When it comes to office coffee makers, the most important issues for the users are flexibility, taste and ease of use. Since everyone has different preferences, it is important to have a coffee machine that can make a range of drinks: black coffee, latte, cappuccino, flavored coffee drinks etc. There should also be an option to make tea to cater for workers who do not drink coffee.
Most popular office coffee makers are single serve coffee stations that make hot, fresh coffee straight into a coffee mug. Individual coffee and beverage packets provide a variety of beverage flavors that can meet the needs of any coffee or tea drinker. What makes these units so popular is the ease of use, convenience, and the distinct advantage of no messy cleanup. Plus, you can get a hot steamy cup of joe anytime on demand! No bitter coffee that has been sitting in the pot for hours and doesn’t even taste like coffee anymore.
User reviews of these models indicate that users love the variety and the ease of use. The disadvantage of these units however is cost. The refills tend to be a lot more expensive than cartridge refills for 10 or 12 cup units. Varieties must also be purchased in bulk so offering a very large variety can get expensive.
Another option is an office coffee service offered by some of the major chains like Peet’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, or Starbucks. With this type of service you will get freshly brewed coffee delivered to your office several times a day along with all the extras like creamers, sweeteners and napkins. Some vendors will also give you a lease on a complete high quality coffee brewing system. The coffee service is a very good solution for large offices. In general, it is probably not worth it if your office has less than 20 employees.
On the more conservative side there are many thermal coffee makers available. Because the carafes are insulated and keep their temperature naturally instead of with a heating pad, the quality of coffee is far superior to the proverbial “glass coffee pot on a plate” variety.
No matter whether you decide to opt for a company purchased coffee machine or for an coffee service, here are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for an office coffee maker:
- Consider how many coffee drinkers will use the machine or service weekly. Are they willing to pitch in for more quality options, or does quality not matter too much?
- Be sure that the coffee machine will be able to keep the coffee at a consistently hot temperature for long hours. No one has time to make new coffee every 20 minutes, so something that will last throughout the morning and afternoon hours will be important.
- Find out what the coffee preferences are in your office. Maybe there are more who would pitch in if the machine provided cappuccino or latte options in addition to regularly brewed coffee.
- Convenience is a must in a busy work environment. A coffee machine that will require tedious cleaning and upkeep maybe become the behemoth on the counter that never gets used.
- How durable is the machine? If it’s constantly breaking down or requires continual maintenance to keep it working, it may be more trouble than it’s worth.
Get the best coffee maker or coffee service that you can afford. Providing good quality coffee in your office is a relatively cheap benefit that will be really appreciated by your employees.
30. September 2009
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