Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
Espresso machines are the ideal way to get the ultimate coffee experience. They're a labour of love but allow you to control every aspect of your coffee.
They usually have an espresso tamper to flatten the grinds, and steamer to froth the milk for cappuccinos and lattes.
1. Stovetop
There are around 98 million cups of coffee consumed in the UK every day and we have a fantastic range of espresso makers that can be used on stovetops to help you brew an excellent cup of coffee. These appliances, also known as moka pots, utilize pressure to make an espresso-like cup of coffee, without the hassle of filter papers. They are a simple and easy-to-use device that can improve any kind of coffee and can be used with milk to make cappuccinos or lattes.
Moka pots come with the bottom chamber, which is filled with water, while the coffee grounds are placed in a basket that is surrounded by two pipes leading to the upper chamber where the finished beverage is served. As the water heats up in the bottom, it forces itself through the grounds at high pressure and seeps up into the upper chamber where the aromas are released for you to enjoy. The result is a rich aromatic coffee that can be consumed on its own or paired with milk and sugar.
The main thing to bear in mind when purchasing moka pots is the capacity of the pot. It is important that you examine the size of the bottom and the capacity of the basket. A larger pot might require a longer waiting time, while a smaller unit may not be capable of building up enough pressure. We also recommend looking at the material that the machine is constructed from, as stainless steel machines tend to be sturdier and more durable however they come with a higher price tag.
Other considerations are how the appliance will function with your chosen heat source (gas or electric) and any other add-ons you might have, such as milk steamer wands which can be used to heat and froth the milk for cappuccinos and lattes. It is also advisable to look at the number of cups that you can make at one time in order to be a helpful factor when choosing the correct size for your needs.
We would also recommend that you examine the base of the moka pot to ensure that it is a good fit on your burner. We found that certain models, such as the Stelton collar espresso maker, had a very narrow base and were difficult to place on a gas stove. On the other hand, wider bases, like those of the Bialetti Venus and London Sip stovetop espresso makers, produced better results. We also favored models with thicker walls because this was proven to conduct the heat more efficiently and prevent it from sputtering out too quickly.
2. Capsule
In a similar vein to the stovetop models, there are capsule coffee machines that make espresso, cappuccinos and more using pods. This is a great choice when you don't want be tangled with grounds, brewing and cleaning up after - they provide a quick, simple and easy way to get your caffeine fix in the morning.
You'll need purchase the coffee pods separately. There are a variety of brands to choose from, such as 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 smallest and is ideal for small space. It makes one cup of coffee at one time. A larger model is also available which can also hold larger cups, but it will cost more.
For a more sophisticated choice that also produces better tasting coffee, the Illy Iperespresso is a stylish shortcut for coffee snobs. It's not the most expensive machine, but it does make excellent coffee. It's also simple to use. It has a clever feature that lets it automatically alter its settings in accordance with the brand of pods it's using. This makes it one of the most flexible machines we've seen.
It is recommended to look for an item with a milk carafe in case you are looking to test all the drinks you can make with a pod maker. This will allow you to play around with cappuccinos and lattes. You can still make the majority of popular drinks with a capsule machine, but it will be more of a than a hit-and-miss experience.
If you are interested in buying a capsule, check that it is compatible with ESE pods. It will come with an adapter or basket that can be used with these smaller pods. Some of our models have this feature. This means you can use the machine with Nespresso compatible pods, and also Dolce Gusto and Tassimo pods.
3. Manual
These are manual espresso machines for those who are a bit more discerning. They look like the original espresso machine developed in Italy in the early 1900s. They operate by manually pumping water into a filter, locking it and then forcing the water under 9 bar of pressure to create shots.
Manual espresso makers are often more labor-intensive than capsule machines. It is necessary to heat the water separately, pour it into the chamber above pods or coffee that has been ground up and then push the plunger or lever down to create pressure and force the liquid into the cup. This method is messy, lengthy and sometimes a bit difficult to master, but 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 is a piece of technology that can be found in immersion circulators, high-end toasters and is designed to stabilise the temperature of the brew kettle. This is a great way to eliminate a lot the guesswork about the ideal temperature for brewing.
There are a few big brands that make 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 make the large three or two group heads of commercial espresso machines that you find in a cafe but in 1997 they came up with the Silvia, a semi-automatic, manual espresso machine that comes with a few bells and whistles to alleviate some of the stress out of the making process.
Fully espressomachines Coffeee do all the work for you, they grind the beans, tamp and then pull one shot, and steam your milk at the push of a button. However, they can also cost a pretty penny so you need to have an adequate balance in your bank to be capable of affording one.
4. Semi-Automatic
If the thought of re-creating a perfect espresso shot from your favorite café in your own home is appealing, then a semi-automatic machine is the right one for you. These machines let you alter your preferences over time and also adjust the amount of your espresso drink according to your mood at any moment.
These machines are equipped with a portafilter as well as a steam wand. The brewing process in these machines is similar to super automatics, however with added manual steps such as grinding the beans and putting them into the portafilter. They also require more knowledge and skills to operate because the brew cycle is not controlled by a computer.
A semi-automatic machine that's good will have filters that can be removed and an tamper that compresses the coffee grounds inside the portafilter prior to making. It will also allow you to control the quantity of water and the pressure used in the brewing process. You can then alter your shots according to your preferences and the type 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 determine the brewing temperature of your coffee beans based on how they taste. This will also allow you avoid temperature fluctuations. This is crucial especially with regards 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 by using a PID.
Some of the most expensive models may also include an milk frother to create espresso drinks based on milk. This lets you make delicious cappuccinos and lattes. The frothing jug must have a comfortable grip and an spout that makes pouring easy.
It is also recommended to select one that has a removable filter basket as well as an automated dosing system for grounds. You will be able to avoid the manual grinding and tapping yourself. This will make cleaning the machine much simpler.