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 a labor of love but give you control over every aspect of your coffee.
They have an espresso tamper that can flatten the grinds, and a steamer for frothing milk in lattes and cappuccinos.
1. Stovetop
There are approximately 98 million cups of coffee consumed in the UK every day and we have a wide selection of espresso makers for stovetops to help you brew an excellent cup of coffee. These appliances, also known as moka pots, utilize pressure to make an espresso-like cup of coffee, without the need for messy filter papers. These simple and easy to use appliances will enhance any coffee, and can be used with milk for lattes or cappuccinos.
The bottom chamber of the moka pot is filled with hot water. The ground coffee is placed in a basket between two pipes leading to the upper chamber, where the final drink will be served. As the water in the lower chamber boils, it is pushed through the grounds of the coffee under high pressure. The aromas are released into the upper chamber as the water seeps upwards. The end result is an aromatic, rich and strong coffee that can be enjoyed on its own or mixed with sugar and milk.
When you are buying a mokapot the most important thing to think about is the pot's capacity. It is crucial to examine the size of the bottom and the capacity of your basket. A larger unit may require a longer waiting time, whereas smaller units might not be capable of creating enough pressure. We recommend that you take a look at the material that the machine is made from. Stainless steel machines are more durable and strong however they cost more.
It is also important to consider whether the appliance is compatible with your chosen heat source, be it electric or gas. Also, you may want to look at any other add-ons that are available, such as milk steamer arms that are used to heat up and froth milk in cappuccinos and lattes. You should also think about the amount of cups you are able to make in one sitting, as this can be a great way to determine the ideal size unit for you.
We also suggest that you examine the base of the moka maker to ensure that it is a good fit on your burner. Certain models, such as the Stelton collar coffee maker, have a very narrow base which makes it difficult to center the machine on a gas burner. However, larger bases such as those of the Bialetti venus and London Sip stovetop coffee makers, yield better results. We also preferred those with thicker walls as this was found to transfer heat more efficiently and prevent it from sputtering out too fast.
2. Capsule
In a similar vein similar to stovetop models, there are capsule coffee makers which make cappuccinos, espresso and other drinks with pods. If you aren't a fan of messing with grounds, cleaning, and brewing this is the ideal solution for you.
You will have to purchase the coffee pods separately. There are a variety of brands to choose from, such as Nespresso Dolce Gusto, and Tassimo. There are a variety of sizes available, so you can choose the size and type of coffee that is best for your preferences. The smallest of these is the Nespresso Essenza Mini, which is perfect for small spaces and can make one cup at one time. You can get a bigger model that can handle larger cups, but they are more expensive.
If you want a more sophisticated alternative that also makes better tasting coffee it is recommended to use the Illy Iperespresso is an elegant alternative for coffee lovers. It's not the most expensive machine, but it does make a great cup of coffee. It's also simple to use. It also features an innovative feature that allows it to detect the brand of coffee it's using and automatically adjusts its settings to match it, making it one of the most versatile machines in our opinion.
If you're looking to explore the wide range of drinks that you can make with a pod coffee machine it is recommended to look for a model that comes with a milk carafe. This will allow you to experiment with lattes, cappuccinos and other drinks. You can still make most popular drinks using capsule machines, however it will be more of a hit-and-miss affair.
If you are interested in purchasing a capsule machine, check that it is compatible with ESE pods. This typically means it has a basket or adapter to accommodate 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 are a bit more discerning. They look like the original espresso machine developed in Italy in the early 1900s. They operate by pumping the water manually into a filter, locking it, and then pushing the water under pressure of 9 bar to make shots.
A manual espresso maker is typically more of a labor of affection than a capsule maker as they require you to heat the water separately from your coffee, then 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 the pressure and push the water through and into the cup below. This method is messy, time-consuming and a little frustrating to master, but 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 technology is found in immersion circulators and high-end toasters. It is designed to stabilise the brewing temperature of the boiler. The benefit of this is that it removes much of the guesswork about the optimal temperature for brewing and lets you dial in your espresso with accuracy.
Rancilio, La Pavoni and other large names make manual espresso machines. Many who have worked in a cafe or cafe are familiar with these names. They manufacture the huge two or three group-head commercial espresso machine s you'd see in a coffee shop but in 1997 they created the Silvia, an automatic, semi-automatic espresso machine that has a few bells and whistles to help alleviate some of the stress out of the making process.
Fully automatic espresso machines will take care of all the work for you. They will grind the beans and then tamp them up, pull the shot, and even steam your milk. But they are expensive and you'll require a decent budget to be able to afford one.
4. Semi-Automatic
If the thought of replicating an espresso shot from your favorite café at home is appealing to you 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 as time passes and adjust your espresso drinks according to the way you feel at any given moment.
The machines come with a portafilter and steam wand. The brewing process of these machines is similar to super automatics but with some additional manual steps, such as grinding the beans and inserting them into the portafilter. These machines require more skill and expertise to operate, as the brew cycle is not automated.
A semi-automatic machine that is good will come with a removable filter and an tamper that compresses the coffee grounds in the portafilter prior to brewing. You can also control the amount and pressure of water used during the brewing process. This means you can adjust your shots to your own preferences and to the specific type of coffee bean that you are using.
A semi-automatic must also include the ability to control temperature that can be adjusted. This feature lets you set the brewing temperatures for your coffee beans in accordance with the way they taste. It also helps you avoid fluctuations in temperature which is crucial in the case of the boiler that brews the coffee. Without a PID controller, the temperature of the brew can vary up to 20oF from one cup to the next. This swing is lowered to 0.1oF by using a PID.
Some of the higher-end models include a milk frother to make espresso drinks based on milk. This lets you make delicious cappuccinos and lattes. The frothing container should be able to be held comfortably and have a spout to make pouring easy.
It is also recommended to select a model that has a removable filter basket and an automatic dosing system for grounds. You'll be able avoid doing the manual grinding and tapping yourself. It also makes cleaning the machine much easier.