Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
If you're looking for the best coffee experience, there's no better than an espresso machine. They're a labor of passion but they give you control over every aspect of your coffee.
They also have an espresso tamper to flatten the grinds, as well as steamers to froth milk in lattes and cappuccinos.
1. Stovetop
We have a wide range of stovetop coffee makers that will help you make a great cup. In the UK around 98 million cups of coffee are consumed every day. Known as moka pots, these appliances use pressure to create an espresso-like coffee without the need for any messy filter papers. These simple and easy-to-use devices will enhance any coffee and can be used with milk for cappuccinos or lattes.
The bottom of the moka pot is filled with hot water. The coffee grounds are placed in a basket, which is between two pipes that lead to the upper chamber, where the finished beverage will be served. As the water heats up in the bottom, it pushes itself through the grounds under high pressure. It then seeps into the upper chamber, where the aromas are released for you to enjoy. The result is a fragrant strong, rich and robust coffee that can be enjoyed on its own or mixed with sugar and milk.
When purchasing a mokapot the most important factor to take into consideration is the unit's capacity. It is crucial to make sure the dimensions of the bottom chamber as well as the capacity of the basket are sufficient for your requirements as larger pots will require a longer wait time, whereas a smaller model might not be able to create enough pressure. We recommend that you also consider the material the machine is made of. Stainless steel machines are more durable and strong but they tend to cost more.
You should also consider whether the appliance is compatible with the heat source, be it gas or electric. Additionally, you might want to look at any other add-ons that are available, such as steamer arms for milk that can be used to heat and make frothy milk in cappuccinos as well as lattes. You may also consider the amount of cups you can make in one go, since this is a good way to determine the ideal size unit for you.
We also suggest that you check the base of the moka maker to ensure it fits on your burner. We found that some models, like the Stelton collar espresso maker, had a base that was narrow and were difficult to center on a gas burner. However, larger bases, such as those of the Bialetti Venus and London Sip stovetop espresso makers, gave better results. We also preferred those that had thicker walls, since this was found to transfer heat more efficiently and prevent it from exploding too fast.
2. Capsule
There are capsule coffee machines which use pods to make espresso, cappuccinos, etc. This is a great option if you don't want to deal with messing around with grounds, brewing and cleaning up after - they offer a quick, simple and hassle-free way to get your caffeine fix in the morning.
You will need to buy the coffee pods separately, but there are a variety 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 is best for your taste. The Nespresso Essenza Mini is the most compact and is perfect for small spaces. It can make one cup of coffee at a time. There is a larger model that can handle larger cups, but they are more expensive.
Illy Iperespresso is a stylish alternative for coffee snobs who want a more sophisticated machine that makes better tasting coffee. It isn't the cheapest machine but it makes a superb cup of coffee, and is easy to use too. It has a clever function that lets it automatically adjust its settings according to the brand of pods it is using. This makes it one of the most adaptable machines, in our opinion.
You should look for an item that comes with a milk cup if you want to try out the various drinks you can make with a pod maker. This will let you play around with cappuccinos and lattes. You can still make most popular drinks using capsule machines, but it will be a hit-and-miss affair.
If you are interested in buying a capsule machine, check that it is compatible with ESE pods. It will have a basket or adapter that can be used with these smaller pods. Some of the machines in our range include 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 those who are a bit more discerning. They look similar to the OG espresso machine that was invented in Italy in the early 1900's and are operated by pumping water manually into a portafilter before locking it and forcing water to 9 bars of pressure to create a shot of espresso.
Manual espresso makers are generally more labor-intensive than capsule machines. It is necessary to heat the water separately, then pour it in the chamber above pre-ground coffee or pods and then push the lever or plunger down to create pressure and force the liquid through the cup. This method of operation can be quite 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 used in high-end immersion circulators as well as toasters. It is designed to stabilise the temperature of the boiler used to brew. The benefit 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 precision.
Rancilio, La Pavoni and other large names make 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 that have two or three heads that you see in coffee shops, but in 1997, they introduced the Silvia semi-automatic manual espresso machine with a few bells and whistles that help to take some of that hassle out of brewing.
Fully espresso machines home Coffeee do all of the tasks for you, they grind the beans, tamp, pull one shot, and steam your milk all at the press of a button, but they can also cost a pretty penny so you need to have a decent bank balance to be able to afford one.
4. Semi-Automatic
Semi-automatic machines are the ideal option for you if the idea of recreating the perfect espresso shot in your favorite café in your home is appealing to you. These machines allow you to alter your preferences over time and dial in your espresso drinks based on the way you feel at any time.
The machines come with a portafilter and a steam wand. The brewing process of these machines is similar to super automatics, however with added manual steps such as grinding the beans before putting them into the portafilter. They also require additional knowledge and skills to operate as the brew cycle is not controlled by a computer.
A semi-automatic machine which is good will have a removable filter and a tamper to compress the coffee grounds in the portafilter prior to making. You can also control the amount and pressure of water used during the brewing process. You can then customize your shots based on your preferences and the type of coffee beans that you are using.
A semi-automatic must have a temperature control that can be adjusted. This feature lets you to set the brewing temperature for your coffee beans based on how they taste. It also helps you avoid temperature fluctuations, which is especially important when it comes to the boiler for brewing. The brew temperature could vary by as much as 20oF between cups without a PID controller. With PID controllers the swing is restricted to about 0.1oF.
Some of the top models will also include an milk frother to create milk-based espresso drinks. This can help you make delicious cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos. The pitcher that froths should be able to handle comfortably and an spout that allows for easy pouring.
It is also recommended to select one with a filter that is removable basket as well as an automatic dosing system for the ground. This will save you from having to do the grinding and tamping manually on your own. This will make cleaning the machine much simpler.