Introducing the Schaerer Coffee Soul 'Two Step', a 'Semi Automatic' Coffee Machine
A compact, powerful bean-to-cup machine with flexible milk steaming
In this article and attached video, we’re taking a closer look at the Schaerer Coffee Soul – specifically the two-step version. This machine gives you all the quality and ease of a bean-to-cup system, but with a separate, automatic steam wand instead of a built-in milk system.
That small change unlocks a huge range of benefits for speed, flexibility, maintenance, and overall drink quality. Let’s dive in.
A Quick Intro on the Schaerer Coffee Soul
The Schaerer Coffee Soul is a premium bean-to-cup coffee machine designed for businesses that want to serve high-quality coffee quickly and consistently.
Built with Swiss engineering and known for its sleek design, the Coffee Soul is customisable with multiple configurations – from the number of grinders and hoppers to optional chocolate and milk modules. Whether it’s for self-serve environments or barista-led service, it’s a versatile machine that delivers great coffee with minimal fuss.
What is the two-step model?
A bean-to-cup with separate milk steaming
Most bean-to-cup machines, including other versions of the Coffee Soul, come with an integrated milk fridge and internal milk system. The coffee is brewed, milk is steamed, and the drink is built in one go at the press of a button.
The two-step model changes that. The machine still handles everything on the coffee side: fresh grinding, brewing, and extraction, but milk is handled separately with an automatic steam wand on the front of the machine.
This offers a few key advantages, especially for busy or quality-focused operations.
1. Flexible, customisable menus
Because the machine doesn’t limit you to pre-set drink recipes, you get full control over what drinks you offer. Whether it's a flat white, latte, cappuccino or something completely custom, you’re not restricted to the button options on a touchscreen.
2. Alternative Milks
You can also steam any and all different milk types: oat, almond, soy, or dairy, with ease. Just use a separate jug and give the wand a quick purge between uses. Because no milk is flowing through the machine, all of these can be served in conjunction with diary and cause no issues in machine cleanliness or drink quality.
3. Better reliability and easier cleaning
One of the most common causes of faults in bean-to-cup machines is the internal milk system. If it’s not cleaned and maintained properly, it can cause breakdowns, engineer callouts, and lost service time. With the two-step model, you eliminate that entire system. That means fewer things can go wrong and your team spends less time cleaning and maintaining the machine. You’re just keeping the coffee side clean, which is simple and only takes around 10 minutes a day.
4. Lower cost of ownership
Because there’s no milk fridge or internal milk system, the two-step version is also more affordable than the fully automatic versions. You still get the full bean-to-cup coffee performance, but at a lower price point and with less equipment involved.
Who is the two-step best for?
The Schaerer Coffee Soul two-step offers the best of both worlds. You get the speed, consistency, and simplicity of a bean-to-cup system, but with the added control and quality of manual milk steaming – made easier with an automatic wand. It’s a reliable, compact machine that’s easy to use, easy to clean, and perfect for high-output cafés, universities, hospitality venues, or anyone looking to serve consistently great coffee without the complexity of a traditional espresso setup.
This model is ideal for any business that wants the convenience of a bean-to-cup setup, but also wants:
- More control over milk texture
- Greater menu flexibility
- The ability to offer a wide range of alternative milks
- Easier cleaning and Maintenance
- A lower risk of faults and breakdowns
- Reduced training needs for new staff
Baristas can still learn latte art and refine their skills over time, but the machine handles the heavy lifting straight away and gives you great results from day one, with a premium quality of espresso that's difficult to find at this price point.
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