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Permalink Reply by Brady on October 17, 2011 at 5:45pm

Lots of differing opinions on this out here too, not just in your shops. I think you'd find the most common ground in the 150 deg-F neighborhood. We've found that 160 deg is a good temp for keeping people with to-go's happy... but I know that many prefer the flavor of milk steamed to just about 140. Outside of that is either scalded or tepid.

 

One essential thing before talking temp is proper thermometer calibration. Calibrate often, and use the same method at all locations.

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Permalink Reply by Ricky Sutton on October 18, 2011 at 7:22pm

My system;

 

Macchiato = 130°

Cappuccino = 135°

8 oz = 140°

12 oz = 145°

16 oz = 150°

 

This works for our style & demographic but it may not work for yours.

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Permalink Reply by jacob hermeling on October 19, 2011 at 12:55pm

We all have those interesting customers with a very peculiar drink temperature. What is the hottest or coldest you have and/or would serve a drink at?

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Permalink Reply by Ricky Sutton on October 19, 2011 at 2:37pm

I make Gibraltars at 120°. The hottest that I typically go is 160° for "extra hot", but if someone says "I want it 186°" then I make it 186°. Then quietly talk shit about them when they leave.

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Permalink Reply by Shadow on October 21, 2011 at 8:55am

Great reply... but why quietly, lmhsao?

Ricky Sutton said:

I make Gibraltars at 120°. The hottest that I typically go is 160° for "extra hot", but if someone says "I want it 186°" then I make it 186°. Then quietly talk shit about them when they leave.

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Permalink Reply by Shadow on October 21, 2011 at 9:08am

Everything we do is to-go and average 150s and most are fine with that. A bit higher for colder weather, etc. Will drop to 120s~ for the younger generation, which I honestly feel as if many don't give thought to in this regard.

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Permalink Reply by James Tooill on October 21, 2011 at 11:17am

By younger generation do you mean the under-thirty crowd? or the under-ten crowd? 

Shadow said:

Everything we do is to-go and average 150s and most are fine with that. A bit higher for colder weather, etc. Will drop to 120s~ for the younger generation, which I honestly feel as if many don't give thought to in this regard.

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Permalink Reply by Ricky Sutton on October 21, 2011 at 8:40pm

Hah! Quietly because I would be pretty turned off if I heard a chef giving a customer crap behind their back. I intend for the atmosphere of my establishment to remain professional, even when my coffee standards are bent a little to suit my customer service standards. Also, I forgot to mention that I also make steamers & hot chocolates for the young'uns at 120°.

Shadow said:

Great reply... but why quietly, lmhsao?

Ricky Sutton said:

I make Gibraltars at 120°. The hottest that I typically go is 160° for "extra hot", but if someone says "I want it 186°" then I make it 186°. Then quietly talk shit about them when they leave.

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Permalink Reply by Emily Wiersma on October 24, 2011 at 5:49am

we do 120º for kids, 140º for not too hot,  between 150º-160º for normal drinks, and 170º for extra hot. Most of our clientele complains 140º isn't hot enough, so we appease to the best of our ability.

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Permalink Reply by Jillian on November 7, 2011 at 7:02am

We usually make our drinks at about 150-160. Anything else I think, is just too hot, unless a guest prefers their beverage "extra hot" I like my drinks around 140, so it's immediatly drinkable.

 

-Jillian Roholt

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