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The 5 Best Commercial Coffee Makers Of 2024

After making more than 500 cups of coffee while testing out 31 different commercial coffee makers, we’re confident in recommending this Bunn Pour Over model as the best combination of value, functionality, and ease-of-use for most offices and other situations that would call for a heavy-duty coffee maker.

The 5 Best Commercial Coffee Makers

Who This Guide Is For

Do you need a large-capacity coffee machine for an office, event, or similar situation? Then this guide is for you!

Coffee has exploded as an industry over the past decade, and the iconic “office coffee pot” is now more of a staple than ever before. The difference is, half-working single-pot drip machines simply don’t cut it anymore. People need real coffee, and lots of it – whether at the office, staffing a fundraiser, or volunteering in a different capacity.

So let’s take a look at the best commercial coffee machines available today, along with the many features you’re able to pick from. We’ll help you figure out what type of maker suits your needs best. I’ll also be giving you a list of the top models on the market today to help you narrow down your choice further. So, grab a cup and pour yourself a nice hot coffee – let’s begin!

Our Top Picks

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Let’s take a look at the most popular models on the market today, all reviews and tested by myself and the rest of our resident coffee experts.

1. Bunn Pour Over Commercial Coffee Brewer with 3 Lower Warmers

bunn 3 burner

Quick Specs

Type Standard pourover
Brew Capacity 3.8 gallons per hour
Notes Pots not included
Dimensions 17.7 x 16.4 x 17.8 inches

Pros

  • Compact design.
  • Can operate 24/7 without any problem.
  • Heats up coffee within minutes.

Cons

  • You can’t turn off the heater unless you pull the plug.

This coffee brewer from Bunn can brew up to 3.8 gallons/14.4 liters of coffee per hour. Its lightweight design makes it a good choice for those looking for something portable to satiate their love of coffee. The patented SplashGard funnel accessory helps prevent hot liquid from splashing onto your hands. As this is a pour-over coffee maker it requires no plumbing to operate.

This type of coffee maker is good for dispensing a decent volume of cups. It also comes with the bare bones features and no bells and whistles. A good choice for traditional coffee drinkers.

 

2. Hamilton Beach Commercial 60-Cup Stainless-Steel Coffee Urn

hamilton beach d50065

Quick Specs

Type Urn
Brew Capacity 60 Cups
Notes No filter needed
Dimensions 12.3 x 12.3 x 18 inches

Pros

  • Can dispense 60 cups within an hour.
  • Easy to fill and easy to use.
  • Beautiful stainless-steel design.

Cons

  • The plastic knob on the lid can get extremely hot. Handle with care during refills.

The Hamilton Beach Commercial Coffee Maker can brew up to 60 cups of coffee within an hour. It is made of beautifully polished stainless-steel exterior making it fit with almost any interior décor. The water heater helps maintain a steady temperature throughout the day. It also uses a one-hand dispensing design for easier cup pouring. The coffee maker also has a content level display which allows you to check how much coffee is left at a glance.

 

3. Keurig Office Pro Single Cup Commercial K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker

keurig k155 office pro

Quick Specs

Type Keurig / K-cup
Brew Capacity 90 oz water reserve
Notes 4 different brew sizes
Dimensions 14 x 10.4 x 13.8 inches

Pros

  • Easy to use.
  • Automatic on and off feature.
  • Decent sized water tank.
  • Quickly prepares coffee in a matter of minutes.

Cons

  • Constricted to K-cup use.
  • No 12-ounce option.
  • Mostly made of plastic.

One thing that the Keurig Office Pro Coffee Maker nails is convenience. Keurig’s K-cups are a great choice for those who want easy to make ground coffee. Of course, this means you won’t be getting that sweet brewed aroma afterward. This is the K155 models which has a similar design to the B155, but with with added features.

It comes with a 90-ounce tank located on the right side and a touchscreen interface control. You can adjust the brewing temperature as well as adjust the dispensing from 4 to 10 ounces. It also has an auto-shutdown feature that activates after 2 hours of inactivity. This is a good choice for those who want a commercial-class machine that dispenses coffee on an as-needed basis.

 

4. West Band 100-Cup Commercial Coffee Urn

west end 33600

Quick Specs

Type Urn
Brew Capacity 100 Cups
Notes Brews 1 cup / minute
Dimensions 14.5 x 10.6 x 23 inches

Pros

  • Durable quality.
  • Cup per minute coffee dispenser.
  • A light indicator that signals when the coffee is ready.

Cons

  • The spigot is right above the on and off switch which increases the risk of somebody getting burned by hot liquid.

The West Band 100-cup Commercial Coffee Urn is designed for use in large gatherings and is a great countertop coffee maker. This heavy-duty coffee maker allows for quick and easy preparation of brewed coffee and cleans up. It comes with a 100-cup urn designed for commercial use.

This coffee maker can brew up to 100 cups which makes it ideal for office use, lounges, and cafes. It also has interior water level gauge which should help determine the amount of coffee left easily. Other features include a 2-way dripless faucet and automatic temperature control.

 

5. Wilbur Curtis G3 Commercial Airpot Coffee Brewer

wilbur curtis airpot brewer

Quick Specs

Type Airpot
Brew Capacity 2.5 Liters
Notes Dispenser not included
Dimensions 20 x 9.2 x 24.5 inches

Pros

  • Sturdy build.
  • Easy to use.
  • Fully customizable brewing options.

Cons

  • None to mention.

The Wilbur Curtis G3 features an in-depth control when it comes to coffee brewing options. It utilizes pre-infusion processing which helps extract a richer flavor from the coffee bean. It features digital control module which is covered in the high-tech polymer, a material that is heat and water resistant.

It can dispense around 2.2 to 2.5 liters of coffee and is a single and compact coffee brewer designed for personal and home use. This brewer uses water lines and will require some plumbing. Parts do not come with the model but you can easily find what you need at your local hardware store.

Buying A Commercial Coffee Maker

The most important question you need to answer when buying a commercial coffee maker is: How many cups of coffee to do you think it will need to dispense every day? Not all coffee machines are created equal – some coffee makers cannot handle large volumes of coffee within a short period of time.

The cup per day metric is based on the 8-ounce serving standard. A decent commercial coffee maker should be able to dispense around 150 to 200 cups per day. Low volume coffee makers are designed to deliver 50 cups while heavy-duty ones can dispense up to 500 cups per day.

Types Of Makers

In order to help you understand the inner working of the coffee making industry better, I’ll go over some well-known types used in this industry and a quick definition of each. This should allow you to put your best foot forward when choosing a commercial coffee maker.

Bean to Cup Coffee Machine

One of the most common models in the market, the bean to cup machine is quite simple to use. It is commonly used as a self-serve coffee machine and can be operated with just a press of a button.

The bean to cup machines grind coffee beans and distributes them into the brewing chamber which is then filled with hot water. This follows the basic coffee making process, though some also have a milk foam dispenser installed into the machine for cappuccinos. This machine usually comes with an 8 to 12 cup option.

Combination Bean to Cup Coffee Machine

A hybrid of sorts, this coffee maker machine offers not only grounded coffee but instant coffee as well. This is a popular choice for your everyday office setting.

Coffee Hopper Coffee Machine

These are similar to “bean to cup” models, but come with an extended chamber on top that you fill up with beans. They’re funneled into a grinder as needed, and then routed into the brewing chamber.

Price Range

The second most important factor when choosing a commercial coffee machine will be your budget. How much are you willing to spend on a coffee maker? Keep in mind that your standard commercial coffee maker can set you back anywhere from $200 – $1,000. High-end models can even run you in the tens of thousands!

Obviously, those high-end commercial coffee makers deliver high-quality performance but are not necessary for your everyday office setting. While the choices can be quite overwhelming at first, this is actually a good thing as you can better find the perfect coffee maker machine for you.

Important Questions To Ask Before Buying

Once you have picked out the right commercial coffee maker there are a couple of important you need to consider before purchase:

  • Is it covered by any form of maintenance or repair warranties?
  • What is the cost of repairs if the machine breaks down?
  • Are there emergency repair services offered?
  • Is there a return or exchange policy included with the product?
  • How long does the cleaning process normally take?

Make a note of these questions as they should cover all the long-term basics when operating a commercial coffee machine. The great thing about these industrial makers is that you get dozens of choices and you are guaranteed to find the best type to suit your needs.

Hopefully, this article has shed some light on the important features and aspects you need to look for in a quality commercial coffee maker!