Choosing equipment for your café – What should you invest in?

Our experience is that half of our customers who want to open a café are out way too early, looking at equipment before they even have a clear concept and premises. Often it is the concept and the limitations of the premises that determine what equipment you end up buying.

The other half of our café customers are out at the last minute, which means they can't get the equipment that is actually most ideal. A lot of commercial kitchen equipment is either not in stock, or it is custom-made solutions that have a delivery time of about 4 weeks.

So it's a shame that you can't get the espresso machine in the color you wanted or the steel table that makes the best use of the space in the kitchen.

When it comes to choosing kitchen equipment and fixtures for your café, it can feel like navigating a jungle of options. Should you go all-in on the top models or opt for some cheaper brand with the risk of having to replace it within a few years? Let’s dive into what really matters when investing in commercial kitchen equipment.

The coffee machine – The heart of the café

If your café serves coffee – and let’s be honest, it probably does – then the coffee machine is the alpha and omega. At a minimum, you need a professional espresso machine and a professional grinder.

Consider a machine with two groups if you expect to be busy and three groups if it is a very large café. Very small coffee shops will be able to make do with an espresso machine with one group, but here you should be aware that the hot water tank has a capacity of approximately 5 liters.

Don't forget the coffee grinder - freshly ground beans make a world of difference. For professional use, you'll probably need to invest 8-10,000 DKK in a grinder, unless it's used.

Since water is the largest component in coffee, it is important that you use good water. In many places in Denmark there is a lot of lime in the water, and therefore 9 out of 10 choose to install a water filter on the coffee machine's water supply . In some cases, it may even make sense to use "reverse osmosis", where the lime is extracted, but where good minerals are added at the same time. This means that you can use a cheaper coffee bean and get the same good taste.

Refrigerators and freezers – Your invisible hero

Refrigerators and freezers may not sound sexy, but they are essential. Consider refrigerators with glass doors so you can quickly find what you are looking for – and at the same time present drinks to customers. However, this is more expensive in terms of electricity. That is why most of our customers choose to buy an industrial stainless steel refrigerator for all the raw materials in the kitchen. And then you have a bottle refrigerator or a back bar in the service area.

Ovens and stoves – When the menu decides

If your café serves hot food, you need equipment to match your menu. A digital combi oven is a versatile solution that can bake, grill and steam. For simpler menus, a Zanussi gas hob and deep fryer may be sufficient.

Example: A micro-bakery with a café in Zealand chose to invest in a high-end digital combi oven. This means that employees can easily operate the oven themselves using the pre-programmed recipes and automatic washing programs. As a result, all bread and cakes are baked perfectly - every time.

The dishwasher – Your time-saving partner

Don't forget the dishwasher! A fast and reliable industrial dishwasher saves both time and labor. Consider a fresh water dishwasher from Miele if you don't have much more than 3-5 washes per day. Otherwise, you should look at a tank dishwasher/high-speed dishwasher, which has programs down to about 2 minutes. Many of our customers are surprised by how much space you need to allocate for a dishwasher. An undercounter dishwasher is enough for most small and medium-sized cafes that have less than 20-25 washes per day.

Just like with the espresso machine, you also need to consider water treatment. Most people choose an AK water filter if they don't buy a machine with built-in water treatment.

Furniture and decor – Create the right atmosphere

Once the equipment is in place, think about what your customers will see. Steel fixtures like tables and shelves give a professional look in the kitchen, while wooden countertops and upholstered chairs create a cozy atmosphere in the serving area. Don't forget practical details like trays and serving tables.

When choosing professional café furniture, you should pay attention to:

• Durability: Upholstered furniture wears out over time. Here you can go for furniture with a high Martindale.
• The option to stack chairs and possibly fold the cafe tables together, making it easy to clean and not least so that the furniture takes up less space on the sidewalk after work.
• Washable materials: Fabric can be difficult to clean, so consider faux leather or plastic furniture if it fits your decor.

Many cafes are decorating with recycled furniture to create a rustic and sustainable atmosphere that matches a more sustainable concept. It also gives a little more room in the budget when you buy secondhand.

Leasing vs. buying – What pays off?

If your budget is tight, leasing can be an obvious solution. It gives you access to the latest equipment without a large initial investment. However, if you have the capital, buying is much more economical in the long run. Leasing typically costs up to 30% of the total amount.

Our recommendation is typically that you save up as much as possible and then buy some things used and other things new. Remember that when you buy new, you should buy in good quality and with a minimum of 1 year full warranty (the spare parts warranty does not cover the expensive technician hours).

Ready to choose?

The choice of equipment is one of the most important decisions you make as a café owner. If you need guidance, you can contact Cosina on 42613995 or info@cosina.dk . We will help you find equipment that fits your concept and budget perfectly.