Coffee is one of the highest margin items on most menus, so the brewer should match how you serve it: decanters on warmers, airpots on a self-serve table, an urn for events, or espresso at the counter. Here are our picks.
These picks come from the models Express KitchQuip sells, grouped by what each one is best for. No brand paid to be included.
Our Picks
Best pourover brewer for diners and offices
Prepline PCM2D-1 pourover coffee maker with 2 decanters. Pourover brewers need no water line: pour water in the top and it brews. Good where plumbing is not an option. The CAFE-3D adds a third warmer.
Best automatic brewer
Prepline PACM-3D automatic coffee maker with 3 warmers. Automatic brewers connect to a water line so staff only add grounds and press brew. The PAICM-3D adds digital controls.
Best airpot brewer for self-serve
Prepline PACM-1A automatic airpot coffee brewer. Brews straight into an airpot that keeps coffee hot without a warmer, ideal for breakfast buffets and self-serve stations. The PCM1A is a pourover airpot version.
Best thermal carafe brewer
Waring WCM60PT medium volume thermal coffee maker. Brews into a thermal carafe instead of a glass pot on a burner, which keeps coffee from cooking on the warmer. Matching Waring WTC64 64 oz thermal carafe.
Best urn for events and catering
Prepline CU-15 103 cup stainless steel coffee urn. Large batches for banquets, churches, offices and catering. The PCP15 63 cup urn is smaller, and the Waring WCU55X is a brewer and urn in one.
Best espresso machine
Stilo ES70 automatic espresso machine, 110V. For cafes adding espresso drinks to the menu.
How to Choose
- No water line: pourover. Water line available: automatic, which saves time in volume.
- Glass decanters on warmers for diners; airpots or thermal carafes for self-serve and to avoid burnt coffee.
- Urns for events where you serve dozens of cups at once.
- Add a water filter on plumbed brewers to protect the machine and improve taste. Read our espresso machine buying guide.
Buying From Express KitchQuip
Browse all beverage equipment, or read the Prepline and Waring brand guides. Freight with liftgate delivery is included in the price to the 48 contiguous states and DC, and lease-to-own financing through Clicklease is available on orders of $500 or more. Specs and warranty terms for each model are on its product page. Not sure which one fits? Contact Express KitchQuip and tell us about your kitchen.
Choosing a coffee maker or urn
Brewers make coffee by the pot or airpot and suit steady service through the day. Urns brew a large batch at once and suit catering, breakfast rushes and events.
Pourover brewers need no water line, so you fill them by hand. Automatic brewers connect to a water line and refill themselves, which saves time in busy shops. Decanters are the cheapest to run; airpots and thermal servers keep coffee hot without a warming plate, so it holds flavor longer.
Size the brewer to your busiest hour. A gallon is about 21 cups of 6 oz., so a 3 gallon urn covers roughly 60 cups per batch.