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 passion but give you control over every aspect of your coffee.
They also have an espresso tamper that can flatten the grinds, and 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 and we have a wide selection of espresso makers for stovetops to help you make the perfect cup of coffee. These devices, also referred to as moka pots, utilize pressure to produce an espresso-like cup of tea without the messy need for filter papers. They are a simple, easy-to-use device that can be used to improve any kind of coffee and can be combined with milk to make cappuccinos or lattes.
Moka pots have a bottom chamber which is filled with water, while the coffee grounds are placed in a basket in between two pipes that lead to the upper chamber where the beverage is served. When the water is boiling in the bottom, it pushes 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 result is a rich and aromatic coffee that is delicious 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 essential to look at the size of the bottom and the capacity of your basket. A larger model might require a longer waiting time, whereas a smaller unit might not be capable building up enough pressure. We also suggest looking at the material that the machine is made from because stainless steel machines tend to be sturdier and more durable however they come with a higher cost.
Other factors to consider is how the appliance will function with your chosen heat source (gas or electric) and any extra accessories that are available like steamer wands for milk that can be used to heat and froth milk to make cappuccinos and lattes. You may also want to consider the number of cups you can make at once in order to be a helpful factor when selecting the right size for your needs.
Lastly, we would recommend making sure that the moka maker you're considering has a base that is wide enough to fit on the burner you are considering. Certain models, such as the Stelton collar coffee maker have a very narrow base which makes it difficult to align the machine on a gas burner. However, larger bases, such as those of the Bialetti venus and London Sip stovetop coffee makers, give better results. We also preferred those with thicker walls because they were found to carry heat more efficiently and prevent it from sputtering out too quickly.
2. Capsule
There are capsule coffee machines that make use of pods to create cappuccinos, espressos, etc. If you're not a fan of making mess with grounds, cleaning, and making coffee, this is the perfect alternative for you.
You'll need purchase the coffee pods separately. There are a variety of brands to choose from, including Nespresso Dolce Gusto, and Tassimo. There are a variety of different sizes available to allow you to tailor your drink size and the type of coffee to your own preference. The smallest is the Nespresso Essenza Mini, which is ideal for small spaces and can make one cup at a time. A larger model is also available that can also accommodate larger cups but will cost more.
Illy Iperespresso offers a stylish alternative for coffee lovers who are looking for a more sophisticated machine that makes better tasting coffee. It isn't the cheapest machine but it makes an excellent cup of coffee, and is easy to use too. It also features an innovative feature that lets it detect the brand of coffee it's using and automatically adjusts its settings accordingly it, making it among the most versatile in our opinion.
You should choose an item with a milk carafe if you are looking to test the various drinks you can make with a pod maker. This will let you play around with cappuccinos and lattes. You can still make these popular drinks using a capsule machine without a milk cup, but it'll be more of a hit and miss affair.
If you're thinking of buying capsule coffee maker, make sure it is listed as compatible with ESE pods. This will usually mean it has a basket or adapter to accommodate these smaller pods. espresso machine with frother of the machines in our range include this feature, meaning you can use them with Nespresso-compatible pods, as well as Dolce Gusto or Tassimo pods.
3. Manual
Like the name suggests, these are espresso machines operated manually intended for those who are a bit more strict. They look similar to the OG espresso machine, which was invented in Italy back in the early 1900's. They operate by manually pumping water through a portafilter before locking it and pushing water under 9 bars of pressure to create an espresso shot.
A manual espresso maker is often more of a labor of love than a capsule machine as they require you to heat the water in a separate manner from your coffee, then 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 force the water through and into the cup below. This method 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 of technology that can be found in high-end immersion circulators and toasters and is designed to stabilise the brew boiler temperature. This is a fantastic way to take away the guesswork surrounding the optimal brewing temperature.
There are a few big brands that make manual espresso makers, the likes of Rancilio and La Pavoni are familiar names to those who have worked in a cafe or coffee shop. They produce the large commercial espresso machines that have three or two heads that you see in coffee shops, but in 1997, they introduced the Silvia semi-automatic manual espresso machine that comes with some bells and whistles that help to take some of that hassle out of making espresso.
Fully automatic espresso machines will take care of all the work for you. They will grind the beans and then tamp them up, pull the shot, and some even steam your milk. However, they are costly so you will require a strong cash flow to afford one.
4. Semi-Automatic
If the idea of re-creating a perfect espresso shot from your favorite café in your own home is appealing with you, then a semi-automatic machine is the right one for you. These machines allow you to alter your preferences as time passes and adjust your espresso drinks according to how you feel at any given moment.
These machines come with a portafilter and steam wand. These machines 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 know-how to operate as the brew cycle does not run automatically.
A good semi-automatic should come with a portafilter that can be removed and a tamper for firmly compressing the ground coffee inside of the portafilter before brewing. You can also regulate the amount and the pressure of water you use during the process of brewing. This means you can adjust the shots you drink according to your personal preferences and to the specific kind of coffee beans you are using.
Another thing to look for in a semi-automatic machine is the ability to adjust the temperature. This feature lets you set the brewing temperature for your coffee beans based on the way they taste. It also allows you to avoid temperature fluctuations, which is especially important for the boiler that brews the coffee. The temperature of the brew can vary by 20oF in a cup without a PID controller. With a PID controller the swing is restricted to around 0.1oF.
Some of the top models include a milk froth to create milk-based espresso drinks. This allows you to make delicious cappuccinos and lattes. The pitcher that froths should be able to handle comfortably and an spout to make it easy to pour.
You should also select a model with a removable filter basket, and a system that automatically doses the ground. You'll be able avoid doing the manual grinding and tapping yourself. It will also make cleaning the machine easier.