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 allow you to control every aspect of your coffee.
They typically have an espresso tamper to flatten the grinds and a steamer to froth milk for cappuccinos and lattes.
1. Stovetop
There are around 98 million cups of coffee consumed in the UK every day. We have a fantastic range of espresso makers for stovetops to help you make an excellent cup of coffee. These devices, 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, easy-to-use device that can enhance any coffee, and can be used with milk to make cappuccinos and lattes.
The bottom chamber of the moka pot is filled with hot water. The ground coffee is placed in a basket between two pipes that connect to the upper chamber where the brewed beverage will be served. As the water boils in the bottom, it forces itself through the grounds at high pressure and seeps up into the upper chamber where the aromas are released to you to take pleasure in. The end result is a fragrant strong, rich and robust coffee that is delicious on its own or with milk and sugar.
The main thing to bear in mind when buying moka pots is the capacity of the unit. It is important that you examine the dimensions of the bottom as well as the capacity of your basket. A larger model may require a longer waiting time, while smaller ones may not be capable of building up enough pressure. It is also recommended to look at the material that the machine is made from, as stainless steel machines are more robust and durable, but come with a higher cost.
Other things to consider is whether the appliance can work with your chosen heat source (gas or electric) and any extra accessories that are available like milk steamer wands that can be used to heat and froth the milk for cappuccinos and lattes. It is also worth considering the number of cups you can prepare in one sitting, as this is a good way to determine the ideal size for your needs.
In the end, we recommend checking that the moka pot you are considering has a base that is wide enough to fit on your chosen burner. Some models, like the Stelton collar coffee maker have a narrow base which makes it difficult to align the machine on a gas burner. However, bases with a wider width such as those of the Bialetti venus and London Sip stovetop coffee makers, give better results. We also preferred models with thicker walls because they were found to conduct heat more efficiently and avoid it from sputtering out too quickly.
2. Capsule
There are capsule coffee machines, which make use of pods to make cappuccinos, espresso, etc. This is a great choice if you don't want to deal with messing around with brewing, grounds and cleaning up - they provide a quick, simple and hassle-free method of getting your caffeine fix in the morning.
You'll need to purchase the coffee pods separately. There are several brands to choose from, including Nespresso Dolce Gusto, and Tassimo. There are various sizes to choose from, so you can choose the size and type of coffee that is best for your taste. The smallest of these is the Nespresso Essenza Mini, which is perfect for small spaces and makes one cup at one time. You can get a bigger model that can handle larger cups, but they are more expensive.
For a more sophisticated choice that also produces better tasting coffee, the Illy Iperespresso is an elegant shortcut for coffee snobs. It's not the most expensive machine, but it produces excellent coffee. It's also simple to use. It also has an intelligent feature that lets it detect the type of pod it is using and automatically adjusts its settings to match, making it one of the most versatile in our opinion.
It is recommended to look for one that comes with a milk cup if you're looking to test the various drinks you can make with a pod maker. This will let you experiment with lattes and cappuccinos. You can still make the most popular drinks using a capsule maker without a milk cup, but it's more than a hit and miss affair.
If you're considering purchasing a capsule coffee machine, make sure it is marked as compatible with ESE pods. espresso pod machine will usually mean it comes with a basket or adapter to accommodate smaller pods. Some of the machines in our range include this feature, which means 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 resemble the original espresso machine developed 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 shots.
Manual espresso makers are often more labor-intensive than capsule machines. It is necessary to heat the water separately, then pour it in the chamber above the coffee or pods that have been ground, and then press the plunger or lever down to create pressure and force the liquid into the cup. This process is messy, time-consuming and frustrating 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 can be found in high-end immersion circulators and toasters and is designed to stabilize the temperature of the brew kettle. This is a great way to take away the guesswork about the ideal brewing temperature.
There are several big companies that manufacture 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 commercial espresso machines that have three or two heads that are found in coffee shops. However, in 1997, they launched the Silvia, a semi-automatic espresso machine that has some bells and whistles that take some of that hassle out of making coffee.
Fully automated espresso machines will take care of all the work for you. They'll grind the beans and tamp them before pulling the shot, and some even steam your milk. However, they can be costly therefore you'll require a strong budget to be able to afford one.
4. Semi-Automatic
If the idea of replicating an espresso shot from your favorite café in your own home strikes a chord with you, then a semi-automatic machine is the best choice for you. These coffee machines allow you to adjust your preferences over time and dial in your espresso drinks based on how you feel at any time.
The machines come with a portafilter and steam wand. These machines have a similar brewing process to superautomatics, however they require manual steps like grinding the beans and putting in the portafilter. These machines require more skills and knowledge to operate, as the brew cycle does not run automatically.
A semi-automatic machine that is good will come with filters that can be removed and a tamper to compress the coffee grounds in the portafilter prior to brewing. It also allows you to regulate the amount of water and pressure that is used in the brewing process. You can then customize your shots to suit your tastes and the type of coffee beans you are using.
A semi-automatic machine should also have a temperature control that can be adjusted. This feature allows you to set the brewing temperature for your coffee beans based on the way they taste. This will also help you avoid temperature swings. This is crucial especially with regards to the brew-boiler. Without a PID controller the temperature of brewing can fluctuate up to 20oF from one cup to the next. This swing is lowered to 0.1oF with a PID.
Some of the higher-end models come with a milk frother to create milk-based espresso drinks. This will allow you to make delicious lattes, cappuccinos and macchiatos. The frothing jug must be able to be held comfortably and have an spout that makes pouring effortless.
It is also a good idea to choose one with a filtering basket and an automatic dosing system for grounds. This will help you avoid needing to do grinding and tamping manually on your own. This will make cleaning the machine much easier.