Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
If you're looking for the best coffee experience, there's nothing better than an espresso machine. They're a labor of passion but they give you control over every aspect of your coffee.
They typically include an espresso tamper to flatten the grinds, and steamers to froth milk for 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, approximately 98 millions cups of coffee are consumed each day. These appliances, also known as moka pots use 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.
Moka pots come with a bottom chamber which is filled with water and the coffee is placed in a basket in between two pipes that lead to the upper chamber where the final beverage is served. When the water is boiling in the bottom, it pushes its way through the grounds at high pressure. It then seeps into the upper chamber, where the aromas are released to you to take pleasure in. The result is a rich aromatic coffee that you can enjoy on its own or with sugar and milk.
The most important thing to bear in mind when purchasing moka pots is the capacity of the unit. It is essential to make sure the size of the bottom chamber and the capacity of the basket will be adequate for your needs since larger pots will require a longer waiting time, whereas a smaller model may not be able build up enough pressure. It is also recommended to look at the materials the machine is constructed from since stainless steel machines are sturdier and more durable but come with a higher price tag.
Other considerations are how the appliance will function with the source of heat you prefer (gas or electric) and any additional add-ons you might have, such as milk steamer wands which can be used to heat and froth milk for cappuccinos and lattes. It is also advisable to look at the number of cups you can make in one go and this could be a helpful factor when selecting the right size unit for you.
Lastly, we would recommend checking that the moka pot you are considering has a wide enough base to fit on your chosen burner. We found that certain models, such as the Stelton collar espresso maker, had a very narrow base and were difficult to place on a gas burner. However, wider bases, like those of the Bialetti Venus and London Sip stovetop espresso makers, provided better results. We also preferred those that had thicker walls, as this was found to conduct the heat more efficiently and stop it from exploding too fast.
2. espresso machine coffee
There are also capsule coffee machines, which make use of pods to make cappuccinos, espresso, etc. If you don't like making mess with grounds, cleaning, and brewing, this is the perfect option for you.
You will have to purchase the coffee pods separately. There are a variety of brands to choose from, including Nespresso Dolce Gusto, and Tassimo. There are several sizes to choose from so you can select the size and type of coffee that suits your taste. The Nespresso Essenza Mini is the smaller model and is perfect for small space. It makes one cup of coffee at a time. There is a larger model that can hold larger cups too, but they are more expensive.
Illy Iperespresso offers a stylish alternative for coffee lovers who are looking for a more sophisticated machine that makes better tasting coffee. It's not the most expensive machine, but it makes excellent coffee. It's also very easy to use. It also features a clever feature that lets it recognise the type of coffee it's using and automatically adjusts its settings accordingly which makes 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-based coffee maker It is worth looking for a model that includes a milk carafe. This lets you play with cappuccinos, lattes, and other drinks. You can still make popular drinks with capsule machines, but it will be a hit-and-miss affair.
If you're considering purchasing a capsule coffee machine ensure that it is listed as compatible with ESE pods. It will come with an adapter or basket that fits these 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
The name suggests that they are espresso machines that are for purists. They look like the original espresso machine developed in Italy in the early 1900s. They operate by pumping the water manually into a filter, securing it, and then forcing the water under pressure of 9 bar to make a shot.
A manual espresso maker is typically more of a labor of passion than a capsule machine because they require you to heat the water in a separate manner from the coffee, pour it into the chamber above the coffee that has been ground or pods and then press down on the plunger or lever to create the pressure and force the water through and into the cup below. This process is 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 type of technology that is found in immersion circulators, top-of-the-line toasters and is designed to stabilise the temperature of the brew boiler. The benefit of this is that it removes much of the guesswork around the optimum brewing temperature and lets you adjust the temperature of your espresso with accuracy.
Rancilio, La Pavoni and other big names produce manual espresso machines. The majority of people who have worked in a coffee shop or cafe are familiar with these names. They produce the large commercial espresso machines that have three or two heads that are found in coffee shops, but in 1997, they launched the Silvia, a semi-automatic manual espresso machine that comes with a few bells and whistles that can reduce the stress out of brewing.
Fully automated espresso machines can do all the work for you. They will grind the beans, tamp them, pull the shot, and some even steam your milk. However, they can be costly and you'll require a decent cash flow to be able to afford one.
4. Semi-Automatic
If the thought of re-creating a perfect espresso shot from your favorite cafe at home strikes a chord with you, then a semi-automatic machine is the best 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 time.
They come with a portafilter and a steam wand. The brewing process of these machines is similar to that of superautomatics, but with added manual steps like grinding the beans and putting them into the portafilter. These machines require more skills and expertise to operate, since the brewing process does not run automatically.
A good semi-automatic machine will include a portafilter that is removable and a tamper to help in compressing the ground coffee inside the portafilter before brewing. It will also allow you to regulate the amount of water and pressure used during the brewing process. You can then alter your shots to suit your tastes and the 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 based on how they taste. This will also allow you avoid temperature swings. This is crucial especially with regards to the brew-boiler. Without a PID controller, the temperature of brewing can fluctuate by as much as 20oF from one cup to the next. This swing can be reduced to 0.1oF using a PID.
Some of the most expensive models will also include a milk frother for creating espresso drinks based on milk. This will allow you to make delicious cappuccinos and lattes. The frothing pitcher should be able to handle comfortably and a spout for easy pouring.
It is also a good idea to choose one with a filtering basket and an automatic dosing system for the ground. This will help you avoid having to do the manual tamping and grinding on your own. This will make cleaning the machine much simpler.