Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
Espresso machines are the ideal method to enjoy the best coffee experience. They're an act of love, but they give you complete control over the coffee you drink.
They also have an espresso tamper for flattening the grinds, and steamers to froth milk in cappuccinos and lattes.
1. Stovetop
We have a wide range of stovetop coffee makers to assist you in making a perfect cup. In the UK there are 98 million cups of coffee are consumed every day. Known as moka pots, these appliances use pressure to create an espresso-like coffee, without the need for messy filter papers. They are a simple and user-friendly device that can be used to enhance any type of coffee and can be used with milk to make cappuccinos and lattes.
Moka pots have 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 finished beverage is served. As the water heats up in the bottom, it forces its way through the grounds at high pressure, and then flows into the upper chamber where the aromas are released for you to enjoy. The result is a smoky and aromatic coffee that is delicious on its own or paired with milk and sugar.
The most important thing to keep in mind when purchasing moka pots is the capacity of the unit. It is important to make sure the dimensions of the bottom chamber as well as the capacity of the basket will be adequate for your needs since larger units will require a longer waiting time while a smaller one may not be able to create enough pressure. We also suggest looking at the materials the machine is made of since stainless steel machines tend to be more robust and durable, but come with a higher price tag.
You should also consider whether the appliance is compatible with your preferred heat source, be it gas or electric. Also, you may consider looking into any additional add-ons available like steamer arms for milk that can be used to heat and froth milk in cappuccinos and lattes. You may also want to take a look at the amount of cups that you can make at one time in order to be a useful factor in choosing the correct size unit for your needs.
We also suggest to check the base of the moka pot to ensure that it is a good fit on your 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 burner. However, larger bases, such as those of the Bialetti Venus and London Sip stovetop espresso makers, produced better results. We also favored models with thicker walls because this was proven to transfer heat more efficiently and prevent it from sputtering out too fast.
2. Capsule
In a similar vein to stovetop models there are capsule coffee machines that can make cappuccinos, espresso and so on using pods. If you aren't a fan of messing with grounds, cleaning, and brewing this is the best option for you.
You will need to buy the coffee pods on your own, but there are a variety on the market from brands like Nespresso, Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. There are several sizes to choose from, so you can choose the size and kind of coffee that best suits your taste. The Nespresso Essenza Mini is the smallest and is ideal for small spaces. It makes one cup of coffee at a time. A larger model is also available that can also accommodate larger cups, but it will cost more.
For a more sophisticated option that also makes better tasting coffee, the Illy Iperespresso is a chic alternative for coffee lovers. It's not the most expensive machine, but it produces excellent coffee. It's also simple to use. It comes with a clever feature that allows it to automatically adjust its settings according to the brand of pods it's using. This makes it one of the most adaptable machines in our opinion.
You should choose a model that comes with a milk cup if you're looking to test the various drinks you can make using a pod machine. This will let you experiment with lattes and cappuccinos. You can still make the majority of popular drinks using a capsule machine, but it will be more of a unpredictable affair.
If you're thinking of buying a capsule machine make sure it is compatible with ESE pods. machine espresso Coffeee will come with a basket or adapter that will fit these smaller pods. Some of our models have this feature. This means you can use the machine with Nespresso compatible pods and also Dolce Gusto and Tassimo pods.
3. Manual
The name suggests that they are espresso machines operated manually that are for purists. They look similar to the OG espresso machine invented in Italy in the early 1900's and are operated by pumping water manually into the portafilter, locking it, then forcing water under 9 bars of pressure, resulting in a shot of espresso.
A manual espresso maker is typically more of a labor of love than a capsule machine since 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 method of operation can be messy, time-consuming and a little frustrating to get right however the result is well worth the effort.
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 found in high-end immersion circulators and toasters. It is designed to stabilise the brewing temperature of the boiler. The great thing about this is that it takes away a lot of the guesswork regarding the optimal temperature for brewing and allows you to adjust the temperature of your espresso with precision.
Rancilio, La Pavoni and other major brands make manual espresso machines. Many who have worked in a cafe or cafe are familiar with these names. They produce the massive two or three group-head commercial espresso machines you'd see in a coffee shop but in 1997 they created the Silvia which is an automated, semi-automatic machine that has a few bells and whistles to take some of the hassle out of the coffee making process.
Fully automated espresso machines do all of the work for you, they grind the beans, tamp, and pull a shot and some will steam your milk too all at the touch of a button, but they will also cost you an astronomical amount of money so you must have an adequate balance in your bank to be in a position to afford one.
4. Semi-Automatic
If the idea of replicating an espresso shot from your favorite cafe 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 alter your preferences as time passes and adjust your espresso drink according to your mood at any given time.
They include a portafilter as well as a steam wand. The brewing process used in these machines is similar to super automatics but with some added manual steps like grinding the beans and inserting them into the portafilter. They also require more knowledge and skills to operate since the brew cycle is not controlled automatically.
A good semi-automatic machine will have a removable portafilter and a tamper to help in compressing the ground coffee inside the portafilter before making. It will also allow you to manage the quantity of water and the pressure used during the brewing process. This means you can customize the shots you drink according to your personal preferences and to the specific kind of coffee beans you are using.
Another thing to look for in a semi-automatic machine is an adjustable temperature control. This feature allows you to set the brewing temperature for your coffee beans based on the way they taste. This can help you to avoid temperature swings. This is vital, especially when it comes the boiling brew. Without a PID controller, the temperature of the brew can vary by up to 20oF from one cup to the next. With PID controllers the swing is restricted to approximately 0.1oF.
Some of the top models come with a milk frother to make espresso drinks based on milk. This will allow you to make delicious lattes and cappuccinos. The frothing pitcher should have a comfortable handle and a spout for easy pouring.
You should also select one with a removable filter basket, as well as a system that automatically doses the grounds. You will be able to avoid the manual grinding and tapping yourself. It will also make cleaning the machine easier.