Coffee Machine Hire: Bean to Cup, Percolators and Which to Choose

Expo Hire understands that a great event needs great coffee. Gone are the days when a simple water urn or a pot of instant coffee sufficed. As coffee culture has blossomed across the UK, so has the demand for quality coffee machines at conferences, exhibitions, and events. Not every venue has the space or budget for a full coffee bar with a dedicated barista, which is precisely where Expo Hire comes in. We provide the equipment you need to serve excellent coffee, tailored to your event's scale and style.

This guide details the types of coffee machine hire available from Expo Hire, helping you select the right machine for your occasion.

Bean to Cup Coffee Machine Hire

For the ultimate in convenience and quality, Expo Hire offers Siemens Bean to Cup machines. These sophisticated units accept whole roasted coffee beans or pre-ground coffee. A user-friendly touchscreen interface on the front allows guests to select their desired drink. With an integrated milk system, these machines can produce popular milk-based beverages like cappuccinos and lattes at the touch of a button.

Each cup produced by a bean to cup machine is a fresh espresso-based drink. The beans are ground immediately before brewing, resulting in a noticeably superior flavour compared to machines using pre-ground coffee or pods. These machines do not require filter paper, making them ideal for self-service scenarios. Simply load the beans and your chosen milk, and the machine takes care of the rest, delivering a consistently excellent coffee experience.

Bean to cup machines are particularly well-suited for professional settings such as trade stands and conferences. If you aim to offer a genuine coffee experience at your stand without the need to staff a full barista setup, a bean to cup machine provides a practical and impressive solution. Explore our range of coffee machine hire options to find the perfect fit.

Determining Your Coffee Machine Needs

The number of coffee machines you require depends on your guest count and how you plan to serve coffee.

• For a conference or exhibition stand expecting up to 50 delegates, one bean to cup machine can comfortably manage the demand if coffee is available throughout the day.
• For a sit-down meal where coffee is served at the conclusion, a single bean to cup machine can serve approximately 30 guests before a queue becomes impractical. For larger numbers, consider supplementing a bean to cup machine with a percolator to manage the flow.
• For a buffet or informal event where guests serve themselves, plan for one machine per 40 to 50 guests.
• For very large events, with over 200 guests requiring coffee simultaneously, a large-capacity percolator or multiple machines is the appropriate solution.

Coffee Percolators

Expo Hire provides two types of coffee percolators, each designed for different event requirements.

Our 1.8 litre commercial percolator functions as a filter coffee machine. It brews a batch of coffee and keeps it hot, ready for serving. This machine operates exclusively with ground coffee and requires filter papers. It is ideal for situations where coffee is needed over an extended period without the need for repeated brewing cycles. Each brew yields around 12 cups and takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. This makes it a suitable choice for smaller conferences or meeting rooms.

Our 15 litre coffee percolator is designed for events where large volumes of coffee need to be readily available. It maintains a substantial quantity of water at a high temperature, complete with a convenient tap for dispensing. This larger capacity machine is perfect for busy catering environments or large gatherings where consistent access to hot coffee is essential. You can find these and other catering equipment in our catering equipment hire section.