Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
If you're seeking the ultimate coffee experience, there's no better than an espresso machine. They're a labor of passion but they give you control over every aspect of your coffee.
They also have an espresso tamper for flattening the grinds, as well as steamers to froth milk in cappuccinos and lattes.
1. Stovetop
There are 98 million cups of coffee consumed in the UK every day and we have a fantastic range of stovetop espresso makers to help you make the perfect cup of coffee. They are also known as moka pots. these devices make use of pressure to produce an espresso-like cup of coffee without the need for any messy filter paper. These simple and easy to use appliances can enhance any coffee and can be used with milk to make lattes or cappuccinos.
The bottom of the moka pot is filled with hot water. The ground coffee is placed in a basket, which is between two pipes that lead to the upper chamber where the final drink will be served. As the water in the lower chamber boils, it pushes through the coffee grounds under high pressure. The aromas are released into the upper chamber as the water seeps upwards. The result is a smoky rich and robust coffee that can be enjoyed on its own or mixed with sugar and milk.
The most important thing to bear in mind when buying moka pots is the capacity of the unit. It is important that you examine the size of the bottom and the capacity of the basket. A larger unit may require a longer waiting time, while smaller units might not be capable of making enough pressure. It is also recommended to look at the materials the machine is made of because stainless steel machines are more robust and durable, but they also come with a higher cost.
Other factors to consider is whether the appliance can work with your chosen heat source (gas or electric) and any additional accessories that are available like milk steamer wands that can be used to heat and froth milk for lattes and cappuccinos. You may also want to look at the number of cups you are able to make at one time in order to be a useful factor in selecting the best size for your needs.
We also suggest that you check the base of the moka maker to ensure it fits on your burner. We found that some models, such as the Stelton collar espresso maker, had a narrow base and were difficult to place on a gas burner while wider bases, like those of the Bialetti Venus and the London Sip stovetop espresso makers, provided better results. We also preferred those with thicker walls since they were found to transfer heat more efficiently and prevent it from sputtering too fast.
2. Capsule
In a similar vein to the stovetop models, there are capsule coffee machines that make espresso, cappuccinos and so on using pods. This is a great choice if you don't want to deal with messing around with brewing, grounds, and cleaning up afterwards - they are an easy, quick and effortless way to get your caffeine fix in the morning.
You will need to buy the coffee pods separately, however there is a wide selection on the market from brands like Nespresso, Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. There are various sizes available and you can pick the size and kind of coffee that best suits your preferences. The smallest of these is the Nespresso Essenza Mini, which is ideal for small areas and makes one cup at one time. There is a larger model that can handle larger cups, but they are more expensive.
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 most expensive machine, but it does make 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. go right here makes it one of the most flexible machines, in our opinion.
If you want to explore the wide range of drinks you can make with a pod coffee machine, it's worth looking for a model that includes a milk carafe. This will let you experiment with cappuccinos, lattes and other drinks. You can still make these popular drinks using a capsule maker without a milk carafe but it's more of a hit-and-miss affair.
If you're thinking of buying a capsule coffee machine be sure that it's listed as compatible with ESE pods. It will come with a basket or adapter that will fit 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
As the name suggests these are espresso machines operated manually that are for purists. They look like the original espresso machine invented in Italy in the early 1900s. They are operated by manually pumping the water into a filter, then locking it, and then pushing the water under 9 bar of pressure to make an espresso.
Manual espresso makers are typically more labor-intensive than capsule machines. You must heat the water separately, pour it into the chamber over pods or coffee that has been ground up and then press the plunger or lever down to create pressure and push the liquid through the cup. This method of operation can be messy, time consuming and a little frustrating to master, but 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 immersion circulators and high-end toasters. It is designed to stabilise the temperature of the boiler used to brew. This is a great method to take away the uncertainty about the optimal brewing temperature.
Rancilio, La Pavoni and other big names produce manual espresso machines. The majority of people who have worked in a cafe or cafe will be familiar with these names. They make the large three or two group-head commercial espresso machines that you would find in a coffee shop but in 1997 they created the Silvia, an automatic, semi-automatic espresso machine that has some bells and whistles that help take some of the hassle out of the brewing process.
Fully automatic espresso machines do all of the work for you. They grind the beans, tamp, pull shots and steam your milk all at the press of a button. However, they can also cost a pretty penny therefore you'll need an adequate amount of cash to be able to afford one.
4. Semi-Automatic
If the thought of replicating a perfect espresso shot from your favorite café at home is appealing and you want to replicate it, then a semi-automatic coffee machine is the right one for you. These machines allow you to adjust your preferences over time and also adjust the amount of your espresso drink according to your mood at any time.
They come with a portafilter and steam wand. They have a similar brewing process to super automatics, but they require some manual steps such as grinding beans and putting in the portafilter. These machines require more skill and knowledge to operate, because the brewing process does not run automatically.
A good semi-automatic machine will come with a portafilter that can be removed and a tamper to help in compressing the coffee grounds inside the portafilter before brewing. It will also allow you to regulate the amount of water and pressure used in the brewing process. This means you can adjust your shots according to your personal preferences, and to the particular type of coffee beans you are using.
Another feature to look for in a semi-automatic is the ability to adjust the temperature. This feature lets you set the brewing temperatures for your coffee beans according to how they taste. This will also allow you to avoid temperature swings. This is important particularly when it comes to the brew-boiler. Without a PID controller, the temperature of the brew can vary up to 20oF from one cup to the next. With a PID controller this swing is limited to about 0.1oF.
Some of the most expensive models will also include an milk frother to create espresso drinks that are based on milk. This lets you make delicious cappuccinos and lattes. The frothing jug must be able to be held comfortably and have an spout that makes pouring easy.
It is also recommended to select an item that has a removable filter basket as well as an automated dosing system for the ground. You'll be able not have to do the manual grinding and tapping yourself. It also makes cleaning the machine easier.