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're a labor of love but they give you control over every aspect of your coffee.
They also have an espresso tamper for flattening the grinds, as well as a steamer for frothing milk in 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 around 98 million cups of coffee are consumed every day. Also known as moka pots, these appliances make use of pressure to produce an espresso-like coffee without the need for any messy filter papers. These simple and easy-to-use appliances can enhance any coffee and can also be used with milk for lattes or cappuccinos.
The lower chamber of the moka pot is filled with hot water. The ground coffee is placed in a basket, which is between two pipes that lead 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 high pressure. The aromas are released into the upper chamber as the water flows upwards. The end result is a smoky, rich and strong coffee that can be enjoyed on its own or with sugar and milk.
The most important thing to bear in mind when purchasing moka pots is the capacity of the pot. It is crucial to make sure that the size of the bottom chamber as well as the capacity of the basket will be sufficient for your requirements as larger pots will require a longer wait time while a smaller one may not be able generate enough pressure. We recommend that you also look at the material the machine is made from. Stainless steel machines are more durable and sturdy but they tend to cost more.
Other considerations are whether the appliance can work with your chosen heat source (gas or electric) and any other add-ons you might have, such as milk steamer wands which can be used to heat and froth the milk for cappuccinos and lattes. You should also think about the amount of cups you can prepare in one go, since this is a good way to determine the ideal size for your needs.
We also suggest to check the base of the moka maker to ensure it fits on your burner. Some models, like the Stelton collar coffee maker, have a very narrow base which makes it difficult to align the machine on a gas burner. However, bases with a wider width like those of the Bialetti venus and London Sip stovetop coffee makers, give better results. We also preferred models with thicker walls because this was proven 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, espressos, etc. If you're not a fan of making mess with grounds, cleaning and brewing this is the best option for you.
You will have purchase the coffee pods separately. There are a variety of brands to choose from, such as Nespresso Dolce Gusto, and Tassimo. There are several sizes available so you can select the size and type of coffee that is best for your preferences. The Nespresso Essenza Mini is the smallest and is ideal for small spaces. best budget espresso machine Coffeee 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 option that also yields better tasting coffee, the Illy Iperespresso is a chic alternative for coffee lovers. It isn't the cheapest machine but it does produce a superb cup of coffee, and is easy to use as well. It has a clever feature that lets it automatically alter its settings in accordance with the brand of pods it is 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 with a pod-based coffee maker it is recommended to look for a model that comes with a milk carafe. This will let you experiment with lattes, cappuccinos and other drinks. You can still make popular drinks using capsule machines, but it will be more of a unpredictable affair.
If you're thinking of buying a capsule be sure to check if it's compatible with ESE pods. This typically means it has a basket or adapter to accommodate smaller pods. Some machines in our range have this feature. This means you can use the machine with Nespresso compatible pods, and also Dolce Gusto and Tassimo pods.
3. Manual
Like the name suggests, these are espresso machines operated manually that are for purists. They resemble the original espresso machine, developed in Italy in the early 1900s. They are operated by pumping the water manually into a filter, locking it, and then pushing the water under 9 bar of pressure 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 above the coffee that has been ground or pods, and then press down on the plunger or lever to create pressure and push the water through 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 technology is used in high-end immersion circulators and toasters. It is designed to stabilize the temperature of the boiler used to brew. This is a great method to take away a lot of the uncertainty about the optimal temperature for brewing.
There are a few major companies that manufacture manual espresso makers. The likes of Rancilio and La Pavoni are familiar names to many who have worked in the cafe or coffee shop. They manufacture the huge commercial espresso machines with two or three heads that are found in coffee shops. However, in 1997, they introduced the Silvia semi-automatic espresso machine that has some bells and whistles that reduce the stress out of making espresso.
Fully automated espresso machines will do all the work for you. They grind the beans, tamp and then pull a shot and some will steam your milk too all at the touch of a button. However, they can also cost an astronomical amount of money therefore you'll need an adequate balance in your bank to be able to afford one.
4. Semi-Automatic
If the thought of re-creating a perfect espresso shot from your favorite cafe at home is appealing to you, then a semi-automatic machine is the right one for you. These machines let you alter your preferences over time, and dial in your espresso drink based on your mood at any given time.
These machines are outfitted with a portafilter and steam wand. The brewing process in these machines is similar to super automatics, however with added manual steps such as grinding the beans and putting them into the portafilter. They also require more knowledge and skills to operate as the brew cycle is not controlled by a computer.
A good semi-automatic should include a portafilter that is removable and a tamper to help in compressing the coffee grounds inside the portafilter prior to making. It will also allow you to manage the amount of water and pressure that is used in the brewing process. You can then alter your shots to suit your tastes and the type of coffee beans you are using.
Another thing to look out for in a semi-automatic machine is an adjustable temperature control. This feature allows you to set the brewing temperature for your coffee beans based on how they taste. It also allows you to avoid fluctuations in temperature which is crucial for the brew boiler. The brew temperature could vary by as much as 20oF between cups if there is no PID controller. This swing can be reduced to 0.1oF with a PID.
Some of the most expensive models may also include the milk frother to make milk-based espresso drinks. This allows you to make delicious lattes and cappuccinos. The frothing container should be able to be held comfortably and have a spout to make pouring effortless.
You should also select a model with a removable filter basket and a system that automatically doses the ground. This will help you avoid having to do the grinding and tamping manually on your own. This will make cleaning the machine much easier.