Why You Need a Used Grinder and Espresso Maker
I can always tell when I walk into a new espresso bar whether I’m in good hands or not. My rule of thumb is, if the espresso
machine is an older model, showing a bit of wear and tear, but is still gleaming, then I can look forward to a pretty decent espresso experience.
Now given the title of this article you’d expect that having a used grinder and espresso maker on-hand is merely a matter of optics. Get yourself a used grinder and a used espresso maker and you’ve got it made. But the fact is that’s just my own comfort zone. Chances are I’ve been wrong as many times as I’ve been right using that rule of thumb.
No the real reason I believe most operators should have both a used grinder and a used espresso maker in their possession is because of my experience in the computer industry. Although that industry certainly has its fair share of latte and Americano drinkers, I actually learned very little from them when it comes to running an espresso bar. The important lesson that I learned on the computer industry comes from the concept of “redundancy”.
In the computer business if a client’s server goes down, this will spell disaster for their business. As a result, most consultants recommend to their clients that they have a second server ready to fire up as soon as the initial server goes down. In this way the business can continue operating as though nothing happened. Staff will not be affected. Customers will not be affected. And most importantly there will be no affect on sales and profits.
I’ve seen this same scenario play out in some specialty coffee shops and espresso bars that I’ve gone to. I walk in there looking for my usual double Americano and I am told “Sorry, the machine’s broke”, or “Sorry, our grinder’s broken and we can’t make any coffee”. Either one of these situations will spell disaster for an espresso bar. It is rare that an espresso machine repair company will show up in time to avert at least some kind of damage to your business.
In the case of a broken grinder, having a used grinder to serve as your backup makes it extremely easy to recover. All you have to do is to go down to the basement where you store it, unplug the broken grinder, and plug in the used grinder. You’re back in business. Chances are the money that you will be able to make as a result of having the used grinder will pay for it many times over.
When it comes to a broken espresso maker, things get a lot more complex. First of all, most espresso makers are not simply a plug-and-play piece of equipment. So even if you did have a used espresso maker, few people have the skills to immediately set up a plumbed espresso maker. The real value in having a used espresso maker comes when you are told that the gasket in your machine needs to be replaced and it will take a few days to order in the part. Now a used espresso maker will cost you a few hundred bucks, but this cost will pale in comparison to the losses incurred by not being able to open for a few days while you’re equipment is being fixed.
These days it is extremely easy to find used grinders and used espresso makers at decent prices. The first, and probably the best place to start looking is online. Sites like Craig’s list and eBay are excellent sources for use grinders and used espresso makers. The only real caution here is that you understand why these machines are being sold in the first place.
But for the few hundred dollars it will cost you to buy a used grinder and used espresso maker; it is unlikely that you will be able to find business insurance at a cheaper price. Closing your business because of a broken grinder or a broken espresso maker will result in lost revenue, lost profits, and the possibility of your loyal and hard earned customers finding your competition.