Commercial pourover brewers do one thing: keep a full pot of hot coffee coming for a restaurant, bar, church, hotel or catering job.
BUNN makes most of the ones you see behind a counter, and the four below cover nearly every setup.
They plug into a normal outlet and need no water line.
They are built for volume, not variety.
None of them makes espresso or single cups. A cafe needs a commercial espresso machine beside the brewer, and a one-off event with hundreds of cups is coffee urn territory. What they do is brew a 12-cup pot in a few minutes, over and over, all day.
VP17 vs VPR vs VPS Side by Side
The four pourover brewers differ in warmers, body and what comes in the box.
The brewing side is the same: pour cold water in the top and a pot comes out the bottom.
| Spec | Our pickVP17-1SS13300.0001 | VP17-313300.0003 | VPR-2GD33200.0015 | VPS04275.0031 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Diners and break rooms | Busy counters, 3 pots warm | Regular and decaf side by side | Wide counters, 3 pots warm |
| Warmers | 1 lower | 3 lower | 1 upper, 1 lower | 1 upper, 2 lower |
| Batch size | 12 cups | 12 cups | 12 cups | 12 cups |
| Water line | No, pourover | No, pourover | No, pourover | No, pourover |
| Body | All stainless | All stainless | Black, stainless inside | Black |
| Decanters in the box | No | No | Yes, 2 glass | No |
| Size (H x W x D) | 17.3 x 8.4 x 18.8 in | 17.3 x 16.2 x 18.8 in | 20.2 x 8.7 x 15.9 in | 19.2 x 23.0 x 8.0 in |
| Power | 1500 W, 120 V | 1670 W, 120 V | 1575 W, 120 V | 1660 W, 120 V |
| Warranty | 2 yr parts, 1 yr labor | 2 yr parts, 1 yr labor | 2 yr parts, 1 yr labor | 2 yr parts, 1 yr labor |
| Buy | Check price | Check price | Check price | Check price |
Specs from BUNN's commercial product pages for each model number. Decanters and filters are sold separately unless noted.
BUNN VP17-1SS: Best Commercial BUNN Coffee Maker
BUNN VP17-1SS
The brewer you see in diners. Stainless inside and out, one warmer, and it fits an 8.4 inch strip of counter.
- Warmers
- 1lower
- Batch
- 12 cups
- Water line
- None
- Body
- Stainless
Pros
- Fast enough for a morning rush
- No plumbing, just a standard outlet
- Stainless steel body and tank
- Narrowest of the four
Cons
- No power switch, only a warmer switch
- Decanters sold separately
The VP17-1SS is BUNN’s model 13300.0001. It is also our large-office pick in the best office coffee maker guide.
BUNN lists it as a 12-cup low-profile pourover brewer with one lower warmer, all stainless steel construction and no plumbing. Low profile means the warmer sits under the brewer instead of on top of the tower, so it slides under a shelf.
The box has no decanter.
Plan on at least two: a black-handled pot for regular and an orange one for decaf. Both are in the parts list below.
The VP17-1 (13300.6000) is the same brewer in a black case. The stainless version costs more and is the one most kitchens buy.
BUNN VP17-3: Three Warmers in a Row
BUNN VP17-3
The VP17-1SS with two more warmers beside it. Three pots stay hot on one 16 inch footprint.
- Warmers
- 3lower
- Batch
- 12 cups
- Water line
- None
- Width
- 16.2 in
Pros
- Three individually switched warmers
- Same stainless build as the VP17-1SS
- No plumbing
Cons
- Twice as wide as the VP17-1SS
- Draws 1670 watts, so give it its own outlet
The VP17-3 is model 13300.0003.
BUNN lists three lower warmers, each with its own switch, at 17.3 inches tall and 16.2 inches wide. It is the pick for a counter that keeps regular, decaf and a third pot warm at once.
A second VP17-3 (13300.0004) puts two of the three warmers on top of the tower. Same brewer, taller and narrower.
BUNN VPR-2GD: Two Warmers and Two Decanters
BUNN VPR-2GD
The one that comes ready to brew. Two warmers, one over the other, and two glass decanters in the box.
- Warmers
- 21 upper, 1 lower
- Batch
- 12 cups
- Water line
- None
- In the box
- 2 decanters
Pros
- Two glass decanters included
- Stacked warmers save counter space
- Stainless internal components
Cons
- Black plastic exterior
- Noisy when heating
- No auto shutoff
The VPR is model 33200.0000.
The VPR-2GD (33200.0015) is the same brewer sold with two glass decanters, and it is the version most people buy. BUNN lists one upper and one lower warmer, 20.2 inches tall and 8.7 inches wide, with stainless steel internal components behind a black case.
Water goes in a tank on top of the tower, behind the upper warmer.
Turn it on and let it heat before the first pot, or the coffee comes out weak.
BUNN VPS: Three Warmers, Side by Side
BUNN VPS
Three warmers spread wide: two on the counter and one up top. The lowest brewer of the four at 8 inches deep.
- Warmers
- 31 upper, 2 lower
- Batch
- 12 cups
- Water line
- None
- Width
- 23 in
Pros
- Three individually switched warmers
- Lighted switch
- Shallow, sits against a wall
Cons
- 23 inches wide
- Black plastic exterior
- No auto shutoff
The VPS is model 04275.0031.
BUNN lists one upper and two lower warmers, a lighted switch and no plumbing, at 19.2 inches tall, 23 inches wide and 8 inches deep. It takes the most counter width of the four but the least depth.
Drawbacks of BUNN Pourover Brewers
- No power switch. The warmer has a switch. The brewer itself stays on until you unplug it. Do not unplug it while it is heating water. A power strip with a switch solves it.
- Warm-up time. The tank needs 10 to 15 minutes to heat before the first pot, then about 3 minutes a pot after that.
- Brew temperature. Some owners find the coffee not hot enough. Let the brewer heat fully before the first pot and use a full 12-cup batch.
- Noise. The heater runs whenever the tank refills, which is fine in a kitchen and loud in a small office.
- Leaks from overfilling. Pour in one decanter of water per pot, no more. Most leak complaints trace back to a second pour before the first finished.
Plumbed BUNN Brewers and Airpots
The four brewers above are pourover. BUNN also makes plumbed brewers that fill from a water line, and airpot brewers that pour into an insulated 3 liter pot instead of a glass decanter. They cost more and suit a kitchen that brews all day.
BUNN CWTF15-3
A plumbed brewer with three warmers and a hot water faucet on the front. It also takes a manual pour if the line is off.
Pros
- Fills from a water line, no refilling
- Hot water faucet for tea and soup
- Three warmers
Cons
- Needs a water line and a plumber
- Costs more than the pourover models
BUNN VPR-APS
The VPR brewer set up to brew into an airpot. Pourover like the VPR, no warmers, and the coffee stays hot without burning.
Pros
- No warmer, so no burnt coffee
- Airpot carries to a meeting or buffet
- No plumbing
Cons
- Airpot sold separately
- A few more steps to start than a decanter brewer
An airpot is a stainless steel tank with a glass or steel liner and a pump lid.
Push the lever and coffee comes out. BUNN sells 2.5, 3.0 and 3.8 liter sizes, and they are in the parts list below. BUNN recommends an airpot brewer for kitchens that make up to 50 pounds of coffee a week.
Replacement Parts and Supplies
Every brewer above uses the same 12-cup paper filter and the same 64 oz decanters, so one order covers the whole line.
Restaurants buy filters by the 1,000-count case. Walmart and Sam’s Club sometimes beat Amazon on the brewers themselves, so check both before you order; Target does not carry commercial models.
Replacement BUNN pourover parts
BUNN 12-cup regular paper filtersPart # 20115.0000
BUNN sells them 1,000 to a case (two bags of 500). Size 9 3/4 x 4 1/4 in. Restaurants go through a case in weeks.
BUNN 12-cup Fast Flow paper filtersPart # 20122.0000
Case of 1,000. BUNN lists these as a second filter option for the VP17.
BUNN 64 oz glass decanter, black handle (regular)Part # 42400.0103
Case of 3. BUNN also sells a single (42400.0101) and a case of 24 (42400.0024). The orange decaf version is 42401.
BUNN Easy Pour decanter, black handle (regular)Part # 06100.0101
64 oz, clear plastic top with a stainless steel base, so it will not shatter if dropped.
BUNN Easy Pour decanter, orange handle (decaf)Part # 06101.0101
Orange marks the decaf pot. Same 64 oz size as the black one.
BUNN pourover accessories
BUNN stainless steel funnel, black handlePart # 20216.0000
Every brewer here ships with a black plastic SplashGard funnel. This steel one replaces it.
BUNN 3.0 liter lever-action airpot
Stainless outside, brews straight in on airpot models such as the VPR-APS. BUNN also sells 2.5 and 3.8 liter sizes.
Part numbers from BUNN's commercial site and the VP17 parts list. Airpot sizes from the Amazon listings.
Which BUNN Commercial Coffee Maker Should You Buy
- One pot at a time, tight counter: VP17-1SS. It is the narrowest and the only all-stainless single-warmer model.
- Regular and decaf both warm: VPR-2GD. Two warmers, two decanters in the box.
- Three pots warm, deep counter: VP17-3. Three warmers in a row, 16 inches wide.
- Three pots warm, shallow counter: VPS. Only 8 inches deep, but 23 inches wide.
- Brews all day with a water line: CWTF15-3, plumbed, with a hot water faucet.
- Coffee that travels: VPR-APS with a 3 liter airpot.
For a small office that does not need a commercial brewer, see our office coffee maker picks, or the full coffee maker hub.
Common questions
What is the best BUNN commercial coffee maker?
The best BUNN commercial coffee maker for most kitchens is the VP17-1SS. It brews a 12-cup pot without a water line, has an all-stainless body and one warmer, and BUNN's spec sheet lists it at 17.3 inches tall and 8.4 inches wide, so it fits a tight counter.
Does a BUNN commercial coffee maker need a water line?
No, not the pourover models. The BUNN VP17, VPR and VPS are pourover brewers, and BUNN lists all of them as not plumbed. You pour a decanter of cold water in the top and the pot brews right away. BUNN's plumbed brewers, such as the CWTF15-3, need a water line and a plumber.
What is the best commercial coffee machine for home use?
The BUNN VP17-1SS is the commercial coffee machine that works best at home. It is 8.4 inches wide, needs only a standard outlet and brews a 12-cup pot in a few minutes once the tank is hot. Expect a heater that runs all day and no auto shutoff, so unplug it at night.
What is the difference between the BUNN VP17-1 and VP17-3?
The BUNN VP17-1 has one warmer and the VP17-3 has three, in a row under the brewer. Both brew a 12-cup pot with no plumbing. The VP17-3 is twice as wide at 16.2 inches against 8.4, and draws 1670 watts against 1500, per BUNN's spec sheets.
What filters does a BUNN commercial coffee maker use?
BUNN commercial pourover brewers use BUNN 12-cup paper filters, part 20115.0000, which measure 9 3/4 by 4 1/4 inches. BUNN sells them in cases of 1,000, and each pot uses one. The VP17 also takes the 20122.0000 Fast Flow filter.
