Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
Espresso machines are the ideal method to enjoy the best coffee experience. They are an act of passion, but they also give you complete control over your coffee.
They typically have an espresso tamper to smooth the grinds and a steamer to froth milk for lattes and cappuccinos.
1. Stovetop
We have a broad selection of stovetop coffee makers that can assist you in making a perfect cup. In the UK around 98 million cups of coffee are consumed each day. They are also known as moka pots. these machines utilize pressure to make espresso-like coffee, without the need for any messy filter paper. They are a simple, easy-to-use device that can be used to enhance any coffee, and can be used with milk to make cappuccinos and lattes.
Moka pots are equipped with an inner chamber that is filled with water while the coffee grounds are placed in a basket that is surrounded by two pipes which lead to the upper chamber where the finished beverage is served. When the water is boiling in the bottom, it forces itself through the grounds under high pressure. It then seeps into the upper chamber where the aromas are released for you to take pleasure in. The result is an aromatic strong, rich and robust coffee that is delicious on its own or mixed with milk and sugar.
When purchasing a mokapot the most important thing to take into consideration is the unit's capacity. It is crucial to examine the dimensions of the bottom as well as the capacity of the basket. A larger pot may require a longer waiting time, while a smaller unit might not be capable of making enough pressure. We also suggest looking at the material that the machine is made of since stainless steel machines are stronger and more durable, but come with a higher price tag.
You should also think about whether the appliance is compatible with the heating source, whether gas or electric. Also, you may consider looking into the other accessories available like milk steamer arms that are used to heat up and froth milk in cappuccinos and lattes. You may also consider the amount of cups you can prepare in one sitting, as this is a good way to determine the ideal size for your needs.
We would also recommend to check the base of the moka pot to ensure it fits on your burner. We found that certain models, like the Stelton collar espresso maker, had a very 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 the London Sip stovetop espresso makers, produced better results. We also preferred those with thicker walls because this was proven to transfer heat more efficiently and stop it from sputtering out too fast.
2. Capsule
There are also capsule coffee machines, that make use of pods to create espresso, cappuccinos, etc. This is a great choice when you don't want deal with messing around with brewing, grounds, and cleaning up - they offer an easy, quick and hassle-free method to get your caffeine fix in the morning.
You will need to buy the coffee pods separately, but there is a wide selection available from brands such as Nespresso, Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. There are various sizes available, so you can choose the size and type of coffee that suits your preferences. The smallest of these is the Nespresso Essenza Mini, which is ideal for small areas and makes one cup at a time. You can get a bigger model that can take larger cups, however they are more expensive.
For a more sophisticated choice that also yields better tasting coffee, the Illy Iperespresso is a stylish shortcut for coffee snobs. It's not the cheapest machine, but it makes excellent coffee. It's also simple to use. It comes with a clever feature that allows it to automatically alter its settings in accordance with the brand of pods it's using. This makes it one of the most adaptable machines in our opinion.
It is recommended to look for an item 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 cappuccinos, lattes and a variety of other drinks. You can still make these popular drinks with a capsule machine without a milk carafe but it'll be more of a hit and miss affair.
If you're thinking of buying capsule coffee machines ensure that it is listed as compatible with ESE pods. It will come with an adapter or basket that can be used with these smaller pods. Some of our machines we offer have this feature, meaning you can use them with Nespresso-compatible pods as well as Dolce Gusto or Tassimo pods.
3. Manual
They are manual espresso machines for purists. They look like the OG espresso machine invented in Italy in the early 1900's and operate by manually pumping water through the portafilter and locking it, after which forcing water to 9 bars of pressure, resulting in a shot of espresso.
A manual espresso maker is typically more of a labour of passion than a capsule machine as they require you to heat the water separately from the coffee, pour it into the chamber above the coffee that has been ground or pods, and then press down on the lever or plunger to create the pressure and force the water through and into the cup below. This method of operation can be messy, time consuming and a bit frustrating to get right however 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 is a piece technology that is found in high-end immersion circulators and toasters and is designed to stabilise the temperature of the brew kettle. This is a great method to take away a lot of the guesswork about the ideal temperature of brewing.
There are a few big names that produce manual espresso makers, the likes of Rancilio and La Pavoni are familiar names to those who have worked in a coffee shop or cafe. They manufacture the huge two or three group-head commercial espresso machines that you find in a coffee shop but in 1997 they came up with the Silvia, which is an automatic, semi-automatic espresso machine with some bells and whistles to help alleviate some of the stress out of the coffee making process.
Fully automatic espresso machines do all of the work for you, they grind the beans, tamp and then pull a shot and some will steam your milk at the push of a button. However, they can also cost quite a bit of money, so you need to have an adequate amount of cash to be in a position to afford one.
4. Semi-Automatic
If the thought of re-creating a perfect espresso shot from your favorite café in your own home strikes a chord and you want to replicate it, then a semi-automatic coffee machine is the right choice for you. These machines let you alter your preferences as time passes, and dial in your espresso drink based on your mood at any given moment.
These machines are equipped with a portafilter and steam wand. These machines have a similar brewing process to superautomatics, however they require some manual steps such as grinding the beans and putting in the portafilter. These machines require more skill and expertise to operate, because the brewing process is not automated.
A good semi-automatic 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 also allows you to manage the amount of water and pressure used during the brewing process. You can also alter the shots based on your preferences and the type of coffee beans that you are using.
A semi-automatic should have the ability to control temperature that can be adjusted. This feature allows you to determine the brewing temperature of your coffee beans based on their taste. This will also help you avoid temperature swings. This is crucial, especially when it comes the brew-boiler. Without a PID controller the temperature of the brew can vary by up to 20oF from one cup to the next. With PID controllers the swing is restricted to around 0.1oF.
Some of the more premium models will also include a milk frother for creating espresso drinks based on milk. This can help you make delicious lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos. The frothing pitcher must have a comfortable handle and an spout that allows for easy pouring.
It is also recommended to select a model that has a removable filter basket and an automatic dosing system for the ground. You'll be able to not have to do the manual grinding and tamping yourself. Coffeee makes cleaning the machine much easier.