Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
Espresso machines are the ideal way to have the best coffee experience. They're a labour of love but give you control over every aspect of your coffee.
They typically come with an espresso tamper that helps flatten the grinds, and steamers to froth milk for 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 espresso makers for stovetops to help you brew an excellent cup of coffee. They are also known as moka pots. these devices make use of pressure to produce an espresso-like coffee, without the need for any messy filter papers. They are a simple and user-friendly device that can enhance any 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 connect to the upper chamber, where the final drink will be served. When the water is boiling in the bottom, it forces itself through the grounds under high pressure, and then flows into the upper chamber where the aromas are released for you to enjoy. The result is a smoky, aromatic coffee that is delicious by itself or mixed with sugar and milk.
The most important thing to bear in mind when buying moka pots is the capacity of the unit. It is important to make sure that the dimensions of the bottom chamber as well as the capacity of the basket are adequate for your needs since a larger unit will require a long wait time, whereas a smaller model may not be able to generate enough pressure. We recommend that you also take a look at the material that the machine is made from. Steel machines made of stainless steel are more durable and sturdy however they cost more.
Other considerations are how the appliance will function with your chosen heat source (gas or electric) and any other add-ons that might be available, such as milk steamer wands which can be used to heat and froth milk for lattes and cappuccinos. You might also want to look at the number of cups you can make at one time and this could be an important factor in selecting the right size unit for your needs.
We also suggest that you examine the base of the moka pot to ensure it fits on your burner. Some models, like the Stelton collar coffee maker have a base that is narrow which makes it difficult to align the machine on a gas stove. 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 as they were found to carry heat more efficiently and prevent it from sputtering out too quickly.
2. Capsule
There are also capsule coffee machines, that make use of pods to create cappuccinos, espresso, etc. If you don't like messing with grounds, cleaning, and brewing, this is the perfect solution for you.
You'll need to purchase the coffee pods on your own, but there is a large selection on the market from brands like Nespresso, Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. There are a variety of sizes to choose from, so you can choose the size and kind of coffee that best suits your taste. The smallest of these is the Nespresso Essenza Mini, which is perfect for small spaces and makes one cup at a time. A larger model is available that can also take larger cups but will cost more.
For a more sophisticated option that also yields better tasting coffee it is recommended to use the Illy Iperespresso is a stylish shortcut for coffee snobs. It's not the cheapest machine, but it produces excellent coffee. It's also simple to use. It also has a clever feature that lets it recognize the type of coffee it's using and automatically adjusts its settings to match, making it among the most versatile machines in our opinion.
It is recommended to look for an item with a milk carafe in case you want to try out all the drinks you can make with a pod machine. This will allow you to experiment with lattes, cappuccinos and a variety of other drinks. You can still make the majority of popular drinks with a capsule machine, but it will be a hit-and-miss affair.
If you're thinking of buying a capsule machine make sure it is compatible with ESE pods. This typically means it has a basket or adapter to accommodate smaller pods. Some machines in our range have this feature. This means you can use the machine with Nespresso compatible pods, as well as Dolce Gusto and Tassimo pods.
3. Manual
These are manual espresso machines for purists. They look similar to the OG espresso machine invented in Italy in the early 1900's and operate by manually pumping water through a portafilter and locking it, after which forcing water under 9 bars of pressure creating an espresso shot.
A manual espresso maker is typically more of a labour of affection than a capsule maker since they require you to heat the water separately from the coffee, pour it into the chamber above the coffee that has been ground or pods, and then press down on the lever or plunger to create the pressure and push the water through and into the cup below. This method 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 stabilize the temperature of the brew kettle. The great thing about this is that it removes a lot of the guesswork around the optimum brewing temperature and allows you to adjust your espresso with accuracy.
Rancilio, La Pavoni and other large names make manual espresso machines. Most people who have worked in a cafe or cafe are familiar with these names. They make the massive commercial espresso machines with three or two heads that are found in coffee shops, but in 1997, they introduced the Silvia semi-automatic manual espresso machine that comes with a few bells and whistles that reduce the stress out of making coffee.
Fully automated espresso machines will do all the work for you. They will grind the beans and then tamp them up, pull the shot, and some even steam your milk. However, they can be costly therefore you'll require a strong bank balance to be able to afford one.
4. Semi-Automatic
If the thought of replicating an espresso shot from your favorite cafe in your own home is appealing with you, then a semi-automatic machine is the right one for you. These machines let you alter your preferences as time passes, and dial in the espresso you drink according to your mood at any given time.
espresso coffee machine are equipped with a portafilter as well as a steam wand. They have similar brewing processes to super automatics, but they require manual processes such as grinding the beans and putting in the portafilter. These machines require more skill and expertise to operate, since the brewing process is not automated.
A good semi-automatic machine will include a portafilter that is removable and a tamper for firmly compressing the ground coffee inside the portafilter before brewing. It will also allow you to manage the amount of water and pressure that is used in the brewing process. You can then alter your shots to suit your tastes and the type of coffee beans you are using.
Another thing to look for in a semi-automatic is an adjustable temperature control. This feature lets you set the brewing temperatures for your coffee beans based on how they taste. It also helps you avoid temperature fluctuations which is particularly important in the case of the boiler that brews the coffee. The temperature of the brew can vary by up to 20oF in a cup without a PID controller. This swing is reduced to 0.1oF using a PID.
Some of the top models will also include a milk frother for creating espresso drinks based on milk. This allows you to make delicious cappuccinos and lattes. The pitcher that froths should be able to handle comfortably and an spout to make it easy to pour.
It is also recommended to select a model with a filtering basket and an automatic dosing system for the grounds. You'll be able to not have to do the manual grinding and tamping yourself. It will also make cleaning the machine much easier.