Tips and Tricks on How to Choose the Best Office Coffee Machine
What are the different types of office coffee machines and which is right for your office? Get the answers in this guide.
The first office coffee break took place more than a century ago. So, it may not be too suprising that it quickly became a hallmark of the American workplace. Whether you live for your job or wish you worked elsewhere, grabbing a quick cup of Joe with your coworkers can beone of the best parts of your workday.
The concept of taking a caffeine break and bonding with colleagues is simple, but the office coffee tradition has become complex over the past 100+ years. There's no way early-1900s employees could begin to fathom the wide variety of office coffee equipment choices we would have years later!
With that in mind, don't feel bad if you're overwhelmed by thevarious types of office coffee machines You're not alone.. Keep reading to pick up some handy tips and tricks on how to choose office coffee equipment.
Determine Your Office Coffee Consumption Rate
One of the most important factors to weigh when buying one or more office coffee machines is the size of your office and how much coffee you all drink.
Single-serve Keurig cup machines suit needs big and small because they brew so quickly. If your office guzzles coffee all day, though, you could also keep a simple drip pot without worrying about it ever getting stale.
Choosing that kind of classic office coffee equipment over a Keurig system may save you money. Single-serve "K-cup" pods often cost more per serving than basic ground coffee. Plus, a coffee-loving office may spend all day refilling the Keurig reservoir and cleaning the machine.
Think About Who Uses Your Office Coffee Machines
Coffee is a versatile beverage that serves many purposes depending on the nature of your workplace. It can be an energy booster for early-morning workers, a way to relax and socialize mid-day, and more. If your office serves clients, it can be a way to welcome and appreciate them as well.
Fast-paced offices drinking coffee all day long may do best with machines that brew pots of coffee and keep them warm for quick dispensing. Carefully choosing a quality roast wows the palate without the need for futuristic brewing equipment. No more waiting for each cup to brew!
On the other hand, a multi-drink maker is a great addition to the refuge of the break room. It helps breakneck workplaces keep coffee time as a treat rather than a strict necessity.
Choose Your Commitment Level
As convenient as Keurig machines can be, they're deceptively complex. Choosing how to use time, energy, and money is a big part of deciding whether to buy a Keurig machine or go with a simple classic like a drip coffee maker.
Keurig tubes and mechanical parts can get gummed up and even moldy if you're not careful. You have to use the machine often and keep up with maintenance—or pay someone to. Using filtered water helps a lot, but doesn't make the machines maintenance-free.
Keurig coffee makers use more electricity than some other types of coffee machines. Flushing the tubes can use a lot of water compared to washing a drip pot coffee maker, too.
Yet, it's hard to beat Keurig-style coffee machines for the office when you need your office coffee equipment to keep up with constant use in a bustling lobby or break room. You don't have to wait nearly as long for a Keurig cup as for a full drip pot to brew. Everyone can have their drink right when they want it and there's much less mess from loose grounds.
While going with a Keurig office coffee machine is a commitment to a demanding maintenance schedule, it's also a way to offer something for everyone without buying a second set of offerings.
You can buy "K-cups" filled with non-coffee drink mixes like tea, cocoa, and cider. You can also use Keurig-style machines as hot water dispensers.
Those functions let you serve drinks that aren't coffee without investing in a separate machine. You also don't need two separate coffee dispensers to serve decaf.. These options accommodate those who don't drink fully caffeinated coffee for medical, religious, or other personal reasons.
Simple Self-Serve or Direct Hospitality
Self-serve Keurig machines help many offices offer coffee all day without devoting extra resources to the amenity.
At the same time, the personal touch of offices that elect to serve coffee to their guests never goes unnoticed. That kind of gesture could help secure loyal clients.
While one could use a single-serve Keurig machine to make drinks, directly serving beverages opens other avenues. If part of the reason you want office coffee equipment is to wow clients and guests, you might invest in a luxury espresso machine or an automated "barista" machine that crafts café-quality beverages.
Those specialty options are less ideal for an office lobby self-serve application.
Explore Office Coffee Machine Tech Features
You don't need a high-tech marvel to brew delicious coffee, but there is a certain glamour to such office coffee equipment.
Single-serve office coffee machines are user-focused and modern. Drinking a specially-brewed cup of java makes everyone feel special.
Using a modern machine to brew makes your workplace feel up-to-date and tech-savvy. It helps employees feel valued and stay motivated. It also inspires confidence in clients looking to stay on the cutting edge.
Mix and Match Types of Coffee Machines for the Office
If you're struggling to decide between different kinds of coffee machines for the office, determine whether multiple office coffee machines might be the best choice.
You might treat clients with a Keurig machine in the reception area and use a basic, reliable drip pot coffee maker in your break room. Or, you could offer a cappuccino machine in the client lobby and keep an espresso maker behind the scenes for break-time relaxation. Your solution could be as simple as using several Keurigs, so there's always one open for customer use.
Hire an Office Coffee Service
The best way to succeed with an office coffee machine is to hire a business specializing in workplace beverages. In Omaha, Eastern Nebraska, and Western Iowa, look no further than Ideal Pure Water.
We provide coffee equipment, filtered water, and supplies to keep offices caffeinated and happy year-round. We'll work with you to find the best beverage strategy for your office. We offer refreshments for both coffee fanatics and those who prefer something different.
Call us toll-free at
(800) 967-2600 or
request a quote online to improve your office coffee and beverage game today.
