Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
Espresso machines are the best way to have the best coffee experience. They are an act of love, but they allow you total control over the coffee you drink.
They have an espresso tamper to flatten the grinds, and a steamer for frothing milk in lattes and cappuccinos.
1. Stovetop
There are approximately 98 million cups of coffee consumed in the UK every day and we have a fantastic range of espresso makers that can be used on stovetops to help you brew a great cup of coffee. Known as moka pots, these appliances utilize pressure to make espresso-like coffee without the need for any messy filter paper. These simple and easy to use devices will enhance any coffee and can also be used with milk to make lattes or cappuccinos.
Moka pots have a bottom chamber which is filled with water, and the coffee is placed in a basket between two pipes that lead to the upper chamber where the beverage is served. As the water boils in the bottom, it forces its way through the grounds at high pressure. It then seeps into the upper chamber, where the aromas are released for you to enjoy. The result is a smoky and aromatic coffee that is delicious on its own or paired with sugar and milk.
When you are buying a mokapot the most important thing to take into consideration is the unit's capacity. It is important to ensure that the dimensions of the bottom chamber as well as the capacity of the basket will be sufficient for your needs as larger units will require a longer waiting time, whereas a smaller model may not be able to generate enough pressure. We recommend that you also look at the material the machine is made of. Stainless steel machines are more durable and sturdy however they cost more.
You should also think about whether the appliance is compatible with the heating source, whether electric or gas. Additionally, you might consider looking into any other add-ons that are available, like steamer arms for milk that can be used to heat up and make frothy milk in cappuccinos as well as lattes. You should also think about the amount of cups you can make in one go, as this can be a great method to determine the best size unit for you.
We also suggest to check the base of the moka pot to ensure that it is a good fit on your burner. Some models, like the Stelton collar coffee maker have a very narrow base that makes it difficult to align the machine on a gas burner. However, bases with a wider width, such as those of the Bialetti venus and London Sip stovetop coffee makers, provide better results. We also preferred those with thicker walls as they were found to conduct heat more efficiently and avoid it from sputtering too fast.
2. Capsule
Similar to the stovetop models, there are capsule coffee makers which make cappuccinos, espresso and so on using pods. This is an excellent option for those who don't want to be tangled with brewing, grounds, and cleaning up afterwards - they are an easy, quick and effortless method of getting your caffeine fix in the morning.
You will have purchase the coffee pods separately. There are many brands to choose from, including Nespresso Dolce Gusto, and Tassimo. There are also a few different sizes to choose from to allow you to tailor the size of your beverage and coffee type to your own preference. The smallest is the Nespresso Essenza Mini, which is ideal for small areas and makes one cup at one time. A larger model is also available which can also hold larger cups but will cost more.
For a more sophisticated choice that also produces better tasting coffee The Illy Iperespresso is a chic alternative for coffee lovers. It's not the most affordable machine, but it does produce an excellent cup of coffee, and is easy to use as well. It also features a clever feature that allows it to recognise the type of coffee it's using and automatically adjusts its settings to match it, making it one of the most versatile machines in our opinion.
If coffee and espresso maker Coffeee looking to explore the wide range of drinks you can prepare with a pod-based coffee maker It is worth looking for a model that includes a milk carafe. This will let you experiment 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 of a hit and miss affair.
If you're thinking of buying capsule coffee machines ensure that it is marked as compatible with ESE pods. It will have an adapter or basket that will fit these smaller pods. Some machines in our range have this feature. This means that you can use the machine with Nespresso compatible pods as well as Dolce Gusto and Tassimo pods.
3. Manual
As the name suggests these are espresso machines operated manually designed for those who prefer a more traditional approach. They look like the original espresso machine, developed in Italy in the early 1900s. They are operated by manually pumping the water into a filter, securing it and then forcing the water under pressure of 9 bar to make shots.
A manual espresso maker is often more of a labor of affection than a capsule maker because they require you to heat the water in a separate manner from the coffee, pour it into the chamber above the pre ground coffee 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 of operation can be quite messy, time consuming and a bit frustrating to master, but the end result is 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. The great thing about this is that it takes away a lot of the guesswork regarding the ideal temperature for brewing and allows you to adjust the temperature of your espresso with accuracy.
Rancilio, La Pavoni and other major brands make manual espresso machines. Most people who have worked in a cafe or cafe will be familiar with these names. They manufacture the huge three or two group heads of commercial espresso machines that you see in a coffee shop but in 1997 they created the Silvia which is a semi-automatic, manual espresso machine that comes with some bells and whistles that help take some of the hassle out of the coffee making process.
Fully automatic espresso machines will take care of all the work for you. They grind the beans and tamp them before pulling the shot, and even steam your milk. However, they are costly and you'll require a strong budget to be able to afford one.
4. Semi-Automatic
Semi-automatic machines are a great option when the idea of replicating the perfect espresso shot in your favorite café in your home appeals to you. These coffee machines permit you to tweak your preferences as time passes and adjust your espresso drinks based on how you feel at any given time.
The machines include a portafilter as well as steam wand. The brewing process in these machines is similar to that of superautomatics, but with added manual steps like grinding the beans and putting them into 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 for firmly compressing the coffee grounds inside the portafilter before making. It also lets you to regulate the amount of water and pressure used during the brewing process. This means you can customize your shots according to your personal preferences, and to the particular kind of coffee beans you are using.
Another thing to look for in a semi-automatic coffee maker is an adjustable temperature control. This feature allows you to set the brewing temperature for your coffee beans in accordance with the way they taste. It will also help you avoid temperature swings which is crucial when it comes to the brew boiler. The brew temperature can fluctuate by as much as 20oF between cups without a PID controller. This fluctuation is reduced to 0.1oF using a PID.
Some of the more premium models will also include a milk frother for creating espresso drinks that are based on milk. This lets you make delicious lattes and cappuccinos. The pitcher that froths should have a comfortable handle as well as an spout to make it easy to pour.
It is also recommended to select a model with a filtering basket as well as an automated dosing system for grounds. You'll be able avoid doing the manual grinding and tapping yourself. This will make cleaning the machine much easier.