Dr. Coffee’s F16 Big Plus arrives at a moment when workplaces are increasingly prioritizing quality coffee as part of employee experience and client-facing hospitality. Designed for up to 100 cups per day, the F16 targets small and medium offices that want café-quality drinks without the complexity or price of a full commercial espresso rig. Pelican Rouge, the importer and service partner for Dr. Coffee in Australia, has been working closely with the manufacturer to bring this model to market.
We spoke with Jacob Pritchard, Service Manager at Pelican Rouge, to learn what sets the F16 apart from previous and current models such as the Coffee Break, and why these changes matter for offices and shared workspaces.
Interview with Jacob Pritchard, Service Manager at Pelican Rouge
Jacob Pritchard Service Manager at Pelican rouge with the Dr Coffee F16 – office coffee machine
I am Jacob Pritchard, the Service Manager at Pelican Rouge, I have been in the industry for almost 5 years now working with a wide range of machines and their distributors. We are the importers of Dr Coffee Fully Automatic and Caye Super Traditional coffee machines, which utilise a wide of technology to achieve the perfect cup of coffee for office, commercial and alternative workspaces
Can you describe us the new features introduced in the F16 by Dr Coffee?
The F16 is the first Dr Coffee model designed for small to medium office spaces that utilises a milk pump, dedicated steam boiler and stainless-steel burrs to deliver a cup of coffee any barista would be proud to take credit for. Whilst these 3 key features may not be brand new to automatic coffee machines, the affordability Dr Coffee brings with their machines in conjunction with these upgrades, means the office coffee market is again going to have a new standard set.
Why a milk pump produces a better textured milk?
Using a milk pump we are able to control the rate at which the milk interacts with our air and heat infusion. This means the milk delivered into our coffee is textured in a way that is comparable to a barista, making for a significantly improved final beverage for the end user. A precision coffee machine with an integrated milk pump delivers flawlessly textured milk, producing velvety microfoam without a single bubble. Its controlled pressure and temperature create consistent creaminess, enhancing espresso with silky, glossy foam ideal for latte art and smooth, balanced flavour in every cup. As well as the ability to further control the type of milk we are trying to create from a technician’s standpoint.
The F16 has metal blades instead of ceramic burrs, what would be the difference in coffee flavour?
Similar to why a milk pump enhances our coffee experience, the stainless-steel blades in the new Dr Coffee F16 contributes positively to the grinding of our coffee beans by providing a more consistent grind, espresso to espresso as well as a finer grind, further improving the extraction of our espresso. Metal burrs deliver a crisp, bright clarity in your cup: precise particle consistency highlights delicate acidity and floral notes, while reducing stray fines for cleaner extraction. The result is a transparent, defined flavour profile with enhanced sweetness and pronounced origin character—sharp, vibrant, and reliably consistent shot after shot.
How long does it take to get a latte?
Depending on the size of your latte the delivery time will differ, however utilising a milk pump your overall delivery time for any beverage will be improved due to the dedicated pump, pushing the milk through the internal foaming system. You will likely see an approximate time of 45-55 seconds for an 8oz latte.
Where do you see this machine in the market? Who is the perfect customer for it?
The F16 will slot perfectly in the small-medium office (up to 100 cups per day). Those looking for an enhanced coffee experience in their workspace for an unmatched, competitive price, won’t have to look further than this model from Dr Coffee.
How often do I need to service the machine if I brew around 80 cups a day?
At Pelican Rouge, we pride ourselves on our service and customer service standards. For the F16 and all Dr Coffee models we recommend 6-month servicing. A typical 6-month service on these machines includes a calibration of all circuits to ensure you are getting the most out of your machine, as well a couple minor standard service parts to be replaced. Every 12 months, the service includes a few more standard service parts, again to ensure no major components fail and so you can get the most of out of your coffee machine.
What This Means for Offices and Shared Workspaces
The F16 Big Plus is positioned to fill a clear gap between consumer-grade bean-to-cup machines and larger commercial machines that require specialist installation and higher running costs. For offices brewing up to 100 cups per day, the combination of a milk pump, dedicated steam boiler and stainless-steel burrs translates into several tangible benefits:
- Consistency: Employees expect the same quality each time they press a button. The F16’s components help reduce variability and deliver repeatable drinks.
- Speed: Faster milk delivery and a dedicated steam system reduce wait times during peak breaks.
- Coffee quality: Finer, more consistent grinding and precision milk texturing unlock better extraction and a more balanced flavour.
- Ease of use: Fully automatic operation means minimal barista skill is required; staff simply select a drink and receive a café-style beverage.
- Cost-effectiveness: By packaging these higher-end components into an office-focused machine, Dr. Coffee makes premium features accessible without the capital expense of full commercial gear.
Installation, Running Costs and Practical Considerations
For offices considering the F16, a few practical points matter. Although the machine is compact and suitable for standard office power supplies, think about water supply and waste handling—regular maintenance and descaling remain important to preserve taste and longevity. Pelican Rouge’s recommended service schedule (every six months, with a larger annual service) is sensible for an office brewing close to capacity (around 80–100 cups daily).
Budgeting for consumables,filters, cleaning products and occasional replacement parts, will help avoid surprises and keep the machine performing optimally.
Comparing F16 to Existing Models like the Coffee Break
Where previous or current models such as the Coffee Break focused on simplicity and low-footprint operation, the F16 Big Plus escalates the offer: better milk texture, improved grind quality, and a dedicated steaming system. For offices that were previously choosing between basic bean-to-cup convenience and higher-cost commercial machines, the F16 provides a middle ground: superior beverage quality without the operational overhead of a full espresso setup.
Final Thoughts
Dr. Coffee’s F16 Big Plus is an example of how incremental but well-targeted engineering choices—milk pump, metal burrs, and dedicated steam boiler—can significantly raise the standard for office coffee. Jacob Pritchard’s perspective as a service manager highlights that these upgrades not only improve flavour and presentation but also reliability and speed in day-to-day use. For small and medium offices looking to upgrade their coffee offering, the F16 promises café-quality beverages, dependable service intervals, and an attractive total cost of ownership.
Interviewee Jacob Pritchard, Service Manager, Pelican Rouge — importer and service partner for Dr. Coffee Fully Automatic and Caye Super Traditional machines.
