Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
If you're seeking the ultimate coffee experience, you can't beat an espresso machine. They are an effort of passion, but they also give you complete control over the coffee you drink.
They typically come with an espresso tamper that helps flatten the grinds, and steamers to froth milk for lattes and cappuccinos.
1. Stovetop
There are approximately 98 million cups of coffee consumed in the UK every day and we have a huge selection of espresso makers for stovetops to help you make the perfect cup of coffee. They are also known as moka pots. these appliances use pressure to create an espresso-like coffee without the need for any messy filter paper. They are a simple, easy-to-use device that can enhance any type of coffee and can be used with milk to make cappuccinos or lattes.
Moka pots come with an inner chamber that is filled with water while the ground coffee sits in a basket that is surrounded by two pipes leading to the upper chamber where the finished beverage is served. As the water in the bottom chamber boils, it is pushed through the grounds of the coffee under pressure that is high. The aromas are released into the upper chamber as the water flows upwards. The result is a smoky aromatic coffee that is delicious on its own or paired with sugar and milk.
The most important thing to keep in mind when purchasing a moka pot is the capacity of the unit. It is crucial to examine the size of the bottom and the capacity of your basket. A larger unit could require a longer wait time, whereas a smaller unit might not be capable of building up enough pressure. It is also recommended to look at the materials the machine is constructed from because stainless steel machines are sturdier and more durable but they also come with a higher price tag.
Other factors to consider is how the appliance will function with the heat source you choose (gas or electric) and any other accessories that are available, such as steamer wands for milk that are used to heat and froth milk to make lattes and cappuccinos. You should also think about the number of cups you can prepare in one go, since this can be a great way to determine the right size unit for you.
We would also suggest checking that the moka pot you are considering will have an adequate base that will fit on your chosen burner. We found that some models, such as the Stelton collar espresso maker had a very narrow base and were difficult to place on a gas burner. However, larger bases, such as those of the Bialetti Venus and London Sip stovetop espresso makers , produced better results. We also preferred those with thicker walls because they were found to transfer heat more efficiently and prevent it sputtering too quickly.
2. Capsule
There are capsule coffee machines, which use pods to make espresso, cappuccinos, etc. This is an excellent option if you don't want to deal with messing around with brewing, grounds and cleaning up - they are a quick, simple and effortless method to get your caffeine fix in the morning.
You'll need to purchase the coffee pods separately, however there is a large selection on the market from brands such as Nespresso, Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. There are a variety of different sizes to choose from to allow you to tailor the size of your cup and coffee type to your preference. The smallest model is the Nespresso Essenza Mini, which is ideal for small spaces and can make one cup at a time. You can get a bigger model that can take larger cups, however they are more expensive.
For a more sophisticated option that also produces better tasting coffee it is recommended to use the Illy Iperespresso is a stylish shortcut for coffee snobs. It's not the cheapest machine, but it makes a great cup of coffee. It's also very easy to use. It also has a clever feature that lets it detect the type of pod it's using and automatically adjusts its settings to match it, making it among the most versatile in our opinion.
It is recommended to look for a model that comes with a milk cup if you are looking to test the various drinks you can make with a pod maker. This will allow you to experiment with lattes, cappuccinos and a variety of other drinks. You can still make most popular drinks using capsule machines, but it will be a unpredictable affair.
If you are interested in buying a capsule machine be sure to check if it's compatible with ESE pods. It will have a basket or adapter that fits these smaller pods. Some of our machines in our collection have this feature, which means you can use them with Nespresso-compatible pods, as well as Dolce Gusto or Tassimo pods.
3. Manual
They are manual espresso machines for those who prefer a more traditional approach. They look like the original espresso machine developed in Italy in the early 1900s. They operate by manually pumping the water into a filter, then locking it, and then forcing the water under 9 bar of pressure to make shots.
A manual espresso maker is often more of a labour of passion than a capsule machine because they require you to heat the water in a separate manner from your coffee, pour it into the chamber over the coffee that has been ground or pods, and then press down on the lever or plunger to create pressure and push the water through into the cup below. This method is messy, time-consuming and a bit frustrating to master, but the result is well 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 immersion circulators and high-end toasters. It is designed to stabilise brew boiler temperatures. This is a great way to take away the uncertainty about the optimal temperature of brewing.
There are a few big brands that make manual espresso makers. The likes of Rancilio and La Pavoni are familiar names to most people who will have worked in the cafe or coffee shop. They manufacture the huge two or three group heads of commercial espresso machines that you would find in a cafe but in 1997 they created the Silvia which is a semi-automatic, manual espresso machine with a few bells and whistles to alleviate some of the stress out of the making process.
Fully automated espresso machines can complete all the work for you. They grind the beans and tamp them before pulling the shot, and some even steam your milk. However, they are costly therefore you'll need a good bank balance to be able to afford one.
4. Semi-Automatic
Semi-automatic machines are the ideal choice If the idea of re-creating the perfect espresso shot from the cafe you love at home is appealing to you. These machines allow you to adjust your preferences over time and adjust your espresso drink according to your mood at any given time.
The machines include a portafilter as well as steam wand. The brewing process in these machines is similar to super automatics but with some added manual steps like grinding the beans before putting them into the portafilter. These machines require more skill and know-how to operate because the brewing process is not run in a way that is automated.
A semi-automatic machine that's good will come with filters that can be removed and an tamper that compresses the coffee grounds in the portafilter prior to making. You can also adjust the amount and pressure of water you use during the making process. You can then alter your shots to suit your tastes and the kind of coffee beans you are using.
Another thing to look for in a semi-automatic is the ability to adjust the temperature. This feature lets you set the brewing temperature for your coffee beans based on their taste. This will also help you avoid temperature fluctuations. This is important particularly when it comes to the boiling brew. Without a PID controller, the brew temperature can swing by up to 20oF from one cup to the next. With PID controllers the swing is restricted to around 0.1oF.
Some of the higher-end models include a milk froth to create milk-based espresso drinks. This will help you create delicious lattes, cappuccinos and macchiatos. The frothing jug should be able to be held comfortably and have an spout that makes pouring easy.
It is also a good idea to choose a model with a filtering basket as well as an automatic dosing system for grounds. You'll be able to not have to do the manual grinding and tapping yourself. It also makes cleaning the machine easier.