If you’re running a food truck in the USA, you know that offering great coffee is essential. Coffee is one of the most beloved beverages, and serving it well can be a huge draw for customers. A reliable commercial coffee maker is crucial to keeping up with demand, ensuring quick service, and maintaining a consistent quality of coffee. Whether you’re catering to a morning crowd or serving coffee throughout the day, investing in the right coffee urn is a game-changer for your business.
In this post, we’ll dive into the Top 3 Commercial Coffee Makers for Food Trucks in the USA, with detailed reviews of each product, highlighting their features, pros, and cons. By the end, you’ll be well-equipped to choose the perfect coffee maker for your food truck!
1. Riedhoff 120-Cup Commercial Coffee Maker – 18L
If you need a high-volume coffee maker for large gatherings, this Riedhoff 120-Cup Commercial Coffee Maker is a solid choice. Designed to brew up to 120 cups of coffee in a single batch, it’s perfect for food trucks catering to large crowds. It features quick brewing, robust construction, and user-friendly features that make it a great investment for busy environments.
Key Features:
- Capacity: 18L (120 cups)
- Material: Food-grade stainless steel
- Brewing Time: 60 minutes for a full 120 cups
- Wattage: 450 watts
- Special Features: Thermal, Temperature control for keeping coffee warm
- Voltage: 230 Volts (AC)
Pros:
- Large Capacity: Brew 120 cups in under an hour, perfect for large food truck events.
- Durable Build: Made with high-quality stainless steel, ensuring longevity and resistance to wear and tear.
- Quick Brewing: Speedy brewing time of just 60 minutes for a full 18L batch.
- Automatic Temperature Control: Keeps coffee at the ideal serving temperature for hours without manual intervention.
- Easy Maintenance: Removable components make cleaning hassle-free.
Cons:
- Longer Perking Time: Some users report that brewing takes longer than advertised—up to 1 hour 15 minutes.
- Too Hot for Immediate Serving: After brewing, the coffee can be extremely hot, requiring a few minutes to cool down or adding ice cubes for quicker consumption.
- Occasional Quality Issues: Some customers received dented units or experienced malfunctioning parts.
Customer Review:
“I’m a caterer, and I LOVE this coffee maker! It’s huge, and it brews fast—less than 10 minutes for 120 cups. Perfect for my events.” – Lil Carroll
2. West Bend 33600 Coffee Urn – 100-Cup
The West Bend 33600 Coffee Urn is another fantastic option for food trucks, offering a large capacity of 100 cups per batch. It’s built with aluminum, which gives it a polished look while being lightweight and durable. Perfect for daily use in high-traffic environments like food trucks or large events.
Key Features:
- Capacity: 100 cups
- Material: Highly-polished aluminum
- Wattage: 1500 watts
- Brewing Time: 1 cup per minute
- Temperature Control: Automatic temperature control keeps coffee warm for hours
- Special Features: Cool-touch handles, two-way dripless faucet, easy-to-read water level gauge
Pros:
- Large Capacity: Ideal for food trucks that serve a lot of coffee in a short period.
- Fast Brewing: Brews 100 cups at a rate of one cup per minute, perfect for a fast-paced setting.
- User-Friendly: The clear water level gauge and automatic temperature control make it easy to use.
- Safety Features: The cool-touch handles and heat-resistant base reduce the risk of burns or accidents.
Cons:
- Leaks: Some users have reported leaking issues from the coffee-level gauge tube, especially during the first use.
- Spigot Placement: The spigot is a bit low, which may make it difficult to fit larger cups underneath.
- Plastic Parts: Some parts, such as the basket, are made of plastic, which may not be ideal for long-term use.
Customer Review:
“It’s worked well for my small business. I’ve used it several times for church events and daily office gatherings. Brews quickly and keeps the coffee hot.” – Van
3. SYBO SR-CP-100B Commercial Grade Coffee Maker – 100-Cup
The SYBO SR-CP-100B is a 100-cup coffee maker known for its durable stainless steel construction and fast brewing time. It’s designed with commercial use in mind, perfect for food trucks, catering businesses, and other high-demand environments.
Key Features:
- Capacity: 16L (100 cups)
- Material: Stainless steel
- Brewing Time: 40 minutes for 100 cups
- Wattage: 1500 watts
- Temperature Control: Keeps coffee hot for hours
- Safety Features: Automatic shut-off and keep-warm function
- ETL Certified: Safety and quality guaranteed
Pros:
- Fast Brewing: It brews 100 cups in just 40 minutes, which is great for food trucks with heavy traffic.
- Durable Construction: Built with food-grade stainless steel that resists dents and stains.
- Easy to Use: Includes clear water level markings and a high-quality spigot dispenser.
- No Paper Filters: The stainless steel filter basket is durable and easy to clean, saving money and reducing waste.
Cons:
- No Thermal Lining: While great for hot drinks, the urn lacks thermal insulation for keeping liquids cold without extra ice.
- Requires Careful Monitoring: The water level can sometimes take a while to adjust on the window, making it a bit tricky to refill.
- Smaller Capacity: With a 16L capacity, it’s slightly smaller than the other models, making it a better option for medium-sized crowds.
Customer Review:
“We’ve used this coffee maker for multiple events, and it’s been great. The brewing time is super fast, and the coffee tastes fantastic every time. Highly recommend!” – SS**NNTV*
Coffee Maker Comparison Table
| Feature | Riedhoff 120-Cup | West Bend 33600 | SYBO SR-CP-100B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 18L (120 cups) | 100 cups | 16L (100 cups) |
| Material | Stainless steel | Aluminum | Stainless steel |
| Brewing Time | 60 minutes | 1 cup per minute | 40 minutes |
| Wattage | 450 watts | 1500 watts | 1500 watts |
| Automatic Temperature Control | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Safety Features | Yes (Thermal) | Cool-touch handles | Yes (Shut-off & Keep Warm) |
| No Paper Filter Needed | Yes | No | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which coffee maker is best for a busy food truck?
All three coffee makers are designed for high-capacity brewing, but the Riedhoff 120-Cup offers the most capacity (120 cups), making it ideal for very large crowds. However, if you’re dealing with slightly smaller crowds or need a more compact option, the SYBO SR-CP-100B is a great choice for 100 cups and quick brewing time.
2. How long does it take to brew 100 cups of coffee?
- Riedhoff 120-Cup: 60 minutes for a full batch.
- West Bend 33600: 1 cup per minute, so it brews 100 cups in approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes.
- SYBO SR-CP-100B: 40 minutes for 100 cups.
3. Are these coffee makers easy to clean?
Yes! All three coffee makers have removable parts, such as filter baskets and water level gauges, making them easy to clean. The SYBO SR-CP-100B even has a high-quality filter basket that eliminates the need for paper filters, reducing waste and cleaning time.
4. Are there any safety concerns with these models?
Safety concerns are minimal with all models, as they feature cool-touch handles and automatic temperature controls. However, always ensure the coffee urn is placed on a stable surface, and handle hot coffee carefully.
Conclusion
When choosing the best commercial coffee maker for your food truck, it’s essential to balance capacity, brewing speed, durability, and ease of use. The Riedhoff 120-Cup Commercial Coffee Maker is perfect for very large gatherings, while the West Bend 33600 offers excellent value for smaller groups. The SYBO SR-CP-100B strikes a great balance with its efficient brewing time and durable design.
Ultimately, your choice will depend on your food truck’s volume, space, and specific needs, but all three of these coffee makers are highly recommended for anyone in the coffee business.
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