Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK

Espresso machines are the ideal method to enjoy the best coffee experience. They are a labor of love, but they give you total control over your coffee.

They typically include an espresso tamper to flatten the grinds and steamers to froth milk for lattes and cappuccinos.

1. Stovetop

We have a wide range of stovetop coffee makers that will help you make a great cup. In the UK around 98 million cups of coffee are consumed every day. These machines, also referred to as moka pots, utilize pressure to create an espresso-like cup of coffee, without the messy need for filter papers. These simple and easy to use appliances will enhance any coffee, and can be used with milk for cappuccinos or lattes.

Moka pots come with the bottom chamber, which is filled with water and the coffee is placed in a basket between two pipes which lead to the upper chamber, where the final beverage is served. As the water boils in the bottom, it pushes itself through the grounds under high pressure, and then flows into the upper chamber where the aromas are released for you to take pleasure in. The end result is a smoky rich and robust coffee that can be enjoyed on its own or mixed with sugar and milk.

When buying a mokapot, the most important factor to think about is the pot's capacity. It is crucial to look at the size of the bottom and the capacity of your basket. A larger unit might require a longer waiting time, while a smaller unit may not be capable of building up enough pressure. We also suggest looking at the material the machine is constructed from since stainless steel machines are more robust and durable, but come with a higher price tag.

Other things to consider is whether the appliance will work with the heat source you choose (gas or electric) and any extra accessories that are available like milk steamer wands which can be used to heat and froth milk to make lattes and cappuccinos. You may also consider the amount of cups you can make in one sitting, as this is a great way to determine the ideal size unit for you.

We would also recommend to check the base of the moka pot to ensure it will fit on your burner. home espresso machine , such as the Stelton collar coffee maker, have a base that is narrow that makes it difficult to align the machine on a gas burner. However, wider bases such as those of the Bialetti venus and London Sip stovetop coffee makers, provide better results. We also preferred those with thicker walls as they were found to conduct heat more efficiently and stop it from sputtering too fast.

2. Capsule

Similar to stovetop models there are capsule coffee makers which make cappuccinos, espresso and other drinks using pods. This is a great option for those who don't want to have to deal with messing with grounds, brewing and cleaning up afterwards - they offer a quick, simple and hassle-free method to get your caffeine fix in the morning.

You'll need purchase the coffee pods separately. There are several brands to choose from, including Nespresso Dolce Gusto, and Tassimo. There are also different sizes available to allow you to tailor your drink size and the type of coffee to your personal preference. The Nespresso Essenza Mini is the smaller model and is perfect for small space. It can make one cup of coffee at one time. A larger model is available that can also take larger cups, but it will cost more.

Illy Iperespresso is a stylish alternative for coffee lovers who are looking for a more sophisticated machine that makes 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 has a clever function that allows it to automatically adjust its settings according to the brand of pods it is using. This makes it one of the most flexible machines we've seen.

If you want to explore the full menu of drinks you can make using a pod coffee maker it is recommended to look for a model with a milk carafe. This will allow you to experiment with cappuccinos, lattes and other drinks. You can still make these popular drinks using a capsule maker without a milk cup, but it's more of a hit-and-miss affair.

If you're interested in getting a capsule coffee machine be sure that it's listed as compatible with ESE pods. This will usually mean it comes with a basket or adapter that can be used to accommodate these 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 manual espresso machines that are for purists. They look like the original espresso machine created in Italy in the early 1900s. They operate by pumping the water manually into a filter, then locking it, and then forcing the water under 9 bar of pressure to create a shot.

A manual espresso maker is typically more of a labor of love than a capsule machine since they require you to heat the water separately from your coffee, pour it into the chamber above the pre ground coffee or pods and then press down on the lever or plunger to create pressure and push the water through into the cup below. This method 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 used in high-end immersion circulators as well as toasters. It is designed to stabilize the temperature of the boiler used to brew. The great thing about this is that it takes away a lot of the guesswork regarding the optimal temperature for brewing and lets you adjust the temperature of your espresso with precision.

Rancilio, La Pavoni and other large names make manual espresso machines. Most people who have worked in a cafe or cafe are familiar with these names. They make the massive commercial espresso machines with three or two heads that you see in coffee shops, but in 1997, they launched the Silvia semi-automatic espresso machine that has some bells and whistles that alleviate some of the hassle out of making espresso.

Fully automatic espresso machines will take care of all the work for you. They'll grind the beans and then tamp them up, pull the shot, and some even steam your milk. However, they are costly therefore you'll require a decent cash flow to be able to afford one.

4. Semi-Automatic

If the idea of re-creating a perfect espresso shot from your favorite cafe in your own home is appealing to you, then a semi-automatic machine is the best choice for you. These machines allow you to alter your preferences over time and adjust your espresso drink according to your mood at any given moment.

The machines include a portafilter as well as steam wand. These machines share similar brewing processes to super automatics, but they require manual steps such as grinding beans and inserting the portafilter. They also require additional knowledge and skills to operate as the brewing process isn't controlled by a computer.

A semi-automatic machine which is good will come with an adjustable filter as well as an tamper that compresses the coffee grounds in the portafilter prior to brewing. You can also control the amount and pressure of water used during the brewing process. You can then alter your shots to suit your tastes and the type of coffee beans you are using.

Another feature to look for in a semi-automatic coffee maker is an adjustable temperature control. This feature allows you set the brewing temperatures for your coffee beans in accordance with how they taste. It will also help you avoid temperature swings, which is especially important in the case of the boiler that brews the coffee. The brew temperature can fluctuate by up to 20oF in a cup without a PID controller. With PID controllers the swing is restricted to approximately 0.1oF.

Some of the more premium models will also include the milk frother to make milk-based espresso drinks. This will allow you to make delicious lattes and cappuccinos. The frothing container should be comfortable to hold and have a spout to make pouring effortless.

You should also select an option with a detachable filter basket and a system that automatically doses the grounds. This will save you from having to do the manual tamping and grinding on your own. This will make cleaning the machine simpler.