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're a labor of passion, but they also give you total control over the coffee you drink.
They have an espresso tamper for flattening the grinds, as well as steamers to froth 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 there are 98 million cups of coffee are consumed every day. Also known as moka pots, these machines use pressure to create an espresso-like coffee, without the need for any messy filter paper. These simple and easy to use appliances can enhance any coffee and can be used with milk to make cappuccinos or lattes.
Moka pots are equipped with an inner chamber that is filled with water while the coffee grounds are placed in a basket that is surrounded by two pipes that lead to the upper chamber, where the final beverage is served. As the water heats up in the bottom, it forces 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 smoky aromatic coffee that is delicious on its own or paired with sugar and milk.
When purchasing a mokapot the most important thing to think about is the pot's capacity. It is important that you examine the size of the bottom and the capacity of the basket. A larger unit could require a longer wait time, whereas smaller units might not be capable of creating enough pressure. It is also recommended to look at the materials the machine is made from, as stainless steel machines are stronger and more durable, however they come with a higher cost.
You should also think about whether the appliance is compatible with the heat source, whether it's electric or gas. Also, you may be interested in the other accessories available such as steamer arms for milk that are used to heat up and make frothy milk in cappuccinos as well as lattes. It is also worth considering the amount of cups you can make in one go, as this can be a great way to determine the right size unit for you.
Lastly, we would recommend checking that the moka pot you're considering has a base that is wide enough to fit on your chosen burner. We discovered that certain models, such as the Stelton collar espresso maker, had a very narrow base and were difficult to put in the proper spot on a gas burner. However, wider bases, like those of the Bialetti Venus and the London Sip stovetop espresso makers, gave better results. We also favored models that had thicker walls, since this was found to transfer heat more efficiently and prevent it from spreading out too quickly.
2. Capsule
Similar similar to stovetop models, there are capsule coffee makers which make cappuccinos, espresso and so on using pods. This is an excellent option for those who don't want to deal with messing around with brewing, grounds and cleaning up - they are an easy, quick and effortless method of getting your caffeine fix in the morning.
You'll need to purchase the coffee pods separately. There are a variety of brands to choose from, including Nespresso Dolce Gusto, and Tassimo. There are also different sizes available and you can tailor your drink size and coffee type to your own preference. The Nespresso Essenza Mini is the smallest and is ideal for small spaces. It makes one cup of coffee at a time. You can get a bigger model that can handle larger cups, but they're more expensive.
Illy Iperespresso is a chic alternative for coffee lovers who are looking for a more sophisticated machine that makes better tasting coffee. It's not the cheapest machine but it makes excellent coffee and is simple to use as well. It also comes with a clever feature that allows it to recognize the type of pod it is using and automatically adjusts its settings accordingly it, making it one of the most versatile in our opinion.
If you want to explore the wide range of drinks that you can make using a pod coffee maker It is worth looking for a model that comes with a milk carafe. This lets you play with cappuccinos, lattes, and other drinks. You can still make the most popular drinks with a capsule machine without a milk cup, but it's more of a hit-and-miss affair.
If you're thinking of buying capsule coffee maker be sure that it's marked as compatible with ESE pods. This typically means it comes with a basket or adapter to fit these smaller pods. Certain machines in our range include this feature. This means you can use the machine with Nespresso compatible pods, as well as Dolce Gusto and Tassimo pods.
3. Manual
They are manual espresso machines for those who prefer a more traditional approach. They look like the OG espresso machine invented in Italy in the early 1900's and are operated by manually pumping water through a portafilter before locking it and forcing water to 9 bars of pressure to create an espresso shot.
Manual espresso makers are often more labor-intensive than capsule machines. You must heat the water separately, then pour it into the chamber above pre-ground coffee or pods and then push the plunger or lever down to create pressure and push the liquid through the cup. This method is messy, time consuming and sometimes a bit difficult 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 technology is used in high-end immersion circulators as well as toasters. It is designed to stabilise the brewing temperature of the boiler. The benefit of this is that it removes a lot of the guesswork regarding the optimal temperature for brewing and lets you adjust your espresso with accuracy.
smeg espresso machine , La Pavoni and other big names produce manual espresso machines. Most people who have worked in a coffee shop or cafe are familiar with these names. They make the massive commercial espresso machines that have two or three heads that you can see in coffee shops. However, in 1997, they introduced the Silvia, a semi-automatic manual espresso machine that comes with a few bells and whistles that help to reduce the stress out of making coffee.
Fully automatic espresso machines will do all the work for you. They'll grind the beans and tamp them before pulling the shot, and even steam your milk. However, they are costly so you will require a strong bank balance to be able to afford one.
4. Semi-Automatic
Semi-automatic machines are the best option when the idea of replicating the perfect espresso shot from your favorite cafe in your home appeals to you. These machines allow you to tweak your preferences over time and dial in your espresso drinks according to the way you feel at any time.
The machines are equipped with a portafilter, and a steam wand. They have similar brewing processes to super automatics, however they require manual steps such as grinding the beans and inserting the portafilter. They also require more knowledge and skills to operate since the brewing process is not controlled automatically.
A good semi-automatic will have a removable portafilter and a tamper to help in compressing the coffee grounds inside the portafilter before brewing. You can also control the amount and pressure of water used in the process of brewing. This means you can adjust the shots you drink according to your personal preferences and to the specific type of coffee beans you are using.
A semi-automatic must also include the ability to control temperature that can be adjusted. This feature lets you to set the brewing temperature for your coffee beans in accordance with the way they taste. This can help you avoid temperature swings. This is vital particularly when it comes to the boiling brew. The brew temperature can fluctuate by 20oF in a cup without a PID controller. With PID controllers, this swing is limited to around 0.1oF.
Some of the top models include a milk froth to make espresso drinks based on milk. This lets you make delicious lattes and cappuccinos. The frothing pitcher should have a comfortable handle as well as a spout for easy pouring.
You should also choose an option with a detachable filter basket, as well as an automatic system to dose the grounds. You'll be able to not have to do the manual grinding and tapping yourself. This will make cleaning the machine much simpler.