Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
If you're looking for the best coffee experience, there's nothing better than an espresso machine. They're a labor of love, but they give you complete control over your coffee.
They have an espresso tamper for flattening the grinds, as well as steamers to froth milk in lattes and cappuccinos.
1. Stovetop
We have a broad selection of stovetop coffee makers that will assist you in making a perfect cup. In the UK, approximately 98 millions cups of coffee are consumed each day. These devices, also referred to as moka pots use pressure to make an espresso-like cup of coffee, without the hassle of filter papers. They are a simple and user-friendly device that can be used to enhance any type of coffee, and can be used with milk to make cappuccinos and lattes.
The bottom 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 finished beverage will be served. When the water is boiling in the bottom, it pushes itself through the grounds at high pressure and seeps up into the upper chamber, where the aromas are released to you to enjoy. The result is a full and aromatic coffee that you can enjoy on its own or paired with sugar and milk.
When you are buying a mokapot the most important factor to consider is the unit's capacity. It is important to make sure the dimensions of the bottom chamber and the capacity of the basket is sufficient for your needs as a larger unit will require a longer wait time, whereas a smaller model may not be able to build up enough pressure. It is also recommended to look at the material that the machine is made from, as stainless steel machines are sturdier and more durable however they come with a higher price tag.
You should also consider whether the appliance is compatible with the heat source, whether it's gas or electric. Additionally, you might want to look at any additional add-ons available like steamer arms for milk that are used to heat and foam milk in cappuccinos and lattes. It is also worth considering the number of cups you are able to make in one go, since this can be a great way to determine the ideal size unit for you.
We would also recommend that you check the base of the moka pot to ensure it fits on your burner. Some models, like the Stelton collar coffee maker, have a narrow base that makes it difficult to place the machine on a gas stove. However, larger bases like those of the Bialetti venus and London Sip stovetop coffee makers, yield better results. We also preferred models with thicker walls as they were found to conduct heat more efficiently and stop it sputtering too quickly.
2. Capsule
Similar to stovetop models there are capsule coffee makers that make espresso, cappuccinos and other drinks by using pods. If you don't like cleaning grounds, cleaning and making coffee this is the ideal alternative for you.
You will have to purchase the coffee pods separately. There are many brands to choose from, including Nespresso Dolce Gusto, and Tassimo. There are several sizes available so you can select the size and kind of coffee that best suits your preferences. The Nespresso Essenza Mini is the most compact and is perfect for small spaces. It can make one cup of coffee at a time. You can get a bigger model that can handle larger cups, however they're more expensive.
For a more sophisticated choice that also produces better tasting coffee it is recommended to use the Illy Iperespresso is a chic alternative for coffee lovers. It's not the cheapest machine, but it makes an excellent cup of coffee. It's also very easy to use. It also has an intelligent feature that lets it recognize the type of coffee it's using and automatically adjusts its settings accordingly which makes it one of the most versatile machines in our opinion.
You should look for one that comes with a milk cup if you're looking to test all the drinks you can make with a pod machine. This lets you play with lattes, cappuccinos and other drinks. You can still make these popular drinks with a capsule machine without a milk cup, however, it's more of a hit and miss affair.
If you're thinking of purchasing a capsule machine make sure it is compatible with ESE pods. This usually means it has a basket or adapter to accommodate these smaller pods. Some of our models have this feature. This means you can use the machine with Nespresso compatible pods as well as Dolce Gusto and Tassimo pods.
3. Manual
These are espresso machines that are manual 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. They are operated by manually pumping water through the portafilter, locking it, then forcing water to 9 bars of pressure creating an espresso shot.
Manual espresso makers are generally more labor-intensive than capsule machines. You must heat the water separately, then pour it in the chamber above the coffee or pods that have been ground and then push the plunger or lever down to create pressure and force the liquid through into the cup. This method of operation can be quite messy, time consuming and a little frustrating to get right however the result is well 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 brewing temperature.
Rancilio, La Pavoni and other big names produce manual espresso machines. Many who have worked in a coffee shop or cafe will be familiar with these names. They produce the large commercial espresso machines with two or three heads that are found in coffee shops. However, in 1997, they launched the Silvia, a semi-automatic manual espresso machine with some bells and whistles that help to take some of that hassle out of brewing.
Fully automatic espresso machines will complete all the work for you. They will grind the beans, tamp them, pull the shot, and some even steam your milk. But they are expensive so you will require a strong budget to be able to afford one.
4. Semi-Automatic
Semi-automatic machines are the best option for you when the idea of replicating the perfect espresso shot from your favorite cafe in your home appeals to you. These machines let you alter your preferences over time and also adjust the amount of your espresso drink according to your mood at any moment.
The machines are equipped with a portafilter as well as steam wand. The brewing process used in these machines is similar to super automatics, however with added manual steps like grinding the beans and inserting them into the portafilter. These machines require more skills and know-how to operate as the brew cycle does not run automatically.
A semi-automatic machine that is good will have filters that can be removed and an tamper that compresses the coffee grounds in the portafilter prior to brewing. It also allows you to regulate the quantity of water and the pressure used in the brewing process. This means you can customize the shots you drink according to your personal preferences and the type of coffee bean that you are using.
A semi-automatic should also include a temperature control that can be adjusted. This feature lets you to set the brewing temperature for your coffee beans based on the way they taste. It will also help you avoid temperature fluctuations which is particularly important when it comes to the boiler that brews the coffee. The temperature of the brew can vary by 20oF between cups if there is no PID controller. With PID controllers this swing is limited to around 0.1oF.
Some of the more premium models also come with a milk frother for creating milk-based espresso drinks. This will allow you to make delicious lattes, cappuccinos and macchiatos. The frothing jug must be able to be held comfortably and have an spout that makes pouring effortless.
You should also choose one with a removable filter basket, and a system that automatically doses the ground. This will save you from having to perform manual tamping and grinding on your own. machine espresso will make cleaning the machine simpler.