Fracino Contempo 2 Group Review: A Workhorse Espresso Machine for Busy Coffee Shops
Last updated: August 2026
In 30 seconds:
- The Contempo 2 Group is Fracino’s do-everything café machine — two groups, a big 14-litre boiler, up to 400 cups an hour.
- Best for a coffee shop with steady trade all day, especially if your morning rush builds a queue.
- British-built, plumbed into your mains water, from £2,490.
- This is the electric (mains) version. There’s a dual-fuel one too if you ever trade off-grid.
- Biggest mistake: buying a single group to save money, then watching the queue back up at 8am.
Not sure how many groups you need? Start with what size coffee machine your shop needs, or see the full line-up in our electric coffee machines buying guide.
Quick specs
- Groups: 2 (two brew heads)
- Output: around 240 cups/hour semi-automatic · up to 400 cups/hour automatic
- Boiler: 14 litres
- Power: 4 kW / 20A as standard (13A and 30A builds also available)
- Hot water: 60–80 litres an hour for teas and Americanos
- Size: 575 (H) × 580 (W) × 500 (D) mm
- Weight: 55 kg
- Water: plumbed into the mains — it is not a fill-the-tank machine
- Price: from £2,490 (varies with element and finish options)
- View the Fracino Contempo 2 Group product page →
Best for
Busy cafés, brunch spots and bakeries. Anywhere two baristas might work side by side at the peak. If your morning rush means a queue out the door, two groups keep the drinks moving.
What it does well
- Two groups, two hands. One barista pulls shots while another steams milk. No waiting for a single head to free up.
- It holds pressure through a rush. The 14-litre boiler keeps steam strong, so your milk texture doesn’t fade when the orders pile up.
- Plenty of hot water. 60–80 litres an hour covers teas, Americanos and warming cups without running dry.
- Easy to look after. It’s British-built by Fracino, and parts are stocked in the UK — so servicing is straightforward.
What you need to run it
The Contempo plumbs in, so it needs a bit more than a plug. Here’s the short list:
- Water: a 15mm cold supply and a waste pipe nearby. It is plumbed in, not tank-fed.
- Power: the standard build is 4 kW / 20A. Tell us your supply and we’ll match the element — 13A, 20A or 30A.
- A water filter or softener. Hard water is the number-one killer of café boilers. Fit one from day one — here’s how filters and softeners protect your boiler.
- A grinder. The machine doesn’t grind beans. Pair it with a café grinder — see our coffee grinder buying guide.
- About 15 minutes to warm up from cold each morning.
Semi-automatic or automatic?
The Contempo comes two ways. Semi-automatic means you start and stop each shot by hand. Automatic means you set the dose once, press a button and walk away — the machine pours the same shot every time.
Automatic keeps drinks consistent when the team is busy or new to the bar. Not sure which suits your shop? Read semi-automatic vs automatic vs bean-to-cup.
Keeping it running
- Warranty is back-to-base. If it needs a workshop repair, the machine goes to Fracino — there’s no engineer call-out to your shop. Worth knowing before you buy: how Fracino servicing and warranty works.
- Change the water filter every couple of months.
- Clean and descale on a routine to protect the boiler — here’s the simple routine.
The biggest mistake to avoid
The most common slip is going too small. A single group looks cheaper on the day. But one group can’t keep up once you’re past roughly 80 covers a day — the queue does the maths for you.
If you’re genuinely small and staying small, size down and save the money. If you’re growing, two groups pays for itself fast. Our what-size guide walks you through it.
Trading at events or off-grid sometimes? Fracino also makes a dual-fuel version that runs on LPG or electric — see our CON2ELPG dual-fuel review.
Frequently asked questions
How many cups an hour does the Fracino Contempo 2 Group make?
Around 240 cups an hour on the semi-automatic version, and up to 400 an hour on the automatic. That’s comfortably enough for a busy coffee shop.
Is the Contempo 2 Group electric or dual-fuel?
This is the electric (mains-powered) version, made for a fixed café. Fracino also makes a dual-fuel CON2ELPG that runs on LPG or electric for off-grid trading.
Does it need plumbing in?
Yes. It takes a 15mm cold mains supply and a waste pipe. It is not a fill-the-tank machine, so you’ll want it sited near your water.
What power supply does it need?
The standard build is 4 kW / 20A. Fracino also builds it as 13A or 30A, so tell us your supply and we’ll match the element.
How much does the Fracino Contempo 2 Group cost?
From £2,490. The price varies with the element rating and finish you choose.
What size boiler does it have?
A 14-litre boiler. That’s what lets it hold steam pressure through a rush without the milk steaming going weak.
Is the warranty back-to-base?
Yes. Workshop repairs go to Fracino rather than an engineer visiting your shop, so factor collection into your plans if anything ever needs fixing.
Do I need a separate grinder?
Yes. The machine pulls the shots but doesn’t grind the beans, so you’ll pair it with a café grinder.
See full price options and order the Fracino Contempo 2 Group →