How to Choose an Espresso Machine in the UK

98 million cups of coffee are consumed in the UK every day, and you can easily make your own at home with an espresso machine. home espresso machine come in a range of prices, with models that meet the needs of all budgets.

It is easy to use, using four buttons on the panel. It can be used for ground coffee or ESE pods. You can also choose between two or one cups.

Automated Tamping System

A great coffee is the reason customers return to a cafe, so it is important to have a system that ensures consistency in the way your espresso is prepared. A tamper that is automated is the ideal method to achieve this. While it may not remove all the expertise that goes into being an exceptional barista, it can definitely aid in speeding up your service times.

A tamp that is good quality should be level and apply consistent pressure. This is essential because if the ground coffee isn't evenly packed it won't pass through with ease. This can cause uneven extractions and weaker coffees so it's essential to use the correct amount of pressure when tamping. There are a variety of tampers out there, some superior to others, so make sure you select one that will give you the same level of tamping and uniform pressure.

An automatic tamper is designed to eliminate the guesswork of this process by giving an equal and level tamp every time. This is especially beneficial in environments with high volumes where tamping can get complicated. Utilizing an automated tamper will help you save time and effort, while also making sure that your espresso is properly tamped.

The best automatic tampers will feature an indicator on the base that shows millimetre increments running down it, making them easy to set up to the right size and guaranteeing consistency. You can alter the force of tamping to be in line with the force you're using when grinding your beans. Some Tampers even have an additional handle to hold it.

Ninth Phase's Rhino coffee tamper has an elongated stainless steel base that screws into an aluminum handle, making it strong and durable. The materials used are durable enough to withstand the daily stress of a commercial setting. The Puq Press is another option that is similar to the Rhino tamper, with the same weighted base as well as an indicator on the side of the tamper, which shows millimetre increments that can be set to a specific point.

Thermojet water heating system

Thermojet systems are efficient and fast, allowing you to begin brewing coffee as soon as you start. They can reach their optimal extraction temperature in only 3 seconds and can be brewed immediately. They also use up to 32% less energy per year when compared to Thermoblocks. This system is found on all espresso machines that are high-end, including the Barista Touch Impress and the Barista Pro.

The heat exchanger of an espresso machine is a crucial component. It helps keep the temperature of the water at a constant temperature for steaming and brewing even over extended durations. The heat exchanger not only ensures consistent temperatures but also generates the fast steam that is typical of an espresso machine. It is made of copper or brass and is the main water reservoir in a traditional Espresso machine.

The majority of modern espresso machines utilize a Thermoblock or Thermocoil to heat the boiler. The Thermoblock, while more efficient and economical, is the gold standard for professional espresso machines. Thermoblocks are more robust and reliable than Thermocoils but both have drawbacks. Thermocoils are more susceptible to blockage and require frequent descalers, whereas Thermojets come with an antiscale system that reduces the need for a descaler.

When a new batch of espresso is poured into the portafilter, the thermojet system passively heats up the filter to a comfortable temperature for extraction. This is an essential element of the process of brewing, since it ensures that your espresso is smooth in taste and texture. The Thermojet heating system is also much quicker than a Thermoblock which is a great feature for any espresso machine.

Thermojet utilizes the copper coiled line within the boiler to heat the water prior to steaming or brewing. It is very effective at maintaining a constant temperature, and it's easy to maintain an efficient filter to ensure better tasting coffee. Thermojet is a model that is available in many of the best all-in-one espresso machines, including the Sage and Breville Barista Express.

Auto MilQ system

The Auto MilQ system automatically texturizes the milk, resulting in soft, smooth micro-foams for latte art. It is perfect for those who don't want to spend time manually frothing milk. It comes with three different milk settings, including Dairy Almond and Soy. It automatically adjusts temperature, pressure and time to ensure that the milk is properly smooth and textured.

The machine also comes with an automatic stamping feature. It's easy to use and will tell you whether you've the grounds tamped to the right level or not. This will help you avoid the mess and ensure you have the right amount of ground coffee in your portafilter. The machine will also inform you whether it's necessary to grind coarser or finer to ensure an espresso that is consistent.

In addition to the amazing features of tamping, the Barista Touch Impress also comes with a smart auto steam wand. The ThermoJet heating technology allows the machine to reach its optimal extraction temperature in only three seconds. This means you'll be able to get your morning coffee sooner than ever before.

In contrast to other machines that allow you to make a single type of drink at time, the Barista Touch Impress lets you choose several drinks from its extensive menu. It also comes with a built-in grinding machine from Baratza, which uses precision burrs made of steel that has been hardened. The machine is simple to clean and maintain, with a convenient rinsing cycle and a convenient waste filter basket.


The machine also has an array of user-friendly features, including the barista's guideline step-by-step, and real-time feedback via the touchscreen that is color. The Impress Puck System utilizes intelligent dosing and precision measuring to produce pucks that are practically perfect, while its assisted tamping process produces barista-quality results with a minimum of effort.

The Barista Touch also has a smart auto steam wand that automatically froths milk and creates silky-smooth micro foam. It comes with three different texture settings that can be adapted to your preferences. It works with all kinds of milk that includes almonds, dairy, soy and oat. It also features a new Auto MilQ setting that optimizes the texture and temperature of milk for plant-based milks, just as a barista with experience would.

Multiple steam wands

The steam wand, also referred to as the steam nozzle is a small nozzle made of metal that releases steam at high pressure into your milk. This is used for lattes, cappuccinos, and other hot drinks. It is also an essential component of a coffee machine, as it heats and adds texture to the milk you drink. A properly-equipped machine will have multiple steam wands, which lets you prepare multiple jugs of milk at once. This can save you time and money.

The number of steam wands in an espresso machine will depend on the number of groups within your machine. In general, machines that have one group have only one steam wand. Machines with 2 or 3 groups will have 2. It is essential to have a variety of steam wands particularly if you run a high-volume operation. This will increase the efficiency and productivity of your bar and enable you to serve a greater quantity of customers simultaneously.

Steam wands are available in a variety of tips that have different numbers of holes. The more holes there are, the quicker the milk will be heated. The tip should also be equipped with a rubber grip to avoid burning your fingers. It should have an ON button or knob to allow you to easily turn it on and off.

Most coffee machines use one boiler to heat water for brewing and to boil milk. This means that the machine must be warm for a few minutes before it can switch between brewing and steaming modes. This can cause problems, as the temperature required to brew is not always the same as the temperature needed for steaming. In addition the boiler can discharge (usually minor) amounts of made-up water into the steam wand which can cause the milk to taste less watered-down.

The increasing popularity of plant-based milks is placing more pressure on coffee shops to create top-quality milk-based drinks. This can result in a backlog of milk which can impact the productivity of a cafe. A majority of traditional espresso machines have enough groups for one milk jug at the same time, which can slow down the process. However, the advent of modular equipment has allowed to increase the number of group handles and steam wands used in coffee shops.