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 typically have an espresso tamper to flatten the grinds, and steamer to froth the milk for cappuccinos and lattes.

1. Stovetop

We have a broad selection of stovetop coffee makers that will assist you in making a perfect cup. In the UK, approximately 98 millions cups of coffee are consumed every day. Known as moka pots, these machines use pressure to create an espresso-like coffee, without the need for messy filter paper. They are a simple and easy-to-use device that can be used to improve any kind of coffee, and can be used with milk to make cappuccinos and lattes.

Moka pots have a bottom chamber which is filled with water while the ground coffee sits in a basket that is surrounded by two pipes that lead to the upper chamber, where the finished beverage is served. When the water in the bottom chamber boils, it pushes through the grounds of the coffee under high pressure. The aromas are released into the upper chamber as the water flows upwards. The result is a rich aromatic coffee that you can enjoy on its own or paired with milk and sugar.

espresso maker for home to bear in mind when buying a moka pot is the capacity of the pot. It is important to make sure that the size of the bottom chamber and the capacity of the basket are sufficient for your requirements as larger pots will require a longer waiting time, while a smaller one might not be able to generate enough pressure. We also suggest looking at the material that the machine is made of since stainless steel machines tend to be more robust and durable, but they also come with a higher cost.

It is also important to consider whether the appliance is compatible with your preferred heating source, whether electric or gas. Also, you may want to look at the other accessories available like milk steamer arms that are used to heat and froth milk in cappuccinos and lattes. You might also want to take a look at the amount of cups you can make at one time, as this can be a useful factor in selecting the right size for your needs.

Lastly, we would recommend to ensure that the moka pot you're considering has an adequate base that will fit on the burner you are considering. Some models, like the Stelton collar coffee maker have a narrow base that makes it difficult to center the machine on a gas stove. However, wider bases such as those of the Bialetti venus and London Sip stovetop coffee makers, yield better results. We also preferred models with thicker walls since they were found to conduct heat more efficiently and avoid it sputtering too quickly.

2. Capsule

There are also capsule coffee machines, which use pods to make espresso, cappuccinos, etc. If you aren't a fan of messing with grounds, cleaning, and making coffee, this is the perfect alternative for you.

You will have purchase the coffee pods separately. There are many brands available, including Nespresso Dolce Gusto, and Tassimo. There are a variety of sizes available, so you can choose the size and type of coffee that suits your preferences. The smallest of these is the Nespresso Essenza Mini, which is ideal for small spaces and can make one cup at one time. You can also get a larger model that can take larger cups too, but they're more expensive.

Illy Iperespresso is a chic alternative for coffee lovers who want a more sophisticated machine that makes better tasting coffee. It's not the most expensive machine, but it produces excellent coffee. It's also simple to use. It comes with a clever feature which allows it to automatically alter its settings in accordance with the type of pods it's using. This makes it one of the most flexible machines we've seen.

If you're looking to explore the wide range of drinks you can make with a pod coffee machine, it's worth looking for a model that comes with a milk carafe. This will allow you to explore the possibilities of cappuccinos and lattes. You can still make the majority of popular drinks using capsule machines, however it will be a more than a hit-and-miss experience.

If you're thinking of purchasing a capsule machine, check that it is compatible with ESE pods. This typically means it has a basket or adapter to fit smaller pods. Certain machines in our range have this feature. This means that you can use the machine with Nespresso compatible pods and also Dolce Gusto and Tassimo pods.


3. Manual

These are espresso machines that are manual for those who prefer a more traditional approach. They look like the original espresso machine, invented in Italy in the early 1900s. They are operated by manually pumping water into a filter, securing it, and then pushing the water under 9 bar of pressure to create shots.

A manual espresso maker is usually more of a labour of affection than a capsule maker since they require you to heat the water separately from your coffee, then pour it into the chamber above the pre ground coffee or pods, and then press down on the plunger or lever to create the pressure and force the water through and into the cup below. This method is messy, time-consuming and a bit frustrating 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 technology is found in high-end immersion circulators and toasters. It is designed to stabilise the temperature of the boiler used to brew. The great thing about this is that it takes away a lot of the guesswork about the optimum brewing temperature and lets you adjust your espresso with accuracy.

There are several big names that produce 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 produce the massive two or three group-head commercial espresso machines that you see in a coffee shop but in 1997 they came up with the Silvia, which is an automated, semi-automatic machine that comes with some bells and whistles to help alleviate some of the stress out of the coffee making process.

Fully automated espresso machines can take care of all the work for you. They will grind the beans, tamp them, pull the shot, and some even steam your milk. However, they are costly so you will need a good cash flow to be able to afford one.

4. Semi-Automatic

Semi-automatic machines are the best choice If the idea of re-creating the perfect espresso shot at your favorite café in your home is appealing to you. These machines allow you to adjust your preferences over time and also adjust the amount of your espresso drink based on your mood at any given time.

These machines are equipped with a portafilter, and steam wand. These machines have the same brewing process as super automatics, but they require some manual steps such as grinding the beans and putting in the portafilter. These machines require more skills and know-how to operate as the brew cycle is not run in a way that is automated.

A good semi-automatic should have a removable portafilter and a tamper to help in 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. You can also alter the shots to suit your tastes and the kind of coffee beans you are using.

Another thing to look for in a semi-automatic is an adjustable temperature control. This feature lets you to set the brewing temperature for your coffee beans based on the way they taste. This will also help you avoid temperature swings. This is crucial, especially when it comes the boiling brew. Without a PID control, the temperature of brewing can fluctuate by up to 20oF from one cup to the next. This swing can be reduced to 0.1oF by using a PID.

Some of the more premium models also come with the milk frother to make milk-based espresso drinks. This lets you make delicious cappuccinos and lattes. The frothing container should be able to be held comfortably and have a spout to make pouring effortless.

It is also a good idea to choose an item with a filter that is removable basket and an automatic dosing system for the ground. You'll be able to avoid doing the manual grinding and tamping yourself. This will make cleaning the machine easier.