FAQs

1) What makes Ground Control® superior to other commercial batch brewers?

Ground Control® uses a unique, patented immersion brewing method.  It is radically more delicious and efficient than any manual or automatic brewing method.  It is also easier to use.  Ground Control® delivers a memorably interactive coffee experience to the customer.  Leading roasters agree that beverages produced using our innovative technology are consistently more balanced, full-bodied and sweet than those made using their current batch equipment.  Our unique technology was recognized by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) as the 2018 Best New Product (Commercial Equipment).

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Click here for our brief video  https://youtu.be/JUbXJj3sJB4. 

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2) How does coffee made using Ground Control® coffee differ from coffees brewed on a drip brewer? 

The Ground Control® multi-stage extraction is sweeter, less bitter, and more nuanced than any other brewing method. Ground Control® allows baristas to dial in recipes with total control. Our approach is consistent and delivers an excellent cup across a variety of brew settings.  Our brewing methodology also causes less stomach irritation.  This allows coffee lovers who could previously no longer enjoy the beverage to resume their daily coffee ritual.  The Ground Control® approach brews the same coffee multiple times, each time using fresh water.  We then combine the results of each mini-brew.  Other industry innovators have followed our lead, with powerful results. For example, drying and re-extracting a bed of grounds with fresh water was an integral part of 2016 Brewer’s Cup World Champion Tetsu Kasuya’s winning “Four Six” recipe.

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3) How easy is Ground Control® to use?

Ground Control® uses the same basic workflow as existing batch brewers, and is plug and play with existing setups.  It fits in the same footprint as existing one gallon twin brewers.  Baristas place a paper filter in the brew basket, add ground coffee, insert the basket into Ground Control®, and press brew.  That’s it.

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4) What kind of staff training do you offer?

Ground Control® provides in-person  staff trainings to its new customers, ensuring a smooth transition to its easy-to-use technology.

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5) How easy is Ground Control® clean?

Ground Control® is easy to clean, just like other commercial batch brewers. The system cleans in-place. To deep clean the system, baristas simply place their favorite coffee equipment cleaning solution into the brew basket, and push the cleaning cycle button.  The cleaning solution is circulated throughout the brewing pathway, and is then washed out by a second cycle of water.  

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6) How reliable is Ground Control?

Ground Control® is easy-to-service. Over the past two-and-a-half years, Ground Control® has been tested in over thirty environments, and we are used daily in over a dozen locations. The current design is the result of several thousand hours of real-world testing and extensive lab cycle testing. Our design uses best-in-class principles and hardened parts to ensure reliability and serviceability.  We have worked with several industry-recognized consultants with a collective experience of over 30 years in coffee equipment to carefully review our designs, down to the smallest detail.

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7) How will my Ground Control® be serviced?

Voga has developed a network of trained, certified technicians across the US to service Ground Control® units.  Our technicians hold a set of replacement parts to ensure that any down time is minimized for your mission critical equipment.  Fortunately, Ground Control® does not use a spray head for dispensing water.  This eliminates the most common point of failure for batch coffee brewing systems.

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8) What’s the scientific principle behind Ground Control®’s patent-pending brewing technology?

Ground Control® is based on a powerful new brewing method.  Dr. Joshua Avins, Voga’s Chief Technology Officer, explains, “Coffee grounds are brewed in immersion, and a powerful vacuum pump pulls out the brewed coffee.  Fresh water is then re-introduced to the previously brewed, substantially dried grounds, and the extraction process begins anew.  The results of each brew stage are then combined, creating the final beverage.  This extracts layers of different flavor compounds in each brew stage, combining the final result for a delicate, balanced cup.”

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9) What are Ground Control®’s specs?  

Our footprint is virtually identical to most twin commercial batch brewers. The unique design features brew baskets located conveniently placed below eye-level for ease of use and greater safety.

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10) Does Ground Control® require 220v?

Our Twin model of Ground Control® requires 220v of electricity to ensure that it can handle the volume of a busy café.  Our Cyclops brewer is capable of brewing at 110v.

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11) What types of coffee beverages can Ground Control® brew? 

Ground Control® can brew any coffee at a wide range of concentrations, from drip-style all the way to “lungo espresso.”  For the technically inclined, Ground Control® is able to produce a balanced cup of coffee at TDS ranging from .9 all the way to 5.5.  

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12) Can I use Ground Control® to make other beverages, like Iced Coffee, Tea and Brewed Cacao? How?

Ground Control® also produces an exceptional iced coffee, which has been hailed as a major breakthrough in the category. 

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The unit is also capable of producing high quality teas and herbal tisanes, as well. 

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We launched our brewed cacao at 2018 SCA expo in Seattle, to wide critical acclaim.

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13) How is Ground Control® better than vacuum, siphon, and drip?

Ground Control® uses a completely new, patented method for brewing coffee.  

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While inspired by vacuum and siphon methods, Ground Control®’s unique multi-stage extraction is completely new.  Additional extractions of the same dried coffee ground allow Ground Control® to pull out layers of flavor compounds that are not extracted by any other method.  

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Ground Control® offers significantly more opportunities to dial in recipes, versus drip brewing, which is not an immersion based approach.  It also exhibits several efficiency and flavor advantages.  

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14) How do I order a Ground Control®?  

Financing options are available. To place an order inquiry, please fill out this form and we will get back to you shortly or contact us at [email protected].