Coffee machines run from the very light to the surprisingly heavy. A home drip machine weighs a few pounds. A two group commercial espresso machine has a brass boiler on a steel frame and can be one of the heavier things in a cafe. They need different planning.
Home coffee makers
Empty the water reservoir and the drip tray. Both hold water that ends up on the counter, or the floor, once the machine is tipped.
Carafe and basket. Take out the glass carafe and pack it separately; the filter basket and any pods can be thrown away.
Is it worth a pickup on its own? A coffee maker on its own starts at $70. On a pickup that’s already collecting something else, it adds only its $15 add-on price. Most go out with a microwave, a blender or the rest of a kitchen being cleared.
Espresso machines at home
A home espresso machine has a water tank, a drip tray, a portafilter and often a steam wand. Empty the tank and the tray, knock out the portafilter, and run the steam wand briefly with the machine cool to purge it. Many have a hidden second drip tray; check behind the front panel.
Let an espresso machine cool fully before moving it. The boiler stays hot well after the machine is switched off, and so do the group head and the steam wand.
Commercial espresso machines
A commercial machine is usually plumbed into a water line and a drain, and on a heavy circuit.
Every appliance needs to be disconnected before pickup, including electrical, gas, and plumbing connections. Have the water line, drain and power undone by a plumber or the machine’s service technician, drain the boiler if they can, and note the model when you book so the pickup is planned for a heavy lift.
Coffee machine checklist
- Water reservoir and drip trays emptied
- Carafe and portafilter out
- Cooled completely
- Commercial machine’s water, drain and power undone by a pro
- Model noted when booking a commercial machine
- Booked with anything else from the kitchen
