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 complete control over your coffee.
They have an espresso tamper for flattening the grinds, and steamers to froth milk in lattes and cappuccinos.
1. Stovetop
We have a wide range of stovetop coffee makers that will assist you in making a perfect cup. In the UK around 98 million cups of coffee are consumed each day. These appliances, also known 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 to make cappuccinos or lattes.
Moka pots have a bottom chamber which 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 final beverage is served. As the water in the bottom chamber heats up, 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 a full aromatic coffee that you can enjoy by itself or mixed with milk and sugar.
When buying a mokapot, the most important factor to think about is the pot's capacity. It is important to ensure that the size of the bottom chamber as well as the capacity of the basket will be adequate for your needs since larger units will require a longer wait time, while a smaller one may not be able to generate enough pressure. We suggest that you consider the material the machine is made of. The stainless steel machines are more durable and stronger however they cost more.
You should also consider whether the appliance is compatible with your preferred heat source, be it electric or gas. Also, you may consider looking into the other accessories available such as milk steamer arms that are used to heat and make frothy milk in cappuccinos as well as lattes. It is also advisable to take a look at the amount of cups that you can make at once, as this can be a useful factor in choosing the correct size for your needs.
In the end, we recommend to ensure that the moka pot you're considering has a wide enough base to fit on the burner you are considering. We found that some models, such as the Stelton espresso maker with a collar, had a very narrow base and were difficult to center on a gas burner. However, wider bases, like those of the Bialetti Venus and the London Sip stovetop espresso makers, gave better results. We also preferred models with thicker walls since they were found to transfer heat more efficiently and avoid it from sputtering out too quickly.
2. Capsule
There are capsule coffee machines, which use pods to make espresso, cappuccinos, etc. If you don't like cleaning grounds, cleaning, and brewing this is the ideal option for you.
You will have purchase the coffee pods separately. There are a variety of brands to choose from, including Nespresso Dolce Gusto, and Tassimo. There are several sizes to choose from and you can pick the size and kind of coffee that best suits your preferences. The Nespresso Essenza Mini is the smaller model and is perfect for small space. It makes one cup of coffee at a time. There is a larger model that can hold larger cups, however they're more expensive.
For a more sophisticated option that also yields better tasting coffee it is recommended to use the Illy Iperespresso is an elegant shortcut for coffee snobs. It isn't the cheapest machine however it produces an excellent cup of coffee, and is easy to use as well. It also comes with a clever feature that lets it recognise the brand of pod it's using and automatically adjusts its settings accordingly which makes it one of the most versatile in our opinion.
You should look for a model that comes with a milk cup if you want to try out all the drinks you could make with a pod maker. This will allow you to experiment with lattes, cappuccinos and other drinks. You can still make most popular drinks with capsule machines, however it will be more of a unpredictable affair.
If you're interested in getting capsule coffee maker ensure that it is marked as compatible with ESE pods. It will have a basket or adapter that can be used with these smaller pods. Some of our models include this feature. This means you can use the machine with Nespresso compatible pods, as well as Dolce Gusto and Tassimo pods.
3. Manual
They are manual espresso machines for those who prefer a more traditional approach. They look like the OG espresso machine, which was invented in Italy back in the early 1900's. They operate by manually pumping water into the portafilter before locking it and pushing water under 9 bars of pressure to create an espresso shot.
Manual espresso makers are generally more labor-intensive than capsule machines. You have to heat the water separately, pour it into the chamber over pods or coffee that has been ground up, and then press the plunger or lever down to create pressure and force the liquid through the cup. This process 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 present in high-end immersion circulators as well as toasters. It is designed to stabilise the brewing temperature of the boiler. The great thing about this is that it takes away a lot of the guesswork around the optimum brewing temperature and allows you to adjust your espresso with accuracy.
Rancilio, La Pavoni and other major brands make manual espresso machines. The majority of people who have worked in a coffee shop or cafe will be familiar with these names. They manufacture the huge commercial espresso machines that have three or two heads that you can see in coffee shops, but in 1997, they launched the Silvia semi-automatic manual espresso machine that comes with some bells and whistles that can take some of that hassle out of making espresso.
Fully automated espresso machines can complete all the work for you. uk espresso machine grind the beans, tamp them, pull the shot, and even steam your milk. But they are expensive so you will require a decent cash flow to afford one.
4. Semi-Automatic
Semi-automatic machines are the ideal choice If the idea of re-creating the perfect espresso shot at the cafe you love at home appeals to you. These coffee machines permit you to adjust your preferences as time passes and adjust your espresso drinks based on the way you feel at any given 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 additional manual steps, such as grinding the beans and putting them into the portafilter. These machines require more skills and know-how to operate because the brewing process does not run automatically.
A semi-automatic machine that is good will have a removable filter and an tamper to compress the coffee grounds in the portafilter prior to making. It also lets you to control the amount of water and pressure used during the brewing process. You can then alter your shots to suit your tastes and the kind of coffee beans you are using.
Another thing to look out for in a semi-automatic coffee maker is the ability to adjust the temperature. This feature allows you to set the brewing temperature for your coffee beans based on how they taste. It also helps you avoid temperature swings which is particularly important when it comes to the boiler for brewing. The brew temperature could vary by up to 20oF in a cup without a PID controller. The swing is lowered to 0.1oF using a PID.
Some of the top models also come with an milk frother to create espresso drinks based on milk. This will allow you to make delicious cappuccinos and lattes. The frothing pitcher must have a comfortable handle as well as an spout that allows for easy pouring.
It is also a good idea to choose one with a filter that is removable basket and an automatic dosing system for the ground. You will be able to not have to do the manual grinding and tapping yourself. It also makes cleaning the machine easier.