According to a BBC report, an inventive tradesman plying his trade in Ethiopia, North East Africa, has begun a very unusual production of coffee machines to sell to shops throughout his homeland. Azmeraw Zeleke is turning burnt out ammunition shells from previous conflicts and turning them into fully operational coffee makers.

Coffee Makers – From Bullets To Barista
Making a coffee machine from pieces of old ammunition may not seem like the most obvious step, but Azmeraw Zeleke is winning praise for the capabilities of his unusual coffee makers. Most of the burnt out ammunition shells that he uses to make his bespoke coffee machines are left over from the 1998-2000 conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Speaking to the BBC, Mr Zeleke stated, “The shells were dropped in Ethiopia during the war with Eritrea. They were dropped so people hid them in their homes and now they sell them”. It goes without saying that most are surprised when Mr Zeleke explains that he is buying them to turn into coffee makers.

Coffee Makers – Don’t Try This At Home
Mr Zeleke makes his coffee machines from 1 metre tall mortar shells that once littered battlefields across North East Africa. He cuts the pointed ends from the mortars and places holes in the aluminium cylinders. It is these cylinders that filter the water, coffee and milk. Mr Zeleke explains to the BBC the thinking behind his out of the ordinary coffee makers, he states, “I saw some shells being sold for a different purpose and I studied them. They were used for washing clothes or crushing things. After studying them I came up with the idea of using them as a cylinder for a coffee machine.”

Coffee Makers – Looking Further Afield
Coffee is one of the biggest exports from Ethiopia and whilst Mr Zeleke has yet to sell his coffee machines outside of his home country so far, it is something he intends to do but, in order to do so, he needs to overcome people’s reticence to buy a machine made up of old ammunition, “These shells have all been used. We all need peace and we don’t want war but once these shells have been used, we should use our skills to do something with them.”

Coffee Makers from Xpress Coffee
Xpress Coffee Commercial Ltd gives you the best of both worlds: online prices with store service and style. We stock a huge range of coffee machines and coffee makers, including leading brands such as Gaggia, Jura and Illy. What’s more, we can provide a range of coffee beans, pods and capsules, along with all the accessories you need to set up a fully-working coffee machine station for your home or business. Take advantage of our great internet deals and promotions. Simply browse our site with your shopping basket now, or call us on 0871 208 1717. Alternatively you can chat online to our coffee experts right now!

Go back to Coffee Machine Articles