear to help us decide which machine to choose. Of course, any and all suggestions for machines to consider would be really welcome as well....

Thanks,

Stu

[Aadje]

I have not worked with either machine, but if you think take-away will be a considerable part of your business, go for the machine that will allow paper cups, re-pouring will not do the temperature of the 'spro (and thus the taste) any good . . .

[StuW]

Thanks Aadje - I hadn't considered temperature in that scenario. That said, I guess that pouring into an espresso cup from a greater height might be more difficult to get right without spillage!

Is there such a thing as a 'best' commercial machine out there? Or most popular?

[Aadje]

Best . . . at what price range? Kees van der Westen, Synesso, Slayer (if you can get your hands at one), La Marzocco . . . in that order - in my humble opinion.

Most popular, I've got no clue, but others here might.

[CakeBoy]

Hi Stu, any chance you can get 'hands-on' either or preferably both machines? There is nothing like a test drive to help make decisions and with coffe machines it is often something small that makes a surprising difference.

[paulsadlier]

I have been using a spaziale s3 seletron in my cafe for 6 years, and it has done me proud, no breakdowns or anything.

I can do takeaway drinks no problem (8 & 12oz cups, and 16 oz if you have the metal grid thing on the drip tray facing down instead of up) so i dont know where the problem is there, unless the s5 (newer model) has a lesser clearance.

The only advantage i can think of Fracino, is that they are built in UK, and maybe have specialist engineers quickly?

Anyway, like I say my S3 has done me proud, and still going strong, so hope that helps you.