The Ultimate Coffee Shop Equipment Checklist

Opening a coffee shop consists of a lot of planning, late nights and all round blood sweat and tears. There’s a huge amount that goes into getting your dream business off the ground, let alone making it a success. Most important is getting your equipment in order – which can be easier said than done.

Often when people are in the thick of running a business, it’s the small things they can overlook. For instance, more obvious things like grinders and espresso machines are likely going to be top of your list of must have purchases – but does your list include even the smallest of items, like condiment organisers and cleaning brushes?

If you’re planning on opening a coffee shop, then you’ll want to make sure you’ve got everything you need to be prepared for the smooth running of your well-oiled establishment. With the average cost of opening a cafe in the U.K. being between £20,000 and £100,000, you’ll want to ensure you’re getting it right first time.

We’ve put together the ultimate checklist of coffee shop equipment so you can be sure you’ve got everything you need. Even if you’ve already got your shop up and running, check this list to ensure you’re not missing anything that might end up making your life easier and your customers’ experience even better...

Brew

• An electric coffee maker
• An espresso machine
• An industrial coffee grinder
• Cold-brew system
• Cold-brew filters
• Kettles
• Hot water dispenser
• Portafilter spout
• Mixers

Prepare

• Milk pitchers
• Scales
• Thermometers
• Nitro whip
• Tampers
• Filter papers

Clean

• Espresso machine cleaner
• Grinder cleaner
• Grinder cleaning brush
• Liquid descaler
• Waste bin
• Pitcher rinser
• Knock box
• Food grade detergents
• Barista cloths

Appliances

• A refrigerator
• A walk-in cooler
• Oven
• Microwave
• Food processors
• An industrial blender
• Ice machine
• Water filtration system
• Toaster

Technology

• POS system
• Security system
• Timers

Drink

• Coffee cups
• Glassware
• Cupping kit
• Disposable cups

Barista bar accessories

• Condiment organisers
• Scoops and dippers
• Portion spoons
• Carafes for milk and coffee
• Knives
• Cutting boards
• Pots and pans
• Mixing bowls
• Pumps for syrup
• Gloves
• Aprons
• Napkins

Health and safety

• First aid kit

While this might not be an exhaustive list, we’ve covered everything we think will help with the smooth running of your shop.

And remember to invest in the highest-quality options, so you don’t need to continuously replace your gear. Though this may mean investing more up front, opting for the right equipment will save you thousands in the long run – any equipment breakdowns will ultimately lose you sales and annoy your customers.

Unsure where to start when it comes to supplies? Open a trade account with Coffee Hit, and you’ll have access to the best coffee brewing gear at a fraction of the price you’d find it elsewhere. Take a look at our collections and allow us to be your one-stop shop for cafe supplies with up to 50% off RRP.