Topten presents the most energy-efficient professional coffee machines on the European market. Topten uses the energy loss per day according to DIN 18873-2 as the energy indicator. The energy-related data is largely taken from the HKI CERT commercial kitchen technology database. Further product information is supplemented on the basis of manufacturer data.

Currently, fully automatic machines including portioning machines are shown, but currently no portafilter machines.

Technical requirements

The models presented meet the following requirements:

Equation for the limit value of energy loss per day. This is dependent on the cup capacity of coffee per hour of the individual outlet.
The data correspond to manufacturer's specifications, where defined measured according to DIN 18873-2.
The models are available on the Swiss market.
An operating schedule (on/off) must be stored in the machine software or there must be an automatic switch-off after the cleaning cycle has been completed.

To calculate the limit value, the hourly output of the machine is used in the equation: x = number of coffees / h (single outlet) and you get y= energy loss kWh/day. This is compared with the measured energy loss for the machine. If the measured value is below the calculated limit, the machine meets the condition for Topten.

y = 0.0354x-2.0516

Example: Energy loss for machine A: 0.79 kWh/day, cup output/h: 90 cups
y= 0.0354*90-2.0516=1.1344
1.1344 > 0.79
Conclusion: The calculated energy loss is higher than the measured energy loss, so the machine fulfils the conditions to be listed on Topten.

The required values are to be provided by the manufacturers. If a manufacturer is not able to provide these values, there is no right for the model to be presented on Topten.

Measurement standards

Topten uses the energy loss per day according to DIN 18873-2 as the energy indicator. According to this, the ready state of the machine is measured without, however, including the actual production of the hot beverage. This means that all the necessary processes that take place without producing a single drink are included in the energy loss (heating, cleaning, rinsing, switching off, standby). These account for the majority of energy consumption over the course of the day; experience shows that energy consumption for beverage preparation accounts for less than one-fifth of total consumption.

At the same time, the standard also specifies how external milk cooling systems can be measured. However, this is not used for the selection of the Topten models.

Methodology/research

Based on the HKI Database and manufacturer information available online, the models were analysed and limit values defined. Topten distinguishes the models according to cup output per hour (kWh/day). In addition, it is possible to filter by some attributes (fresh milk use, milk foaming, etc.).

Order

The models are listed in ascending order of cup capacity of coffee per hour.

Glossary

Model: Model of a brand

Brand: Name of the manufacturer of the model

Height, width, depth: Dimensions of the model in millimetres (mm)

Coffee capacity (g): Indicates the total amount of beans in the standard model

Milk capacity (l): Indicates the total capacity of milk in the standard version with integrated milk cooling systems (no external milk cooling systems).

Milk use: Indicates the use of milk and the type of milk. Possible values are fresh milk, fresh milk external, powdered milk, without milk.

Milk foaming: Specifies the type of milk foaming. Possible values are none, automatic (milk is foamed by the machine), manual (milk can be foamed by a steam lance itself).

Number of piston units: Indicates the number of piston units of the model.

Timer: Indicates whether a timer for the operating times can be stored with the model (enables automatic switch-off). Possible values "yes" or "no

Energy loss per day (kWh): Value of the energy loss determined according to DIN 18873-2.

Hourly output (cups): indication of the cup capacity per hour for coffee with the single spout according to DIN 18873-2

Recommended daily output (cups): Indication of the cup capacity per day recommended by the manufacturer

Machine type: Fully automatic machine, portion machine, portafilter. No models have yet been submitted for portion machines. No portafilters are currently listed.

Total connected load (kW): Indicates the total connected load of the model.

Weight (kg): Indicates the total weight of the model.

Tank size (l): Indication in litres for models with tank or "fixed water connection" or both

Infoplus

Standards

DIN 18873-2 "Methods for determining the energy consumption of commercial kitchen appliances - Part 2: Commercial hot beverage dispensers".
EN 60661:2014, “Methods for measuring the performance of electric household coffee makers,” CENELEC. Test protocol available at https://www.bfe.admin.ch/bfe/de/home/effizienz/energieetiketten-und-effizienzanforderungen/die-energieetikette-fuer-haushaltsgeraete/die-energieetikette-fuer-kaffeemaschinen.exturl.html

Publications

Efficient Coffee Machines - European energy label for residential and commercial use. Nadja Gross, EEDAL 2022, paper and presentation.
5x Basics: efficient commercial equipment: commercial coffee makers, refrigerated medicine cabinets, commercial ice machines, undercounter dishwashers, retail ovens, Bush et al., BFE, 2021
Preliminairy Study on Tertiary Hot Beverage Equipment, Rothwell & Bush, BFE, 2017

Info for manufacturers and retailers

Please report additional models that meet the requirements to info(at)topten.info

09/2022 Gross

Selection Criteria Professional Coffee Machines