Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
If you're seeking the ultimate coffee experience, there's no better than an espresso machine. They are an effort of passion, but they also give you complete control over the coffee you drink.
They also have an espresso tamper that can flatten the grinds, and a steamer for frothing milk in lattes and cappuccinos.
1. Stovetop
We have a broad selection of stovetop coffee makers to help you make a great cup. In the UK, approximately 98 millions cups of coffee are consumed every day. Known as moka pots, these appliances use pressure to create an espresso-like cup of coffee without the need for any messy filter papers. They are a simple and user-friendly device that can enhance any type of 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 between two pipes that lead to the upper chamber, where the final beverage is served. As the water boils in the bottom, it forces its way through the grounds at high pressure. It then seeps into the upper chamber where the aromas are released for you to enjoy. The result is a full and aromatic coffee that can be consumed on its own or with milk and sugar.
The main thing to bear in mind when purchasing moka pots is the capacity of the pot. It is important that you look at the dimensions of the bottom as well as the capacity of the basket. A larger unit might require a longer waiting time, while a smaller unit might not be capable of building up enough pressure. It is also recommended to look at the material that the machine is constructed from because stainless steel machines tend to be more robust and durable, however they come with a higher price tag.
It is also important to consider whether the appliance is compatible with the heat source, whether it's gas or electric. Additionally, you might consider looking into any additional add-ons available such as milk steamer arms that are used to heat and make frothy milk in cappuccinos as well as lattes. You may also want to take a look at the amount of cups you can make in one go and this could be a useful factor in choosing the correct size unit for you.
Lastly, we would recommend checking that the moka pot you are considering will have a wide enough base to be able to fit on your preferred burner. We discovered that certain models, such as the Stelton collar espresso maker, had a very narrow base and were difficult to center on a gas burner. However, wider bases, like those of the Bialetti Venus and London Sip stovetop espresso makers, gave better results. We also preferred models that had thicker walls, as this was found to conduct the heat more efficiently and stop it from exploding too quickly.
2. Capsule
There are also capsule coffee machines, which use pods to make cappuccinos, espressos, etc. This is an excellent option when you don't want deal with messing around with brewing, grounds and cleaning up after - they provide a quick, simple and hassle-free method to get your caffeine fix in the morning.
You will need to buy the coffee pods separately, however there is a wide selection available from brands such as Nespresso, Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. There are a variety of different sizes available to allow you to tailor your drink size and coffee style to your own preference. 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 also available which can also hold larger cups but will cost more.
Illy Iperespresso is a stylish alternative for coffee snobs who want a more sophisticated machine that makes better tasting coffee. It's not the cheapest machine but it makes excellent coffee and it's easy to use as well. It comes with a clever feature which allows it to automatically alter its settings in accordance with the type of pods it's using. This makes it one of the most flexible machines we've seen.
If you're looking to explore the entire range of drinks that you can make with a pod coffee machine it is recommended to look for a model that includes a milk carafe. This will allow you to experiment with lattes and cappuccinos. You can still make the most well-known drinks with a capsule machine without a milk cup, however, it's more of a hit-and-miss affair.
If you're thinking of buying capsule coffee machines be sure that it's listed as compatible with ESE pods. This will usually mean it comes with a basket or adapter that can be used to accommodate smaller pods. Some of the machines we offer have this feature, which means you can use them with Nespresso-compatible pods, as well as Dolce Gusto or Tassimo pods.
3. Manual
These are espresso machines that are manual for purists. They look like the OG espresso machine that was invented in Italy in the early 1900's and operate by pumping water manually into a portafilter, locking it, then forcing water under 9 bars of pressure, resulting in an espresso shot.
Manual espresso makers are often more labor-intensive than capsule machines. You have to heat the water separately, then pour it into the chamber above pre-ground coffee or pods and then press the plunger or lever down to create pressure and push the liquid into the cup. This method of operation can be quite messy, lengthy 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). small espresso machine is present in immersion circulators and high-end toasters. It is designed to stabilize brew boiler temperatures. This is a fantastic way to eliminate a lot the guesswork about the ideal brewing temperature.
There are several big companies that manufacture manual espresso makers, the likes of Rancilio and La Pavoni are familiar names to many who have worked in a cafe or coffee shop. They produce the massive two or three group heads of commercial espresso machines you'd find in a cafe but in 1997 they came up with the Silvia, which is an automatic, semi-automatic espresso machine that has some bells and whistles to take some of the hassle out of the brewing process.
Fully Automatic espresso machines will do all the work for you. They grind the beans, tamp and then pull shots and steam your milk all at the press of a button but they will also cost you quite a bit of money, therefore you'll need an adequate amount of cash to be capable of affording one.
4. Semi-Automatic
If the thought of re-creating a perfect espresso shot from your favorite café in your own home is appealing to you with you, then a semi-automatic machine is the right one for you. These machines allow you to alter your preferences as time passes and adjust your espresso drink according to your mood at any given time.
These machines are equipped with a portafilter, and a steam wand. The brewing process of these machines is similar to that of super automatics but with some additional manual steps, such as grinding the beans before putting them into the portafilter. They also require additional knowledge and skills to operate since the brewing process is not controlled by a computer.
A good semi-automatic should come with a portafilter that can be removed and a tamper to help in compressing the ground coffee inside of the portafilter before making. You can also adjust the amount and pressure of water you use during the making process. This means you can customize the shots you drink according to your personal preferences and to the specific kind of coffee beans you are using.
Another thing to look out for in a semi-automatic machine is the ability to adjust the temperature. This feature lets you determine the brewing temperature of your coffee beans based on how they taste. It also allows you to avoid fluctuations in temperature, which is especially important when it comes to the boiler that brews the coffee. The brew temperature could vary by as much as 20oF between cups if there is no PID controller. This fluctuation can be reduced to 0.1oF using a PID.
Some of the top models will also include the milk frother to make espresso drinks that are based on milk. This allows you to make delicious cappuccinos and lattes. The pitcher that froths should have a comfortable handle and an spout that allows for easy pouring.
It is also a good idea to choose a model that has a removable filter basket as well as an automated dosing system for the ground. This will save you from having to perform manual tamping and grinding on your own. It will also make cleaning the machine much easier.