godofgwar Senior Member Joined: 26 Aug 2009 Posts: 143 Location: San Francisco Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 Grinder: Mazzer Mini Drip: Single Dripper Roaster: Hottop B
Posted Tue Jul 17, 2012, 11:55am Subject: Advice on building an espresso cart for a small business
Hey guys - Doing lots and lots of early research and planning for a mobile espresso/coffee cart business in the Bay area, and there are a few things I'd love direction/expertise on.
Specifically, I'm wondering the best machine to run from what will most likely be one (or two) Honda series gas generator (Honda EU2000, or bigger). The ideal machine for me would be a LM GS/3 (although price is a factor), strictly for the small size, nice DB performance and 110V. Does anyone have any experience running this or a similar machine from a generator (along with a grinder and a refrigerator, and most likely a hot water heater?)
(Also, has anyone ever heard of or seen this cart? http://coffeecartbiz.com/pages/aviation I love the style, and looks will definitely be at the forefront.)
This is a small venture that will most likely run weekends, events and host coffee classes. But I still want a machine that can handle hours of service that doesn't need a cooling flush, so HXs like my Elektra T1 are out of the question for the time being.
Yes, that's a mouthful. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Coffeenoobie Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 2,313 Location: PNW Expertise: I like coffee
Espresso: N S Oscar Grinder: Vario W
Posted Tue Jul 17, 2012, 12:27pm Subject: Re: Advice on building an espresso cart for a small business
For the price of the GS/3 you can get a herd of bright red Oscars that are rated for light commercial. Missed the part about the cooling flush, but really I think I would consider a less expensive machine to start with and if the business supports it get the GS/3 later. Many small business fail out of the gate and I believe part of that is not watching the start up costs closely. The customer doesn't care how much you spent, how hard you work or your debt, they care how the product tastes and how much it costs them. That is why there are so many used coffee stands/carts/equipment listed on craigslist right now. If your business fails then some lucky coffeegeek will end up with your GS/3 at a huge discount in 6 months or a year. I guess I should be for that so I can start saving to take advantage of you later... JK.
If I was starting a coffee biz right now I would take advantage of this fact and pick up as much as I could used and save myself a boat load of money. You can paint a rounded coffee cart silver it will look a lot like the one in the photo. Paint is a ton cheaper than metal and wooden knobs spray painted silver will look like rivets and some one can paint faux seams. If the biz takes off then upgrade the cart as well when you know you are making enough money to support it.
If you want to make money then you have to spend it wisely to keep your over head low and profit high. Almost all of the successful entrepreneurs, I have read about, started small and grew when they had enough cash flow to support the growth.
Good luck.
Coffeenoobie
Buying advice: GRINDER GRINDER GRINDER. Don't cheap out on the grinder. My coffee treasure map... Click Here (maps.google.com)
godofgwar Senior Member Joined: 26 Aug 2009 Posts: 143 Location: San Francisco Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 Grinder: Mazzer Mini Drip: Single Dripper Roaster: Hottop B
Posted Tue Jul 17, 2012, 12:46pm Subject: Re: Advice on building an espresso cart for a small business
Appreciate the business advice, but I definitely know the risks involved with startup costs and equipment which is all getting factored in to a very in-depth business plan.
Specifically, I'm asking about running a machine and other appliances from a generator in a mobile cart setting. I've used two heat exchangers in my home setting, and to be honest, I don't believe they'll hold up well to multiple orders of milk-based drinks. The machine needs to be a double boiler. Water supply will be an issue, and having a machine that runs hot [as HXs do] and often needs a long cooling flush is out of the question.
godofgwar Senior Member Joined: 26 Aug 2009 Posts: 143 Location: San Francisco Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Elektra T1 Grinder: Mazzer Mini Drip: Single Dripper Roaster: Hottop B
Posted Tue Jul 17, 2012, 1:41pm Subject: Re: Advice on building an espresso cart for a small business
Thanks. Regardless, you bring up the good old question of HX vs DB, but this time solely for a steady stream of milk-based drinks. Could an HX work in this type of setting serving lots of consecutive drinks with limited water supply?
I have lots of experience on a LM Linea 2, and just the thought of serve a large amount of people on an HX like my home Elektra T1 [compared to the ease of the Linea] seems just plain awful. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my T1. I think an HX would be fine for a commercial setting like a restaurant or even for a more relaxed cafe, but for a cart where the sole purpose is espresso, I'm not convinced it's the right way to go.
Of course, there are other DB options out there like the Double Domobar, which seems like it could be comparable to the GS3 in performance, though it has much smaller boilers, is heavier and draws more power: all key factors on a small cart system.
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