Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
If you're seeking the ultimate coffee experience, there's nothing better than an espresso machine. They're a labor of passion but they give you control over every aspect of your coffee.
They usually include an espresso tamper to smooth the grinds and a steamer to froth milk for lattes and cappuccinos.
1. Stovetop
There are around 98 million cups of coffee consumed in the UK every day. We have a wide selection of espresso makers for stovetops to help you brew an excellent cup of coffee. These appliances, also known as moka pots use pressure to make an espresso-like cup of tea without the need for messy filter papers. They are a simple, easy-to-use device that can enhance any coffee and can be combined with milk to make cappuccinos or lattes.
The lower chamber of the moka pot is filled with hot water. The coffee beans are placed in a basket between two pipes leading to the upper chamber, where the final drink will be served. When the water in the bottom chamber boils, it pushes through the coffee grounds under pressure that is high. The aromas are released into the upper chamber as the water flows upwards. The end result is an aromatic strong, rich and robust coffee that is delicious on its own or mixed with sugar and milk.
When buying a mokapot, the most important factor to consider is the unit's capacity. It is crucial to check the size of the bottom and the capacity of your basket. A larger unit could require a longer wait time, whereas a smaller unit may not be capable of making enough pressure. We also recommend looking at the material that the machine is made of since stainless steel machines tend to be more robust and durable, but come with a higher cost.
You should also think about whether the appliance is compatible with the heat source, whether it's gas or electric. Also, you may be interested in any other add-ons that are available, like milk steamer arms that are used to heat and make frothy milk in cappuccinos as well as lattes. It is also advisable to consider the number of cups you can make at one time in order to be a helpful factor when choosing the correct size unit for your needs.
We also suggest that you examine the base of the moka pot to ensure it fits on your burner. coffee espresso machines discovered that certain models, such as the Stelton espresso maker with a collar, had a base that was narrow and were difficult to center on a gas stove. On the other hand, larger bases, such as those of the Bialetti Venus and the London Sip stovetop espresso makers, provided better results. We also preferred those with thicker walls since they were found to carry heat more efficiently and stop it sputtering too quickly.
2. Capsule
There are capsule coffee machines which use pods to make cappuccinos, espressos, etc. If you're not a fan of cleaning grounds, cleaning, and brewing, this is the perfect option for you.
You will need to buy the coffee pods on your own, but there is a large selection available from brands like Nespresso, Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. There are a variety of different sizes available and you can tailor your drink size and coffee type to your personal preference. The smallest is the Nespresso Essenza Mini, which is perfect for small spaces and can make one cup at a time. A larger model is available which can also hold larger cups but will cost more.
Illy Iperespresso offers a stylish alternative for coffee lovers who want a more sophisticated machine that produces better tasting coffee. It's not the cheapest machine but it does produce a superb cup of coffee, and is easy to use as well. It also comes with a clever feature that lets it recognise the type of coffee it's using and automatically adjusts its settings to match, making it one of the most versatile machines in our opinion.
You should choose an item with a milk carafe in case you're looking to test the various drinks you can make with a pod maker. This lets you play with lattes, cappuccinos and a variety of other drinks. You can still make the majority of popular drinks using a capsule machine, but it will be a more than a hit-and-miss experience.
If you're interested in getting capsule coffee maker, make sure it is listed as compatible with ESE pods. This typically means it comes with a basket, or adapter that can be used to accommodate smaller pods. Some of the machines we offer have this feature, which means you can use them with Nespresso compatible pods as well as Dolce Gusto or Tassimo pods.
3. Manual
These are manual espresso machines for those who prefer a more traditional approach. They look like the OG espresso machine invented in Italy in the early 1900's and are operated by pumping water manually into the portafilter before locking it and forcing water to 9 bars of pressure, resulting in a shot of espresso.
A manual espresso maker is usually more of a labor of affection than a capsule maker as they require you to heat the water in a separate manner from your coffee, then pour it into the chamber over the pre ground coffee or pods, and then press down on the plunger or lever to create the pressure and force the water through and into the cup below. This method can be messy, time-consuming and frustrating 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 brew boiler temperatures. This is a fantastic way to take away the uncertainty about the optimal brewing temperature.
There are a few major companies that manufacture manual espresso makers, the likes of Rancilio and La Pavoni are familiar names to those who have worked in a coffee shop or cafe. They produce the massive two or three group heads of commercial espresso machines you'd find in a coffee shop but in 1997 they came up with the Silvia, an automated, semi-automatic machine with some bells and whistles to take some of the hassle out of the coffee making process.
Fully automatic espresso machines will do all the work for you. They grind the beans, tamp them, pull the shot, and even steam your milk. However, they are costly and you'll require a strong bank balance to be able to afford one.
4. Semi-Automatic
If the idea of re-creating a perfect espresso shot from your favorite cafe in your own home is appealing to you, then a semi-automatic machine is the right choice for you. These machines allow you to alter your preferences over time and adjust your espresso drink based on your mood at any given time.
The machines include a portafilter as well as a steam wand. The brewing process of these machines is similar to that of superautomatics, but with added manual steps like grinding the beans and inserting them into the portafilter. They also require more understanding and skills to operate because the brewing process is not controlled by a computer.
A good semi-automatic machine will include a portafilter that is removable and a tamper that is capable of compressing the coffee grounds inside the portafilter before brewing. You can also adjust the amount and pressure of water you use during the brewing process. This means you can adjust your shots to your own preferences and the kind of coffee beans you are using.
Another thing to look for in a semi-automatic is an adjustable temperature control. This feature allows you to set the brewing temperature for your coffee beans based on how they taste. This can help you to avoid temperature swings. This is vital particularly when it comes to the boiling brew. Without a PID controller the temperature of the brew can vary up to 20oF from one cup to the next. With PID controllers this swing is limited to approximately 0.1oF.
A few of the more expensive models include a milk froth to make espresso drinks based on milk. This will allow you to make delicious cappuccinos and lattes. The pitcher that froths should have a comfortable handle and an spout to make it easy to pour.
It is also a good idea to choose one with a filtering basket as well as an automatic dosing system for the ground. You will be able to avoid the manual grinding and tamping yourself. This will make cleaning the machine much simpler.