Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
If you're looking for the ultimate coffee experience, you can't beat an espresso machine. They are an act of love, but they allow you complete control over your coffee.
They also have an espresso tamper for flattening the grinds, as well as steamers for frothing milk in cappuccinos and lattes.
1. Stovetop
There are 98 million cups of coffee consumed in the UK every day and we have a fantastic range of espresso makers for stovetops to help you make a great cup of coffee. Also known as moka pots, these machines 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 also be used with milk for cappuccinos or lattes.
Moka pots have the bottom chamber, which is filled with water, and the coffee is placed in a basket that is surrounded by two pipes that lead to the upper chamber where the beverage is served. As the water in the bottom chamber boils, it is pushed through the coffee grounds under high pressure. The aromas are released into the upper chamber as the water seeps upwards. The end result is a fragrant, rich and strong coffee that is delicious on its own or mixed with sugar and milk.
When purchasing a mokapot the first thing you need to consider is the unit's capacity. It is essential to make sure the dimensions of the bottom chamber as well as the capacity of the basket is adequate for your needs since a larger unit will require a long wait time, while a smaller one may not be able generate enough pressure. We recommend that you look at the material the machine is constructed of. Steel machines made of stainless steel are more durable and sturdy but they tend to cost more.
Other considerations are whether the appliance will work with the heat source you choose (gas or electric) and any additional add-ons you might have like milk steamer wands that are used to heat and froth milk for cappuccinos and lattes. It is also advisable to consider the number of cups you are able to make at once and this could be a useful factor in selecting the best size unit for your needs.
We would also recommend that you check the base of the moka maker to ensure that it is a good fit on your burner. Certain models, such as the Stelton collar coffee maker, have a base that is narrow that makes it difficult to center the machine on a gas stove. However, larger bases such as those of the Bialetti venus and London Sip stovetop coffee makers, give better results. We also preferred models with thicker walls because this was proven to transfer heat more efficiently and prevent it from sputtering out too quickly.
2. Capsule
There are capsule coffee machines that make use of pods to create cappuccinos, espresso, etc. If you aren't a fan of cleaning grounds, cleaning, and brewing this is the ideal option 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 various sizes to choose from, so you can choose the size and kind of coffee that best suits your preferences. The smallest of these is the Nespresso Essenza Mini, which is ideal for small areas and can make one cup at a time. A larger model is available that can also accommodate larger cups but will cost more.
Illy Iperespresso offers a stylish alternative for coffee snobs who want a more sophisticated machine that produces better tasting coffee. It's not the cheapest machine, but it does make excellent coffee. It's also simple to use. It has a clever feature which allows it to automatically adjust its settings based on the brand of pods it is using. home espresso machine makes it one of the most flexible machines, in our opinion.
If you want to explore the wide range of drinks that you can make using a pod coffee maker it is recommended to look for a model with a milk carafe. This lets you play with cappuccinos, lattes and a variety of other drinks. You can still make the most popular drinks with a capsule machine without a milk carafe but it'll be more of a hit-and-miss affair.
If you're thinking of buying a capsule coffee machine, make sure it is 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 our 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 those who are a bit more discerning. They look like the original espresso machine developed in Italy in the early 1900s. They operate by pumping the water manually into a filter, securing it and then forcing the water under 9 bar of pressure to create an espresso.
Manual espresso makers are often more labor-intensive than capsule machines. You must heat the water separately, pour it into the chamber above pods or coffee that has been ground up, and then press the plunger or lever down to create pressure and push the liquid into the cup. This method is messy, lengthy and a bit frustrating to master, but 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 is a piece technology that can be found in immersion circulators, high-end toasters, and is designed to stabilize the temperature of the brew boiler. This is a great method to take away a lot of the uncertainty about the optimal temperature for brewing.
Rancilio, La Pavoni and other large names make manual espresso machines. Most people who have worked in a cafe or cafe are familiar with these names. They make the large two or three group-head commercial espresso machines you'd find in a coffee shop but in 1997 they created the Silvia, an automated, semi-automatic machine that has a few bells and whistles to ease the burden out of the coffee making process.
Fully automated espresso machines will do all the work for you. They'll grind the beans, tamp them, pull the shot, and even steam your milk. However, they can be costly so you will require a decent cash flow to be able to afford one.
4. Semi-Automatic
If the thought of replicating a perfect espresso shot from your favorite cafe at home is appealing and you want to replicate it, then a semi-automatic coffee machine is the best choice for you. These coffee machines allow you to adjust your preferences as time passes and adjust your espresso drinks according to how you feel at any time.
They come with a portafilter and steam wand. These machines share the same brewing process as super automatics, but they require manual processes such as grinding beans and putting in the portafilter. These machines require more skill and knowledge to operate, since the brewing process is not automated.
A good semi-automatic machine will have a removable portafilter and a tamper that is capable of compressing the coffee grounds inside the portafilter prior to making. It also allows you to manage the quantity of water and the pressure that is used in the brewing process. You can then customize your shots based on your preferences and the type of coffee beans that you are using.
Another thing to look out for in a semi-automatic coffee maker is the ability to adjust the temperature. This feature lets you set the brewing temperature for your coffee beans based on the way they taste. It also allows you to avoid temperature swings which is particularly important for the boiler for brewing. The brew temperature can fluctuate by up to 20oF in a cup without a PID controller. The swing can be reduced to 0.1oF with a PID.
Some of the more premium models also come with a milk frother for creating espresso drinks based on milk. This will allow you to make delicious cappuccinos and lattes. The frothing jug should be comfortable to hold and have an spout that makes pouring effortless.
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 grounds. This will prevent you from needing to do grinding and tamping manually on your own. This will make cleaning the machine easier.