Why isn’t my coffee machine keeping up? Understanding coffee machine capacity

Do you feel like your coffee machine can’t keep up with your demand? We understand that this can happen from time to time, especially in busy offices where everyone wants their coffee at the same time.

But before you assume your machine is too slow, let’s take a closer look. We’ve compiled the knowledge of our in-house experts to help you get to the heart of the issue.

A quality cup of coffee takes time. Just like at your favourite coffee shop, where you’d expect to wait while a barista makes each cup fresh, your office coffee machine won’t make a coffee instantly.

Especially for bean-to-cup machines, where the beans are ground, espresso is brewed, milk is steamed, and then everything is dispensed. All this only takes 30 seconds, about half the time it takes a barista to make a latte. And all at the touch of a button.

But we understand that every second saved is valuable, so lets get into why delays happen and how to fix them.

Common causes of delays in dispense speed

Sometimes, underlying maintenance issues are the cause of delays.

For example, if there was a blockage in the milk tube. Your machine would need a good clean, but could be back up and running within 15 minutes. See our handy guide here.

Another possibility is a drop in water pressure, which could be caused by external factors in your building like leaks. If you suspect this is the cause, check other water dispensers in your building first to confirm, and then contact your plumber.

However, if you’ve eliminated faults and external influences like water pressure, then it’s likely that there is a mismatch between your needs and your machine’s capacity.

Why capacity matters

We sometimes see cases of businesses who opt for a cheaper, lower capacity coffee machine to save money but end up overloading the machine and it deteriorates quickly due to over use.

This is why it is crucial that you choose the right machine for your workplace, and then that you install the right number of machines in your building.

The required capacity for your business will change. Usually, coffee machines get more use in the morning, before and after meetings, at scheduled break times and on days of the week where more people are working in the office. Its crucial that your office coffee machine can withstand the highest level of demand, or it might slow down on you when you need it most.

If you are certain that you have the right spec of machine, and the right number of machines in your building, but you still aren’t satisfied with the speed then below we will list some possible solutions.

Option 1. Overhaul the capacity of your existing machine

Your current machine can potentially handle more drinks per day. We can adjust the settings, tweak the recipes, or optimise the workflow to speed things up slightly. Either with a split pour or a consecutive pour. However, this comes with trade-offs:

Pros

-No need for extra space or investment in another machine.
-Can adjust recipes and settings of your current machine for slightly faster output.

Cons

-You will have to program a split pour or consecutive pour option for every drink on your menu. This will clutter your user interface.
-Adjusting settings too much can affect taste and quality.
-Office coffee machines are designed to dispense only one drink at a time.
-Consecutive pours would require the user to be closely observing when to switch the cups out to avoid a mess.
-Doesn’t solve the bottleneck if everyone still uses the machine at once.

Option 2. Get multiple machines

For workplaces with consistently high demand, adding a second machine can be a game-changer. This spreads out usage, reduces queues, and ensures a smoother coffee experience.

Pros

-Double the capacity means fewer people waiting.
-More flexibility as staff aren’t tied to one machine.

Cons

-Requires more space.
-Still operates on a per-cup basis, so peak-time queues could persist if demand continues to grow.
-Cost.

Option 3. Consider a bulk brew solution

If speed is your top priority, a bulk brew solution might be the answer. These types of machines brew large quantities of filter coffee, ready to serve instantly as a black or white coffee.

Pros

-Ideal for teams that need coffee quickly and frequently.
-Great for meetings, events, or offices with a high coffee volume.

Cons

-Limited options, as you can only create filter coffee from one type of bean.
-It’s a different experience compared to the espresso machines.
-Requires planning ahead.
-You sacrifice some of the inclusivity that comes with having a choose-your-own-adventure experience for your team.
-Filter coffee machines are not the most sleek and modern-looking option for a coffee solution.

Your priorities

It’s also important to ask yourself: What is my priority in my coffee experience?

Speed? Quantity? Taste? Ease of use? Attention to detail?

When weighing up the pros and cons, keep your priority in mind. For example, if you are comfortable sacrificing quality in the name of speed. Or if your priority is giving your team a luxurious experience. Whatever your priority is, there will be an easy solution.

The bottom line: Quality coffee takes time

If you value premium, fresh coffee, there will always be a short wait. That’s simply how great coffee is made. So it’s really important that you have the right set up to meet the needs of your team, in line with your priorities as a company. This will minimise delays and ensure your team’s coffee experience is exceptional.

Sometimes, you have to adjust your coffee experience as you go since it’s impossible to predict exactly what will work and what won’t. But whether it’s tweaking your current setup, adding a second machine, or switching to a bulk-brew solution, there’s always a way to meet demand without compromising on quality. FreshGround is here to provide you with an exceptional coffee experience. So, let’s work together to find the right solution for your team.