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 love but they give you control over every aspect of your coffee.
They typically come with an espresso tamper that helps flatten the grinds and steamers to froth milk for cappuccinos and lattes.
1. Stovetop
We have a broad selection of stovetop coffee makers that will aid you in making a fantastic cup. In the UK there are 98 million cups of coffee are consumed every day. These machines, also referred to as moka pots use pressure to create an espresso-like cup of coffee, without the messy need for filter papers. They are a simple and easy-to-use device that can improve any kind of coffee and can be used with milk to make cappuccinos and lattes.
The bottom of the moka pot is filled with hot water. The coffee beans are placed in a basket that is between two pipes that lead to the upper chamber, where the final drink will be served. As the water boils in the bottom, it forces its way through the grounds at high pressure. It then seeps into the upper chamber where the aromas are released to you to enjoy. The end result is a smoky, rich and strong coffee that can be enjoyed on its own or with sugar and milk.
The main thing to bear in mind when purchasing a moka pot is the capacity of the unit. It is important that you look at the dimensions of the bottom as well as the capacity of your basket. A larger model might require a longer waiting time, while a smaller unit might not be capable building up enough pressure. We suggest that you consider the material the machine is made from. Stainless steel machines are more durable and strong however they cost more.
Other factors to consider is whether the appliance will work with the source of heat you prefer (gas or electric) and any extra add-ons that might be available, such as milk steamer wands which are used to heat and froth milk to make cappuccinos and lattes. You may also consider the amount of cups you can prepare in one go, as this can be a great method to determine the best size for your needs.
We also suggest that you check the base of the moka pot to ensure that it is a good fit on your burner. We found that certain models, such as the Stelton espresso maker with a collar, had a very narrow base and were difficult to put in the proper spot on a gas burner while larger bases, such as those of the Bialetti Venus and the London Sip stovetop espresso makers, provided better results. We also favored models that had thicker walls, as this was found to transfer heat more efficiently and prevent it from spreading out too fast.
2. Capsule
There are also capsule coffee machines, which use pods to make espresso, cappuccinos, etc. If you aren't a fan of cleaning grounds, cleaning, and brewing this is the ideal option for you.
You will have purchase the coffee pods separately. There are several brands available, including Nespresso Dolce Gusto, and Tassimo. There are also different sizes to choose from, so you can suit the size of your cup and coffee type to your personal preference. The Nespresso Essenza Mini is the smallest and is ideal for small space. It can make one cup of coffee at one time. There is a larger model that can take larger cups too, but they are more expensive.
For a more sophisticated choice that also produces better tasting coffee The Illy Iperespresso is a stylish shortcut for coffee snobs. It's not the cheapest machine, but it makes excellent coffee. It's also easy to use. It has a clever feature which allows it to automatically adjust its settings according to the type of pods it's using. This makes it one of the most adaptable machines, in our opinion.
If you're interested in exploring the wide range of drinks you can prepare using a pod coffee maker it is recommended to look for a model that includes a milk carafe. This will allow you to experiment with lattes and cappuccinos. You can still make the most popular drinks using a capsule maker without a milk carafe, however, it's more than a hit and miss affair.
If you're considering buying a capsule, check that it is compatible with ESE pods. This usually means it has a basket or adapter to accommodate smaller pods. Some of our models come with this feature. This means you can use the machine with Nespresso compatible pods as well as Dolce Gusto and Tassimo pods.
3. Manual
Like the name suggests, these are espresso machines operated manually that are for purists. They look like the original espresso machine, created in Italy in the early 1900s. They operate by manually pumping the water into a filter, locking it and then forcing the water under pressure of 9 bar to create a shot.
A manual espresso maker is often more of a labour of love than a capsule machine as they require you to heat the water separately from your coffee, pour it into the chamber above the pre ground coffee or pods and then press down on the lever or plunger to create pressure and push 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 technology is used 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 temperature for brewing.
Rancilio, La Pavoni and other big names produce manual espresso machines. The majority of people who have worked in a cafe or cafe will be familiar with these names. They manufacture the huge commercial espresso machines that have two or three heads that you can see in coffee shops. However, in 1997, they launched the Silvia, a semi-automatic manual espresso machine that comes with some bells and whistles that help to reduce the stress out of making espresso.
Fully Automatic espresso machines will do all the tasks for you, they grind the beans, tamp, and pull one shot, and steam your milk at the touch of a button. However, they also cost a pretty penny so you must have a decent bank balance to be capable of affording one.
4. coffeee.uk -Automatic
Semi-automatic machines are a great option for you when the idea of replicating the perfect espresso shot at the cafe you love at home is appealing to you. These machines let you alter your preferences over time and also adjust the amount of your espresso drink according to your mood at any given time.
The machines are equipped with a portafilter and steam wand. They have the same brewing process as super automatics, but they require some manual steps such as grinding beans and inserting the portafilter. These machines require more skills and knowledge to operate, because the brewing process is not automated.
A semi-automatic machine which is good will have filters that can be removed and a tamper to compress the coffee grounds in the portafilter prior to brewing. You can also control the amount and pressure of water used during the making process. This means you can customize your shots according to your personal preferences and the kind of coffee beans you are using.
Another feature to look for in a semi-automatic machine is the ability to adjust the temperature. This feature lets you set the brewing temperatures for your coffee beans in accordance with how they taste. It also helps you avoid temperature fluctuations which is crucial for the boiler that brews the coffee. The temperature of the brew can vary by up to 20oF between cups without a PID controller. The swing can be reduced to 0.1oF using a PID.
Some of the higher-end models include a milk froth to make espresso drinks based on milk. This allows you to make delicious lattes and cappuccinos. The frothing jug should be able to be held comfortably and have a spout to make pouring easy.
You should also select a model with a removable filter basket and an automatic system to dose the ground. You'll be able to avoid the manual grinding and tamping yourself. It also makes cleaning the machine easier.