Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
Espresso machines are the ideal way to get the ultimate coffee experience. They're an effort of love, but they give you complete control over the coffee you drink.
They typically include an espresso tamper to flatten the grinds, and steamer to froth the milk for lattes and cappuccinos.
1. Stovetop
There are Coffeee of coffee consumed in the UK every day. We have a huge selection of stovetop espresso makers to help you make a great cup of coffee. These appliances, also known as moka pots use pressure to make an espresso-like cup of tea without the hassle of filter papers. These simple and easy to use appliances can enhance any coffee, and can 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 leading to the upper chamber where the finished beverage is served. As the water in the bottom chamber boils, it pushes through the coffee grounds under pressure that is high. The aromas are released into the upper chamber as the water flows upwards. The result is a full, aromatic coffee that is delicious by itself or mixed with milk and sugar.
When buying a mokapot, the most important factor to take into consideration is the unit's capacity. It is crucial to look at the dimensions of the bottom as well as the capacity of the basket. A larger pot may require a longer waiting time, while smaller ones might not be capable of making enough pressure. It is also recommended to look at the materials the machine is constructed from because stainless steel machines are sturdier and more durable but come with a higher price tag.
You should also consider whether the appliance is compatible with your preferred heating source, whether gas or electric. Also, you may consider looking into any additional add-ons available such as steamer arms for milk that are used to heat up and foam milk in cappuccinos and lattes. You should also think about the amount 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 that you check the base of the moka maker to ensure it will fit on your burner. We found that some models, like the Stelton collar espresso maker had a narrow base 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 models with thicker walls as they were found to carry heat more efficiently and prevent it sputtering too quickly.
2. Capsule
In a similar vein similar to stovetop models, there are capsule coffee makers that make espresso, cappuccinos and other drinks using pods. This is an excellent option for those who don't want to have to deal with messing with brewing, grounds, and cleaning up - they are an easy, quick and hassle-free method of getting your caffeine fix in the morning.
You'll need to purchase the coffee pods on your own, but there is a wide selection available from brands such as Nespresso, Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. There are several sizes to choose from and you can pick the size and kind of coffee that best suits your preferences. The smallest is the Nespresso Essenza Mini, which is ideal for small spaces and can make one cup at a time. A larger model is available which can also hold larger cups but will cost more.
For a more sophisticated option that also produces better tasting coffee, the Illy Iperespresso is an elegant shortcut for coffee snobs. It's not the cheapest machine, but it makes an excellent cup of coffee. It's also very easy to use. It also features an intelligent feature that allows it to recognize the brand of coffee it's using and automatically adjusts its settings to match which makes it among the most versatile in our opinion.
You should choose an item that comes with a milk cup if you are looking to test all the drinks you can make with a pod machine. This will allow you to experiment with cappuccinos, lattes and other drinks. You can still make these popular drinks using a capsule maker without a milk carafe, but it'll be more than a hit and miss affair.
If you're considering purchasing capsule coffee maker, make sure it is listed as compatible with ESE pods. It will have a basket or adapter that will fit these smaller pods. Some of our machines in our collection have this feature, which means you can use them with Nespresso-compatible pods as well as Dolce Gusto or Tassimo pods.
3. Manual
As the name suggests these are manual espresso machines designed for those who prefer a more traditional approach. They look like the OG espresso machine, which was invented in Italy back in the early 1900's and are operated by pumping water manually into a portafilter before locking it and forcing water under 9 bars of pressure, resulting in an espresso shot.
A manual espresso maker is typically more of a labour of passion than a capsule machine because they require you to heat the water in a separate manner from the coffee, pour it into the chamber over the ground coffee or pods and then press down on the plunger or lever to create the pressure and push the water through into the cup below. This method of operation can be quite messy, time-consuming 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 stabilize the brewing temperature of the boiler. The beauty of this is that it eliminates a lot of the guesswork around the optimum brewing temperature and allows you to dial in your espresso with precision.
There are several big names that produce manual espresso makers, the likes of Rancilio and La Pavoni are familiar names to those who have worked in the cafe or coffee shop. They produce the massive two or three group head commercial espresso machines that you would see in a coffee shop however in 1997 they introduced the Silvia which is an automatic, semi-automatic espresso machine that has a few bells and whistles to take some of the hassle out of the coffee making process.
Fully automated espresso machines will complete 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 strong cash flow to afford one.
4. Semi-Automatic
Semi-automatic machines are a great choice if the idea of recreating the perfect espresso shot from your favorite cafe in your home appeals to you. These coffee machines permit you to tweak your preferences over time and dial in your espresso drinks based on your mood at any given time.
The machines are equipped with a portafilter and a steam wand. The brewing process used in these machines is similar to superautomatics, but with added manual steps like grinding the beans before putting them into the portafilter. These machines require more skills and expertise to operate, since the brewing process is not automated.
A semi-automatic machine which is good will come with a removable filter and an tamper that compresses the coffee grounds in the portafilter prior to brewing. You can also regulate the amount and the pressure of water used in the making process. You can then alter your shots according to your preferences and the type of coffee beans you are using.
Another feature to look for in a semi-automatic coffee maker is an adjustable temperature control. This feature allows you set the brewing temperatures for your coffee beans based on how they taste. This can help you to avoid temperature swings. This is vital particularly when it comes to the brew-boiler. Without a PID control, the temperature of brewing can fluctuate by as much as 20oF from one cup to the next. With PID controllers this swing is limited to approximately 0.1oF.
A few of the more expensive models come with a milk frother to create milk-based espresso drinks. This can help you make delicious cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos. The frothing pitcher must be able to handle comfortably and a spout for easy pouring.
You should also select one with a removable filter basket, and a system that automatically doses the grounds. You will be able to avoid doing the manual grinding and tamping yourself. This will make cleaning the machine easier.