20 Espresso Machines Websites Taking The Internet By Storm

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 labor of passion but give you control over every aspect of your coffee.

They also have an espresso tamper for flattening the grinds, and a steamer for frothing milk in cappuccinos and lattes.

1. Stovetop

There are approximately 98 million cups of coffee consumed in the UK every day. We have a wide selection of espresso makers for stovetops to help you make a great cup of coffee. Known as moka pots, these devices make use of pressure to produce an espresso-like coffee, without the need for messy filter paper. These simple and easy-to-use appliances can enhance any coffee and can also be used with milk for cappuccinos or lattes.

The bottom chamber of the moka pot is filled with hot water. The coffee grounds are placed in a basket between two pipes leading to the upper chamber where the finished beverage will be served. As the water boils in the bottom, it forces itself through the grounds at high pressure. It then seeps into the upper chamber, where the aromas are released for you to take pleasure in. The end result is an aromatic strong, rich and robust coffee that can be enjoyed on its own or mixed with sugar and milk.

The main thing to bear in mind when purchasing moka pots is the capacity of the unit. It is crucial to look at the dimensions of the bottom as well as the capacity of your basket. A larger unit could require a longer wait time, while a smaller unit might not be capable making enough pressure. We suggest that you look at the material the machine is made of. The stainless steel machines are more durable and stronger however they cost more.

It is also important to consider whether the appliance is compatible with your chosen heat source, be it electric or gas. Also, you may want to look at any other add-ons that are available, like milk steamer arms that are used to heat up and make frothy milk in cappuccinos as well as lattes. It is also advisable to consider the number of cups you are able to make in one go, as this can be a helpful factor when selecting the best size unit for your needs.

In the end, we recommend making sure that the moka maker you're considering has an adequate base that will fit on the burner you are considering. Certain models, such as the Stelton collar coffee maker have a base that is narrow that makes it difficult to place the machine on a gas stove. However, wider 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 this was found to conduct the heat more efficiently and stop it from spreading out too quickly.

2. Capsule

In a similar vein to the stovetop models, there are capsule coffee machines that can make cappuccinos, espresso and other drinks with pods. This is a great option if you 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 of getting your caffeine fix in the morning.

You will have to purchase the coffee pods separately. There are many brands to choose from, including Nespresso Dolce Gusto, and Tassimo. There are also different sizes to choose from to allow you to tailor the size of your beverage and coffee style to your own preference. The smallest model is the Nespresso Essenza Mini, which is ideal for small spaces and can make one cup at one time. A larger model is also available which can also hold larger cups, but it will cost more.

For a more sophisticated choice that also yields better tasting coffee, the Illy Iperespresso is a chic shortcut for coffee snobs. It's not the most affordable machine, but it does produce an excellent cup of coffee and it's easy to use too. It comes with a clever feature that 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 in our opinion.

If you want to explore the entire range of drinks you can make using a pod coffee maker, it's worth looking for a model that includes a milk carafe. This will let you experiment with cappuccinos, lattes, and other drinks. You can still make these popular drinks with a capsule machine without a milk cup, however, it's more than a hit and miss affair.

If you're considering buying a capsule machine, check that it is compatible with ESE pods. This typically means it comes with a basket or adapter to fit these smaller pods. Certain machines in our range come with 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 created in Italy in the early 1900s. They are operated by manually pumping water into a filter, then locking it, and then pushing the water under 9 bar of pressure to create an espresso.

Manual espresso makers are often more labor-intensive than capsule machines. It is necessary to heat the water separately, pour it into the chamber over pre-ground coffee or pods, and then press the plunger or lever down to create pressure and force the liquid through into the cup. This method of operation can be messy, time-consuming and sometimes a bit difficult to master, but the end result is 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 as well as toasters. It is designed to stabilise the temperature of the boiler used to brew. This is a great way to eliminate a lot the uncertainty about the optimal temperature of brewing.

There are a few major companies that manufacture manual espresso makers, the likes of Rancilio and La Pavoni are familiar names to most people who will have worked in the cafe or coffee shop. They manufacture the huge three or two group-head commercial espresso machines you'd find in a cafe however in 1997 they introduced the Silvia, an automated, semi-automatic machine that has a few bells and whistles to alleviate some of the stress out of the brewing process.

Fully Automatic espresso machines do all of the work for you. They grind the beans, tamp, pull shots and steam your milk at the push of a button but they also cost quite a bit of money, so you need to have an adequate balance in your bank to be able to afford one.

4. Semi-Automatic

Semi-automatic machines are the best choice if the idea of recreating the perfect espresso shot from your favorite café in your home appeals to you. These machines allow you to tweak your preferences over time and dial in your espresso drinks according to the way you feel at any given time.

They include a portafilter as well as steam wand. The brewing process in these machines is similar to that of superautomatics, but with added manual steps such as grinding the beans and putting them into the portafilter. They also require additional knowledge and skills to operate because the brewing process isn't controlled by a computer.

A good semi-automatic will have a removable portafilter and a tamper for firmly compressing the coffee grounds inside the portafilter before making. It will also allow you to control the amount of water and pressure used in the brewing process. This means you can customize the shots you drink according to your personal preferences and to the specific type of coffee bean that you are using.

Another thing to look for in a semi-automatic machine is an adjustable temperature control.  Coffeee  allows you to determine the brewing temperature of your coffee beans based on their taste. It also allows you to avoid fluctuations in temperature which is particularly important when it comes to the brew boiler. Without a PID controller the temperature of brewing can fluctuate up to 20oF from one cup to the next. With PID controllers the swing is restricted to about 0.1oF.

Some of the more premium models may also include an milk frother to create espresso drinks based on milk. This will help you create delicious cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos. The pitcher that froths should have a comfortable handle and an spout to make it easy to pour.

You should also choose one with a removable filter basket and an automatic system to dose the ground. This will prevent you from having to do the grinding and tamping manually on your own. This will make cleaning the machine much easier.