Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
If you're looking for the ultimate coffee experience, there's no better than an espresso machine. They are an effort of love, but they allow you total control over your coffee.
They usually include an espresso tamper to smooth the grinds and a steamer to froth milk for lattes and cappuccinos.
1. Stovetop
There are 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 an excellent cup of coffee. These appliances, also known as moka pots, utilize pressure to make an espresso-like cup of tea without the messy need for filter papers. They are a simple, easy-to-use device that will improve any kind of coffee and can be combined with milk to make cappuccinos and lattes.
Moka pots are equipped with the bottom chamber, which is filled with water, and the coffee is placed in a basket between two pipes which lead to the upper chamber, where the finished beverage is served. As the water heats up in the bottom, it forces its way through the grounds at high pressure and seeps up into the upper chamber, where the aromas are released to you to take pleasure in. The result is a rich aromatic coffee that can be consumed by itself or mixed with milk and sugar.
The most important thing to bear in mind when buying a moka pot is the capacity of the unit. It is essential to check the size of the bottom and the capacity of your basket. A larger pot could require a longer wait time, while a smaller unit might not be capable of building up enough pressure. It is also recommended to look at the materials the machine is made from since stainless steel machines are stronger and more durable, but they also come with a higher cost.
Other things to consider is whether the appliance will work with the source of heat you prefer (gas or electric) and any extra accessories that are available like steamer wands for milk that can be used to heat and froth milk to make lattes and cappuccinos. It is also advisable to take a look at the amount of cups that you can make at one time in order to be a helpful factor when selecting the right size unit for you.
We also suggest that you examine the base of the moka pot to ensure it fits on your burner. We found that some models, like the Stelton espresso maker with a collar, had a very narrow base and were difficult to center on a gas stove. On the other hand, larger bases, such as 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 exploding too fast.
2. Capsule
Similar similar to stovetop models, there are capsule coffee machines that make espresso, cappuccinos and other drinks using pods. If you aren't a fan of making mess with grounds, cleaning and brewing, this is the perfect option for you.
You will have purchase the coffee pods separately. There are a variety of brands to choose from, such as Nespresso Dolce Gusto, and Tassimo. There are a variety of different sizes to choose from and you can tailor your drink size and the type of coffee to your preference. The Nespresso Essenza Mini is the smallest and is ideal for small space. It can make one cup of coffee at one time. You can also get a larger model that can handle larger cups, but they're more expensive.
Illy Iperespresso offers a stylish alternative for coffee snobs who prefer a sophisticated machine that produces better tasting coffee. It isn't the cheapest machine but it does produce a superb cup of coffee and is simple to use too. It comes with a clever feature that lets it automatically adjust its settings according to the type of pods it's using. This makes it one of the most flexible machines, in our opinion.
If you're interested in exploring the wide range of drinks you can make using a pod coffee maker it is recommended to look for a model that comes with a milk carafe. This will let you 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 of a hit-and-miss affair.
If you are interested in buying a capsule, check that it is compatible with ESE pods. This typically means it comes with a basket or adapter that can be used to accommodate these smaller pods. Some of our models include this feature. This means you can use the machine with Nespresso compatible pods and also Dolce Gusto and Tassimo pods.
3. Manual
These are manual espresso machines for those who prefer a more traditional approach. They look like the original espresso machine, invented in Italy in the early 1900s. They are operated by manually pumping water into a filter, then locking it, and then forcing the water under pressure of 9 bar to make shots.
A manual espresso maker is typically more of a labor of love than a capsule machine as they require you to heat the water in a separate manner from the coffee, pour it into the chamber over the coffee that has been ground or pods and then press down on the plunger or lever to create pressure and push the water through and into the cup below. This process can be messy, time-consuming and frustrating 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 technology is found in high-end immersion circulators and toasters. It is designed to stabilise brew boiler temperatures. This is a fantastic way to eliminate a lot the guesswork about the ideal temperature for brewing.
There are a few big companies that manufacture manual espresso makers, the likes of Rancilio and La Pavoni are familiar names to those who have worked in a coffee shop or cafe. They produce the large commercial espresso machines that have three or two heads that are found in coffee shops, but in 1997, they introduced the Silvia, a semi-automatic espresso machine that has some bells and whistles that can alleviate some of the hassle out of brewing.
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 are costly and you'll require a decent bank balance to be able to afford one.
4. Semi-Automatic
If the thought of replicating an espresso shot from your favorite café in your own home strikes a chord with you, then a semi-automatic machine is the right choice for you. These machines allow you to alter your preferences over time and also adjust the amount of your espresso drink based on your mood at any given moment.
These machines include a portafilter as well as a steam wand. The brewing process used in these machines is similar to super automatics, however with added manual steps like grinding the beans and inserting them into the portafilter. These machines require more skills and knowledge to operate, since the brewing process is not automated.
A semi-automatic machine which is good will come with filters that can be removed and an tamper that compresses the coffee grounds inside the portafilter prior to making. You can also adjust the amount and pressure of water used in the process of brewing. You can then customize your shots based on your preferences and the type of coffee beans you are using.
Another feature to look for in a semi-automatic is the ability to adjust the temperature. This feature allows you to set the brewing temperature for your coffee beans based on how they taste. This will also allow you to avoid temperature swings. This is vital especially with regards to the boiling brew. Without a PID control, the brew temperature can swing up to 20oF from one cup to the next. With Coffeee , this swing is limited to approximately 0.1oF.
Some of the higher-end models include a milk frother to make espresso drinks based on milk. This will allow you to make delicious lattes and cappuccinos. The frothing jug must have a comfortable grip and an spout that makes pouring easy.
It is also recommended to choose an option with a detachable filter basket, as well as an automatic system to dose the ground. This will save you from having to do the grinding and tamping manually on your own. It also makes cleaning the machine much easier.