Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
Espresso machines are the best way to get the ultimate coffee experience. They're an act of passion, but they also give you complete control over your coffee.
They also have an espresso tamper that can flatten the grinds, as well as steamers to froth milk in cappuccinos and lattes.
1. Stovetop
We have a broad selection of stovetop coffee makers that can help you make a great cup. In the UK, approximately 98 millions cups of coffee are consumed each day. They are also known as moka pots. these devices use pressure to create an espresso-like cup of coffee without the need for messy filter paper. They are a simple and user-friendly device that can be used to improve any kind of coffee and can be combined with milk to make cappuccinos or lattes.
The bottom chamber of the moka pot is filled with hot water. The coffee beans are placed in a basket between two pipes that lead to the upper chamber where the final drink will be served. When the water is boiling in the bottom, it pushes itself through the grounds at high pressure, and then flows into the upper chamber where the aromas are released for you to take pleasure in. The result is an aromatic, rich and strong coffee that is delicious by itself or paired with milk and sugar.
When you are buying a mokapot the most important factor to consider is the unit's capacity. It is important to make sure the size of the bottom chamber and the capacity of the basket is sufficient for your requirements as larger units will require a longer waiting time while a smaller one might not be able to create enough pressure. We recommend that you consider the material the machine is constructed of. The stainless steel machines are more durable and strong but they can cost more.
Other factors to consider is whether the appliance will work with your chosen heat source (gas or electric) and any other accessories that are available, such as milk steamer wands that can be used to heat and froth milk to make lattes and cappuccinos. You should also think about the number of cups you can prepare in one go, as this is a good method to determine the best size for your needs.
We would also recommend to check the base of the moka pot to ensure it will fit on your burner. We found that some models, like the Stelton collar espresso maker had a very narrow base and were difficult to put in the proper spot on a gas stove. On the other hand, larger bases, such as those of the Bialetti Venus and London Sip stovetop espresso makers, provided better results. We also preferred those with thicker walls since they were found to carry heat more efficiently and stop it sputtering too quickly.
2. Capsule
Similar to the stovetop models, there are capsule coffee machines that make espresso, cappuccinos and more with pods. This is a great option if you don't want to be tangled with grounds, brewing and cleaning up - they are an easy, quick and effortless method to get your caffeine fix in the morning.
You will have to purchase the coffee pods separately. There are many brands available, including Nespresso Dolce Gusto, and Tassimo. There are a variety of different sizes available and you can tailor your drink size and the type of coffee to your personal preference. The Nespresso Essenza Mini is the smallest and is ideal for small space. espresso machines for home makes one cup of coffee at a time. You can also get a larger model that can hold larger cups, however they're more expensive.
For a more sophisticated option 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 a great cup of coffee. It's also easy to use. It also features a clever feature that allows it to recognise the brand of pod it's using and automatically adjusts its settings accordingly it, making it among the most versatile machines in our opinion.
You should look for one with a milk carafe if you want to try out the various drinks you can make with a pod maker. This will let you experiment with lattes and cappuccinos. You can still make the most well-known drinks using a capsule machine without a milk cup, but it's more than a hit and miss affair.
If you're interested in getting capsule coffee machines ensure that it is listed as compatible with ESE pods. It will come with a basket or adapter that will fit these smaller pods. Some of the 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
These are espresso machines that are manual for those who are a bit more discerning. They look like the original espresso machine developed in Italy in the early 1900s. They are operated by manually pumping water into a filter, securing it and then forcing the water under pressure of 9 bar to create shots.
A manual espresso maker is typically more of a labour of affection than a capsule maker as they require you to heat the water in a separate manner 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 can be difficult, time-consuming and tedious 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 piece technology you will find in high-end immersion circulators and toasters and is designed to stabilise the brew boiler temperature. This is a great method to take away a lot of the uncertainty about the optimal temperature for brewing.
There are a few major companies that manufacture manual espresso makers, the likes of Rancilio and La Pavoni are familiar names to most people who will have worked in a coffee shop or cafe. They produce the large commercial espresso machines that have two or three heads that are found in coffee shops, but in 1997, they introduced the Silvia semi-automatic manual espresso machine that comes with a few bells and whistles that take some of that hassle out of making coffee.
Fully Automatic espresso machines do all of the tasks for you, they grind the beans, tamp, pull one shot, and steam your milk too all at the touch of a button but they also cost an astronomical amount of money therefore you'll need an adequate balance in your bank to be capable of affording one.
4. Semi-Automatic
If the idea of replicating a perfect espresso shot from your favorite café at home strikes a chord and you want to replicate it, then a semi-automatic coffee machine is the right choice for you. These machines allow you to tweak your preferences over time and dial in your espresso drinks according to the way you feel at any time.
These machines are equipped with a portafilter as well as a steam wand. They have similar brewing processes to superautomatics, however they require some manual steps such as grinding beans and putting in the portafilter. These machines require more skills and knowledge to operate, because the brewing process is not automated.
A good semi-automatic machine will include a portafilter that is removable and a tamper that is capable of compressing the coffee grounds inside the portafilter prior to brewing. It also lets you to control the amount of water and pressure used in the brewing process. This means that you can tailor your shots to your own preferences and to the specific type of coffee bean that you are using.
Another thing to look out for in a semi-automatic is an adjustable temperature control. This feature allows you to set the brewing temperature for your coffee beans in accordance with the way they taste. It also helps you avoid fluctuations in temperature, which is especially important in the case of the brew boiler. The temperature of the brew can vary by up to 20oF between cups if there is no PID controller. With a PID controller, this swing is limited to approximately 0.1oF.
Some of the top models will also include an milk frother to create espresso drinks based on milk. This lets you make delicious lattes and cappuccinos. The frothing jug should be able to be held comfortably and have a spout to make pouring effortless.
It is also a good idea to choose one with a filter that is removable basket and an automatic dosing system for grounds. You will be able to avoid doing the manual grinding and tamping yourself. It also makes cleaning the machine much easier.