Commercial espresso machine
for a food trailer.
The espresso machine is the single biggest electrical load on most coffee trailers, and the decision that constrains everything else on the board. Group count drives both throughput and power draw, and on a trailer the power side usually decides the argument before the throughput side gets a hearing.
The numbers
- Electrical load
- 2000–5000 W running 21.7A at 230V · exceeds a 13A socket on its own
- Footprint
- 1-group ~350mm wide · 2-group ~700mm · 3-group ~950mm
- New (indicative)
- €2,500 – €12,000
- Used (indicative)
- €900 – €5,000
- Checked
- 2026-08-01
Power figures are ranges across models commonly sold into the Irish trailer trade — read the rating plate on the actual unit before you build a load budget on them. Prices are indicative guidance bands, not quotes, and no supplier is named or implied.
Power by group size — at Irish 230V
A 1-group machine typically draws 2–3 kW, which is 8.7–13A at 230V. A 2-group is usually 3–5 kW, or 13–21.7A. A 3-group runs 5–7 kW, meaning 21.7–30.4A. Note that most published amperage figures online are American and assume 110V, where the same machine draws roughly double the current — those numbers do not transfer to Ireland. Work in kilowatts and convert once, at 230V.
What your hookup can actually run
A 13A socket gives you about 2.99 kW total, so a 1-group machine at 2.5 kW leaves almost nothing for a grinder, fridge or lights. A 16A commando hookup gives 3.68 kW and is the realistic floor for a 2-group setup with nothing else running. If you want a 2-group machine plus refrigeration on a single supply, you are looking at 32A or a generator — and heating elements cycle, so the average draw is lower than the peak but the peak is what trips the breaker.
Why most trailers run 1-group or a compact 2-group
The honest answer for the majority of Irish coffee trailers is a 1-group or a compact 2-group machine, because the power budget will not stretch further without a generator large enough to be a problem in itself. A well-drilled operator on a 1-group can hold 80–120 drinks an hour, which covers most market and event pitches. Buy the throughput you actually need at your busiest realistic hour, not the throughput you hope for.
Questions
Can I run a 2-group espresso machine on a 13A socket?
No, not reliably. A 13A supply provides about 2.99 kW at 230V and a 2-group machine draws 3–5 kW. You need a 16A hookup as an absolute floor, and 16A leaves nothing spare for a grinder or fridge. For a 2-group plus anything else, plan on 32A or a suitably sized generator.
How much power does a commercial espresso machine use?
At Irish 230V: a 1-group draws roughly 2–3 kW (8.7–13A), a 2-group 3–5 kW (13–21.7A), and a 3-group 5–7 kW (21.7–30.4A). Always read the rating plate on the specific machine — these are ranges across commonly sold models, not a spec.
Is a used espresso machine worth it for a trailer?
Often yes — a well-serviced used machine from a reputable dealer with a warranty is usually better value than a new budget unit, and the trade resale market in Ireland is active. Get the boiler certification and service history, and budget for a full service and new group seals on purchase regardless of what you are told.