Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
If you're looking for the ultimate coffee experience, there's nothing better than an espresso machine. They're an effort of passion, but they also give you complete control over the coffee you drink.
They usually have an espresso tamper to smooth the grinds and a steamer to froth milk for cappuccinos and lattes.
1. Stovetop
We have a wide range of stovetop coffee makers that can help you make a great cup. In the UK there are 98 million cups of coffee are consumed each day. These machines, also referred to as moka pots, utilize pressure to create an espresso-like cup of coffee without the hassle of filter papers. These simple and easy-to-use appliances can enhance any coffee, and can be used with milk to make lattes or cappuccinos.
Moka pots come with an inner chamber that is filled with water while the coffee grounds are placed in a basket between two pipes which lead to the upper chamber where the final beverage is served. As the water in the bottom chamber heats up, it pushes through the grounds of the coffee under high pressure. The aromas are released into the upper chamber as the water flows upwards. The result is a smoky, aromatic coffee that can be consumed by itself or mixed with sugar and milk.
When purchasing a mokapot the most important factor to consider is the unit's capacity. It is important that you check the size of the bottom and the capacity of your basket. A larger pot might require a longer waiting time, while smaller units might not be capable of creating enough pressure. It is also recommended to look at the material the machine is constructed from since stainless steel machines tend to be sturdier and more durable but come with a higher price tag.
Other factors to consider is whether the appliance can work with the heat source you choose (gas or electric) and any other add-ons you might have like milk steamer wands that can be used to heat and froth the milk for cappuccinos and lattes. It is also worth considering the amount of cups you can prepare in one go, since this is a great method to determine the best size unit for you.
We would also recommend that you check the base of the moka maker to ensure that it is a good fit on your burner. We discovered that certain models, like 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 stove. On the other hand, wider bases, like those of the Bialetti Venus and London Sip stovetop espresso makers, produced better results. We also preferred models with thicker walls as they were found to conduct heat more efficiently and prevent it sputtering too quickly.
2. Capsule
There are capsule coffee machines which make use of pods to make cappuccinos, espressos, etc. This is a great choice for those who don't want to deal with messing around with brewing, grounds, and cleaning up afterwards - they offer a quick, simple and easy way to get your caffeine fix in the morning.
You'll need purchase the coffee pods separately. There are a variety of brands to choose from, including Nespresso Dolce Gusto, and Tassimo. There are a variety of sizes to choose from and you can pick the size and type of coffee that is best for your preferences. The smallest model is the Nespresso Essenza Mini, which is ideal for small spaces and makes one cup at a time. A larger model is also available that can also accommodate larger cups, but it will cost more.
For a more sophisticated choice that also produces better tasting coffee it is recommended to use the Illy Iperespresso is an elegant alternative for coffee lovers. It's not the cheapest machine, but it makes a great cup of coffee. It's also very easy to use. It also has an innovative feature that lets it recognize the brand of coffee it's using and automatically adjusts its settings to match which makes it among the most versatile in our opinion.
If Coffeee looking to explore the entire range of drinks that you can make with a pod coffee machine, it's worth looking for a model with a milk carafe. This will allow you to explore the possibilities of cappuccinos and lattes. You can still make the most popular drinks using a capsule maker without a milk carafe however, it's more of a hit-and-miss affair.
If you're considering purchasing a capsule coffee machine ensure that it is marked as compatible with ESE pods. It will have a basket or adapter that can be used with these smaller pods. Some machines in our range have this feature. This means that 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 designed for those who prefer a more traditional approach. They resemble the original espresso machine, created in Italy in the early 1900s. They are operated 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 usually more of a labour of affection than a capsule maker since they require you to heat the water in a separate manner from your 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 force the water through and into the cup below. This method is difficult, time-consuming and tedious to master but the end 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 type of technology you will find in high-end immersion circulators and toasters and is designed to stabilise the temperature of the brew kettle. The great thing about this is that it eliminates much of the guesswork regarding the optimal temperature for brewing and lets you dial in your espresso with precision.
Rancilio, La Pavoni and other large names make manual espresso machines. Most people who have worked in a cafe or cafe will be familiar with these names. They produce the large commercial espresso machines with two or three heads that you see in coffee shops. However, in 1997, they introduced the Silvia, a semi-automatic manual espresso machine with some bells and whistles that can alleviate some of the hassle out of brewing.
Fully automated espresso machines will take care of all the work for you. They will grind the beans and tamp them before pulling the shot, and even steam your milk. However, they can be costly therefore you'll need a good budget to be able 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, then a semi-automatic machine is the right choice for you. These machines allow you to alter your preferences over time, and dial in the espresso you drink according to your mood at any given moment.
The machines include a portafilter as well as steam wand. These machines share similar brewing processes to super automatics, however they require some manual steps like grinding the beans and inserting the portafilter. They also require additional knowledge and skills to operate as the brewing process isn't controlled by a computer.
A semi-automatic machine that is good will have filters that can be removed and a tamper to compress the coffee grounds inside the portafilter prior to brewing. It also allows you to control 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 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 allows you to set the brewing temperature for your coffee beans according to the way they taste. It also allows you to avoid temperature swings which is particularly important in the case of the boiler for brewing. The brew temperature could vary by as much as 20oF between cups if there is no PID controller. This swing is reduced to 0.1oF by using a PID.
Some of the most expensive models will also include the milk frother to make espresso drinks that are based on milk. This will help you create delicious cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos. The pitcher that froths should have a comfortable handle as well as an spout to make it easy to pour.
You should also choose an option with a detachable filter basket, as well as a system that automatically doses the ground. You'll be able to avoid the manual grinding and tapping yourself. It also makes cleaning the machine much easier.