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10 Espresso Machines That Are Unexpected
Espresso Machines - The Best Espresso Makers in the UK

Espresso machines are the ideal method to enjoy the best coffee experience. They are an act of love, but they allow you complete control over your coffee.


They also have an espresso tamper to flatten the grinds, as well as steamers for frothing milk in cappuccinos and lattes.

1. Stovetop

We have a wide range of stovetop coffee makers to aid you in making a fantastic cup. In the UK, approximately 98 millions cups of coffee are consumed each day. These devices, also referred to as moka pots use pressure to make an espresso-like cup of coffee, without the hassle of filter papers. These simple and easy to use appliances will enhance any coffee and can also be used with milk for lattes or cappuccinos.

The bottom of the moka pot is filled with hot water. The coffee grounds are placed in a basket that is between two pipes that connect to the upper chamber where the final drink will be served. As the water heats up in the bottom, it forces its way through the grounds at high pressure, and then flows into the upper chamber, where the aromas are released to you to enjoy. The result is a full and aromatic coffee that can be consumed by itself or mixed with milk and sugar.

When you are buying a mokapot the most important factor to consider is the unit's capacity. It is crucial to make sure the size of the bottom chamber as well as the capacity of the basket will be sufficient for your needs as larger units will require a longer wait time while a smaller one may not be able generate enough pressure. We recommend that you also consider the material the machine is constructed of. 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. Additionally, you might be interested in the other accessories available like milk steamer arms that are used to heat and make frothy milk in cappuccinos as well as lattes. It is also advisable to consider the number of cups you can make at one time and this could be a helpful factor when choosing the correct size for your needs.

We also suggest that you examine the base of the moka pot to ensure it fits on your burner. We found that some models, such as the Stelton collar espresso maker, had a very narrow base and were difficult to put in the proper spot on a gas burner while larger bases, such as those of the Bialetti Venus and London Sip stovetop espresso makers, produced better results. We also preferred models with thicker walls because they were found to carry heat more efficiently and stop it sputtering too quickly.

2. Capsule

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

You'll need purchase the coffee pods separately. There are a variety of brands to choose from, including Nespresso Dolce Gusto, and Tassimo. There are also different sizes available and you can tailor the size of your cup and the type of coffee to your own preference. The Nespresso Essenza Mini is the smallest and is ideal for small space. It can make one cup of coffee at one time. A larger model is available that can also accommodate larger cups however it will cost more.

If you want a more sophisticated alternative that also produces better tasting coffee, the Illy Iperespresso is an elegant alternative for coffee lovers. It's not the cheapest machine but it does produce excellent coffee and is simple to use too. It also has an intelligent feature that allows it to recognise the type of pod it's using and automatically adjusts its settings to match it, making it among the most versatile machines in our opinion.

You should choose a model with a milk carafe if you are looking to test all the drinks you could make with a pod maker. This will let you experiment with lattes and cappuccinos. You can still make the most popular drinks using a capsule maker without a milk carafe, but it's more than a hit and miss affair.

If you're thinking of purchasing a capsule machine make sure it is compatible with ESE pods. This usually means it comes with a basket or adapter to accommodate smaller pods. Some of our machines in our range include this feature, meaning you can use them with Nespresso compatible pods as well as Dolce Gusto or Tassimo pods.

3. Manual

These are manual espresso machines for those who are a bit more discerning. They look similar to the OG espresso machine that was invented in Italy back 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 an espresso shot.

A manual espresso maker is often more of a labour of passion than a capsule machine since they require you to heat the water in a separate manner from your coffee, pour it into the chamber above the ground coffee or pods and then press down on the plunger or lever to create pressure and force the water through and into the cup below. This method of operation can be quite 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 is a piece of technology that is found in immersion circulators, top-of-the-line toasters and is designed to stabilise the temperature of the brew boiler. This is a fantastic way to take away a lot of the guesswork about the ideal temperature for brewing.

Rancilio, La Pavoni and other large names make 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 three or two heads that you see in coffee shops, but in 1997, they introduced the Silvia, a semi-automatic manual espresso machine with some bells and whistles that take some of that hassle out of making coffee.

Fully automatic espresso machines will do all the work for you, they grind the beans, tamp, and pull one shot, and steam your milk too all at the push of a button, but they can also cost an astronomical amount of money so you must have an adequate balance in your bank to be able to afford one.

4. Semi-Automatic

Semi-automatic machines are a great option for you when the idea of replicating the perfect espresso shot in your favorite cafe in your home is appealing to you. These coffee machines permit you to adjust your preferences as time passes and adjust your espresso drinks based on your mood at any given moment.

These machines are outfitted with a portafilter, and steam wand. They have similar brewing processes to super automatics, but they require some manual steps such as grinding the beans and inserting the portafilter. These machines require more skills and knowledge to operate, as the brew cycle does not run automatically.

A good semi-automatic machine will come with a portafilter that can be removed and a tamper that is capable of compressing the ground coffee inside of the portafilter before making. You can also regulate the amount and the pressure of water used during the making process. This means you can adjust your shots according to your personal preferences and to the specific kind of coffee beans you are using.

A semi-automatic must also have the ability to control temperature that can be adjusted. This feature allows you set the brewing temperatures for your coffee beans according to how they taste. It will also help you avoid temperature fluctuations which is particularly important when it comes to the boiler for brewing. Without a PID controller, the brew temperature can swing by as much as 20oF from one cup to the next. espressomachines can be reduced to 0.1oF using a PID.

Some of the more premium models also come with a milk frother for creating espresso drinks based on milk. This lets you make delicious lattes and cappuccinos. The frothing jug should be able to be held comfortably and have a spout to make pouring easy.

It is also a good idea to choose an item that has a removable filter basket and an automatic dosing system for the ground. This will help you avoid needing to do grinding and tamping manually on your own. This will make cleaning the machine much easier.

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