Espresso Machines 101: A Complete Guide For Beginners

Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK

Espresso machines are the most effective method to enjoy the best coffee experience. They're an act of love, but they give you complete control over the coffee you drink.

They usually have an espresso tamper to smooth the grinds and a steamer to froth milk for cappuccinos and lattes.

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 each day. Known as moka pots, these machines utilize pressure to make espresso-like cup of coffee without the need for any messy filter papers. They are a simple and user-friendly device that can be used to enhance any coffee and can be combined with milk to make cappuccinos and lattes.

The bottom of the moka pot is filled with hot water. The coffee beans are placed in a basket that is between two pipes leading to the upper chamber where the final drink will be served. When the water in the lower chamber boils, it is pushed through the grounds of the coffee under pressure that is high. The aromas are released into the upper chamber as the water flows upwards. The result is a full and aromatic coffee that you can enjoy on its own or with sugar and milk.

When you are buying a mokapot the most important thing to consider is the unit's capacity. It is important that you examine the dimensions of the bottom as well as the capacity of the basket. A larger pot could require a longer wait time, whereas smaller units might not be capable making enough pressure. We suggest that you look at the material the machine is constructed of. The stainless steel machines are more durable and stronger but they can cost more.

It is also important to consider whether the appliance is compatible with the heat source, whether it's electric or gas. Additionally, you might consider looking into the other accessories available like steamer arms for milk that are used to heat and make frothy milk in cappuccinos as well as lattes. You may also want to take a look at the amount of cups you are able to make at one time and this could be an important factor in selecting the best size unit for you.

In the end, we recommend checking that the moka pot you are considering will have a base that is wide enough to fit on your chosen burner. We found that certain models, such as the Stelton collar espresso maker, had a narrow base and were difficult to center on a gas burner while wider bases, like those of the Bialetti Venus and the London Sip stovetop  espresso makers , produced better results. We also preferred those that had thicker walls, as this was found to conduct the heat more efficiently and stop it from spreading out too quickly.

2. Capsule

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

You'll need to purchase the coffee pods on your own, but there is a large selection available from brands like Nespresso, Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. There are also a few different sizes available, so you can suit the size of your beverage and the type of coffee to your own preference. The smallest is the Nespresso Essenza Mini, which is perfect for small spaces and can make one cup at a time. You can also get a larger model that can take larger cups too, but they are more expensive.

Illy Iperespresso is a stylish 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 an excellent cup of coffee. It's also very easy to use. It also features an innovative feature that allows it to detect the type of coffee it's using and automatically adjusts its settings to match it, making it among the most versatile machines in our opinion.

You should choose one that comes with a milk cup if you're looking to test the various drinks you can make with a pod machine. This will allow you to experiment with cappuccinos, lattes and a variety of other drinks. You can still make these popular drinks with a capsule machine without a milk carafe but it'll be more of a hit and miss affair.

If you're considering purchasing capsule coffee machines ensure that it is marked as compatible with ESE pods. It will have a basket or adapter that can be used with these smaller pods. Some machines in our range come with this feature. This means that you can use the machine with Nespresso compatible pods and also Dolce Gusto and Tassimo pods.

3. Manual

They are manual espresso machines for purists. They resemble the original espresso machine developed in Italy in the early 1900s. They operate by manually pumping water into a filter, securing it, and then pushing the water under 9 bar of pressure to make a shot.

A manual espresso maker is typically more of a labour of affection than a capsule maker as they require you to heat the water separately from the coffee, pour it into the chamber above the pre 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 messy, time-consuming and frustrating 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. This is a great method to take away a lot of the uncertainty about the optimal temperature of brewing.

There are several big names that produce manual espresso makers, the likes of Rancilio and La Pavoni are familiar names to many who have worked in the cafe or coffee shop. They make the massive commercial espresso machines that have two or three heads that you see in coffee shops, but in 1997, they introduced the Silvia, a semi-automatic espresso machine that has a few bells and whistles that alleviate some of the hassle out of brewing.

Fully automatic espresso machines do all of the tasks for you, they grind the beans, tamp, and pull shots and steam your milk all at the push of a button but they can also cost a pretty penny therefore you'll need a decent bank balance to be able to afford one.

4. Semi-Automatic

If the thought of replicating an espresso shot from your favorite cafe at home is appealing to you, then a semi-automatic machine is the right one for you. These coffee machines permit you to adjust your preferences as time passes and adjust your espresso drinks based on the way you feel at any given time.

They include a portafilter as well as steam wand. These machines have the same brewing process as super automatics, however they require 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 does not run automatically.

A semi-automatic machine that is good will come with filters that can be removed and a tamper to compress the coffee grounds in the portafilter prior to brewing. It will also allow you to control the quantity of water and the pressure 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 have an adjustable temperature control that can be adjustable. This feature lets you decide the brewing temperature for your coffee beans based on their taste. This can help you avoid temperature swings. This is vital especially with regards to the brew-boiler. The brew temperature could vary by 20oF in a cup without a PID controller. The swing is lowered to 0.1oF with a PID.

Some of the top models come with a milk frother to make espresso drinks based on milk. This will allow you to make delicious cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos. The frothing pitcher should have a comfortable handle as well as an spout to make it easy to pour.

It is also recommended to choose an option with a detachable filter basket, as well as a system that automatically doses the grounds. You will be able to avoid the manual grinding and tamping yourself. This will make cleaning the machine easier.