Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
Espresso machines are the best way to have the best coffee experience. They're a labor of love, but they give you complete control over your coffee.
They typically include an espresso tamper to smooth the grinds and steamers to froth milk for cappuccinos and lattes.
1. Stovetop
We have a broad selection of stovetop coffee makers that will aid you in making a fantastic cup. In the UK there are 98 million cups of coffee are consumed each day. Also known as moka pots, these appliances make use of pressure to produce an espresso-like cup of coffee without the need for messy filter papers. They are a simple and easy-to-use device that can enhance any coffee and can be used with milk to make cappuccinos and lattes.
The lower chamber of the moka pot is filled with hot water. The coffee grounds are placed in a basket that is between two pipes that connect to the upper chamber where the final drink will be served. As the water heats up in the bottom, it forces itself through the grounds at high pressure and seeps up into the upper chamber where the aromas are released to you to take pleasure in. The result is a smoky and aromatic coffee that can be consumed on its own or paired with sugar and milk.
When buying a mokapot, the most important factor to think about is the pot's capacity. It is important to make sure that the dimensions of the bottom chamber as well as the capacity of the basket are sufficient for your requirements as larger units will require a long wait time, while a smaller one may not be able create enough pressure. We suggest that you consider the material the machine is made of. Stainless steel machines are more durable and stronger but they tend to cost more.
Other considerations are whether the appliance can work with the heat source you choose (gas or electric) and any additional add-ons that might be available like milk steamer wands that are used to heat and froth milk for lattes and cappuccinos. It is also advisable to take a look at the amount of cups you can make in one go, as this can be a helpful factor when selecting the right size for your needs.
In the end, we recommend checking that the moka pot you are considering will have a base that is wide enough to fit on the burner you are considering. We found that some 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 burner while wider bases, like those of the Bialetti Venus and London Sip stovetop espresso makers, provided better results. We also preferred models with thicker walls since they were found to carry heat more efficiently and prevent it from sputtering out too quickly.
2. Capsule
There are also capsule coffee machines, which make use of pods to make espresso, cappuccinos, etc. If you don't like cleaning grounds, cleaning, and brewing, this is the perfect solution for you.
You'll need to purchase the coffee pods separately, but there are a variety available from brands like Nespresso, Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. There are various sizes available and you can pick the size and type of coffee that suits your preferences. The Nespresso Essenza Mini is the smaller model and is perfect for small spaces. It makes one cup of coffee at a time. A larger model is available that can also take larger cups, but it will cost more.
Illy Iperespresso offers a stylish alternative for coffee snobs who are looking for a more sophisticated machine that makes better tasting coffee. It's not the cheapest machine, but it does make excellent coffee. It's also very easy to use. It has a clever function which allows it to automatically adjust its settings based on the brand of pods it is using. This makes it one of the most flexible machines we've seen.
You should choose a model with a milk carafe in case you are looking to test all the drinks you could make with a pod machine. This will let you experiment with lattes and cappuccinos. You can still make popular drinks with a capsule machine, but it will be a unpredictable affair.
If you're considering buying a capsule be sure to check if it's compatible with ESE pods. This typically means it comes with a basket or adapter that can be used to accommodate these smaller pods. Some of our models have this feature. This means that you can use the machine with Nespresso compatible pods, as well as Dolce Gusto and Tassimo pods.
3. Manual
These are manual espresso machines for those who prefer a more traditional approach. They look similar to the OG espresso machine invented in Italy in the early 1900's. They are operated by pumping water manually into a portafilter before locking it and forcing water under 9 bars of pressure to create a shot of espresso.
Manual espresso makers are typically more labor-intensive than capsule machines. It is necessary to heat the water separately, then pour it into the chamber over pods or coffee that has been ground up, and then press the lever or plunger down to create pressure and push the liquid through into the cup. This method is messy, lengthy and sometimes a bit difficult 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 technology is present in immersion circulators and high-end toasters. It is designed to stabilize the temperature of the boiler used to brew. The beauty of this is that it takes away a lot of the guesswork regarding the optimal temperature for brewing and lets you adjust the temperature of your espresso with accuracy.
Rancilio, La Pavoni and other big names produce manual espresso machines. Most people who have worked in a coffee shop or cafe are familiar with these names. They produce the large commercial espresso machines with three or two heads that are found in coffee shops, but in 1997, they introduced the Silvia, a semi-automatic espresso machine that has a few bells & whistles that help to reduce the stress out of brewing.
Fully automated espresso machines can 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. But they are expensive so you will require a strong bank balance to afford one.
4. Semi-Automatic
If the idea of replicating an espresso shot from your favorite café at home strikes a chord with you, then a semi-automatic machine is the right one for you. These machines allow you to alter your preferences over time and dial in your espresso drinks according to the way you feel at any given moment.
espresso coffee machine home Coffeee are equipped with a portafilter and steam wand. These machines share the same brewing process as super automatics, but they require some manual steps like grinding the beans and inserting the portafilter. They also require more understanding and skills to operate because the brewing process isn't controlled by a computer.
A semi-automatic machine that's good will have a removable filter and an tamper to compress the coffee grounds in the portafilter prior to brewing. It also lets you to control the quantity of water and the pressure used during the brewing process. This means that you can tailor your shots to your own preferences and the type of coffee bean that you are using.
Another thing to look for in a semi-automatic is the ability to adjust the temperature. This feature lets you determine the brewing temperature of your coffee beans based on their taste. This will also help you avoid temperature fluctuations. This is important especially with regards to the brew-boiler. Without a PID controller the brew temperature can swing by 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 will allow you to make delicious cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos. The frothing container should be comfortable to hold and have a spout to make pouring effortless.
It is also an excellent idea to select an item with a filtering basket and an automatic dosing system for the grounds. You will be able to avoid doing the manual grinding and tamping yourself. This will make cleaning the machine easier.