Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
Espresso machines are the ideal way to have the best coffee experience. They're a labor of love but allow you to control every aspect of your coffee.
They also have an espresso tamper to flatten the grinds, as well as steamers to froth milk in cappuccinos and lattes.
1. Stovetop
We have a broad selection of stovetop coffee makers to assist you in making a perfect cup. In the UK around 98 million cups of coffee are consumed every day. These appliances, also known as moka pots use pressure to create an espresso-like cup of coffee, without the messy need for filter papers. These simple and easy to use appliances will enhance any coffee and can also be used with milk for cappuccinos or lattes.
Moka pots come with the 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 finished beverage is served. When the water is boiling in the bottom, it forces itself 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 smoky strong, rich and robust coffee that is delicious on its own or with milk and sugar.
The most important thing to bear in mind when purchasing moka pots is the capacity of the pot. It is crucial to make sure the size of the bottom chamber and the capacity of the basket will be sufficient for your requirements as larger units will require a longer wait time, while a smaller one may not be able to create enough pressure. We also recommend looking at the materials the machine is made of, as stainless steel machines are stronger and more durable, but come with a higher price tag.
You should also think about whether the appliance is compatible with the heat source, be it electric or gas. Additionally, you might consider looking into the other accessories available like steamer arms for milk that are used to heat and froth milk in cappuccinos and lattes. You might also want to consider the number of cups you can make at one time and this could be a useful factor in selecting the right size unit for your needs.
We also suggest that you examine the base of the moka maker to ensure it will fit on your burner. We discovered that certain models, such as the Stelton espresso maker with a collar, had a base that was narrow and were difficult to put in the proper spot on a gas burner. However, larger bases, such as those of the Bialetti Venus and the London Sip stovetop espresso makers, provided better results. We also favored models with thicker walls because this was proven to conduct the heat more efficiently and stop it from exploding too fast.
2. Capsule
There are also capsule coffee machines, that make use of pods to create espresso, cappuccinos, etc. If you're not a fan of cleaning grounds, cleaning, and making coffee this is the ideal alternative for you.
You'll need to purchase the coffee pods on your own, but there is a large selection on the market from brands such as Nespresso, Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. There are espresso coffee machine home and you can pick the size and type of coffee that suits your taste. The Nespresso Essenza Mini is the smaller model and is perfect for small spaces. It makes one cup of coffee at one time. There is a larger model that can take larger cups, however they are more expensive.
Illy Iperespresso offers a stylish alternative for coffee lovers who want a more sophisticated machine that makes better tasting coffee. It's not the most expensive machine, but it does make excellent coffee. It's also very easy to use. It also has an intelligent feature that lets it detect the brand of pod it's using and automatically adjusts its settings to match, making it one of the most versatile machines in our opinion.
If you want to explore the wide range of drinks that you can make with a pod-based coffee maker It is worth looking for a model that comes with a milk carafe. This will let you play around with cappuccinos and lattes. You can still make popular drinks using a capsule machine, but it will be a more hit-and-miss affair.
If you're considering purchasing a capsule machine make sure it is compatible with ESE pods. This will usually mean it comes with a basket, or adapter to accommodate smaller pods. Certain machines in our range have this feature. This means you can use the machine with Nespresso compatible pods and also Dolce Gusto and Tassimo pods.
3. Manual
As the name suggests these are espresso machines operated manually that are for purists. They look similar to the OG espresso machine, which was invented in Italy back in the early 1900's and operate by manually pumping water into the portafilter and locking it, after which forcing water to 9 bars of pressure, resulting in an espresso shot.
Manual espresso makers are often more labor-intensive than capsule machines. You must heat the water separately, pour it into the chamber above the coffee or pods that have been ground, and then press the plunger or lever down to create pressure and force the liquid into the cup. This method of operation can be quite messy, lengthy and a little frustrating to get right however the end result is 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 is a piece of technology you will find in immersion circulators, high-end toasters and is designed to stabilize the temperature of the brew boiler. The beauty of this is that it takes away much of the guesswork regarding the ideal temperature for brewing and allows you to adjust the temperature of your espresso with accuracy.
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 with two or three heads that you see in coffee shops, but in 1997, they introduced the Silvia semi-automatic manual espresso machine that comes with a few bells and whistles that help to alleviate some of the hassle out of making coffee.
Fully automatic espresso machines do all the work for you, they grind the beans, tamp and then pull shots and steam your milk too all at the touch of a button. However, they also cost a pretty penny therefore you'll need an adequate amount of cash to be capable of affording one.
4. Semi-Automatic
Semi-automatic machines are a great option If the idea of re-creating the perfect espresso shot from the cafe you love at home is appealing to you. These machines let you adjust your preferences over time and also adjust the amount of the espresso you drink according to your mood at any time.
These machines are equipped with a portafilter, and a steam wand. These machines have similar brewing processes to super automatics, but they require manual steps like grinding the beans and inserting the portafilter. They also require more knowledge and skills to operate as the brewing process is not controlled by a computer.
A semi-automatic machine that is good will come with an adjustable filter as well as an tamper to compress the coffee grounds inside the portafilter prior to brewing. It also allows you to regulate the amount of water and pressure used during the brewing process. You can also alter the shots to suit your tastes and the type of coffee beans that you are using.
A semi-automatic must also include the ability to control temperature that can be adjustable. This feature allows you set the brewing temperatures for your coffee beans based on how they taste. It also helps you avoid temperature swings which is particularly 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. With a PID controller the swing is restricted to approximately 0.1oF.
Some of the top models will also include a milk frother for creating milk-based espresso drinks. This lets you make delicious cappuccinos and lattes. The pitcher that froths should have a comfortable handle and an spout to make it easy to pour.
It is also a good idea to choose a model with a filtering basket and an automatic dosing system for the ground. You'll be able to avoid doing the manual grinding and tamping yourself. This will make cleaning the machine simpler.