How Commercial Coffee Makers Work
A commercial coffee maker is a lot like a small water heater that brews coffee. Most commercial coffee makers have an internal tank that holds a specified amount of water in the tank at all times. There is a heater element inside the tank that keeps the water hot at all times. Most commercial coffee brewer heaters are controlled by a thermostat that has a probe sticking down inside the tank. This ensures that the water in the tank does not boil over and that the water is kept at an optimal brewing temperature around 192 degrees. Both pour-over and automatic coffee makers work off of a water displacement system. A pour-over type coffee machine operates by the user pouring in cold water at the top of the machine, which in turn displaces the hot water in the tank. The water is then showered over the grounds in the coffee basket. An automatic coffee maker works on a timer system and a water line that is plumbed into the back of the coffee brewer. The start switch on an automatic coffee machine engages the timer which then opens the water solenoid for a specified time. The water coming in from the water line displaces the hot water in the tank and up over the coffee grounds. When the timer finishes it shuts off the solenoid so no more water can enter the coffee machine. Cold water should always be used in both pour-over and automatic coffee makers. The water that is showered over the coffee grounds is dispersed by a spray head just above the coffee basket. This ensures that the coffee grounds are completely saturated thoroughly and that the proper coffee extraction occurs. All top of the line coffee makers like Bunn, Bloomfield and Curtis use this process or a similar type process.
