Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
Espresso machines are the most effective way to get the ultimate coffee experience. They are an effort of passion, but they also give you total control over the coffee you drink.
They usually include an espresso tamper to flatten the grinds and steamer to froth the milk for lattes and cappuccinos.
1. Stovetop
We have a wide range of stovetop coffee makers that will aid you in making a fantastic cup. In the UK around 98 million cups of coffee are consumed each day. They are also known as moka pots. these devices use pressure to create an espresso-like cup of coffee without the need for messy filter papers. They are a simple, easy-to-use device that will enhance any type of coffee, and can be used with milk to make cappuccinos and lattes.
The bottom of the moka pot is filled with hot water. The coffee beans are placed in a basket between two pipes that lead to the upper chamber where the brewed beverage will be served. As the water in the lower chamber boils, it pushes through the grounds of the coffee under high pressure. The aromas are released into the upper chamber as the water flows upwards. The result is an aromatic rich and robust coffee that can be enjoyed on its own or mixed with sugar and milk.
The main thing to bear in mind when purchasing moka pots is the capacity of the pot. It is essential to check the size of the bottom and the capacity of your basket. A larger unit could require a longer wait time, whereas smaller units may not be capable of making enough pressure. We also suggest looking at the material that the machine is made from since stainless steel machines are sturdier and more durable but they also come with a higher price tag.
Other considerations are whether the appliance will work with your chosen heat source (gas or electric) and any additional add-ons you might have like milk steamer wands that are used to heat and froth milk to make lattes and cappuccinos. It is also worth considering the amount of cups you are able to make in one sitting, as this is a great way to determine the ideal size unit for you.
Lastly, we would recommend checking that the moka pot you are considering has an adequate base that will fit on the burner you are considering. We found that some models, such as the Stelton espresso maker with a collar, had a narrow base and were difficult to place on a gas burner. However, larger bases, such as those of the Bialetti Venus and London Sip stovetop espresso makers, gave better results. We also preferred models that had thicker walls, because this was proven to conduct the heat more efficiently and prevent it from sputtering out too quickly.
2. Capsule
In a similar vein to the stovetop models, there are capsule coffee makers which make cappuccinos, espresso and other drinks using pods. If you're not a fan of making mess with grounds, cleaning, and making coffee this is the ideal solution for you.
You will have to purchase the coffee pods separately. There are many brands to choose from, such as Nespresso Dolce Gusto, and Tassimo. There are a variety of different sizes available, so you can suit the size of your beverage and coffee type to your personal preference. The smallest of these is the Nespresso Essenza Mini, which is ideal for small areas and can make one cup at a time. You can get a bigger model that can hold larger cups, but they are more expensive.
Illy Iperespresso is a chic alternative for coffee lovers who prefer a sophisticated machine that makes better tasting coffee. It's not the most expensive machine, but it produces a great cup of coffee. It's also easy to use. It has a clever feature that allows it to automatically alter its settings in accordance with the brand of pods it's using. This makes it one of the most flexible machines, in our opinion.
You should choose a model that comes with a milk cup if you are looking to test the various drinks you can make using a pod machine. This will allow you to explore the possibilities of cappuccinos and lattes. You can still make the majority of popular drinks using capsule machines, but it will be more of a hit-and-miss affair.
If you are interested in buying a capsule be sure to check if it's compatible with ESE pods. This typically means it comes with a basket, or adapter to fit smaller pods. Some of the machines in our range include this feature, which means you can use them with Nespresso compatible pods as well as Dolce Gusto or Tassimo pods.
3. Manual
They are manual espresso machines for purists. They look like the original espresso machine, created in Italy in the early 1900s. They operate by pumping the water manually into a filter, securing it and then forcing the water under pressure of 9 bar to create a shot.
A manual espresso maker is typically more of a labour of passion than a capsule machine since they require you to heat the water in a separate manner from your coffee, pour it into the chamber over the pre ground coffee or pods and then press down on the plunger or lever to create the pressure and push the water through into the cup below. This method can be complicated, time-consuming, and difficult to master but the end result is worth it.
Some of the more modern models like the Flair 58 and the Sage The Barista Touch Impress have taken a different approach to make it easier to control, they have utilised an electronic temperature controller known as a PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative). This technology is used in immersion circulators and high-end toasters. It is designed to stabilize the brewing temperature of the boiler. This is a great way to take away the guesswork surrounding the optimal temperature of brewing.
Rancilio, La Pavoni and other large names make manual espresso machines. The majority of people who have worked in a cafe or cafe are familiar with these names. They make the large two or three group heads of commercial espresso machines that you would find in a cafe but in 1997 they created the Silvia which is an automated, semi-automatic machine that comes with a few bells and whistles that help alleviate some of the stress out of the making process.
Fully automatic espresso machines do all of the tasks for you, they grind the beans, tamp, and pull one shot, and steam your milk all at the push of a button. However, they will also cost you quite a bit of money, so you need to have an adequate amount of cash to be capable of affording one.
4. Semi-Automatic
If the thought of replicating a perfect espresso shot from your favorite café at home is appealing with you, then a semi-automatic machine is the best choice for you. These coffee machines allow you to tweak your preferences over time and dial in your espresso drinks according to how you feel at any given time.
The machines are equipped with a portafilter and steam wand. The brewing process of these machines is similar to that of superautomatics, but with additional manual steps, such as grinding the beans and inserting them into the portafilter. They also require more knowledge and skills to operate as the brewing process is not controlled by a computer.
A good semi-automatic machine will include a portafilter that is removable and a tamper for firmly compressing the coffee grounds inside the portafilter prior to making. It also allows you to regulate the amount of water and pressure used during the brewing process. You can then alter your shots based on your preferences and the type of coffee beans that you are using.
Another thing to look for in a semi-automatic machine is the ability to adjust the temperature. Coffeee allows you set the brewing temperatures for your coffee beans in accordance with the way they taste. This can help you avoid temperature fluctuations. This is vital, especially when it comes the brew-boiler. Without a PID controller the temperature of brewing can fluctuate by up to 20oF from one cup to the next. This fluctuation is lowered to 0.1oF by using a PID.
Some of the most expensive models may also include an milk frother to create espresso drinks that are based on milk. This allows you to make delicious lattes and cappuccinos. The pitcher that froths should have a comfortable handle and a spout for easy pouring.
It is also a good idea to choose a model with a filter that is removable basket and an automatic dosing system for grounds. This will save you from needing to do manual tamping and grinding on your own. This will make cleaning the machine easier.