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 labour of love but allow you to control every aspect of your coffee.
They usually have an espresso tamper to smooth the grinds and steamers 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 huge selection of espresso makers that can be used on stovetops to help you make a great cup of coffee. These machines, also referred to as moka pots, utilize pressure to create an espresso-like cup of tea without the need for messy filter papers. These simple and easy to use devices will enhance any coffee, and can be used with milk to make cappuccinos or lattes.
Moka pots are equipped with an inner chamber that is filled with water while the ground coffee sits in a basket that is surrounded by two pipes that lead to the upper chamber where the final beverage is served. As the water in the lower chamber boils, 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 smoky, aromatic coffee that you can enjoy by itself or mixed with milk and sugar.
When you are buying a mokapot the most important thing to take into consideration is the unit's capacity. It is crucial to examine the size of the bottom and the capacity of the basket. A larger model might require a longer waiting time, while a smaller unit might not be capable creating enough pressure. We also recommend looking at the material the machine is made from since stainless steel machines are stronger and more durable, but they also come with a higher cost.
It is also important to consider whether the appliance is compatible with the heat source, whether it's gas or electric. Additionally, you might consider looking into any additional add-ons available such as steamer arms for milk that are used to heat and foam milk in cappuccinos and lattes. You may also want to consider the number of cups that you can make in one go in order to be a useful factor in selecting the right size for your needs.
Lastly, we would recommend making sure that the moka maker you're considering has a wide enough base to fit on your chosen burner. We found that some 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 wider bases, like those of the Bialetti Venus and the London Sip stovetop espresso makers, produced better results. We also preferred those with thicker walls because they were found to carry heat more efficiently and stop it from sputtering too fast.
2. Capsule
In a similar vein to stovetop models there are capsule coffee machines that can make cappuccinos, espresso and other drinks using pods. This is an excellent option when you don't want be tangled with brewing, grounds, and cleaning up afterwards - they provide a quick, simple and hassle-free method of getting your caffeine fix in the morning.
You will need to buy the coffee pods separately, but there is a large selection on the market from brands such as Nespresso, Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. There are a variety of sizes to choose from, so you can choose the size and type of coffee that is best for your preferences. The Nespresso Essenza Mini is the most compact and is perfect for small space. It makes one cup of coffee at a time. You can also get a larger model that can take larger cups, but they are more expensive.
Illy Iperespresso offers a stylish alternative for coffee snobs who prefer a sophisticated machine that produces better tasting coffee. It's not the most expensive machine, but it produces a great cup of coffee. It's also simple to use. It also comes with an intelligent feature that allows it to recognize the type of pod it's using and automatically adjusts its settings to match which makes it among the most versatile in our opinion.
If you're interested in exploring the entire range of drinks you can make with a pod coffee machine, it's worth looking for a model with a milk carafe. This will let you experiment with lattes and cappuccinos. You can still make most popular drinks using a capsule machine, but it will be a hit-and-miss affair.
If you are interested in buying a capsule machine make sure it is compatible with ESE pods. This typically means it comes with a basket or adapter to accommodate smaller pods. Some of our 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
As the name suggests these are espresso machines designed for those who prefer a more traditional approach. They look similar to the OG espresso machine that was invented in Italy in the early 1900's and operate by pumping water manually into the portafilter, locking it, then pushing water under 9 bars of pressure to create a shot of espresso.
Manual espresso makers are generally more labor-intensive than capsule machines. You must heat the water separately, pour it into the chamber above pre-ground coffee or pods and then press the lever or plunger down to create pressure and force the liquid into the cup. This method is messy, time-consuming and a little frustrating to get right however the end result is worth the effort.
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 you will find in immersion circulators, top-of-the-line toasters and is designed to stabilize the temperature of the brew boiler. This is a great method to take away the uncertainty about the optimal temperature of brewing.
There are a few big companies that manufacture 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 manufacture the huge three or two group head commercial espresso machines that you see in a coffee shop but in 1997 they created the Silvia, a semi-automatic, manual espresso machine that has a few bells and whistles that help take some of the hassle out of the making process.
Fully automatic espresso machines will do all the work for you. click the following page will grind the beans, tamp them, pull the shot, and some even steam your milk. However, they are costly therefore you'll require a strong budget 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 with you, then a semi-automatic machine is the best choice for you. These machines allow you to tweak your preferences as time passes and adjust your espresso drinks based on the way you feel at any time.
They come with a portafilter and steam wand. These machines have the same brewing process as super automatics, but they require manual steps like grinding the beans and putting in the portafilter. These machines require more skill and know-how to operate because the brewing process 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 the portafilter before making. You can also regulate the amount and the pressure of water you use during the brewing process. This means you can adjust your shots to your own preferences, and to the particular type of coffee bean that you are using.
A semi-automatic must also have the ability to control temperature that can be adjustable. This feature allows you to determine the brewing temperature of your coffee beans based on their taste. This will also allow you avoid temperature swings. This is important particularly when it comes to the boiling brew. Without a PID controller, the temperature of brewing can fluctuate up to 20oF from one cup to the next. The swing can be reduced to 0.1oF with a PID.
A few of the more expensive models include a milk froth to create milk-based espresso drinks. This lets you make delicious cappuccinos and lattes. The frothing pitcher should be able to handle comfortably and an spout that allows for easy pouring.
It is also recommended to choose a model with a removable filter basket, and a system that automatically doses the grounds. This will help you avoid having to do the grinding and tamping manually on your own. It also makes cleaning the machine easier.