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Espresso Machines – The Best Espresso Makers in the UK If you're looking for the best coffee experience, there's no better than an espresso machine. They're a labor of passion but they give you control over every aspect of your coffee. They also have an espresso tamper to flatten the grinds, and steamers for frothing milk in cappuccinos and lattes. 1. Stovetop There are 98 million cups of coffee consumed in the UK every day and we have a fantastic range of espresso makers that can be used on stovetops to help you make the perfect cup of coffee. These machines, also referred to as moka pots, use pressure to produce an espresso-like cup of coffee, without the hassle of filter papers. They are a simple and easy-to-use device that can be used to enhance any type of coffee and can be combined with milk to make cappuccinos and lattes. The lower chamber of the moka pot is filled with hot water. The coffee beans are placed in a basket between two pipes that connect to the upper chamber where the finished beverage will be served. When the water is boiling in the bottom, it pushes its way through the grounds at high pressure and seeps up into the upper chamber where the aromas are released to you to enjoy. The result is a rich and aromatic coffee that you can enjoy by itself or mixed with sugar and milk. The most important thing to keep in mind when purchasing a moka pot is the capacity of the pot. It is important to make sure that the dimensions of the bottom chamber as well as the capacity of the basket will be sufficient for your needs as larger pots will require a longer waiting time, while a smaller one may not be able generate enough pressure. We recommend that you also take a look at the material that the machine is made from. Steel machines made of stainless steel are more durable and stronger but they can cost more. Other considerations are how the appliance will function with the source of heat you prefer (gas or electric) and any extra add-ons you might have like milk steamer wands that are used to heat and froth the milk for lattes and cappuccinos. You may also consider the amount of cups you can make in one go, since this can be a great way to determine the ideal size unit for you. We would also recommend that you examine the base of the moka maker to ensure that it is a good fit on your burner. Some models, like the Stelton collar coffee maker have a narrow base which makes it difficult to center the machine on a gas stove. However, larger bases, such as those of the Bialetti venus and London Sip stovetop coffee makers, give better results. We also preferred those that had thicker walls, as this was found to transfer heat more efficiently and prevent it from sputtering out too quickly. 2. Capsule There are also capsule coffee machines, that make use of pods to create cappuccinos, espresso, etc. This is an excellent option if you don't want to have to deal with messing with brewing, grounds, and cleaning up afterwards – they provide a quick, simple and easy method to get your caffeine fix in the morning. You'll need to purchase the coffee pods on your own, but there is a wide selection available from brands such as Nespresso, Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. There are also a few different sizes to choose from to allow you to tailor your drink size and coffee type to your preference. The smallest model is the Nespresso Essenza Mini, which is perfect for small spaces and makes one cup at a time. You can get a bigger model that can handle larger cups, however they're more expensive. For a more sophisticated option that also makes better tasting coffee The Illy Iperespresso is an elegant shortcut for coffee snobs. It's not the cheapest machine but it does produce an excellent cup of coffee, and is easy to use too. It also comes with an innovative feature that allows it to recognize the brand of pod it's using and automatically adjusts its settings to match which makes it one of the most versatile in our opinion. You should look for one with a milk carafe if you want to try out all the drinks you can make with a pod machine. This will let you experiment with lattes and cappuccinos. You can still make the most popular drinks with a capsule machine without a milk cup, but it's more of a hit and miss affair. If you are interested in buying a capsule be sure to check if it's compatible with ESE pods. It will come with an adapter or basket that fits these smaller pods. Some of our machines we offer have 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 intended for those who are a bit more strict. They look like the OG espresso machine, which was invented in Italy in the early 1900's. They operate by manually pumping water through a portafilter and locking it, after which pushing water under 9 bars of pressure creating a shot of espresso. A manual espresso maker is usually more of a labour of passion than a capsule machine as they require you to heat the water separately from your coffee, pour it into the chamber over the pre ground coffee or pods and then press down on the lever or plunger to create pressure and push the water through and into the cup below. This method of operation can be messy, lengthy and sometimes a bit difficult to get right however 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 is a type of technology that is found in immersion circulators, top-of-the-line toasters, and is designed to stabilize the brew boiler temperature. The great thing about this is that it removes much of the guesswork regarding the ideal temperature for brewing and lets you adjust your espresso with accuracy. Rancilio, La Pavoni and other big names produce manual espresso machines. Most people who have worked in a coffee shop or cafe will be familiar with these names. They manufacture the huge commercial espresso machines that have two or three heads that are found in coffee shops. However, in 1997, they launched the Silvia, a semi-automatic manual espresso machine that comes with a few bells & whistles that help to reduce the stress out of making espresso. Fully automated espresso machines will do all the work for you. They'll grind the beans and then tamp them up, pull the shot, and even steam your milk. However, they are costly so you will require a decent budget to be able to afford one. 4. Semi-Automatic Semi-automatic machines are the best choice when the idea of replicating the perfect espresso shot in the cafe you love at home appeals to you. These machines allow you to tweak your preferences as time passes and adjust your espresso drinks based on the way you feel at any time. The machines are equipped with a portafilter as well as a steam wand. These machines have a similar brewing process to superautomatics, however they require some manual steps like grinding the beans and inserting the portafilter. They also require more knowledge and skills to operate as the brewing process is not controlled automatically. A good semi-automatic should come with a portafilter that can be removed and a tamper that is capable of compressing the ground coffee inside of the portafilter prior to brewing. You can also adjust the amount and pressure of water you use during the making process. You can then customize your shots based on your preferences and the type of coffee beans you are using. A semi-automatic must also include a temperature control that can be adjustable. This feature lets you set the brewing temperature for your coffee beans based on the way they taste. This will also help you to avoid temperature swings. This is crucial, especially when it comes the boiling brew. Without a PID control, the brew temperature can swing up to 20oF from one cup to the next. Coffeee is lowered to 0.1oF by using a PID. Some of the higher-end models include a milk froth to make milk-based espresso drinks. This will allow you to make delicious cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos. The frothing pitcher should be able to handle comfortably and an spout that allows for easy pouring. It is also recommended to select an item with a filtering basket as well as an automated dosing system for the ground. This will help you avoid having to do the manual tamping and grinding on your own. It also makes cleaning the machine easier.