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 give you control over every aspect of your coffee.
They have an espresso tamper to flatten the grinds, as well as steamers to froth milk in cappuccinos and lattes.
1. Stovetop
There are around 98 million cups of coffee consumed in the UK every day and we have a wide selection of stovetop espresso makers to help you make a great cup of coffee. They are also known as moka pots. these devices use pressure to create an espresso-like coffee without the need for messy filter paper. They are a simple and user-friendly device that will improve any kind of coffee and can be combined with milk to make cappuccinos and lattes.
The bottom of the moka pot is filled with hot water. The ground coffee is placed in a basket, which is between two pipes that lead to the upper chamber, where the brewed beverage will be served. As the water boils 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 end result is a fragrant rich and robust coffee that can be enjoyed on its own or with milk and sugar.
The main thing to bear in mind when buying moka pots is the capacity of the unit. It is essential to look at the size of the bottom and the capacity of the basket. A larger unit may require a longer waiting time, while smaller ones might not be capable making enough pressure. We also recommend looking at the materials the machine is constructed from because stainless steel machines tend to be more robust and durable, but come with a higher price tag.
Other things to consider is whether the appliance can work with your chosen heat source (gas or electric) and any additional add-ons that might be available like milk steamer wands which are used to heat and froth the milk for cappuccinos and lattes. It is also worth considering the number of cups you can make in one go, since this is a great way to determine the right size unit for you.
We would also recommend that you examine the base of the moka pot to ensure that it is a good fit on your burner. Certain models, such as the Stelton collar coffee maker have a very narrow base which makes it difficult to place the machine on a gas burner. However, wider bases such as those of the Bialetti venus and London Sip stovetop coffee makers, yield better results. We also preferred models with thicker walls since they were found to conduct heat more efficiently and prevent it sputtering too quickly.
2. Capsule
There are capsule coffee machines, that make use of pods to create cappuccinos, espressos, etc. This is a great option if you don't want to have to deal with messing with grounds, brewing and cleaning up afterwards - they offer an easy, quick and easy method to get your caffeine fix in the morning.
You'll need to purchase the coffee pods separately. There are several brands to choose from, such as Nespresso Dolce Gusto, and Tassimo. There are also a few different sizes available and you can tailor your drink size and the type of coffee to your personal preference. The Nespresso Essenza Mini is the smallest and is ideal for small space. It makes one cup of coffee at a time. You can also get a larger model that can hold larger cups too, but they are more expensive.
If you want a more sophisticated alternative that also makes better tasting coffee, the Illy Iperespresso is a stylish shortcut for coffee snobs. It's not the most affordable machine, but it makes excellent coffee, and is easy to use too. It also comes with an intelligent feature that lets it recognize the brand of pod it's using and automatically adjusts its settings to match, making it among the most versatile in our opinion.
You should choose one with a milk carafe if you are looking to test the various drinks you can make using a pod machine. This will allow you to experiment with lattes, cappuccinos and a variety of other drinks. You can still make these popular drinks using a capsule maker without a milk carafe, however, it's more of a hit and miss affair.
If you're thinking of buying capsule coffee maker, make sure it is listed as compatible with ESE pods. This usually means it has 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
They are manual espresso machines for purists. They look similar to the OG espresso machine invented in Italy back in the early 1900's. They are operated by pumping water manually into a portafilter, locking it, then forcing water to 9 bars of pressure to create a shot of espresso.
Manual espresso makers are often more labor-intensive than capsule machines. You must heat the water separately, pour it into the chamber over the coffee or pods that have been ground, and then press the plunger or lever down to create pressure and force the liquid into the cup. This process can be difficult, time-consuming and tedious 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 technology is present in high-end immersion circulators as well as toasters. It is designed to stabilize the brewing temperature of the boiler. This is a fantastic way to take away a lot of the uncertainty about the optimal brewing temperature.
Rancilio, 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 manufacture the huge two or three group head commercial espresso machines that you find in a coffee shop however in 1997 they introduced the Silvia, which is an automated, semi-automatic machine that comes with some bells and whistles to help ease the burden out of the brewing process.
Fully automated espresso machines will do 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 can be costly therefore you'll need a good budget to be able to be able to afford one.
4. Semi-Automatic
Semi-automatic machines are the ideal choice when the idea of replicating the perfect espresso shot from your favorite café in your home is appealing to you. These machines let you alter your preferences as time passes and adjust the espresso you drink according to your mood at any moment.
These machines are outfitted with a portafilter as well as steam wand. The brewing process in these machines is similar to that of super automatics, however with added manual steps like grinding the beans and putting them into the portafilter. These machines require more skill and knowledge to operate, as the brew cycle is not run in a way that is automated.
A semi-automatic machine which is good will have an adjustable filter as well as an tamper that compresses the coffee grounds in the portafilter prior to brewing. It also allows you to manage the quantity of water and the pressure used during the brewing process. You can then alter your shots to suit your tastes and the kind of coffee beans you are using.
Another thing to look out for in a semi-automatic machine is an adjustable temperature control. This feature allows you set the brewing temperatures for your coffee beans in accordance with how they taste. It also allows you to avoid temperature swings, which is especially important for the boiler that brews the coffee. Without a PID controller the temperature of brewing can fluctuate up to 20oF from one cup to the next. With PID controllers the swing is restricted to about 0.1oF.
used espresso machines of the top models include a milk froth to create milk-based espresso drinks. This allows you to make delicious cappuccinos and lattes. The frothing jug must be able to be held comfortably and have an spout that makes pouring easy.
It is also recommended to select a model with a filter that is removable basket and an automatic dosing system for the grounds. You'll be able to avoid doing the manual grinding and tapping yourself. This will make cleaning the machine much easier.