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Espresso Machines – The Best Espresso Makers in the UK Espresso machines are the most effective way to have the best coffee experience. They're a labor of love, but they allow you total control over your coffee. They have an espresso tamper that can flatten the grinds, and a steamer for frothing milk in lattes and cappuccinos. 1. Stovetop We have a wide range of stovetop coffee makers that will assist you in making a perfect cup. In the UK there are 98 million cups of coffee are consumed every day. Known as moka pots, these machines use pressure to create an espresso-like coffee without the need for messy filter papers. They are a simple, easy-to-use device that can improve any kind of coffee, and can be used with milk to make cappuccinos or lattes. The lower chamber of the moka pot is filled with hot water. The coffee grounds are placed in a basket between two pipes that lead to the upper chamber, where the brewed beverage will be served. When the water is boiling in the bottom, it pushes itself through the grounds at high pressure and seeps up into the upper chamber, where the aromas are released to you to enjoy. The end result is a smoky strong, rich and robust coffee that is delicious on its own or mixed with sugar and milk. When purchasing a mokapot the first thing you need to consider is the unit's capacity. It is important that you look at 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 of building up enough pressure. We recommend that you also consider the material the machine is made from. Steel machines made of stainless steel are more durable and sturdy but they can cost more. You should also consider whether the appliance is compatible with the heating source, whether gas or electric. Also, you may be interested in any other add-ons that are available, like milk steamer arms that are used to heat and froth milk in cappuccinos and lattes. You may also consider the number of cups you can make in one go, as this can be a great way to determine the right size unit for you. We also suggest that you check the base of the moka pot to ensure it fits on your burner. Some models, like the Stelton collar coffee maker have a base that is narrow which makes it difficult to place the machine on a gas stove. However, larger bases like those of the Bialetti venus and London Sip stovetop coffee makers, yield better results. We also preferred those with thicker walls since they were found to transfer heat more efficiently and prevent it from sputtering out too quickly. 2. Capsule In a similar vein to the stovetop models, there are capsule coffee makers that make espresso, cappuccinos and so on by using pods. This is a great option when you don't want deal with messing around with brewing, grounds, and cleaning up afterwards – they provide an easy, quick and easy method to get your caffeine fix in the morning. You'll need purchase the coffee pods separately. There are several brands to choose from, including Nespresso Dolce Gusto, and Tassimo. There are a variety of sizes to choose from so you can select the size and type of coffee that is best for your preferences. The Nespresso Essenza Mini is the most compact and is perfect for small space. It makes one cup of coffee at one time. A larger model is also available which can also hold larger cups but will cost more. 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 makes an excellent cup of coffee. It's also easy to use. It also comes with an intelligent feature that lets it detect the brand of coffee it's using and automatically adjusts its settings accordingly it, making it among the most versatile machines in our opinion. If you're interested in exploring the entire range of drinks that you can make using a pod 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 most popular drinks with a capsule machine without a milk cup, however, it's more than a hit and miss affair. If you are interested in buying a capsule machine make sure it is compatible with ESE pods. This will usually mean it comes with a basket, or adapter that can be used to accommodate smaller pods. Certain machines in our range have this feature. This means you can use the machine with Nespresso compatible pods as well as Dolce Gusto and Tassimo pods. 3. Manual As the name suggests these are espresso machines operated manually designed for those who prefer a more traditional approach. They look like the OG espresso machine that was invented in Italy in the early 1900's. They are operated by pumping water manually into the portafilter and locking it, after which pushing water under 9 bars of pressure to create an espresso shot. Manual espresso makers are generally more labor-intensive than capsule machines. You must heat the water separately, pour it into the chamber above the coffee or pods that have been ground and then push the lever or plunger down to create pressure and push the liquid through the cup. This method is messy, time consuming and a little frustrating to get right however the result is well 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 technology that is found in immersion circulators, top-of-the-line toasters, and is designed to stabilize the temperature of the brew boiler. The great thing about this is that it takes away a lot of the guesswork about the optimum brewing temperature and lets you adjust the temperature of your espresso with precision. Rancilio, La Pavoni and other large names make manual espresso machines. Many who have worked in a cafe or cafe will be familiar with these names. They produce the massive two or three group head commercial espresso machine s you'd find in a coffee shop however in 1997 they introduced the Silvia which is an automated, semi-automatic machine that has a few bells and whistles that help ease the burden out of the coffee making process. Fully Automatic espresso machines do all the work for you, they grind the beans, tamp, and pull shots and steam your milk all at the press of a button but they also cost an astronomical amount of money so you must have a decent bank balance to be capable of affording one. 4. Semi-Automatic If the idea of replicating an espresso shot from your favorite cafe in your own home is appealing to you and you want to replicate it, then a semi-automatic coffee machine is the right one for you. These coffee machines permit you to alter your preferences as time passes and adjust your espresso drinks according to your mood at any given time. They come with a portafilter and a 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. They also require additional knowledge and skills to operate as the brew cycle is not controlled automatically. A good semi-automatic should have a removable portafilter and a tamper that is capable of compressing the coffee grounds inside the portafilter prior to making. You can also adjust the amount and pressure of water used in the brewing process. This means you can customize your shots to your own preferences and the type of coffee beans you are using. A semi-automatic should also include a temperature control that can be adjusted. This feature lets you set the brewing temperature for your coffee beans based on how they taste. It also helps you avoid fluctuations in temperature, which is especially important when it comes to the boiler that brews the coffee. Without a PID controller the temperature of brewing can fluctuate up to 20oF from one cup to the next. With PID controllers this swing is limited to approximately 0.1oF. Some of the more premium models also come with the milk frother to make espresso drinks that are based on milk. This will allow you to make delicious lattes, cappuccinos, 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 filter that is removable basket as well as an automatic dosing system for the grounds. You will be able to avoid the manual grinding and tamping yourself. It will also make cleaning the machine easier.