Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
Espresso machines are the best way to get the ultimate coffee experience. They're an effort of love, but they allow you complete control over your coffee.
They have an espresso tamper that can flatten the grinds, as well as steamers to froth milk in lattes and cappuccinos.
1. Stovetop
We have a wide range of stovetop coffee makers to help you make a great cup. In the UK there are 98 million cups of coffee are consumed every day. Also known as moka pots, these appliances use pressure to create an espresso-like coffee, without the need for messy filter papers. They are a simple, easy-to-use device that can enhance any coffee and can be used with milk to make cappuccinos and lattes.
The bottom chamber of the moka pot is filled with hot water. The coffee beans are placed in a basket that is between two pipes leading to the upper chamber, where the final drink will be served. When the water in the lower chamber boils, it is pushed through the grounds of the coffee under high pressure. The aromas are released into the upper chamber as the water seeps upwards. The result is a rich, aromatic coffee that you can enjoy by itself or mixed with sugar and milk.
When purchasing a mokapot the most important thing to consider is the unit's capacity. It is crucial to make sure that the size of the bottom chamber as well as the capacity of the basket are sufficient for your requirements as larger pots will require a longer wait time while a smaller one may not be able to build up enough pressure. We also suggest looking at the material that the machine is made from because stainless steel machines tend to be more robust and durable, however they come with a higher cost.
You should also think about whether the appliance is compatible with your chosen heat source, be it gas or electric. Also, you may want to look at any other add-ons that are available, like steamer arms for milk that can be used to heat up and foam milk in cappuccinos and lattes. It is also advisable to consider the number of cups you can make at once and this could be an important factor in selecting 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 the burner you are considering. We discovered that certain models, like the Stelton collar espresso maker, had a narrow base and were difficult to place on a gas stove. On the other hand, wider bases, like those of the Bialetti Venus and the London Sip stovetop espresso makers, gave better results. We also preferred models with thicker walls since they were found to carry heat more efficiently and prevent it from sputtering too fast.
2. Capsule
Similar similar to stovetop models, there are capsule coffee makers which make cappuccinos, espresso and more using pods. This is a great option when you don't want deal with messing around with brewing, grounds and cleaning up afterwards - they provide a quick, simple and hassle-free method of getting your caffeine fix in the morning.
You'll need to purchase the coffee pods on your own, but there is a wide selection available from brands such as Nespresso, Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. There are also a few different sizes to choose from, so you can suit the size of your cup and coffee style to your 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, however they're more expensive.
For a more sophisticated option that also makes better tasting coffee it is recommended to use the Illy Iperespresso is an elegant shortcut for coffee snobs. It's not the most expensive machine, but it makes an excellent cup of coffee. It's also simple to use. It also features an intelligent feature that allows it to recognize the brand of coffee it's using and automatically adjusts its settings to match, making it among the most versatile machines in our opinion.
You should choose an item with a milk carafe in case you are looking to test all the drinks you could make with a pod machine. This lets you play with cappuccinos, lattes and other drinks. You can still make the most well-known drinks with a capsule machine without a milk carafe but it's more than 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 comes with a basket, or adapter to fit these smaller pods. Some machines in our range have this feature. This means you can use the machine with Nespresso compatible pods, and also Dolce Gusto and Tassimo pods.
3. Manual
They are manual espresso machines for those who prefer a more traditional approach. cheap espresso machine resemble the original espresso machine, created in Italy in the early 1900s. They are operated by manually pumping the water into a filter, then locking it, and then forcing the water under pressure of 9 bar to make a shot.
A manual espresso maker is usually more of a labor of love than a capsule machine as they require you to heat the water in a separate manner from your coffee, then pour it into the chamber over the ground coffee 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 complicated, time-consuming, and difficult 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 present in immersion circulators and high-end toasters. It is designed to stabilise the brewing temperature of the boiler. This is a fantastic way to eliminate a lot the guesswork about the ideal brewing temperature.
There are a few big companies that manufacture manual espresso makers. The likes of Rancilio and La Pavoni are familiar names to many who have worked in a coffee shop or cafe. They make the massive commercial espresso machines with two or three heads that are found in coffee shops, but in 1997, they launched the Silvia, a semi-automatic espresso machine that has a few bells and whistles that can reduce the stress out of brewing.
Fully automated espresso machines do all of the tasks for you, they grind the beans, tamp, pull a shot and some will steam your milk too all at the touch of a button, but they can also cost quite a bit of money, so you must have a decent bank balance to be capable of affording one.
4. Semi-Automatic
If the idea of replicating an espresso shot from your favorite cafe in your own home strikes a chord with you, then a semi-automatic machine is the best choice for you. These machines allow you to alter your preferences as time passes and adjust your espresso drink based on your mood at any time.
These machines are outfitted with a portafilter, and steam wand. These machines share a similar brewing process to superautomatics, however they require manual steps like grinding the beans and inserting the portafilter. These machines require more skill and knowledge to operate, since the brewing process is not run in a way that is automated.
A good semi-automatic machine will include a portafilter that is removable and a tamper to help in compressing the ground coffee inside the portafilter prior to making. You can also regulate the amount and the pressure of water used during the process of brewing. You can also alter the shots according to your preferences and the type of coffee beans that 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 the way they taste. This will also help you to avoid temperature swings. This is crucial, especially when it comes the brew-boiler. The temperature of the brew can vary by as much as 20oF between cups without a PID controller. This swing is reduced to 0.1oF by using a PID.
Some of the top models include a milk frother to make milk-based espresso drinks. This can help you make delicious lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos. The frothing jug should have a comfortable grip and an spout that makes pouring easy.
It is also recommended to choose a model with a removable filter basket and a system that automatically doses the grounds. This will help you avoid having to perform manual tamping and grinding on your own. It will also make cleaning the machine much easier.