What Espresso Machines Will Be Your Next Big Obsession

Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK

If you're looking for the best coffee experience, you can't beat an espresso machine. They're a labour of love but they give you control over every aspect of your coffee.

They usually come with an espresso tamper that helps smooth the grinds and a steamer to froth milk for cappuccinos and lattes.

1. Stovetop

There are 98 million cups of coffee consumed in the UK every day and we have a wide selection of stovetop espresso makers to help you brew a great cup of coffee. These machines, also referred to as moka pots, utilize pressure to produce an espresso-like cup of tea without the hassle of filter papers. These simple and easy-to-use appliances will enhance any coffee and can be used with milk to make cappuccinos or lattes.

Moka pots are equipped with the bottom chamber, which is filled with water, while the ground coffee sits in a basket in between two pipes leading to the upper chamber, where the finished beverage is served. As 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 seeps upwards. The result is a smoky aromatic coffee that can be consumed on its own or paired with milk and sugar.

When purchasing a mokapot the most important factor to take into consideration is the unit's capacity. It is essential to make sure the dimensions of the bottom chamber as well as the capacity of the basket are adequate for your needs since a larger unit will require a long wait time, whereas a smaller model might not be able to generate enough pressure. We recommend that you take a look at the material that the machine is made of. Stainless steel machines are more durable and stronger however they cost more.

You should also consider whether the appliance is compatible with your preferred heating source, whether electric or gas. Also, you may be interested in any additional add-ons available such as steamer arms for milk that can be used to heat and make frothy milk in cappuccinos as well as lattes. It is also advisable to look at the number of cups that you can make at once in order to be an important factor in choosing the correct size unit for you.

We would also suggest to ensure that the moka pot you're considering has a wide enough base to fit on the burner you are considering. Certain models, such as the Stelton collar coffee maker have a base that is narrow which makes it difficult to center the machine on a gas burner. However, larger bases, such as those of the Bialetti venus and London Sip stovetop coffee makers, yield better results. We also preferred those that had thicker walls, since this was found to conduct the heat more efficiently and prevent it from exploding too fast.

2. Capsule

There are also capsule coffee machines, that make use of pods to create cappuccinos, espressos, etc. If you don't like cleaning grounds, cleaning, and making coffee this is the best solution for you.

You'll need to purchase the coffee pods on your own, but there are a variety available from brands such as Nespresso, Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. There are a variety of sizes to choose from, so you can choose the size and type of coffee that is best for your taste. The smallest model is the Nespresso Essenza Mini, which is perfect for small spaces and can make one cup at one time. A larger model is available that can also take larger cups however it will cost more.

Illy Iperespresso is a chic alternative for coffee snobs who want a more sophisticated machine that makes better tasting coffee. It's not the most expensive machine, but it does make a great cup of coffee. It's also very easy to use. It has a clever feature which allows it to automatically alter its settings in accordance with the brand of pods it's 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're looking to test the various drinks you can make with a pod machine. This will allow you to experiment with lattes, cappuccinos and other drinks. You can still make the majority of popular drinks with capsule machines, however it will be a more hit-and-miss affair.

If you're considering buying a capsule machine make sure it is compatible with ESE pods. It will come with an adapter or basket that can be used with these smaller pods. Some of the machines in our range include this feature, which means you can use them with Nespresso compatible pods as well as Dolce Gusto or Tassimo pods.

3. Manual

Like the name suggests, these are manual espresso machines designed for those who prefer a more traditional approach. They look like the OG espresso machine that was invented in Italy back in the early 1900's and are operated by manually pumping water through a portafilter and locking it, after which forcing water under 9 bars of pressure to create a shot of espresso.

A manual espresso maker is usually more of a labour of passion than a capsule machine since they require you to heat the water in a separate manner from the coffee, pour it into the chamber above the ground coffee or pods, and then press down on the lever or plunger to create the pressure and force the water through and into the cup below. This process can be complicated, time-consuming, and difficult to master, but the final 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 as well as toasters. It is designed to stabilize brew boiler temperatures. The great thing about this is that it removes a lot of the guesswork regarding the optimum brewing temperature and lets you dial in your espresso with precision.

Rancilio, La Pavoni and other major brands make manual espresso machines. Many who have worked in a cafe or cafe will be familiar with these names. They make the large two or three group-head commercial  espresso machines  that you find in a coffee shop but in 1997 they came up with the Silvia, an automatic, semi-automatic espresso machine that comes with a few bells and whistles to 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 grind the beans and tamp them before pulling the shot, and some even steam your milk. But they are expensive so you will require a decent budget to be able to be able to afford one.

4. Semi-Automatic

If the thought of replicating a perfect espresso shot from your favorite café in your own home is appealing and you want to replicate it, then a semi-automatic coffee machine is the best choice for you. These machines allow you to adjust your preferences over time, and dial in the espresso you drink according to your mood at any given time.

These machines are equipped with a portafilter as well as steam wand. The brewing process in these machines is similar to superautomatics, but with added manual steps like grinding the beans and inserting them into the portafilter. They also require more knowledge and skills to operate as the brewing process is not controlled automatically.

A semi-automatic machine that's good will have filters that can be removed and a tamper to compress the coffee grounds in the portafilter prior to making. You can also adjust the amount and pressure of water used during the brewing process. You can then customize your shots according to your preferences and the type of coffee beans you are using.

A semi-automatic must also have an adjustable temperature control that can be adjustable. This feature allows you to decide the brewing temperature for your coffee beans based on their taste. It will also help you avoid temperature swings, which is especially important when it comes to the boiler that brews the coffee. The brew temperature could vary by 20oF between cups without a PID controller. This fluctuation is lowered to 0.1oF with a PID.

Some of the higher-end models come with a milk frother to make espresso drinks based on milk. This will allow you to make delicious lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos. The frothing pitcher should be able to handle comfortably and a spout for easy pouring.

It is also an excellent idea to select one that has a removable filter basket as well as an automated dosing system for the ground. You'll be able to avoid the manual grinding and tapping yourself. It will also make cleaning the machine easier.