An espresso machine brews coffee by forcing pressurized water near boiling point unto tightly packed ground coffee and a filter in order to produce a thick, concentrated coffee called espresso.
Espresso coffee machines use a fine, powder-like grind of coffee while coffee makers use a coarse, thick grind. The finer grind of espresso coffee means that an espresso machine brews and pours within about 30 seconds. This is very ideal for a coffee truck that needs to get these specially made drinks out in quick succession.
Many people love that they can get high-quality and delicious food and drinks from coffee trucks at various events or locations instead of having to go to a restaurant. A coffee truck that serves breakfast fare typically needs an espresso machine at hand.
With a great functioning espresso machine, you can also offer your customers professional-level espresso beverages on the road.
Types of Espresso Machine Available for a Coffee Truck
One of the best first things you need to consider when it comes to getting an espresso machine for your coffee truck is if you need an automatic or semiautomatic machine. To begin with, autofood trucksmatic machines are espresso machines whose functions are automated.
You only need to grind the espresso, put the portafilter in place, and start brewing the shot. These machines are built to stop brewing themselves when it is time.
Semiautomatic machines on their part must have their extraction process both started and stopped by the user. When it comes does to the fact, neither of them is the clear winner when it comes to taste, as they both have their advantages and disadvantages.
You should know that automatic machines are much easier for beginners to learn, and because the dosing is handled by the machine, you’ll get much more uniform drinks. But the main drawbacks are that they’re less good for experimenting with drinks and they can get very expensive.
For semi-automatic machines, since you’re able to pull shots for as long or short as you want, are fantastic for experimenting. However, it takes skill to make a great shot every time on one, so you’ll need to take time learning to use it. Let’s just say in fact that this should be left for the professionals.
Best Espresso Machine for Coffee Truck
If you are a coffee truck owner, and you are wondering the brand of espresso machine that will work best for your business, you may want to take a look at this line up.
1. Synesso Mvp Hydra
If you need a workaholic kind of espresso machine for your coffee truck, then the Synesso Hydra should be on your list. This workhorse of a machine can be relied on for quality and repeatability.
Engineered with elite craftsmanship, this machine boasts of Synesso’s patent pending MVP technology that makes it a must for busy cafes, allowing you to program and save recipe parameters — including the ability to set stages to maximize the acids, sugars, and texture of your coffees — and repeat them continuously for a perfectly matched brew and ultimate control.
Even manual settings are a cinch for this machine—each of the three universal group heads on the MVP can be set to manual mode, manual programme mode, or volumetric mode to suit any user.
With new standard timer displays and water count control, the MVP Hydra lets you calibrate your coffee recipes to your exact specifications—instead of choosing between control and repeatability, you get it all from one impressive machine.
2. Victoria Arduino Black Eagle
The Victoria Arduino Black Eagle is another durable find for your coffee truck. Packed with power and upgraded technology, it’s no wonder the Black Eagle was chosen as the official espresso machine for the World Barista Championship 2015 to 2017 and has been the official WBC espresso machine since 2015.
This blue-ribbon winner—from esteemed Nuova Simonelli—will change the way you make and serve coffee in your coffee truck.
It’s all thanks to the highly elite technology powering this machine. The gravimetric system utilizes smart software to consistently pour the exact right amount of liquid for full control— and any differences between one cup and the next are eliminated.
The T3 technology lets baristas set three unique temperatures for the brewing group, water infusion, and steam, resulting in complete thermal stability in control. This combination of volumetrics and thermal stability lets baristas enhance the aromas and features of each coffee type, and makes having to accommodate various recipes a breeze—even when you’re at your busiest.
Made for speciality coffee shops and professional baristas who truly see each cup as an experience, Victoria Arduino’s Black Eagle is the top-tier choice for a perfectly poured cup, every single time, and it definitely should be considered for your coffee truck.
3. La Marzocco Linea
When you’re on a budget, and you need a machine that’s simple and reliable, without sacrificing performance, then look no further than the La Marzocco Linea. With sturdy engineering and complete reliability, this semi-automatic espresso machine is a trusted classic that you can depend on day after day for your coffee truck needs.
Featuring dual-boiler technology and saturated brewing groups, the Linea ensures thermal control and maximum steam capacity for a perfectly matched coffee experience every time—even in busy settings.
Also note that with robust craftsmanship and a clean, minimalist design, the Linea is as easy to operate as a coffee truck espresso machine, making it user friendly for baristas of all backgrounds. Best of all, this tried-and-true classic is budget friendly.
So whether you’re a small cafe or just testing the waters of coffee service in your retail space, the Linea is a wise choice for the financially minded.
4. Slayer
If your coffee truck is really big on its drinks, and you see preparing a steaming cup of espresso coffee just the same way you view art, then the Slayer should be your go-to espresso brand.
Simply put, the Slayer creates an unrivaled espresso experience. Specifically designed for unique flavor profiling in mind, the Slayer incorporates minute temperature, time, and flow rate adjustability that allows baristas to pull complex and specific flavor combinations.
With a long, low-pressure preinfusion stage and ultra-fine grind settings, the Slayer opens the door for fine-tuning and exploring an endless range of flavors. This unmatched level of control, along with superior craftsmanship and an esteemed brand name, make the Slayer a winning choice as the newest addition to your coffee house or roastery.
5. Athena 2
Designed to honor the ancient roots of espresso tradition, the Athena embraces the simplicity and vintage charm of early coffee making. Calling back to post WWII days when Victoria Arduinos lever espresso machines were introduced, the Athena features a manual lever mechanism to honor the simple craftsmanship and old-world charm of bygone days.
The simple design makes this machine intuitive and easy to master, with manual reliability and durability that users have grown to love. The lever delivery allows manual pre-infusion, resulting in a bespoke espresso experience for each customer.
The Athena 2- Group Leva features a unique copper and chrome exterior that was hand-hammered by expert craftsmen, and this sense of distinctive excellence is reflected in each cup it brews.
6. Oscar Ii
A typical coffee truck needs a lot of appliances to function, so the minimalist your espresso machine, the better. If this is you, then you will have no regrets when it comes to the Oscar II Direct Connect.
Designed with a simple two-button interface and manual lever configuration, it’s as easy to use as a home espresso machine, so even the least tech-savvy food trucker will be pulling shots in no time. Note that you can only use this type of machine if espresso is not one of the main things you serve. The reason is because of its compact size.