Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
If you're seeking the ultimate coffee experience, you can't beat an espresso machine. They're a labor of passion but allow you to control every aspect of your coffee.
They also have an espresso tamper that can flatten the grinds, and steamers to froth milk in cappuccinos and lattes.
1. Stovetop
We have a broad selection of stovetop coffee makers to aid you in making a fantastic cup. In the UK there are 98 million cups of coffee are consumed each day. They are also known as moka pots. these machines make use of pressure to produce an espresso-like cup of coffee without the need for messy filter papers. These simple and easy to use appliances can enhance any coffee, and can be used with milk for lattes or cappuccinos.
Moka pots come with an inner chamber that is filled with water, while the coffee grounds are placed in a basket between two pipes which lead to the upper chamber, where the beverage is served. When the water in the lower chamber heats up, it pushes through the coffee grounds under pressure that is high. The aromas are released into the upper chamber as the water seeps upwards. The result is an aromatic, rich and strong coffee that can be enjoyed on its own or with milk and sugar.
The most important thing to bear in mind when buying a moka pot is the capacity of the pot. It is essential to check the size of the bottom and the capacity of the basket. A larger model could require a longer wait time, whereas smaller ones may not be capable of making enough pressure. We recommend that you also look at the material the machine is constructed of. Steel machines made of stainless steel are more durable and sturdy but they can cost more.
Other things to consider is how the appliance will function with the heat source you choose (gas or electric) and any additional add-ons that might be available, such as milk steamer wands which are used to heat and froth the milk for lattes and cappuccinos. It is also worth considering the amount of cups you can make in one go, since this can be a great way to determine the right size for your needs.
We would also recommend to check the base of the moka pot to ensure it will fit on your burner. 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 like those of the Bialetti venus and London Sip stovetop coffee makers, give better results. We also preferred models that had thicker walls, since this was found to transfer heat more effectively and prevent it from sputtering out too fast.
2. Capsule
There are also capsule coffee machines, that make use of pods to create cappuccinos, espressos, etc. If you don't like messing with grounds, cleaning, and making coffee this is the best alternative for you.
You will need to buy the coffee pods separately, but there is a wide selection on the market from brands like Nespresso, Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. There are also a few different sizes available, so you can suit your drink size and coffee type to your personal preference. The smallest of these is the Nespresso Essenza Mini, which is perfect for small spaces and can make one cup at a time. There is a larger model that can take larger cups, but they are more expensive.
Illy Iperespresso is a chic alternative for coffee snobs who want a more sophisticated machine that makes better tasting coffee. It isn't the cheapest machine but it makes an excellent cup of coffee, and is easy to use as well. It has a clever feature that allows it to automatically adjust its settings based on the brand of pods it's using. This makes it one of the most flexible machines we've seen.
If you're looking to explore the full menu of drinks you can make with a pod-based coffee maker It is worth looking for a model that includes a milk carafe. This will allow you to experiment with lattes and cappuccinos. You can still make the most popular drinks using a capsule machine without a milk carafe, however, it's more of a hit and miss affair.
If you're considering purchasing a capsule machine, check that it is compatible with ESE pods. This typically means it has a basket or adapter that can be used to accommodate 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
These are manual espresso machines for those who prefer a more traditional approach. Read the Full Posting look like the original espresso machine invented in Italy in the early 1900s. They operate by pumping the water manually into a filter, locking it, and then forcing the water under pressure of 9 bar to create an espresso.
Manual espresso makers are generally more labor-intensive than capsule machines. You have to heat the water separately, then pour it in the chamber above the coffee or pods that have been ground and then press the lever or plunger down to create pressure and force the liquid through into the cup. This process can be difficult, time-consuming and tedious to master, but the end 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 is found in high-end immersion circulators and toasters, and is designed to stabilise the temperature of the brew kettle. The benefit of this is that it eliminates much of the guesswork about the ideal temperature for brewing and allows you to adjust your espresso with accuracy.
There are a few big names that produce manual espresso makers, the likes of Rancilio and La Pavoni are familiar names to most people who will have worked in a coffee shop or cafe. They make the large three or two group head commercial espresso machines you'd find in a coffee shop but in 1997 they came up with the Silvia, an automatic, semi-automatic espresso machine that comes with some bells and whistles to help ease the burden out of the making process.
Fully automated espresso machines can complete all the work for you. They will grind the beans and then tamp them up, pull the shot, and even steam your milk. However, they can be costly so you will require a decent bank balance to afford one.
4. Semi-Automatic
Semi-automatic machines are the best choice if the idea of recreating the perfect espresso shot at your favorite cafe in your home is appealing to you. These coffee machines permit you to tweak your preferences as time passes and adjust your espresso drinks according to the way you feel at any given time.
The machines include a portafilter as well as a steam wand. The brewing process used in these machines is similar to that of super automatics, however with added manual steps such as grinding the beans and putting them into the portafilter. These machines require more skill and knowledge to operate, since the brewing process does not run automatically.
A good semi-automatic machine will have a removable portafilter and a tamper to help in compressing the ground coffee inside the portafilter prior to brewing. It also lets you to manage the quantity of water and the pressure used during the brewing process. You can then alter your shots according to your preferences and the type of coffee beans you are using.
Another thing to look out for in a semi-automatic is an adjustable temperature control. This feature allows you to decide the brewing temperature for your coffee beans based on the way they taste. This will also allow you to avoid temperature swings. This is important, especially when it comes the brew-boiler. Without a PID controller the brew temperature can swing up to 20oF from one cup to the next. With a PID controller this swing is limited to approximately 0.1oF.
Some of the top models may also include an milk frother to create milk-based espresso drinks. This will help you create delicious lattes, cappuccinos and macchiatos. 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 an item that has a removable filter basket as well as an automatic dosing system for the grounds. You'll be able not have to do the manual grinding and tamping yourself. It will also make cleaning the machine much easier.