Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
Espresso machines are the most effective way to have the best coffee experience. They're a labor of passion but give you control over every aspect of your coffee.
They also have an espresso tamper to flatten the grinds, and steamers for frothing milk in cappuccinos and lattes.
1. Stovetop
We have a broad selection of stovetop coffee makers that can assist you in making a perfect cup. In the UK around 98 million cups of coffee are consumed each day. These devices, also referred to as moka pots, use pressure to produce an espresso-like cup of coffee without the messy need for filter papers. They are a simple, 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 beans are placed in a basket, which is between two pipes that lead to the upper chamber where the final drink will be served. As the water boils in the bottom, it forces itself through the grounds under high pressure, and then flows into the upper chamber where the aromas are released for you to enjoy. The result is a fragrant, rich and strong coffee that is delicious on its own or mixed with milk and sugar.
The most important thing to bear in mind when purchasing moka pots is the capacity of the pot. It is important to make sure that the dimensions of the bottom chamber and the capacity of the basket is sufficient for your needs as larger units will require a longer wait time, whereas a smaller model may not be able to generate enough pressure. We suggest that you consider the material the machine is made from. The stainless steel machines are more durable and strong however they cost more.
You should also consider whether the appliance is compatible with your chosen heat source, be it electric or gas. Additionally, you might be interested in any additional add-ons available such as steamer arms for milk that are used to heat and foam milk in cappuccinos and lattes. You may also want to look at the number of cups that you can make at one time in order to be an important factor in choosing the correct size unit for your needs.
espresso machines uk would also suggest to ensure that the moka pot you are considering has a wide enough base to fit on the burner you are considering. Some models, like the Stelton collar coffee maker have a narrow base which makes it difficult to place the machine on a gas stove. However, wider bases such as those of the Bialetti venus and London Sip stovetop coffee makers, provide better results. We also preferred models that had thicker walls, since this was found to conduct the heat more efficiently and stop it from exploding too fast.
2. Capsule
There are also capsule coffee machines, which use pods to make cappuccinos, espresso, etc. If you aren't a fan of cleaning grounds, cleaning, and making coffee this is the ideal alternative for you.
You'll need to purchase the coffee pods on your own, but there are a variety on the market from brands like Nespresso, Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. There are also different sizes available to allow you to tailor your drink size and coffee type to your own preference. The Nespresso Essenza Mini is the most compact and is perfect for small spaces. It makes one cup of coffee at a time. You can get a bigger model that can take larger cups, but they are more expensive.
Illy Iperespresso offers a stylish alternative for coffee lovers who want a more sophisticated machine that produces better tasting coffee. It's not the most expensive machine, but it produces excellent coffee. It's also simple to use. It also has an intelligent feature that lets it recognize the type of coffee it's using and automatically adjusts its settings to match which makes it one of the most versatile machines in our opinion.
You should choose a model with a milk carafe if you want to try out all the drinks you could make using a pod machine. This will allow you to experiment with lattes, cappuccinos and other drinks. You can still make the most popular drinks with a capsule machine without a milk carafe however, it's more of a hit and miss affair.
If you're considering purchasing capsule coffee maker be sure that it's marked as compatible with ESE pods. It will come with a basket or adapter that fits these smaller pods. Some machines in our range have this feature. This means you can use the machine with Nespresso compatible pods and also Dolce Gusto and Tassimo pods.
3. Manual
They are manual espresso machines for those who prefer a more traditional approach. They look similar to the OG espresso machine invented in Italy back in the early 1900's. They operate by manually pumping water into a portafilter and locking it, after which forcing water under 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 into the chamber over pods or coffee that has been ground up and then press the plunger or lever down to create pressure and force the liquid through into the cup. This method can be messy, time-consuming and frustrating to master, but the final 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 type of technology that can be found in high-end immersion circulators and toasters, and is designed to stabilize the temperature of the brew kettle. This is a great method to eliminate a lot the guesswork about the ideal temperature of brewing.
Rancilio, La Pavoni and other large names make manual espresso machines. Many who have worked in a coffee shop or cafe are familiar with these names. They make the massive commercial espresso machines with two or three heads that are found in coffee shops. However, in 1997, they introduced the Silvia semi-automatic manual espresso machine that comes with a few bells and whistles that help to alleviate some of the hassle out of making espresso.
Fully automated espresso machines can complete all the work for you. They'll grind the beans and tamp them before pulling the shot, and some even steam your milk. However, they are costly and you'll require a decent bank balance to be able to afford one.
4. Semi-Automatic
Semi-automatic machines are the best choice if the idea of recreating the perfect espresso shot in your favorite cafe in your home is appealing to you. These machines let you adjust your preferences over time and adjust the espresso you drink according to your mood at any time.
They come with a portafilter and a steam wand. The brewing process of these machines is similar to that of super automatics, however with additional manual steps, such as grinding the beans before putting them into the portafilter. These machines require more skill and knowledge to operate, because the brewing process is not run in a way that is automated.
A good semi-automatic machine will include a portafilter that is removable and a tamper for firmly compressing the ground coffee inside the portafilter before brewing. You can also regulate the amount and the pressure of water you use during the process of brewing. This means that you can tailor your shots according to your personal preferences and to the specific type of coffee bean that you are using.
A semi-automatic machine should also have a temperature control that can be adjustable. This feature allows you set the brewing temperatures for your coffee beans according to how they taste. It also helps you avoid temperature swings which is crucial when it comes to the boiler that brews the coffee. The brew temperature can fluctuate by 20oF in a cup without a PID controller. This swing is lowered to 0.1oF using a PID.
Some of the most expensive models may also include an milk frother to create milk-based espresso drinks. This allows you to make delicious cappuccinos and lattes. The frothing pitcher must be able to handle comfortably and an spout to make it easy to pour.
It is also an excellent idea to select a model with a filter that is removable basket as well as an automated dosing system for the ground. This will prevent you from needing to do manual tamping and grinding on your own. This will make cleaning the machine much easier.