If it ain’t broke, don’t maintain it

As my daughters were growing up I told them that making mistakes was normal. The best thing a dad can do is forgive and welcome the natural ones, and wince lovingly at the rest.

I did tell them, though, that they would wind up much further ahead if they learned from the mistakes of others (including me).

So. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” We’ve all heard it. It’s sound advice, but it isn’t the same as “If it ain’t broke, don’t maintain it”. I think people get these two mixed up.

You already know that our stock and trade is providing and caring for your coffee equipment, so it’s no surprise that we promote predictive and preventative maintenance strategies for the equipment that generates your primary revenue stream. This strategy promotes reliable service intervals, which promote fewer emergencies and more peace of mind for you.

The other option, reactive maintenance (also known as “run to failure”) is a valid strategy for equipment in your business that won’t interrupt your workflow, or for which duplicates are handy (lightbulbs, for example). The down side of this for complex equipment is unexpected expenses, down time and lost revenue.


Our situation as technicians is unique. We are able to troubleshoot and fix equipment, sure. We also are able to advise and help produce a superior beverages. You wouldn’t ask the refrigerator repair person to make hollandaise to prove her/his work, but you should expect your espresso technician to be well versed in coffee extraction parameters, quality standards and all things coffee. We have chosen this career path because we love what we do and truly want to help you make your goals easier to reach. We also want to empower you to be better at doing your own fundamental maintenance.

Let’s meditate on the sound of foaming milk, purging steam wands, pump motors and your happy customers receiving their drinks, and the promise of reliable equipment that makes that happen.

~ Michael Wilkins