Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
Espresso machines are the best way to get the ultimate coffee experience. They're a labor of love but they give you control over every aspect of your coffee.
They have an espresso tamper to flatten the grinds, as well as steamers for frothing milk in cappuccinos and lattes.
1. Stovetop
We have a wide range of stovetop coffee makers that will help you make a great cup. In the UK there are 98 million cups of coffee are consumed every day. These appliances, also known as moka pots use pressure to produce an espresso-like cup of coffee, without the need for messy filter papers. They are a simple and user-friendly device that can enhance any coffee and can be combined with milk to make cappuccinos and lattes.
The bottom chamber of the moka pot is filled with hot water. The coffee grounds are placed in a basket, which is between two pipes leading to the upper chamber, where the final drink will be 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 strong, rich and robust coffee that can be enjoyed by itself or paired with sugar and milk.
When buying a mokapot, the most important thing to consider is the unit's capacity. It is essential to ensure that the dimensions of the bottom chamber and the capacity of the basket are sufficient for your needs as a larger unit will require a long wait time, while a smaller one might not be able to create enough pressure. We also recommend looking at the material that the machine is made from since stainless steel machines tend to be stronger and more durable, however they come with a higher cost.
You should also consider whether the appliance is compatible with your chosen heat source, be it electric or gas. Also, best espresso maker Coffeee may be interested in any other add-ons that are available, like steamer arms for milk that can be used to heat and make frothy milk in cappuccinos as well as lattes. You may also consider the number of cups you can prepare in one go, as this is a good way to determine the ideal size for your needs.
In the end, we recommend to ensure that the moka pot you're considering has a wide enough base to fit on your chosen burner. We found that certain models, like the Stelton collar espresso maker, had a narrow base and were difficult to put in the proper spot on a gas burner while wider bases, like those of the Bialetti Venus and London Sip stovetop espresso makers, produced better results. We also preferred those that had thicker walls, since this was found to conduct the heat more efficiently and stop it from sputtering out too fast.
2. Capsule
Similar to stovetop models there are capsule coffee makers that can make cappuccinos, espresso and other drinks using pods. This is a great option when you don't want deal with messing around with grounds, brewing and cleaning up afterwards - they are an easy, quick and easy method of getting your caffeine fix in the morning.
You will need to buy 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 also a few different sizes to choose from, so you can suit the size of your beverage and coffee style to your personal preference. The Nespresso Essenza Mini is the smaller model and is perfect for small space. It can make one cup of coffee at one time. There is a larger model that can take larger cups, however they're more expensive.
If you want a more sophisticated alternative that also makes better tasting coffee it is recommended to use the Illy Iperespresso is a stylish shortcut for coffee snobs. It isn't the cheapest machine but it does produce excellent coffee, and is easy to use as well. It has a clever function that lets it automatically adjust its settings based on the type of pods it's using. This makes it one of the most adaptable machines in our opinion.
It is recommended to look for a model that comes with a milk cup if you want to try out all the drinks you can make with a pod maker. This will allow you to experiment with lattes and cappuccinos. You can still make these popular drinks using a capsule maker without a milk carafe, however, it's more of a hit and miss affair.
If you're interested in getting a capsule coffee machine ensure that it is listed as compatible with ESE pods. It will have a basket or adapter that can be used with these smaller pods. Some of our models have this feature. This means that you can use the machine with Nespresso compatible pods and also Dolce Gusto and Tassimo pods.
3. Manual
They are manual espresso machines for those who prefer a more traditional approach. They look like the original espresso machine, invented in Italy in the early 1900s. They are operated by manually pumping water into a filter, locking it, and then pushing the water under 9 bar of pressure to create shots.
Manual espresso makers are often more labor-intensive than capsule machines. It is necessary to heat the water separately, pour it in the chamber above pods or coffee that has been ground up, and then press the lever or plunger down to create pressure and push the liquid through the cup. This process can be complicated, time-consuming, and difficult 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 piece of technology that can be found in high-end immersion circulators and toasters and is designed to stabilize the temperature of the brew kettle. The beauty of this is that it eliminates much of the guesswork regarding the ideal temperature for brewing and allows you to adjust the temperature of your espresso with precision.
Rancilio, La Pavoni and other large names make manual espresso machines. Many who have worked in a coffee shop or cafe are familiar with these names. They make the massive commercial espresso machines with three or two heads that you can see in coffee shops, but in 1997, they launched the Silvia, a semi-automatic espresso machine that has a few bells and whistles that help to reduce the stress out of brewing.
Fully automated espresso machines will take care of all the work for you. They'll grind the beans and then tamp them up, pull the shot, and even steam your milk. However, they can be costly so you will require a decent cash flow to afford one.
4. Semi-Automatic
If the thought of replicating an 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 let you alter your preferences over time and also adjust the amount of your espresso drink based on your mood at any moment.
These machines come with a portafilter and a steam wand. These machines have similar brewing processes to superautomatics, however they require some manual steps like grinding the beans and putting in the portafilter. They also require more knowledge and skills to operate because the brew cycle is not controlled automatically.
A semi-automatic machine which is good will have an adjustable filter as well as an tamper to compress the coffee grounds in the portafilter prior to making. You can also adjust the amount and pressure of water used during the brewing process. You can then customize your shots to suit your tastes and the type of coffee beans that you are using.
A semi-automatic machine should have the ability to control temperature that can be adjusted. This feature allows you to set the brewing temperature for your coffee beans based on how they taste. It also helps you avoid temperature fluctuations, which is especially important in the case of the boiler for brewing. The brew temperature can fluctuate by as much as 20oF between cups without a PID controller. The swing is reduced to 0.1oF with a PID.
Some of the higher-end models include a milk froth to make milk-based espresso drinks. This will allow you to make delicious lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos. The frothing pitcher must be able to handle comfortably and an spout to make it easy to pour.
You should also select a model with a removable filter basket, and a system that automatically doses the ground. You'll be able not have to do the manual grinding and tapping yourself. This will make cleaning the machine much simpler.