Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
Espresso machines are the most effective method to enjoy the best coffee experience. They are a labor of passion, but they also give you complete control over your coffee.
They have an espresso tamper for flattening the grinds, and steamers for frothing milk in cappuccinos and lattes.
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 every day. These appliances, also known as moka pots use pressure to make an espresso-like cup of tea without the messy need for filter papers. These simple and easy-to-use appliances can enhance any coffee, and can be used with milk to make cappuccinos or lattes.
Moka pots have a bottom chamber which is filled with water and the coffee is placed in a basket that is surrounded by two pipes leading 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 and seeps up into the upper chamber where the aromas are released for you to enjoy. The result is a rich, aromatic coffee that you can enjoy on its own or with milk and sugar.
When purchasing a mokapot the most important thing to take into consideration is the unit's capacity. It is essential to examine the dimensions of the bottom as well as the capacity of the basket. A larger pot could require a longer wait time, whereas smaller units might not be capable creating enough pressure. We recommend that you also take a look at the material that the machine is made from. The stainless steel machines are more durable and sturdy but they can cost more.
You should also think about whether the appliance is compatible with the heating source, whether electric or gas. Also, you may consider looking into the other accessories available like milk steamer arms that are used to heat up and froth milk in cappuccinos and lattes. You may also want to look at the number of cups that you can make at one time in order to be a useful factor in choosing the correct size for your needs.
Lastly, we would recommend making sure that the moka maker you're considering has an adequate base that will be able to fit on your preferred burner. We found that some models, such as the Stelton collar espresso maker, had a base that was narrow and were difficult to center on a gas burner. However, larger bases, such as those of the Bialetti Venus and London Sip stovetop espresso makers, provided better results. We also favored models that had thicker walls, since this was found to transfer heat more effectively and prevent it from spreading out too quickly.
2. Capsule
There are capsule coffee machines that make use of pods to create cappuccinos, espresso, etc. If you aren't a fan of cleaning grounds, cleaning, and brewing, this is the perfect alternative for you.
You will need to buy the coffee pods on your own, but there are a variety available from brands such as Nespresso, Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. There are a variety of different sizes to choose from, so you can suit the size of your beverage and the type of coffee to your preference. The smallest is the Nespresso Essenza Mini, which is perfect for small spaces and can make one cup at a time. There is a larger model that can take larger cups, however they're more expensive.
Illy Iperespresso is a chic alternative for coffee lovers who are looking for a more sophisticated machine that makes better tasting coffee. It isn't the cheapest machine but it makes a superb cup of coffee, and is easy to use as well. It also comes with an intelligent feature that lets it detect the type of coffee it's using and automatically adjusts its settings to match which makes it one of the most versatile machines in our opinion.
It is recommended to look for a model with a milk carafe if you're looking to test the various drinks you can make with a pod machine. This will allow you to experiment with cappuccinos, lattes and other drinks. You can still make popular drinks using capsule machines, but it will be a more unpredictable affair.
If you're considering buying a capsule machine be sure to check if it's compatible with ESE pods. This usually means it comes with a basket or adapter to accommodate smaller pods. Some of our machines in our range include this feature, meaning you can use them with Nespresso compatible pods, as well as Dolce Gusto or Tassimo pods.
3. Manual
These are espresso machines that are manual for those who are a bit more discerning. They look like the original espresso machine created in Italy in the early 1900s. They operate by pumping the water manually into a filter, then locking it, and then forcing the water under 9 bar of pressure to create an espresso.
A manual espresso maker is usually more of a labour of passion than a capsule machine as they require you to heat the water separately from the coffee, pour it into the chamber over the ground coffee or pods, and then press down on the plunger or lever to create the pressure and force the water through and into the cup below. This process can be complicated, time-consuming, and difficult 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 stabilise the brew boiler temperature. This is a great method to take away the uncertainty about the optimal temperature for brewing.
Rancilio, La Pavoni and other large names make manual espresso machines. Most people who have worked in a coffee shop or cafe will be familiar with these names. They manufacture the huge commercial espresso machines with three or two heads that are found in coffee shops. However, in 1997, they launched the Silvia semi-automatic manual espresso machine that comes with a few bells and whistles that can reduce the stress out of making coffee.
Fully automatic espresso machines do all of the tasks for you, they grind the beans, tamp, and pull shots and steam your milk too all at the touch of a button but they will also cost you quite a bit of money, therefore you'll need a decent bank balance to be in a position to afford one.
4. Semi-Automatic
If the idea of re-creating a perfect espresso shot from your favorite cafe at home is appealing to you with you, then a semi-automatic machine is the right choice for you. These coffee machines allow you to alter your preferences over time and dial in your espresso drinks according to how you feel at any time.
The machines come with a portafilter and a steam wand. The brewing process of these machines is similar to super automatics, however with added manual steps such as grinding the beans and putting them into the portafilter. These machines require more skills and know-how to operate as the brew cycle does not run automatically.
A good semi-automatic will include a portafilter that is removable and a tamper for firmly compressing the ground coffee inside of the portafilter before brewing. It also lets you to regulate the amount of water and pressure used in the brewing process. You can also alter the shots to suit your tastes and the type of coffee beans you are using.
A semi-automatic must also have an adjustable temperature control that can be adjustable. This feature lets you set the brewing temperature for your coffee beans based on the way they taste. It also allows you to avoid temperature swings, which is especially important for the boiler for brewing. Without a PID controller the temperature of the brew can vary by as much as 20oF from one cup to the next. The swing can be reduced to 0.1oF with a PID.
Some of the most expensive models may also include the milk frother to make milk-based espresso drinks. This allows you to make delicious lattes and cappuccinos. The frothing pitcher should have a comfortable handle and an spout to make it easy to pour.
It is also recommended to choose one with a removable filter basket, and a system that automatically doses the ground. This will help you avoid having to perform manual tamping and grinding on your own. This will make cleaning the machine much easier.