7 Tricks To Help Make The Most Out Of Your Espresso Machines

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 love but give you control over every aspect of your coffee.

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

1. Stovetop

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

Moka pots come with a bottom chamber which is filled with water, while the ground coffee sits in a basket between two pipes leading to the upper chamber where the final beverage is served. As the water in the bottom chamber boils, it pushes through the coffee grounds under high pressure. The aromas are released into the upper chamber as the water seeps upwards. The result is a rich, aromatic coffee that is delicious on its own or with sugar and milk.

The main thing to bear in mind when purchasing a moka pot is the capacity of the pot. It is essential to ensure that the dimensions of the bottom chamber as well as the capacity of the basket are sufficient for your needs as a larger unit will require a longer waiting time, while a smaller one may not be able build up enough pressure. We suggest that you look at the material the machine is made of. The stainless steel machines are more durable and sturdy however they cost more.

Other considerations are how the appliance will function with the source of heat you prefer (gas or electric) and any other accessories that are available, such as steamer wands for milk that can be used to heat and froth milk for lattes and cappuccinos. You may also want to take a look at the amount of cups you can make at one time and this could be a helpful factor when selecting the right size for your needs.

We would also recommend to check the base of the moka pot to ensure it will fit on your burner. We discovered that certain models, such as the Stelton collar espresso maker had a very narrow base and were difficult to place on a gas stove. On the other hand, wider bases, like those of the Bialetti Venus and the London Sip stovetop espresso makers, gave better results. We also favored models with thicker walls as this was found to transfer heat more efficiently and stop it from sputtering out too quickly.

2. Capsule

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

You will have purchase the coffee pods separately. There are many brands to choose from, such as Nespresso Dolce Gusto, and Tassimo. There are also a few different sizes available and you can tailor your drink size and the type of coffee to your personal preference. The smallest of these is the Nespresso Essenza Mini, which is ideal for small areas and makes one cup at one time. There is a larger model that can handle larger cups, but they are more expensive.

Illy Iperespresso is a stylish alternative for coffee snobs who want a more sophisticated machine that produces better tasting coffee. It's not the most expensive machine, but it makes an excellent cup of coffee. It's also very easy to use. It also features an innovative feature that lets it recognise the brand of pod it's using and automatically adjusts its settings accordingly it, making it one of the most versatile machines in our opinion.

If you're interested in exploring the entire range of drinks you can prepare with a pod-based coffee maker, it's worth looking for a model that includes a milk carafe. This will allow you to play around with cappuccinos and lattes. You can still make the majority of popular drinks with capsule machines, but it will be a more hit-and-miss affair.

If you are interested in buying a capsule machine, check that it is compatible with ESE pods. This usually means it comes with a basket, or adapter that can be used to accommodate smaller pods. Some of the 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 espresso machines that are manual for purists. They look similar to the OG espresso machine invented in Italy back in the early 1900's. They are operated by manually pumping water through a portafilter before locking it and forcing water to 9 bars of pressure to create an espresso shot.

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 the coffee or pods that have been ground and then press the plunger or lever down to create pressure and force the liquid into the cup. This method of operation can be quite messy, time-consuming and a bit frustrating to get right however the end result is worth the effort.

smeg espresso machine  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 temperature of the brew kettle. The benefit of this is that it eliminates much of the guesswork around the optimum brewing temperature and lets you dial in your espresso with accuracy.

There are a few big brands that make manual espresso makers. The likes of Rancilio and La Pavoni are familiar names to most people who will have worked in a cafe or coffee shop. 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 espresso machine that has a few bells & whistles that can take some of that hassle out of making coffee.

Fully automatic espresso machines will take care of all the work for you. They'll grind the beans and then tamp them up, pull the shot, and some even steam your milk. However, they can be costly so you will require a decent cash flow to be able to afford one.

4. Semi-Automatic

Semi-automatic machines are the best option when the idea of replicating the perfect espresso shot at the cafe you love at home appeals to you. These coffee machines allow you to adjust your preferences as time passes and adjust your espresso drinks according to your mood at any time.

They come with a portafilter and a steam wand. These machines have a similar brewing process to super automatics, but they require manual steps like grinding the beans and inserting the portafilter. These machines require more skills and expertise to operate, since the brewing process is not run in a way that is automated.

A good semi-automatic will have a removable portafilter 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. This means you can adjust your shots to your own preferences and to the specific type of coffee beans you are using.

A semi-automatic machine should also include an adjustable temperature control that can be adjusted. This feature allows you to set the brewing temperature for your coffee beans based on the way they taste. It also allows you to avoid temperature fluctuations which is crucial 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. The swing can be reduced to 0.1oF by using a PID.

A few of the more expensive models include a milk frother to make milk-based espresso drinks. This can help you make delicious lattes, cappuccinos and macchiatos. The frothing jug must have a comfortable grip and a spout to make pouring easy.

It is also an excellent idea to select an item that has a removable filter basket as well as an automated dosing system for the ground. This will prevent you from having to do the manual tamping and grinding on your own. This will make cleaning the machine simpler.