Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
Espresso machines are the most effective way to get the ultimate coffee experience. Coffeee 're an effort of love, but they give you complete control over your coffee.
They have an espresso tamper to flatten the grinds, as well as steamers to froth milk in cappuccinos and lattes.
1. Stovetop
We have a wide range of stovetop coffee makers that will assist you in making a perfect cup. In the UK around 98 million cups of coffee are consumed each day. These devices, also referred to as moka pots, use pressure to make an espresso-like cup of tea without the hassle of filter papers. They are a simple and easy-to-use device that will enhance any type of coffee and can be used with milk to make cappuccinos and lattes.
Moka pots are equipped with the bottom chamber, which is filled with water, and the coffee is placed in a basket that is surrounded by two pipes which lead to the upper chamber where the final beverage is served. As the water boils in the bottom, it pushes its way through the grounds at high pressure. It then seeps into the upper chamber, where the aromas are released to you to enjoy. The result is a rich and aromatic coffee that is delicious on its own or with sugar and milk.
The most important thing to bear in mind when purchasing a moka pot is the capacity of the unit. It is crucial to check the size of the bottom and the capacity of your basket. A larger unit could require a longer wait time, while smaller units may not be capable of creating enough pressure. We suggest that you consider the material the machine is made from. Steel machines made of stainless steel are more durable and sturdy but they tend to cost more.
You should also consider whether the appliance is compatible with your preferred heat source, whether it's electric or gas. Also, you may consider looking into the other accessories available like steamer arms for milk that can be used to heat up and froth milk in cappuccinos and lattes. You may also consider the number of cups you can prepare in one go, as this is a great method to determine the best size for your needs.
Lastly, we would recommend to ensure that the moka pot you are considering will have a wide enough base to be able to fit on your preferred burner. We found that some models, such as the Stelton collar espresso maker had a narrow base and were difficult to put in the proper spot on a gas stove. On the other hand, wider bases, like those of the Bialetti Venus and the London Sip stovetop espresso makers, gave better results. We also preferred models with thicker walls since they were found to conduct heat more efficiently and prevent it from sputtering out too quickly.
2. Capsule
In a similar vein similar to stovetop models, there are capsule coffee makers that make espresso, cappuccinos and so on using pods. This is a great choice when you don't want be tangled with grounds, brewing and cleaning up - they provide a quick, simple and hassle-free way to get your caffeine fix in the morning.
You will need to buy the coffee pods separately, however there is a large selection on the market from brands like Nespresso, Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. There are several sizes available so you can select the size and type of coffee that is best for your taste. The Nespresso Essenza Mini is the most compact and is perfect for small spaces. It makes one cup of coffee at one time. A larger model is also available that can also take larger cups however it will cost more.
For a more sophisticated choice that also produces better tasting coffee, the Illy Iperespresso is an elegant alternative for coffee lovers. It's not the cheapest machine however it produces a superb cup of coffee and is simple to use as well. It also comes with a clever feature that allows it to recognise the type of coffee it's using and automatically adjusts its settings to match which makes it one of the most versatile in our opinion.
You should choose an item 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 experiment with lattes, cappuccinos and other drinks. You can still make the most popular drinks with a capsule machine without a milk carafe however, it's more than a hit and miss affair.
If you're thinking of buying capsule coffee machines, make sure it is marked as compatible with ESE pods. It will have a basket or adapter that can be used with these smaller pods. Some of our machines in our collection have this feature, meaning you can use them with Nespresso-compatible pods as well as Dolce Gusto or Tassimo pods.
3. Manual
The name suggests that they are manual espresso machines designed for those who prefer a more traditional approach. They resemble the original espresso machine invented in Italy in the early 1900s. They operate by manually pumping water into a filter, securing it and then forcing the water under pressure of 9 bar to create an espresso.
A manual espresso maker is typically more of a labour of affection than a capsule maker because they require you to heat the water in a separate manner from the coffee, pour it into the chamber over the coffee that has been ground or pods and then press down on the lever or plunger to create pressure and push the water through and into the cup below. This process can be messy, time-consuming and frustrating to master, but the final 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 is a piece of technology that is found in immersion circulators, top-of-the-line toasters and is designed to stabilize the brew boiler temperature. The benefit of this is that it removes much of the guesswork about the optimal temperature for brewing and lets you adjust the temperature of your espresso with precision.
Rancilio, La Pavoni and other large names make manual espresso machines. Many who have worked in a cafe or cafe will be familiar with these names. They manufacture the huge commercial espresso machines that have three or two heads that you can see in coffee shops. However, in 1997, they launched the Silvia, a semi-automatic espresso machine that has a few bells and whistles that can alleviate some of the hassle out of making espresso.
Fully automatic espresso machines will do all the work for you. They grind the beans, tamp them, pull the shot, and some even steam your milk. However, they can be costly so you will require a strong cash flow to be able to afford one.
4. Semi-Automatic
If the thought of re-creating a perfect espresso shot from your favorite café in your own home strikes a chord with you, then a semi-automatic machine is the best choice for you. These machines allow you to adjust your preferences over time and dial in your espresso drinks according to the way you feel at any given moment.
They come with a portafilter and a steam wand. The brewing process in these machines is similar to superautomatics, but with added manual steps such as grinding the beans and inserting them into the portafilter. They also require additional knowledge and skills to operate because the brewing process is not controlled automatically.
A semi-automatic machine that's good will come with a removable filter and an tamper that compresses the coffee grounds inside the portafilter prior to making. It also allows you to manage the amount of water and pressure used in the brewing process. You can then alter your shots according to your preferences and the kind of coffee beans you are using.
A semi-automatic should also include a temperature control that can be adjustable. This feature lets you set the brewing temperatures for your coffee beans in accordance with how they taste. This will also help you avoid temperature swings. This is important, especially when it comes the boiling brew. Without a PID control, the brew temperature can swing by up to 20oF from one cup to the next. With a PID controller this swing is limited to about 0.1oF.
A few of the more expensive models include a milk froth to make espresso drinks based on milk. This will allow you to make delicious lattes, cappuccinos and macchiatos. The frothing pitcher must be able to handle comfortably and an spout that allows for easy pouring.
It is also an excellent idea to select a model that has a removable filter basket as well as an automated dosing system for grounds. This will prevent you from having to perform manual tamping and grinding on your own. It will also make cleaning the machine easier.