What Is Espresso Machines And How To Utilize It
Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK
Espresso machines are the ideal method to enjoy the best coffee experience. They're a labor of passion, but they also give you complete control over the coffee you drink.
They have an espresso tamper for flattening the grinds, and steamers to froth milk in cappuccinos and lattes.
1. Stovetop
There are 98 million cups of coffee consumed in the UK every day and we have a huge selection of espresso makers that can be used on stovetops to help you make the perfect cup of coffee. Also known as moka pots, these machines use pressure to create an espresso-like coffee, without the need for messy filter papers. These simple and easy-to-use devices will enhance any coffee, and can be used with milk to make lattes or cappuccinos.
The bottom of the moka pot is filled with hot water. The ground coffee is placed in a basket that is between two pipes leading to the upper chamber, where the finished beverage will be served. When the water is boiling in the bottom, it pushes itself through the grounds at high pressure, and then flows into the upper chamber where the aromas are released for you to enjoy. The result is a smoky, rich and strong coffee that can be enjoyed by itself or paired with milk and sugar.
The most important thing to bear in mind when buying moka pots is the capacity of the unit. It is crucial to ensure that the size of the bottom chamber and the capacity of the basket are sufficient for your requirements as a larger unit will require a longer waiting time while a smaller one may not be able create enough pressure. We also recommend looking at the materials the machine is made of because stainless steel machines tend to be stronger and more durable, but come with a higher price tag.
Other factors to consider is how the appliance will function with the heat source you choose (gas or electric) and any other accessories that are available, such as milk steamer wands which are used to heat and froth milk to make lattes and cappuccinos. You should also think about the amount of cups you can prepare in one go, as this is a great method to determine the best size for your needs.
We would also recommend to check the base of the moka pot to ensure that it is a good fit on your burner. We found that certain models, like the Stelton espresso maker with a collar, had a narrow base and were difficult to place on a gas stove. On the other hand, larger bases, such as those of the Bialetti Venus and London Sip stovetop espresso makers, gave better results. We also favored models that had thicker walls, because this was proven to conduct the heat more effectively and prevent it from exploding too fast.
2. Capsule
In a similar vein similar to stovetop models, there are capsule coffee makers which make cappuccinos, espresso and so on with pods. This is a great option when you don't want deal with messing around with brewing, grounds and cleaning up after - they are an easy, quick and effortless method to get your caffeine fix in the morning.
You'll need to purchase the coffee pods separately, however there are a variety on the market from brands like Nespresso, Dolce Gusto and Tassimo. There are several sizes available, so you can choose the size and kind of coffee that best suits your taste. The Nespresso Essenza Mini is the smaller model and is perfect for small spaces. It makes one cup of coffee at a time. There is a larger model that can take larger cups too, but they're more expensive.
Illy Iperespresso offers a stylish alternative for coffee snobs who prefer a sophisticated machine that produces better tasting coffee. It isn't the cheapest machine however it produces excellent coffee and is simple to use as well. It also has an innovative feature that allows it to recognise the brand of coffee it's using and automatically adjusts its settings accordingly, making it among the most versatile machines in our opinion.
If you want to explore the full menu of drinks you can make with a pod-based coffee maker, it's worth looking for a model that includes a milk carafe. This lets you play with lattes, cappuccinos and other drinks. You can still make the most well-known drinks using a capsule machine without a milk carafe but it'll be more of a hit and miss affair.
If you're considering buying a capsule be sure to check if it's compatible with ESE pods. It will come with a basket or adapter that fits these smaller pods. Some of our machines in our collection have this feature, which means you can use them with Nespresso compatible pods as well as Dolce Gusto or Tassimo pods.
3. Manual
As the name suggests these are espresso machines intended for those who are a bit more strict. They look like the OG espresso machine, which was invented in Italy back in the early 1900's. They operate by pumping water manually into a portafilter and locking it, after which pushing water under 9 bars of pressure to create an espresso shot.
A manual espresso maker is usually more of a labour of love than a capsule machine since they require you to heat the water separately from your coffee, then pour it into the chamber over the pre ground coffee or pods, and then press down on the plunger or lever to create pressure and push the water through 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 is a piece of technology you will find in immersion circulators, high-end toasters and is designed to stabilise the temperature of the brew kettle. This is a great way to eliminate a lot the guesswork surrounding the optimal temperature of brewing.
There are a few major names that produce manual espresso makers, the likes of Rancilio and La Pavoni are familiar names to those who have worked in a cafe or coffee shop. They manufacture the huge three or two group head commercial espresso machines you'd see in a coffee shop however in 1997 they introduced the Silvia, which is an automatic, semi-automatic espresso machine that comes with a few bells and whistles to ease the burden out of the making process.
Fully automated espresso machines will complete all the work for you. They will grind the beans and tamp them before pulling the shot, and even steam your milk. However, they are costly so you will require a strong cash flow 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 at your favorite cafe in your home appeals to you. These machines allow you to tweak your preferences over time and dial in your espresso drinks based on your mood at any given time.
They come with a portafilter and steam wand. The brewing process used in these machines is similar to that of super automatics, however with added manual steps like grinding the beans and inserting them into the portafilter. These machines require more skill and expertise to operate, since the brewing process is not automated.
A good semi-automatic will include a portafilter that is removable and a tamper to help in compressing the ground coffee inside of the portafilter before making. It also allows you to regulate the amount of water and pressure used during the brewing process. best coffee espresso machine 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 machine is the ability to adjust the temperature. This feature allows you to decide the brewing temperature for your coffee beans based on their taste. It also allows you to avoid temperature swings, which is especially important in the case of the boiler that brews the coffee. The temperature of the brew can vary by 20oF between cups without a PID controller. With PID controllers the swing is restricted to around 0.1oF.
A few of the more expensive models include a milk froth to create milk-based espresso drinks. This can help you 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 an excellent idea to select a model that has a removable filter basket as well as an automated dosing system for grounds. This will save you from having to perform grinding and tamping manually on your own. It also makes cleaning the machine easier.