A commercial coffee machine is a big investment and often the beating heart of your café, restaurant, or hospitality business. Looked after properly, it can provide years of consistent service and help you deliver exceptional coffee every day.
But without the right care, even the best machines can suffer from breakdowns, costly repairs, and a shortened lifespan.
Why Machine Maintenance Matters
Commercial coffee machines are designed to perform under pressure, but they’re also complex systems that experience heavy daily use.
Without the right care, machines can quickly suffer from blockages, wear, and costly breakdowns. On the other hand, with regular maintenance and thoughtful use, a high-quality machine can provide years, sometimes even decades, of reliable service.
What is the Typical Lifespan of a Commercial Coffee Machine?
Most commercial coffee machines last between 5 and 10 years. However, this can vary widely depending on how well the machine is maintained, the type of machine, and it's level of build quality.
Well Maintained – Machines that are neglected or pushed beyond their intended capacity can wear down much quicker, while those that are regularly cleaned, serviced, and properly cared for can last far longer — in some cases, even a lifetime.
Machine Type – Simple machines with fewer functions and only a small number of moving parts tend to be more resilient and easier to maintain. More advanced models, such as bean-to-cup machines with automated milk systems and grinders, require extra care and regular cleaning to avoid blockages and wear. Neither is inherently “better,” but the more complex the machine, the more attention it needs.
Build Quality – Not all machines are created equal. Premium machines from trusted brands are typically engineered with high-quality components built to withstand years of daily use. Cheaper alternatives may look the part at first but often rely on less durable parts, meaning more frequent breakdowns and a shorter overall lifespan. Investing in robust build quality at the start usually pays off in reliability and long-term savings.
Key Steps to Increasing Machine Longevity
Here are the key steps you can take to maximise your machine’s life while keeping it performing at its best.
Schedule Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPMs)
Planned Preventative Maintenance involves routine servicing where coffee machine engineers check key components such as gaskets, seals, and filters. Replacing these at the right intervals avoids breakdowns and ensures your machine performs consistently over time.
Stay Compliant with PSSR Tests
Machines with pressurised boilers require PSSR (Pressure Systems Safety Regulations) tests. These are a legal requirement in the UK and help ensure your equipment is safe to operate. Regular testing also highlights potential boiler issues before they become serious, safeguarding both staff and customers.
Match the Machine to the Right Coffee Volume
Every machine has its limits. A small unit placed in a high-volume environment will wear out quickly, while an oversized machine in a low-demand site may be an unnecessary expense. Choosing the right machine for your volume, and sticking within its recommended output, keeps strain to a minimum and helps extend lifespan.
Make Proper Training a Priority
Your staff use the machine every day, so how they treat it matters. Training your team in proper use, cleaning procedures, and spotting early warning signs of faults can dramatically reduce wear and tear. Even small habits, such as wiping steam wands after each use, can add years to your machine’s life.
Use the Correct Water
Water is one of the biggest hidden factors in machine health. Hard water can cause limescale build-up inside boilers, pipes, and valves, which reduces efficiency, affects coffee flavour, and can lead to expensive breakdowns. The right filtration system ensures your machine is protected from scale while maintaining the minerals needed for great-tasting coffee.
Ignoring water quality will almost certainly result in more frequent descaling treatments and shorten the lifespan of your machine. Investing in a suitable water filter, and changing it at the recommended intervals, is one of the simplest ways to protect your equipment.
Invest in a Service Contract
A service contract ensures your machine receives regular expert care. Engineers can spot early signs of wear, replace parts before they fail, and keep your machine running at its best. Service contracts also mean you’re covered if problems do arise, minimising downtime and disruption to your business.
Stick to a Proper Cleaning Routine
Cleaning is the single most important task in protecting your machine. A consistent cleaning routine not only extends machine life but also preserves coffee flavour. The method depends on the type of machine:
Traditional espresso machines require daily 'backflushing' and regular detergent cleans, along with wiping down external parts such as steam wands and drip trays.
Bean to cup machines need daily cleaning cycles for both the coffee system and milk system (if fitted), using manufacturer-recommended cleaning tablets and solutions.
Filter coffee machines are simpler, purely heating up water before pouring it over a bed of coffee. These machines should still be wiped down with warm water and all parts that come into contact with coffee regularly washed.
Things to Focus On
- Consistency. Regular cleaning and maintenance are non-negotiable.
- Compliance. Stay on top of PSSR testing to meet legal requirements.
- Capacity. Use your machine within its designed limits to avoid unnecessary wear.
- Care. Train your staff so day-to-day habits protect your investment.
Protect Your Equipment with Bridge Coffee Roasters
Keeping a commercial coffee machine in top condition can feel like a lot to stay on top of. That’s where we come in.
At Bridge Coffee Roasters, we take the guesswork out of machine care. Our service contracts are designed to cover every aspect of maintenance, from routine servicing and filter changes to PSSR testing and emergency support. With higher-level contracts, we even include labour and preventative measures, so you’re always protected.
