Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
Espresso machines are the best way to have the best coffee experience. They're a labour of love but give you control over every aspect of your coffee.
They usually include an espresso tamper to flatten the grinds and a steamer to froth milk for lattes and cappuccinos.
1. Stovetop
We offer a variety of stovetop coffee makers to assist you in making a perfect cup. In the UK around 98 million cups of coffee are consumed each day. These appliances, also known as moka pots, utilize pressure to create an espresso-like cup of tea without the need for messy filter papers. These simple and easy-to-use devices will enhance any coffee and can also be used with milk to make cappuccinos or lattes.
The bottom of the moka pot is filled with hot water. The coffee grounds are placed in a basket that is between two pipes leading to the upper chamber, where the final drink will be served. As the water boils in the bottom, it forces itself through the grounds at high pressure. It then seeps into the upper chamber where the aromas are released to you to enjoy. The result is a full and aromatic coffee that is delicious by itself or mixed with sugar and milk.
The most important thing to bear in mind when purchasing moka pots is the capacity of the pot. It is essential to make sure the dimensions of the bottom chamber as well as the capacity of the basket is adequate for your needs since larger pots will require a longer waiting time, whereas a smaller model might not be able to build up enough pressure. We recommend that you also look at the material the machine is made of. The stainless steel machines are more durable and stronger but they can cost more.
It is also important to consider whether the appliance is compatible with your preferred heat source, whether it's electric or gas. Also, you may consider looking into any other add-ons that are available, such as steamer arms for milk that are used to heat and froth milk in cappuccinos and lattes. You may also consider the number of cups you can make in one go, as this is a good way to determine the ideal size for your needs.
We would also suggest making sure that the moka maker you are considering will have 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 very narrow base and were difficult to put in the proper spot on a gas stove. On the other hand, wider bases, like those of the Bialetti Venus and the London Sip stovetop espresso makers, provided better results. We also preferred models with thicker walls as this was found to conduct the heat more efficiently and prevent it from exploding too quickly.
2. Capsule
There are also capsule coffee machines, which use pods to make cappuccinos, espresso, etc. This is an excellent option for those who don't want to have to deal with messing with grounds, brewing and cleaning up after - they provide a quick, simple and hassle-free way to get your caffeine fix in the morning.
You'll need to purchase the coffee pods on your own, but there are a variety available from brands such as Nespresso, Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. There are various sizes to choose from so you can select the size and type of coffee that is best for your taste. The smallest of these is the Nespresso Essenza Mini, which is ideal for small spaces and makes one cup at one time. A larger model is available which can also hold larger cups however it will cost more.
For a more sophisticated option that also makes better tasting coffee The Illy Iperespresso is a stylish shortcut for coffee snobs. It's not the cheapest machine but it does produce excellent coffee, and is easy to use as well. It also has an intelligent feature that allows it to recognise the brand of pod it's using and automatically adjusts its settings accordingly it, making it among the most versatile machines in our opinion.
If you're looking to explore the entire range of drinks you can make using a pod coffee maker, it's worth looking for a model that comes with a milk carafe. This will let you experiment with lattes and cappuccinos. You can still make these popular drinks using a capsule maker without a milk carafe but it's more of a hit and miss affair.
If you're interested in getting capsule coffee machines ensure that it is marked as compatible with ESE pods. This usually means it comes with a basket, or adapter to fit smaller pods. Some of our machines in our collection have this feature, meaning 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 resemble the original espresso machine, created in Italy in the early 1900s. They operate by pumping the water manually into a filter, locking it and then forcing the water under 9 bar of pressure to make an espresso.
A manual espresso maker is typically more of a labour of love than a capsule machine as they require you to heat the water separately from your coffee, then pour it into the chamber above the ground coffee or pods, and then press down on the lever or plunger to create pressure and push the water through and into the cup below. This method of operation can be messy, lengthy and a bit frustrating to master, but the result is well worth the effort.
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 stabilise the brewing temperature of the boiler. This is a fantastic way to take away the uncertainty about the optimal temperature for brewing.
Rancilio, La Pavoni and other big names produce manual espresso machines. The majority of people who have worked in a coffee shop or cafe are familiar with these names. They produce the large commercial espresso machines with two or three heads that you see in coffee shops, but in 1997, they introduced the Silvia, a semi-automatic manual espresso machine that comes with some bells and whistles that help to reduce the stress out of making coffee.
Fully Automatic espresso machines will do all the work for you. They grind the beans, tamp and then pull shots and steam your milk too all at the push of a button. However, they can also cost a pretty penny therefore you'll need an adequate amount of cash to be capable of affording one.
4. Semi-Automatic
Semi-automatic machines are the ideal option for you if the idea of recreating the perfect espresso shot from your favorite café in your home is appealing to you. These machines allow you to alter your preferences as time passes and also adjust the amount of the espresso you drink according to your mood at any given moment.
The machines come with a portafilter and steam wand. These machines share a similar brewing process to super automatics, but they require manual steps like grinding the beans and inserting the portafilter. best home espresso machine require more skills and knowledge to operate, since the brewing process is not run in a way that is automated.
A good semi-automatic will come with a portafilter that can be removed and a tamper that is capable of compressing the ground coffee inside the portafilter before brewing. It will also allow you to control the quantity of water and the pressure that is used in the brewing process. This means that you can tailor the shots you drink according to your personal preferences and the kind of coffee beans you are using.
A semi-automatic should have an adjustable temperature control that can be adjustable. This feature lets you decide the brewing temperature for your coffee beans based on how they taste. It also allows you to avoid fluctuations in temperature, which is especially important when it comes to the brew boiler. The brew temperature could vary by 20oF between cups without a PID controller. With a PID controller this swing is limited to about 0.1oF.
Some of the higher-end models come with a milk frother to make milk-based espresso drinks. This will allow you to make delicious lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos. The frothing jug should be able to be held comfortably and have an spout that makes pouring effortless.
It is also an excellent idea to select one that has a removable filter basket as well as an automatic dosing system for grounds. You will be able to avoid the manual grinding and tamping yourself. It will also make cleaning the machine easier.