Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
Espresso machines are the ideal way to have the best coffee experience. They are an act of passion, but they also give you total control over the coffee you drink.
They typically include an espresso tamper to smooth the grinds and a steamer to froth milk for lattes and cappuccinos.
1. Stovetop
We have a wide range of stovetop coffee makers that can aid you in making a fantastic cup. In the UK around 98 million cups of coffee are consumed each day. Also known as moka pots, these appliances use pressure to create an espresso-like cup of coffee without the need for any messy filter papers. They are a simple and easy-to-use device that can be used to enhance any type of coffee, and can be used with milk to make cappuccinos or lattes.
Moka pots have the bottom chamber, which is filled with water, while the coffee grounds are placed in a basket in between two pipes which lead to the upper chamber, where the final beverage is served. When the water in the bottom chamber boils, it pushes through the grounds of the coffee under high pressure. The aromas are released into the upper chamber as the water flows upwards. The result is a full and aromatic coffee that you can enjoy on its own or paired with milk and sugar.
The main thing to bear in mind when purchasing a moka pot is the capacity of the pot. It is essential to look at the dimensions of the bottom as well as the capacity of the basket. A larger model may require a longer waiting time, while a smaller unit may not be capable of making enough pressure. We suggest that you take a look at the material that the machine is constructed of. Stainless steel machines are more durable and stronger but they can cost more.
Other considerations are whether the appliance can work with the heat source you choose (gas or electric) and any extra add-ons that might be available, such as milk steamer wands that can be used to heat and froth milk to make cappuccinos and lattes. It is also worth considering the amount of cups you can prepare in one sitting, as this is a good way to determine the ideal size for your needs.
Lastly, we would recommend checking that the moka pot you're considering has a wide enough base to be able to fit on your preferred burner. Some models, like the Stelton collar coffee maker have a base that is narrow which makes it difficult to center the machine on a gas stove. However, wider bases like those of the Bialetti venus and London Sip stovetop coffee makers, yield better results. We also preferred those with thicker walls because they were found to conduct heat more efficiently and prevent it from sputtering too fast.
2. Capsule
In a similar vein to stovetop models there are capsule coffee makers that make espresso, cappuccinos and other drinks with pods. If you don't like messing with grounds, cleaning, and making coffee this is the best solution for you.
You will have to purchase the coffee pods separately. There are many brands available, including Nespresso Dolce Gusto, and Tassimo. There are several sizes to choose from, so you can choose the size and type of coffee that is best for your taste. The Nespresso Essenza Mini is the smallest and is ideal for small spaces. It can make one cup of coffee at one time. A larger model is also available which can also hold larger cups, but it will cost more.
Illy Iperespresso is a chic alternative for coffee snobs who want a more sophisticated machine that makes better tasting coffee. It's not the cheapest machine however it produces a superb cup of coffee and is simple to use as well. It also features an innovative feature that allows it to recognise the brand of pod it's using and automatically adjusts its settings to match, making it among the most versatile in our opinion.
It is recommended to look for one with a milk carafe in case you want to try out all the drinks you could make with a pod machine. This will allow you to experiment with cappuccinos, lattes and a variety of other drinks. You can still make most popular drinks with capsule machines, but it will be a hit-and-miss affair.
If you're thinking of buying a capsule machine, check that it is compatible with ESE pods. This typically means it comes with a basket, or adapter to fit smaller pods. Some of the machines we offer have this feature, meaning you can use them with Nespresso compatible pods as well as Dolce Gusto or Tassimo pods.
3. Manual
These are espresso machines that are manual for purists. They look like the OG espresso machine invented in Italy in the early 1900's. They are operated by manually pumping water through the portafilter before locking it and forcing water under 9 bars of pressure to create an espresso shot.
Manual espresso makers are often more labor-intensive than capsule machines. You must 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 method is messy, time-consuming and a bit frustrating to master, but the end result is worth the effort.
Click Home 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 piece of technology that is found in immersion circulators, high-end toasters and is designed to stabilize the temperature of the brew boiler. This is a fantastic way to eliminate a lot the uncertainty about the optimal brewing temperature.
Rancilio, La Pavoni and other major brands make manual espresso machines. Many who have worked in a coffee shop or cafe will be familiar with these names. They manufacture the huge commercial espresso machines that have three or two heads that you can see in coffee shops, but in 1997, they introduced the Silvia semi-automatic manual espresso machine that comes with some bells and whistles that help to alleviate some of the hassle out of making coffee.
Fully automated espresso machines can complete all the work for you. They will grind the beans and tamp them before pulling the shot, and some even steam your milk. However, they are costly so you will require a decent budget to be able to afford one.
4. Semi-Automatic
If the idea of re-creating a perfect espresso shot from your favorite café in your own home strikes a chord with you, then a semi-automatic machine is the right one for you. These machines allow you to adjust your preferences over time and dial in your espresso drinks based on the way you feel at any given moment.
The machines are equipped with a portafilter and a steam wand. These machines share the same brewing process as superautomatics, however they require manual steps such as grinding beans and inserting the portafilter. These machines require more skill and know-how to operate since the brewing process does not run automatically.
A semi-automatic machine that's good will come with an adjustable filter as well as an tamper that compresses the coffee grounds inside the portafilter prior to brewing. You can also adjust the amount and pressure of water you use during the brewing process. You can then customize your shots based on your preferences and the type of coffee beans that you are using.
Another feature to look for in a semi-automatic machine 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 help you avoid temperature fluctuations. This is important especially with regards to the brew-boiler. The temperature of the brew can vary by as much as 20oF between cups without a PID controller. The swing is lowered to 0.1oF using a PID.
Some of the more premium models also come with an milk frother to create espresso drinks that are based on milk. This will help you create delicious cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos. The frothing pitcher should have a comfortable handle as well as an spout that allows for easy pouring.
It is also an excellent idea to select one that has a removable filter basket as well as an automated dosing system for the grounds. This will help you avoid having to do the manual tamping and grinding on your own. This will make cleaning the machine simpler.