Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
If you're looking for the best coffee experience, there's no better than an espresso machine. They're a labor of passion but allow you to control every aspect of your coffee.
They usually include an espresso tamper to flatten the grinds, and steamer to froth the milk for lattes and cappuccinos.
1. Stovetop
We have a wide range of stovetop coffee makers that will assist you in making a perfect cup. In the UK around 98 million cups of coffee are consumed each day. Also known as moka pots, these devices utilize pressure to make espresso-like cup of coffee without the need for messy filter papers. They are a simple and easy-to-use device that can enhance any type of coffee and can be combined with milk to make cappuccinos and lattes.
The bottom of the moka pot is filled with hot water. The coffee grounds are placed in a basket, which is between two pipes leading to the upper chamber where the brewed beverage will be served. As the water in the lower chamber heats up, it pushes through the grounds of the coffee under high pressure. The aromas are released into the upper chamber as the water seeps upwards. The end result is a smoky, rich and strong coffee that is delicious on its own or with milk and sugar.
The main thing to bear in mind when buying a moka pot is the capacity of the pot. It is essential to ensure that the size of the bottom chamber as well as the capacity of the basket are sufficient for your requirements as a larger unit will require a longer waiting time, whereas a smaller model may not be able to generate enough pressure. We also suggest looking at the materials the machine is constructed from since stainless steel machines tend to be stronger and more durable, but they also come with a higher cost.
www.coffeee.uk to consider is whether the appliance will work with the heat source you choose (gas or electric) and any other add-ons you might have, such as steamer wands for milk that are used to heat and froth the milk for cappuccinos and lattes. You might also want to consider the number of cups you can make in one go and this could be an important factor in selecting the right size for your needs.
We also suggest that you check the base of the moka maker to ensure that it is a good fit on your burner. Certain models, such as the Stelton collar coffee maker, have a narrow base which makes it difficult to place the machine on a gas stove. However, wider bases such as those of the Bialetti venus and London Sip stovetop coffee makers, give better results. We also preferred models with thicker walls since they were found to transfer heat more efficiently and stop it from sputtering out too quickly.
2. Capsule
There are also capsule coffee machines, which use pods to make espresso, cappuccinos, etc. If you don't like making mess with grounds, cleaning and making coffee, this is the perfect option for you.
You will need to buy the coffee pods separately, however there is a wide selection on the market from brands like Nespresso, Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. There are various sizes to choose from and you can pick the size and type of coffee that suits your taste. The Nespresso Essenza Mini is the smallest and is ideal for small space. It makes one cup of coffee at one time. A larger model is available that can also take larger cups but will cost more.
Illy Iperespresso offers a stylish alternative for coffee snobs who are looking for a more sophisticated machine that produces better tasting coffee. It's not the most expensive machine, but it does make an excellent cup of coffee. It's also simple to use. It has a clever feature which allows it to automatically alter its settings in accordance with the type of pods it's using. This makes it one of the most adaptable machines in our opinion.
If you're looking to explore the entire range of drinks that you can make with a pod-based coffee maker It is worth looking for a model that comes with a milk carafe. This lets you play with cappuccinos, lattes, and a variety of other drinks. You can still make the most well-known drinks using a capsule maker without a milk carafe however, it's more of a hit and miss affair.
If you're interested in getting a capsule coffee machine be sure that it's marked as compatible with ESE pods. It will have an adapter or basket that fits these smaller pods. Some machines in our range have this feature. This means that you can use the machine with Nespresso compatible pods, and also Dolce Gusto and Tassimo pods.
3. Manual
The name suggests that they are espresso machines operated manually intended for those who are a bit more strict. They look like the original espresso machine developed in Italy in the early 1900s. They operate by manually pumping water into a filter, securing it, and then pushing the water under 9 bar of pressure to make shots.
A manual espresso maker is typically more of a labor of love than a capsule machine because they require you to heat the water separately from your coffee, pour it into the chamber over the coffee that has been ground or pods, and then press down on the plunger or lever to create pressure and force the water through and into the cup below. This method is messy, time-consuming and frustrating to master, but the final 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 piece of technology that can be found in immersion circulators, high-end toasters and is designed to stabilise the brew boiler temperature. The great thing about this is that it removes much of the guesswork about the ideal temperature for brewing and allows you to adjust your espresso with precision.
Rancilio, La Pavoni and other large names make manual espresso machines. Many who have worked in a coffee shop or cafe are familiar with these names. They produce the massive two or three group heads of commercial espresso machines that you would find in a cafe however in 1997 they introduced the Silvia which is an automatic, semi-automatic espresso machine that has a few bells and whistles to alleviate some of the stress out of the brewing process.
Fully automated espresso machines can do all the work for you. They'll grind the beans and tamp them before pulling the shot, and some even steam your milk. However, they can be costly and you'll need a good cash flow to be able to afford one.
4. Semi-Automatic
If the idea of replicating an espresso shot from your favorite café at home is appealing with you, then a semi-automatic machine is the right choice for you. These machines let you alter your preferences over time and also adjust the amount of your espresso drink based on your mood at any time.
They come with a portafilter and steam wand. These machines share the same brewing process as super automatics, however they require manual steps like grinding the beans and inserting the portafilter. These machines require more skills and expertise to operate, because the brewing process does not run automatically.
A semi-automatic machine that is good will have filters that can be removed and a tamper to compress the coffee grounds in the portafilter prior to making. It also lets you to control the amount of water and pressure used in the brewing process. This means that you can tailor your shots according to your personal preferences and to the specific type of coffee bean that you are using.
A semi-automatic should also have a temperature control that can be adjusted. This feature allows you set the brewing temperatures for your coffee beans based on how they taste. This will also allow you avoid temperature swings. This is vital, especially when it comes the brew-boiler. Without a PID control, the temperature of brewing can fluctuate by up to 20oF from one cup to the next. With a PID controller this swing is limited to around 0.1oF.
Some of the more premium models will also include a milk frother for creating milk-based espresso drinks. This will help you create delicious cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos. The frothing container should be comfortable to hold and have a spout to make pouring effortless.
You should also choose a model with a removable filter basket, as well as a system that automatically doses the grounds. This will prevent you from having to perform grinding and tamping manually on your own. It also makes cleaning the machine easier.