Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
Espresso machines are the best method to enjoy the best coffee experience. They're an act of love, but they allow you total control over the coffee you drink.
They usually include an espresso tamper to flatten the grinds and steamer to froth the milk for lattes and cappuccinos.
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 make an excellent cup of coffee. These machines, also referred to as moka pots use pressure to make an espresso-like cup of tea without the need for messy filter papers. They are a simple, easy-to-use device that can enhance any type of coffee and can be combined with milk to make cappuccinos and lattes.
Moka pots have an inner chamber that is filled with water, while the ground coffee sits in a basket between two pipes leading to the upper chamber where the final beverage is served. As the water in the lower chamber boils, it is pushed through the grounds of the coffee under pressure that is high. The aromas are released into the upper chamber as the water seeps upwards. The result is a smoky aromatic coffee that can be consumed on its own or with milk and sugar.
The most important thing to keep in mind when buying a moka pot is the capacity of the unit. It is essential to check the size of the bottom and the capacity of the basket. A larger unit could require a longer wait time, while smaller units may not be capable of building up enough pressure. We also recommend looking at the materials the machine is constructed from, as stainless steel machines are more robust and durable, but come with a higher price tag.
Other factors to consider is whether the appliance will work with the source of heat you prefer (gas or electric) and any additional add-ons you might have like milk steamer wands which can be used to heat and froth the milk for cappuccinos and lattes. You may also want to look at the number of cups that you can make in one go in order to be an important factor in choosing the correct size unit for your needs.
We would also recommend to check the base of the moka maker to ensure that it is a good fit on your burner. Certain models, such as the Stelton collar coffee maker have a narrow base that makes it difficult to align the machine on a gas stove. 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 as they were found to conduct heat more efficiently and avoid it from sputtering too fast.
2. Capsule
In a similar vein to stovetop models there are capsule coffee makers that make espresso, cappuccinos and other drinks by using pods. If you don't like cleaning grounds, cleaning, and making coffee this is the ideal option for you.
You'll need to purchase the coffee pods on your own, but there is a wide selection on the market from brands such as Nespresso, Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. There are also different sizes to choose from to allow you to tailor your drink size and coffee type to your personal preference. The Nespresso Essenza Mini is the most compact and is perfect for small space. It can make one cup of coffee at one time. You can get a bigger model that can handle larger cups, but they're more expensive.
Illy Iperespresso is a stylish alternative for coffee lovers who prefer a sophisticated machine that produces better tasting coffee. It's not the cheapest machine however it produces an excellent cup of coffee and it's easy to use too. It has a clever feature that allows it to automatically alter its settings in accordance with the brand of pods it is using. This makes it one of the most adaptable machines, in our opinion.
You should look for one with a milk carafe in case you are looking to test all the drinks you can make with a pod machine. This will let you explore the possibilities of cappuccinos and lattes. You can still make most popular drinks with capsule machines, but it will be a unpredictable affair.
If you are interested in buying a capsule machine be sure to check if it's compatible with ESE pods. This typically means it has a basket or adapter to fit smaller pods. Some of our models have this feature. This means you can use the machine with Nespresso compatible pods as well as Dolce Gusto and Tassimo pods.
3. Manual
These are espresso machines that are manual for purists. They look like the original espresso machine, invented in Italy in the early 1900s. They operate by pumping the water manually into a filter, locking it and then forcing the water under 9 bar of pressure to create an espresso.
A manual espresso maker is often more of a labour of passion than a capsule machine as they require you to heat the water separately from the coffee, pour it into the chamber over the pre ground coffee or pods and then press down on the plunger or lever to create pressure and push the water through into the cup below. This process is complicated, time-consuming, and difficult 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 technology is found in high-end immersion circulators and toasters. It is designed to stabilize the brewing temperature of the boiler. The great thing about this is that it takes away much of the guesswork regarding the optimum brewing temperature and lets you adjust the temperature of your espresso with accuracy.
There are several big companies that manufacture manual espresso makers. The likes of Rancilio and La Pavoni are familiar names to many who have worked in the cafe or coffee shop. They make the large two or three group head commercial espresso machines that you would see in a coffee shop however in 1997 they introduced the Silvia, which is an automated, semi-automatic machine that comes with a few bells and whistles that help alleviate some of the stress out of the coffee making process.
Fully automatic espresso machines do all the work for you. They grind the beans, tamp, pull one shot, and steam your milk all at the touch of a button but they also cost a pretty penny therefore you'll need a decent bank balance to be able to afford one.
4. Semi-Automatic
If the thought of replicating an espresso shot from your favorite cafe in your own home strikes a chord with you, then a semi-automatic machine is the best choice for you. These machines allow you to adjust your preferences over time and adjust your espresso drink based on your mood at any given moment.
These machines come with a portafilter and steam wand. The brewing process used in these machines is similar to that of super automatics, however with added manual steps such as grinding the beans before putting them into the portafilter. They also require additional knowledge and skills to operate since the brew cycle is not controlled by a computer.
A good semi-automatic machine will include a portafilter that is removable and a tamper to help in compressing the ground coffee inside the portafilter prior to making. You can also regulate the amount and the pressure of water used in the brewing process. You can then alter your shots based on your preferences and the kind of coffee beans you are using.
Coffeee -automatic machine should also include a temperature control that can be adjusted. This feature allows you to set the brewing temperature for your coffee beans according to the way they taste. It will also help you avoid fluctuations in temperature which is crucial for the boiler that brews the coffee. Without a PID controller, the brew temperature can swing up to 20oF from one cup to the next. The swing can be reduced to 0.1oF using a PID.
Some of the top models will also include an milk frother to create milk-based espresso drinks. This allows you to make delicious cappuccinos and lattes. The frothing jug must be able to be held comfortably and have an spout that makes pouring easy.
It is also an excellent idea to select one with a filtering basket and an automatic dosing system for the ground. You'll be able avoid doing the manual grinding and tamping yourself. It also makes cleaning the machine much easier.