Fracino CON2ELPG Review: The Bestselling Dual-Fuel Coffee Machine for Mobile Catering (2026)
Last updated: June 2026
In 30 seconds:
- The Fracino CON2ELPG is the UK’s bestselling dual-fuel espresso machine for mobile coffee vans, from £3,249.
- It runs on propane (5.0kW at 37 mbar) or mains electric (2.85kW) — flick one switch to swap.
- Push-button automatic, 2 groups, 14-litre boiler, up to 400 cups a day.
- A complimentary barista kit is included with the machine.
- Made in Britain by Fracino — the only maker of LPG commercial espresso machines in the UK.
Planning the whole van, not just the machine? Our mobile coffee van startup costs guide maps the full budget in 2 minutes.
Why dual-fuel? Most pitches have no mains power. Dual-fuel means the CON2ELPG makes espresso from a propane cylinder off-grid, then switches to mains electric when you’re at an indoor venue. That flexibility is why it’s widely regarded as the standard espresso machine for UK mobile coffee businesses.
Why the automatic? Push-button dosing means every shot is consistent, whoever is serving. You don’t need a trained barista on every shift.
The biggest mistake we see? Buying an electric-only espresso machine, then discovering the pitch has no hook-up — and no generator on earth that can feed a 2.85kW element all day cheaply. The CON2ELPG exists to solve exactly that problem.
Fracino CON2ELPG — quick specs
- Type: 2-group automatic (push-button) espresso machine, dual-fuel
- Gas rating: 5.0kW propane at 37 mbar (I3P category)
- Electric mode: 2.85kW element for mains venues · 350W auxiliary boost on gas
- Boiler: 14 litres
- Output: up to 400 cups a day
- Size: 575mm high × 580mm wide × 500mm deep
- Weight: 55kg — two-person lift
- Price: from £3,249
- View the Fracino CON2ELPG product page →
At 575mm tall it fits under low trailer gantries where lever machines (830mm to the top of the lever) won’t. That makes it the safer choice for converted vans and compact trailers.
Best for
Mobile coffee vans and trailers serving 100–400 cups a day, with no guaranteed mains power. It suits owner-operators who hire casual staff, because the push-button workflow doesn’t depend on barista skill.
What it does on a busy day
- Pulls consistent double shots on both groups at once
- Steams milk continuously — the 14-litre boiler holds 1.0–1.2 bar through the rush
- Runs entirely off a 19kg propane cylinder, a 12V battery and a 1000W inverter
- Switches to mains electric for indoor markets and winter venues
- Keeps cups warm on the top tray
On gas, the electrical draw is tiny — the battery and inverter only feed the pump, ignition and controls. Your generator (if you carry one) stays free for the grinder and fridge.
Don’t buy it if
- You trade from a permanent unit with reliable mains — an electric-only machine costs less. See our Fracino Bambino 2 Group review for that setup.
- You’re a skilled barista who wants the lever-pull ritual — look at the Fracino FCL2LPG lever machine guide instead.
- You expect under 50 cups a day — a 1-group machine saves money and bench space.
What it costs to buy and own
- Machine: from £3,249 (automatic CON2ELPG)
- Semi-automatic alternative: from £2,799 — but shot timing falls on the barista, so we don’t recommend it for beginners
- Barista kit: complimentary with the machine (tamper, jugs, cloths and more)
- Grinder: separate purchase — budget for a Mazzer or similar commercial grinder
- Gas installation: a COMCAT-registered Gas Safe engineer should fit and commission it, with a CP44 certificate at handover (annual CP44 renewals typically run from £120)
- Consumables: water softener filter replaced every 2 months to protect the boiler
A full package — machine, grinder, water boiler and kit — usually lands between £5,000 and £8,000. That’s the bracket where monthly leasing often makes more sense than paying upfront.
Setting it up in your van
The install list is short: 12V battery, 1000W inverter, 37 mbar propane regulator and cylinder, fresh water tank with pump, and a water softener. Allow 600mm clearance above the machine and 75mm at the rear and sides.
One detail catches people out. The fuel selector switch sits by the right-hand group — and if you’re running from an inverter, it should be set to GAS. On ELECTRIC, the 2.85kW element will overload a 1000W inverter instantly.
We’ve covered the whole job step by step in our LPG coffee machine setup guide for catering vans — bench layout, water, propane and first fire-up.
A Saturday with the CON2ELPG
Picture a farmers’ market morning. You light the machine at 7:30am; by 8:00am it’s sitting at 1.1 bar on propane. The 9am rush brings a queue of twelve — both groups running, milk steaming non-stop, and the boiler doesn’t flinch.
By 2pm you’ve served 230 drinks and used a fraction of a 19kg cylinder. No generator hum, no power cables across the walkway, no panicked reset when the kettle next door trips the supply. That’s the dual-fuel difference in practice.
Warranty and servicing — the straight answer
The CON2ELPG carries a back-to-base warranty. If it develops a fault, the machine travels to Fracino’s Birmingham workshop — an engineer doesn’t come to your van. Collection and return are at your cost (around £95 out, £115 back — about £210 in total), or you can drop it off yourself for free.
Plan around it: a spare morning’s drive to Birmingham is cheaper than two courier legs. For ongoing compliance, the boiler needs an annual inspection and the gas side an annual service by a COMCAT 2 registered engineer.
Frequently asked questions
How many cups a day can the Fracino CON2ELPG handle?
Up to 400 cups a day on the electronic push-button workflow. The 14-litre boiler and twin groups hold steam pressure through long rush periods, so output is limited more by your serving speed than the machine. For most mobile coffee vans, 150–250 cups is a busy day — well inside its comfort zone.
Can the Fracino CON2ELPG run on butane?
Propane only. The CON2ELPG is rated for propane at 37 mbar (I3P category), like every commercial mobile catering appliance in the UK. Butane stops vaporising below about 2°C, so it fails on cold mornings — exactly when coffee sells best. Use a 19kg propane cylinder with a 37 mbar regulator.
What do I need to install the CON2ELPG in a coffee van?
You need a 12V battery, a 1000W inverter, a 37 mbar propane regulator and cylinder, a fresh water tank with pump, and a water softener. A COMCAT-registered Gas Safe engineer should carry out the gas installation and issue your CP44 certificate. Allow 600mm clearance above the machine and 75mm at the rear and sides.
How long does the CON2ELPG take to heat up?
Around 30 minutes from cold on propane, or about 15 minutes on mains electric. Steam pressure settles at 1.0–1.2 bar when it’s ready to serve. Most traders light the machine first on arrival, so it reaches pressure while the rest of the pitch is being set up.
How long does a 19kg propane cylinder last with the CON2ELPG?
Roughly 50 hours of burn time at the full 5.0kW rating — and longer in practice, because the burner cycles down once the boiler reaches pressure. For a typical 8-hour trading day, one 19kg cylinder commonly covers a week or more of events. Always carry a spare so you never trade on an unknown.
What is the difference between the automatic CON2ELPG and the semi-automatic Contempo?
The automatic CON2ELPG doses each shot at the push of a button, so any team member can serve consistent coffee. The semi-automatic version (from £2,799) leaves shot timing to the barista — cheaper, but it needs skill and slows service in a rush. For most new mobile coffee businesses, the automatic is the right first machine.
What warranty does the Fracino CON2ELPG have?
It carries a back-to-base warranty: the machine goes to Fracino’s Birmingham workshop for repair rather than an engineer visiting your van. Collection and return costs sit with the customer — around £95 out and £115 back, about £210 in total — or you can drop the machine off yourself for free.
Can I lease the Fracino CON2ELPG instead of buying outright?
Yes. Leasing is available through our external leasing partner for higher-value packages — typically £5,000–£8,000 setups combining the CON2ELPG with a grinder, water boiler and barista kit. It spreads the cost into monthly payments rather than one upfront hit. Visit the MobCater leasing page to start a quote.
Ready to see it in detail? Head to the Fracino CON2ELPG product page for current pricing and delivery.