Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
Espresso machines are the best way to get the ultimate coffee experience. They're a labour of love but give you control over every aspect of your coffee.
They have an espresso tamper for flattening the grinds, as well as steamers to froth milk in cappuccinos and lattes.
1. Stovetop
There are 98 million cups of coffee consumed in the UK every day and we have a wide selection of stovetop espresso makers to help you brew the perfect cup of coffee. They are also known as moka pots. these devices use pressure to create an espresso-like cup of coffee without the need for any messy 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 coffee grounds are placed in a basket that is between two pipes leading to the upper chamber, where the finished beverage will be served. As the water in the lower chamber boils, it pushes through the coffee grounds under pressure that is high. The aromas are released into the upper chamber as the water flows upwards. The result is a rich and aromatic coffee that can be consumed on its own or paired with milk and sugar.
When buying a mokapot, the most important factor to consider is the unit's capacity. It is important to ensure that the dimensions of the bottom chamber as well as the capacity of the basket will be adequate for your needs since larger units will require a long wait time, whereas a smaller model may not be able build up enough pressure. We also suggest looking at the material that the machine is made from because stainless steel machines are sturdier and more durable but come with a higher cost.
Other considerations are how the appliance will function with the heat source you choose (gas or electric) and any additional add-ons you might have like milk steamer wands which are used to heat and froth milk for cappuccinos and lattes. You may also want to look at the number of cups you can make at once, as this can be an important factor in choosing the correct size unit for you.
We would also suggest to ensure that the moka pot you are considering will have 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 narrow base and were difficult to center on a gas stove. On electric espresso maker , wider bases, like those of the Bialetti Venus and the London Sip stovetop espresso makers, produced better results. We also preferred models with thicker walls because they were found to transfer heat more efficiently and avoid it from sputtering out too quickly.
2. Capsule
Similar similar to stovetop models, there are capsule coffee machines which make cappuccinos, espresso and other drinks using pods. This is an excellent option if you don't want to have to deal with messing with brewing, grounds, and cleaning up after - they offer an easy, quick and easy method of getting your caffeine fix in the morning.
You'll need to purchase the coffee pods separately, but there is a large selection available from brands such as Nespresso, Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. There are also different sizes to choose from, so you can suit the size of your cup and coffee style to your preference. The Nespresso Essenza Mini is the smallest and is ideal for small spaces. It can make one cup of coffee at a time. You can also get a larger model that can handle larger cups, but they're more expensive.
If you want a more sophisticated alternative that also makes better tasting coffee The Illy Iperespresso is a chic shortcut for coffee snobs. It isn't the cheapest machine but it does produce a superb cup of coffee, and is easy to use too. It also has an intelligent feature that allows it to recognise the type of coffee it's using and automatically adjusts its settings accordingly which makes it one of the most versatile machines in our opinion.
If you want to explore the entire range of drinks that you can make with a pod coffee machine, it's worth looking for a model that comes with a milk carafe. This lets you play with lattes, cappuccinos and other drinks. You can still make these popular drinks using a capsule machine without a milk carafe, but it's more of a hit-and-miss affair.
If you are interested in purchasing a capsule machine make sure it is compatible with ESE pods. This usually means it comes with a basket or adapter to fit these smaller pods. Some of the machines in our collection have this feature, meaning you can use them with Nespresso-compatible pods, as well as Dolce Gusto or Tassimo pods.
3. Manual
The name suggests that they are espresso machines operated manually that are for purists. They look like the original espresso machine created in Italy in the early 1900s. They are operated by manually pumping the water into a filter, then locking it and then forcing the water under 9 bar of pressure to make an espresso.
A manual espresso maker is typically more of a labour of affection than a capsule maker since they require you to heat the water in a separate manner from your coffee, pour it into the chamber above the pre ground coffee or pods, and then press down on the plunger or lever to create pressure and push the water through and into the cup below. This method of operation can be messy, time consuming and a little frustrating to get right however the result is well 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 technology is present in high-end immersion circulators as well as toasters. It is designed to stabilize the temperature of the boiler used to brew. The benefit of this is that it eliminates a lot of the guesswork about the optimal temperature for brewing and lets you dial in your espresso with accuracy.
There are a few major companies that manufacture manual espresso makers, the likes of Rancilio and La Pavoni are familiar names to most people who will have worked in a coffee shop or cafe. They manufacture the huge commercial espresso machines that have three or two heads that you see in coffee shops. However, in 1997, they launched the Silvia semi-automatic manual espresso machine that comes with a few bells and whistles that can alleviate some of the hassle out of making coffee.
Fully automated espresso machines do all of the work for you, they grind the beans, tamp and then pull one shot, and steam your milk all at the touch of a button but they also cost quite a bit of money, so you need to have an adequate amount of cash to be capable of affording one.
4. Semi-Automatic
Semi-automatic machines are a great choice if the idea of recreating the perfect espresso shot at your favorite cafe in your home appeals to you. These machines allow you to adjust your preferences over time, and dial in your espresso drink based on your mood at any time.
They come with a portafilter and steam wand. They have similar brewing processes to super automatics, but they require manual processes like grinding the beans and putting in the portafilter. These machines require more skills and expertise to operate, as the brew cycle does not run automatically.
A good semi-automatic will include a portafilter that is removable and a tamper for firmly compressing the ground coffee inside of the portafilter prior to making. It will also allow you to control the quantity of water and the pressure used in the brewing process. This means you can adjust your shots to your own preferences 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 set the brewing temperatures for your coffee beans in accordance with the way they taste. This will also help you to avoid temperature swings. This is crucial, especially when it comes the brew-boiler. Without a PID controller, the temperature of the brew can vary by up to 20oF from one cup to the next. With a PID controller, this swing is limited to about 0.1oF.
A few of the more expensive models include a milk froth to create milk-based espresso drinks. This will help you create delicious lattes, cappuccinos and macchiatos. The frothing container should be able to be held comfortably and have an spout that makes pouring easy.
You should also choose an option with a detachable filter basket and a system that automatically doses the ground. You will be able to not have to do the manual grinding and tapping yourself. This will make cleaning the machine much simpler.