Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
If you're looking for the ultimate coffee experience, there's no better than an espresso machine. They're a labor of love but they give you control over every aspect of your coffee.
They have an espresso tamper to flatten the grinds, as well as a steamer for frothing milk in cappuccinos and lattes.
1. Stovetop
There are approximately 98 million cups of coffee consumed in the UK every day. We have a huge selection of espresso makers for stovetops to help you brew the perfect cup of coffee. These appliances, also known as moka pots use pressure to produce an espresso-like cup of coffee without the need for messy filter papers. These simple and easy to use devices will enhance any coffee and can be used with milk to make cappuccinos or lattes.
Moka pots are equipped with an inner chamber that is filled with water and the coffee is placed in a basket between two pipes that lead to the upper chamber where the final beverage is served. When the water in the bottom chamber boils, it pushes 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 an aromatic strong, rich and robust coffee that can be enjoyed by itself or paired with sugar and milk.
When purchasing a mokapot the first thing you need to take into consideration is the unit's capacity. It is crucial to look at the size of the bottom and the capacity of your basket. A larger unit might require a longer waiting time, while smaller ones might not be capable building up enough pressure. We also recommend looking at the materials the machine is made from because stainless steel machines are more robust and durable, but come with a higher cost.
You should also consider whether the appliance is compatible with your preferred heat source, whether it's gas or electric. Additionally, you might want to look at any additional add-ons available like steamer arms for milk that can be used to heat up and foam milk in cappuccinos and lattes. You may also consider the amount of cups you can make in one go, since this is a good way to determine the right size for your needs.
We would also suggest making sure that the moka maker you are considering will have a wide enough base to fit on the burner you are considering. We discovered that certain models, like the Stelton espresso maker with a collar, had a very narrow base and were difficult to place on a gas stove. On the other hand, wider bases, like those of the Bialetti Venus and London Sip stovetop espresso makers, provided better results. We also preferred models with thicker walls as they were found to carry heat more efficiently and stop it from sputtering too fast.
2. Capsule
There are capsule coffee machines, which use pods to make cappuccinos, espressos, etc. best home espresso machine Coffeee is a great option if you don't want to have to deal with messing with brewing, grounds, and cleaning up afterwards - they are a quick, simple and effortless method to get your caffeine fix in the morning.
You will need to buy the coffee pods separately, however there are a variety on the market from brands like Nespresso, Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. There are also a few different sizes to choose from to allow you to tailor your drink size and the type of coffee to your own preference. The Nespresso Essenza Mini is the smaller model and is perfect for small spaces. It can make one cup of coffee at one time. There is a larger model that can handle larger cups too, but they are more expensive.
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 expensive machine, but it makes an excellent cup of coffee. It's also easy to use. It also features an innovative feature that lets it recognise the brand of pod it's using and automatically adjusts its settings to match, making it one of the most versatile machines in our opinion.
If you're interested in exploring the entire range of drinks that you can make with a pod coffee machine, it's worth looking for a model with a milk carafe. This lets you play with cappuccinos, lattes and other drinks. You can still make these popular drinks with a capsule machine without a milk cup, but it'll be more of a hit and miss 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 we offer have this feature, meaning you can use them with Nespresso-compatible pods, as well as Dolce Gusto or Tassimo pods.
3. Manual
These are espresso machines that are manual for those who are a bit more discerning. They look similar to the OG espresso machine that was invented in Italy in the early 1900's and operate by pumping water manually into a portafilter and locking it, after which forcing water under 9 bars of pressure, resulting in a shot of espresso.
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 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 the pressure and force the water through and into the cup below. This method can be difficult, time-consuming and tedious 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 is found in immersion circulators, high-end toasters and is designed to stabilize the temperature of the brew kettle. This is a fantastic way to take away a lot of the guesswork surrounding the optimal temperature for brewing.
Rancilio, La Pavoni and other large names make manual espresso machines. The majority of people who have worked in a cafe or cafe are familiar with these names. They manufacture the huge three or two group heads of commercial espresso machines you'd see in a coffee shop but in 1997 they created the Silvia, an automated, semi-automatic machine that has a few bells and whistles to help ease the burden out of the brewing process.
Fully automated espresso machines will 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 can be costly therefore you'll need a good bank balance to be able to afford one.
4. Semi-Automatic
If the idea of replicating an espresso shot from your favorite cafe at home is appealing to you and you want to replicate it, then a semi-automatic coffee machine is the right choice for you. These machines allow you to alter your preferences as time passes and adjust your espresso drinks based on how you feel at any given moment.
These machines are equipped with a portafilter as well as a steam wand. They have a similar brewing process to superautomatics, however they require manual steps such as grinding the beans and inserting the portafilter. They also require more understanding and skills to operate because the brewing process is not controlled by a computer.
A semi-automatic machine that is good will come with an adjustable filter as well as a tamper to compress the coffee grounds in the portafilter prior to brewing. It also allows you to manage the quantity of water and the pressure that is used in the brewing process. You can then alter your shots to suit your tastes and the type of coffee beans that you are using.
Another thing to look out for in a semi-automatic is the ability to adjust the temperature. This feature lets you to set the brewing temperature for your coffee beans according to how they taste. This will also help you avoid temperature swings. This is vital, especially when it comes the boiling brew. The brew temperature could vary by as much as 20oF between cups without a PID controller. With a PID controller, this swing is limited to approximately 0.1oF.
A few of the more expensive models include a milk froth to create milk-based espresso drinks. This can help you make delicious cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos. The frothing pitcher should have a comfortable handle as well as an spout that allows for easy pouring.
It is also recommended to choose one with a removable filter basket, as well as an automatic system to dose the ground. This will save you from having to do the manual tamping and grinding on your own. It also makes cleaning the machine much easier.