Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
If you're looking for the ultimate coffee experience, there's nothing better than an espresso machine. They're a labor of love, but they give you total control over your coffee.
They typically include an espresso tamper to flatten the grinds and steamer to froth the milk for lattes and cappuccinos.
1. Stovetop
We offer a variety of stovetop coffee makers to aid you in making a fantastic cup. In the UK, approximately 98 millions cups of coffee are consumed each day. These devices, also referred to as moka pots, use pressure to create an espresso-like cup of tea without the messy need for filter papers. These simple and easy-to-use appliances will enhance any coffee, and can be used with milk for lattes or cappuccinos.
The bottom of the moka pot is filled with hot water. The ground coffee is placed in a basket, which is between two pipes that connect to the upper chamber where the brewed beverage will be served. As the water boils in the bottom, it forces its way through the grounds at high pressure and seeps up into the upper chamber where the aromas are released for you to enjoy. The result is a rich and aromatic coffee that you can enjoy on its own or paired with milk and sugar.
When buying a mokapot, the first thing you need to think about is the pot's capacity. It is crucial to ensure that the dimensions of the bottom chamber as well as the capacity of the basket are sufficient for your requirements as larger pots will require a longer waiting time, whereas a smaller model may not be able create enough pressure. We also suggest looking at the materials the machine is made from, as stainless steel machines tend to be stronger and more durable, but they also come with a higher cost.
Other things to consider is how the appliance will function with the heat source you choose (gas or electric) and any additional accessories that are available, such as milk steamer wands that can be used to heat and froth milk for cappuccinos and lattes. It is also worth considering the amount of cups you are able to make in one go, since this can be a great method to determine the best size for your needs.
We would also recommend that you examine the base of the moka maker to ensure it will fit on your burner. Some models, like the Stelton collar coffee maker, have a base that is narrow which makes it difficult to align the machine on a gas stove. However, bases with a wider width like those of the Bialetti venus and London Sip stovetop coffee makers, provide better results. We also preferred those with thicker walls as this was found to transfer heat more efficiently and prevent it from sputtering out too fast.
2. Capsule
There are capsule coffee machines, which use pods to make cappuccinos, espresso, etc. If you aren't a fan of cleaning grounds, cleaning and brewing, this is the perfect alternative for you.
You will need to buy the coffee pods on your own, but there is a wide selection available from brands such as Nespresso, Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. There are a variety of sizes to choose from, so you can choose the size and type of coffee that is best for your taste. The smallest model is the Nespresso Essenza Mini, which is perfect for small spaces and can make one cup at a time. There is a larger model that can handle larger cups, but they are more expensive.
For a more sophisticated choice that also yields better tasting coffee The Illy Iperespresso is a stylish alternative for coffee lovers. It's not the most expensive machine, but it produces excellent coffee. It's also easy to use. It also features an innovative feature that allows it to recognize the brand of pod it's using and automatically adjusts its settings to match it, making it among the most versatile in our opinion.
If you want to explore the entire range of drinks that you can make with a pod-based coffee maker, it's worth looking for a model with a milk carafe. This will let you play around with cappuccinos and lattes. 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 are interested in purchasing a capsule machine, check that it is compatible with ESE pods. It will come with a basket or adapter that will fit these smaller pods. Certain 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
These are espresso machines that are manual for those who are a bit more discerning. They look like the original espresso machine developed in Italy in the early 1900s. Coffeee are operated by manually pumping the water into a filter, then locking it, and then forcing the water under pressure of 9 bar to make an espresso.
A manual espresso maker is typically more of a labor of passion than a capsule machine as they require you to heat the water in a separate manner from your coffee, pour it into the chamber over the pre ground coffee 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 process can be complicated, time-consuming, and difficult 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 is a piece technology that can be found in high-end immersion circulators and toasters, and is designed to stabilise the temperature of the brew boiler. The benefit of this is that it removes a lot of the guesswork around the optimal temperature for brewing and allows you to adjust your espresso with precision.
Rancilio, La Pavoni and other large names make manual espresso machines. Most people who have worked in a cafe or cafe are familiar with these names. They make the massive commercial espresso machines that have two or three heads that you see in coffee shops, but in 1997, they launched the Silvia semi-automatic espresso machine that has a few bells and whistles that help to alleviate some of the hassle out of making espresso.
Fully automated espresso machines will complete all the work for you. They'll grind the beans and then tamp them up, pull the shot, and some even steam your milk. But they are expensive and you'll require a strong cash flow to be able to afford one.
4. Semi-Automatic
Semi-automatic machines are the ideal option for you If the idea of re-creating the perfect espresso shot in your favorite cafe in your home is appealing to you. These machines allow you to alter your preferences over time, and dial in the espresso you drink according to your mood at any moment.
These machines are outfitted with a portafilter as well as steam wand. The brewing process in these machines is similar to that of super automatics, however with added manual steps like grinding the beans before putting them into the portafilter. These machines require more skills and knowledge to operate, since the brewing process is not run in a way that is automated.
A good semi-automatic machine will come with a portafilter that can be removed and a tamper to help in compressing the coffee grounds inside the portafilter prior to making. You can also regulate the amount and the pressure of water used during the brewing process. This means that you can tailor your shots according to your personal preferences and the kind of coffee beans you are using.
A semi-automatic must also include the ability to control temperature that can be adjustable. This feature allows you to decide the brewing temperature for your coffee beans based on their taste. This will also allow you avoid temperature swings. This is important especially with regards to the brew-boiler. The brew temperature could vary by as much as 20oF between cups without a PID controller. This fluctuation is lowered to 0.1oF using a PID.
A few of the more expensive models include a milk froth to create milk-based espresso drinks. This lets you make delicious cappuccinos and lattes. The frothing jug should be comfortable to hold and have a spout to make pouring effortless.
It is also recommended to choose an option with a detachable filter basket and a system that automatically doses the grounds. You will be able to avoid the manual grinding and tapping yourself. This will make cleaning the machine much simpler.