Best Espresso Machine UK 2024 Tom's Top 11
I have tried and tested dozens of home espresso machines over the last few years alongside the countless commercial espresso machines I worked on during my time as a barista.
I have to admit that I was always a little apprehensive about how good even the best espresso machine could be for your home (as I was a bit of a coffee snob way back when)…
However I am now fully converted to the life of a home barista and the ease and quality that a home espresso machine can deliver.
Although I don’t believe that an espresso machine is for everyone (I’ll dive into this further down) it can be a serious game changer for many people and revolutionise their midweek morning espresso dash or their very own ‘home cafe’.
So rather than me yarp on about the history of the espresso machine here’s a few tips from my experience giving coffee advice followed by my favourite espresso machines.
Why Trust Me?
I’m Tom and I have been working in the coffee industry for over 10 years, starting my journey as a barista in Australia, working on coffee farms in South America and roasting coffee in The UK.
Today I review and write about speciality coffee and equipment, such as home espresso machines. I am the founder of Batch Coffee Club, which showcases the very best coffee from around the world.
Why Do You Want An Espresso Machine At Home?
Ask yourself this question first and try and figure out what you want to get out of this.
Are you are looking at an espresso machine for the weekend?
How many cups of coffee per week 1-4 or over 10?
Are you a self-confessed coffee club geek and you enjoy the tinkering around with grind size and dose?
Is this going to be a novelty kitchen appliance or are you going to become London’s number 1 home barista?
Will you be drinking milk based espresso drinks like cappuccinos and lattes or just espressos and long blacks?
Not all home espresso machines are the same, they come in all shapes and sizes, they can have a huge price difference and their specifications range from a simple one-button machine through to an array of flashing lights and LCD screens.
What Is The Best Espresso Machine For Me?
Here are a few factors to consider:
Control Of The Espresso Machine
Do you want a push of a button machine that will serve you an espresso on the go or are you up for the challenge of dialling in the espresso machine in your quest for the perfect coffee.
Size Of The Espresso Machine
Some of the machines that are listed online are huge so they may look slightly out of place on your work surface.
The Capacity Of The Machine
Think about how many people you will be making a coffee for at once.
Most machines will easily cope with 1 or 2 coffees at once but if you’re hosting a Tupperware party every week and making 10 coffees at once then bear that in mind when you’re looking at the capacity and power of the espresso machine.
Price Of The Espresso Machine
Of course no quality product on the market today comes without its price tag. Think about your budget and what you want the machine for, there are plenty of cheap espresso machines out there but beware that you may hit the ceiling of their capabilities sooner rather than later.
If you have a daily low budget there are ways around aspects like quality of coffee by opting for a manual espresso machine.
Different Types of Espresso Machine:
Semi-Automatic
Automatic (Super-Automatic)
Manual
Stovetop
Capsule
Portable Espresso Machines
Learn about the differences between each type of Espresso Machine in more detail below.
Best Espresso Machines 2024
1. Sage - Barista Pro
Control ★★★★★★★★★☆ 9/10
Ease Of Use ★★★★★★★★★☆ 8/10
Value For Money ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 8/10
Tank Capacity: 2 Litres
Pressure: 9 Bar
Dimensions: H40.6 x W35.4 x D40.6cm
Weight: 9kg
Basket Size: 18g
Features: Grinder, Steamer, Pre-Infuse, Cup warmer
The Sage Barista Pro is one of the best home espresso machines in the UK market today.
Its ease of use is certainly a selling point, it has all the functionality of its predecessor the Sage Barista Express but simplified.
Dial in your machine asif you were a barista, grind the coffee and adjust the size of the ground easily with the dial.
Weigh your portafilter and adjust the length of time in which the grinder grinds your coffee easily with another dial.
Choose between various functions like pre infuse when pouring the shot as well as adjusting the water temperature.
Frothing the milk does take a little bit of time and getting used to as it’s only a single boiler and can take around 10 seconds to build up enough pressure to steam the milk.
The aim with this machine is to give you as much control as you want and be able to influence every part of the espresso making procedure while also making it super easy to pull an espresso once it has been dialed in.
Read the full Sage Barista Pro Review
If you like the sound of the Barista Pro either
2. De’Longhi - La Specialista
Control ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 8/10
Ease Of Use ★★★★★★★★★☆ 9/10
Value For Money ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 8/10
Tank Capacity: 1.7 Litres
Pressure: 9 Bar
Dimensions: 365mm x 275mm x 400mm
Weight: 8kg
Basket Size: 14-18g
Features: Grinder, Smart Tamping System
Overall I loved using the De’longhi La Specialista, I was apprehensive at first about a couple of the more unusual elements that came along with the machine such as the ‘Smart Tamping station’ which is a sort of extra basket that is locked into the portafilter basket when grinding the coffee (see below) but I was eventually won over.
Dialling in the coffee grinds take a bit of getting used to but by simply adjusting the grind size underneath the hopper and then carefully adjusting the dose by changing the timing dial it was pretty straight forward.
The pressure gauge is a great indication of the optimal dose/grind size that letrs you observe as the shot is extracted.
I found that there are some really cute add ons that kind of make the La Specialista well quite special - alongside the tamping station, there was also a raised platform to pull espresso into smaller cups and I really liked the storage compartment on top of the machine.
Read the full De’longhi La Specialista Review.
3. Sage - Bambino Plus
Control ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 8/10
Ease Of Use ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ 7/10
Value For Money ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 8/10
Tank Capacity: 1.9 Litres
Pressure: 9 Bar
Dimensions: H31 x W20 x D32cm
Weight: 6.5kg
Basket Size: 18g
Features: Steamer, Pre-infusion, 3 Second Heating
The Sage Bambino plus is the Barista Pro’s side kick. Very similar in design and the overall end product.
It is solely an espresso machine so it doesn’t grind your beans like the pro, but that’s the case with the majority of espresso machines anyway.
Its slim and compact design have no way compromised the quality of the coffee with the same pressure in the larger machines of up to 15 bars of pressure the Bambino doesn’t struggle to produce those rich velvety shots of espresso.
The machine has a pre-infuse option like the larger Sage espresso machines that you can manually adjust.
The three second heat up time is something that is a huge benefit of purchasing a Sage coffee machine, one of their brand ethics is to listen and that’s exactly what they have done here.
Most people who have worked in a speciality coffee shop will know that commercial machines take at least 20 minutes to heat up and start operating at a decent level. Unfortunately your average home barista doesn’t have that long to wait in the morning so Sage developed a 3 second heat up time to optimum temperature so you can pretty much turn on and go.
One of the few issues with the Bambino is that the group head it comes with is a little different to the more expensive models and has a two funnels instead of spouts. It is quite common for one to drip faster than the other, It doesn’t affect the end shot if you’re pulling a double but if you split the shot then one may be larger than the other and with a different ratio of the coffee extraction.
If the Bambino sounds like the best espresso machine for you.
Check out our Sage coffee machine cleaning guide.
4. Melitta - Barista TS
Control ★★★★★★★★★☆ 9/10
Ease Of Use ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 8/10
Value For Money ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 8/10
Tank Capacity: 2 Litres
Coffee Bean Capacity: 270g
Dimensions: H37 x W26 x D47cm
Weight: 11kg
Features: App, Two hoppers, Adjust Grind
If you are looking for a machine to make you an espresso based drink with bare minimal effort then this guy may be your calling. By downloading the Melitta app you can control the Barista machine from anywhere within bluetooth range which means you can now make a coffee in bed as well.
There are a couple of things other than the obvious technology that sets this machine apart from the rest.
Firstly it essentially has two bean hoppers, this is great if there is a decaf drinker in the house or you’re partial to a milk based coffee using espresso beans and also a single origin espresso or long black. It also has a hatch where you can lob pre-ground coffee if for some reason you’re not into beans.
Secondly it has a slider that controls how coarse you want the grind. This is something that you don’t often see on Automatic espresso machines but something that gives you a little bit of optional control.
(The ground coffees coarseness is a daily battle for the professional barista and has to be adjusted constantly.)
The machine is really easy to clean and all the parts are easy to remove, it will also tell you exactly when tanks need emptying and beans need topping up.
It does have some quirks with the technology as most app based smart products do (I’ve certainly lost a few hairs because of smart printers). It is also rather large when you have the detachable milk container so you need a fair bit of space on your work surface.
All in all it looks great and is pretty bloody clever. Certainly for the folk that want minimal effort making a milk based coffee that have a little bit of extra cash hanging around.
If a Melitta Barista sounds like your jam then Check Price at Currys or Check Price on Amazon.
5. De’Longhi - Eletta
Control ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ 7/10
Ease Of Use ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 7/10
Value For Money ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 8/10
Tank Capacity: 2 Litres
Coffee Bean Capacity: 400g
Dimensions: H36 x W46 x D46cm
Weight: 11kg
Features: Coffee Type Options, Detachable Milk Canister, Easy Clean
As far as automatic machines go this one has all sorts of functions, makes pretty good coffee and gets an extra point for looking sharp.
The Elleta has a hot water spout that can be removed and replaced with a milk container/steamer. The adjustable dripper is great for larger glasses if you’re a latte drinker.
Various functions include steaming the milk for different coffee types (flat white, latte and macchiato), output of the coffee (small, long, double) and programming your own ‘My Coffee’ function which lets you dictate how much espresso you’d like.
When you’re ready to make your desired coffee simply aim the milk pourer into your favourite ceramic mugs and sit back and watch the magic happen.
Cleaning is easy with a push of a button, water is flushed through the tubes then detach the milk container and place in the fridge.
You may find that the buttons are a little sensitive and you accidentally graze past one and accidentally start making a cappuccino, it’s something that you will get used to though. The grinder as with any grinder is pretty loud and also doesn’t let you know when it’s running low as it is contained inside the machine just make sure you keep an eye on this as it will start making a coffee without enough coffee.
If you can see a De’Longhi Eletta in your kitchen. Check Price on Amazon if you want to save a bit of cash checkout our coffee machine deals page that is regularly updated with new offers.
6. Gaggia - Brera
Control ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 8/10
Ease Of Use ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ 7/10
Value For Money ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 8/10
Tank Capacity: 1.2 Litres
Coffee Bean Capacity: 280g
Dimensions: H31 x W25 x D44cm
Weight: 9kg
Features: Pre-Infusion, Steamer, Easy Clean
The Brera is a bit of a classic in the automatic machine world. It has been around for a few years and is a solid choice when you’re looking for longevity.
Its simplicity is a selling point. Turn the machine on and wait a minute for it to heat up then press one of the preprogrammed buttons for either a single or double shot. A great feature of the Brera is that all the shots have a pre-infusion step and is something that is rarely seen on automatic machines.
The brewing mechanics is easy to pull out of the back of the machine and clean alongside the coffee knock box located in one of the front drawers. The machine doesn't have any of the smart features that other automatic machines have but it is still pretty switched on as it will let you know when you need to descale or empty and fill various compartments.
The frothing wand maybe isn't quite as powerful as some other domestic espresso machines, especially some of the semi-automatic ones. This is because the boiler tank size is pretty small. It also takes away from the fact that it is automatic by being a coffee machine with a frother so you actually have to steam the milk up yourself. Having said that it may be a pro for certain people.
Check out this in-depth review of the Gaggia Brera by our friends over at Coffee Sesh.
How did the Gaggia Brera sound? Check Price on Amazon
7. Flair - Neo
Control ★★★★★★★★★☆ 9/10
Ease Of Use ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 8/10
Value For Money ★★★★★★★★★☆ 9/10
Pressure: 6-10 Bars
Basket Capacity: 16g
Dimensions: H23 x W10 x D36cm
Weight: 2.5kg
Features: Portable, Add ons
The Flair espresso maker looks and sounds the part. The slick design and the solid structural feel does turn a few heads. It was launched in 2016 through a successful crowdfunding campaign and quickly became a bit of a hit amongst folks that wanted espresso at home without spending a significant amount of money.
The flair comes in a pretty cool carry case that you could easily pack for a weekend away or keep stored neatly in a cupboard. There are two versions, the pro and the signature with various tweaks to the quality and size of the components.
It works in a similar way to other manual coffee makers, firstly preheat the brew cylinder and grind your coffee into the basket using the funnel. Tamp the coffee and reconstruct the brew cylinder, pour over the heated water and place the piston over the top then pull you shot by pressing down on the lever… simple.
The lever can be a bit of an effort to press and the way that it’s engineered the piston will sometimes tip sideways but the type of person that would purchase a coffee maker like this i’m guessing doesn’t mind a challenge and is keen to perfect a skill.
The flair does have a really cool add on that you can also purchase, a gauge. It actually replaces the piston so you can see exactly how many bars of pressure you are exerting on the espresso grinds.
A great manual machine that is also pretty portable so you can smash out espressos in front of the campfire.
Do you need one of these for your home coffee bar? Check Price on Amazon.
They also make great coffee gifts for weddings.
8. Presso - Rok
Control ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 8/10
Ease Of Use ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 8/10
Value For Money ★★★★★★★★★☆ 9/10
Pressure: 6-10 Bars
Basket Capacity: 18g
Dimensions: H29 x W21 x D13cm
Weight: 2kg
Features: Portable, Sturdy
The winged Rok espresso maker has a fairly recognisable design. Simply tamp 18g of your favourite espresso coffee into the portafilter and lock into the Rok group head.
Now pour around 50 ml of boiling water into the upper chamber and place your cup on the drip tray. When you are ready to brew pull the levers up, this releases the hot water onto the coffee. Now press down firmly and smoothly with both wings, hopefully extracting a delicious espresso.
Once you have nailed your technique you can have a little play around with the amount of pressure you exert, the grind size and also the pre-infusion (once you let the water out of the top chamber you can wait for a few seconds before pressing).
The coffee you achieve is certainly an espresso, you may struggle to be able to reach the consistent pressure that espresso requires but for a manual machine the results are pretty good.
Make sure you always preheat your machine or keep it in a warm place. With the shell made of stainless steel it does get quite cold especially if it’s left in your kitchen in the middle of winter. If you try and brew when it hasn’t been preheated the boiling water will quickly drop and you’ll be left with an under extracted espresso.
9. La Pavoni - Europiccola
Control ★★★★★★★★★☆ 9/10
Ease Of Use ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ 7/10
Value For Money ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ 7/10
Pressure: 9 Bars
Basket Capacity: 18g
Dimensions: H32 x W20 x D29cm
Weight: 5.5kg
Features: Steamer, Style
The La Pavoni Espresso machine looks like a relic of times gone by. It is designed very similar to some of the very first espresso machines that ignited the espresso culture in Italy in the early 20th century.
If you are a purist and you are appreciative of the origins of the espresso while also happy to challenge yourself to make the perfect shot then this could be your coffee maker. It can transform a breakfast bar into a 1940’s Neapolitan espresso bar.
The La Pavoni is a manual espresso machine however it does require electricity so it’s not quite as portable as some of the others. It does mean it’s slightly less messy and the water is heated to the perfect temperature.
Simply grind your coffee into the portafilter and lock it back into the preheated group-head. Pull down on the handle with 9 bars of pressure. This, like with the rest of the manual machines is a skill that you have to master, it’s all about having a consistent and firm press.
The La Pavoni is one of the few manual coffee machines with a milk frother, so you have the luxury of a milky coffee with this guy, so twist the wheel to steam your milk.
It is a wonderful bit of kit and really can spice up your kitchen work surface if you’re into that sort of design. For the money though you really have to be the right sort of person to appreciate the manual aspect of this machine as it certainly isn’t a push of a button at 7am plus the fact that it isn’t very portable like some other manual machines that may eventually get demoted to travel coffee maker.
Does this look like a piece of you? Check Price on Amazon
10. Wacaco - Nanopresso
Control ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ 7/10
Ease Of Use ★★★★★★★★★☆ 9/10
Value For Money ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 8/10
Basket Capacity: 8g
Dimensions: H19 x W8.5 x D8.5cm
Weight: 388g
Features: Pressure Pump, Detachable Cup
The Wacaco Nanopresso is a super-portable espresso maker that will extract an espresso that isn’t far from something you would expect from a machine on your kitchen work surface.
Firstly dose 8g of your favourite speciality coffee into your basket and lightly tamp using the back of the scoop.
Place the basket back into the coffee maker and fill the water tank with boiling water. Attach the portafilter and release the pump, you will start to see the first drips of espresso after pressing the pump around 7 times and the shot will roughly take around 30 pumps.
It is easy to use and doesn’t require a great deal of skill to operate, the cleaning is a little messy and fiddly as some of the parts are pretty small.
On the whole for the price it is a great little bit of kit to take away camping or for a weekend away.
You can also purchase the Barista kit which includes a larger water tank and larger basket so you can pull a double espresso for you and the other half.
If you want some Wacaco Nanopress in your life. Check Price on Amazon
11. Aeropress
Control ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 8/10
Ease Of Use ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 8/10
Value For Money ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 8/10
Basket Capacity: 8g
Dimensions: H29 x W13 x D13cm
Weight: 370g
Features: Manual Pump, Many Recipes
The Aeropress isn’t technically a portable espresso maker as it uses paper filters and, however, if you use the right brew ratio you can achieve something that is pretty close to what you can expect from its espresso competition.
An Aeropress is one of our favourite brew methods here at Batch Coffee, its robust body makes the perfect coffee maker to take with you on a trip and the coffee that it produces is always delicious.
It was invented by a toymaker from the states that previously created frisbees and quickly grew in popularity. There are thousands of recipes and various different ways to use an Aeropress and there are national and international competitions each year to find the very best one.
To make an espresso out of an Aeropress simply grind the coffee slightly coarser than an espresso grind and pour into the chamber fitted with the paper filter. Pour over around 50ml water and press down on the plunger.
The Aeropress may not give you a super rich and velvety shot, ut value for money plus the fact that you can also make filter coffee makes it a solid choice.
If you want some Aeropress coffee everyday. Check Price on Amazon
Types Of Espresso Machines
Semi-Automatic Espresso machines
Semi-Automatic Espresso machines are the middle ground between fully automatic and manual machines.
They scratch your home barista itch by giving you enough control over the shot while at the same time making it easy enough to pull a decent espresso without taking all day.
A semi-automatic espresso coffee machine is the closest you will come to what you will see in a speciality coffee shop.
You adjust the coarseness of the coffee and grind the coffee into the portafilter basket from the built-in or stand-alone grinder.
You tamp the grounds and fix it into the espresso machine before starting the water pressure by pressing the button.
You are usually in control of grind size, the dose (weight of ground coffee), water temperature and shot time.
Semi-automatic machines are leading in the way overall in the home espresso machine market however they do usually come with a larger price tag and do require you to still perfect the art if making coffee.
Automatic Espresso Machines
Automatic Espresso Machines are for those that are not into the ‘messing around’ with coffee grounds or love the thought of having a morning espresso-based coffee but have no desire to perfect the art of the home barista.
There is no denying the convenience of these machines.
They come with various specs and you sometimes have the option to pre-program some of the variables but operationally it’s normally a push of a button and a matter of seconds later a black or white coffee appears.
Great for the busy commuter or every-now-and-then coffee drinker
As with most products the lack of convenience comes at the price of quality and with little control you can sometimes find yourself craving a trip to the local cafe for a ‘proper coffee’.
Manual espresso machines
Manual espresso machines (or pump coffee machines) are for the purists out there. They look quite similar to the OG espresso machine that was invented in Italy in the early 19 hundreds.
The name give away the operational aspect of the espresso, there are no buttons with these machines and the espresso is achieve using your own grit.
Manual espresso makers usually have some sort of lever or handles that you will use to force the water through the coffee grounds.
This is how the first espresso machine worked before the invention of automatic machines where a pump and water pressure were used to force water through the shot.
You can expect to obtain the most control over manual espresso machines as you can optimise every aspect.
You can normally pick one up slightly cheaper than your average automatic espresso machine as they don’t have the built-in electrics however what you gain in price and control you sacrifice in convenience and the push of a button may be a little more appealing at 7am on a Tuesday.
Portable espresso machines
Portable espresso machines are perfect for the coffee loving adventurer that wants that ‘morning coffee’ instagram photo sat in front of a glacier or the folks that just don’t have the space for a big old espresso machine.
These little guys come in a few different shapes and sizes but the bulk of them are a cylindrical structure.
Manual Espresso Machines operate in various ways from plugging into your cars lighter socket and heating the water to force through pre ground coffee or pods to using a bicycle pump style contraption to create pressure.
Certainly worth investigating if you fit into one of the groups that could benefit from one of these espresso coffee makers
They are sometimes a labour of love and the end result doesn’t always pay off for the amount of work that was exerted.
Checkout the Batch Coffee Club Guide on the Best Portable Coffee Makers.
Stovetop Espresso Machines
Stovetop Espresso Machines, also known as Mokapots or Stovetops are a classic brew method in the coffee world.
An everyday kitchen appliance in Italy and in many countries across Europe, the stovetop creates a rich velvety black coffee that can be enjoyed as an espresso.
Water is heated in the bottom chamber and forced through the finely ground coffee sitting in the middle compartment before pouring out of the tube into the upper chamber.
Stovetop Espresso machines work in a very similar way to espresso machines, in that they force water through ground coffee.
It is impossible however to reach the 9 bar of pressure needed to force the near-boiling water through the coffee grounds and achieve the short and syrupy coffee that you can create with an espresso machine.
A stovetop is an absolute treasure when it comes to coffee brewing but should be categorised as a rich full-bodied black coffee rather than an espresso.
Read more about this type of coffee maker in our Stovetop Espresso Maker Ultimate Guide.
Capsule Espresso Machines
Capsule espresso machines are now seen in many European homes and have fast become one of the most common coffee brewing methods.
They work in a very similar way to an espresso machine apart from the capsule acts as the portafilter and water is forced through the pre-ground coffee inside resulting in a shot of espresso.
Although capsule espresso machines are King when it comes to convenience there is a serious lack of quality with the outcome.
Regardless of the quality of coffee (the coffee inside the capsules is usually of poor commodity-grade coffee), it is usually only 5 - 7 grams of coffee which is around a quarter of the coffee you would use for a double shot espresso.
The capsule machines are also rarely able to reach the pressure needed to produce espresso coffee. All coupled in with preground coarse coffee, the quality is far from what you could even achieve with an automatic machine.
Tom’s Top Tip
So hopefully you have decided what type of espresso machine best fits your needs or maybe you have been discouraged and now you’re actually thinking do I actually want to buy an espresso machine after all!
Well the good news is that if you’d rather leave espresso making to your local tattoo wielding barista then there are many of other methods of brewing coffee for you to have a go at that don’t require a large budget and contain fewer variables for you to master.
Take a look at our pour over guide and our aeropress guide for some inspiration. Or why not take a look at our speciality coffee subscription for delicious coffee delivered to you door.
Not in the UK?
If you happen to be the other side of the pond to Blighty and you stumbled across this article you’ll notice that everything has £’s instead of $’s and a lot of our recommendation’s are not available for you to purchase. Our friends over at Roasty Coffee have a wealth of coffee knowledge, check out their espresso bean guide.
Espresso Machine Brands
Sage
Listen. Obsess. Innovate. Test. Refine. Design. These 6 six words are what exactly what Sage are about. Their appliance range spans the whole kitchen from toasters, microwaves and blenders through to top of the range domestic espresso machines.
These guys have certainly listened to what people what their espresso machine to do, which is make delicious coffee with minimal effort while still leaving a little control with us.
The appliances that Sage showcase are not only built with the operational aspect in mind but also with longevity. They are designed well and designed to last with all of their products robust and able to handle those with particularly heavy hands.
Gaggia
Gaggia was born in Milan in the 1930s when a young Achille Gaggia realised the coffee that he was serving in his family's cafe was too bitter and reminded him of walking into a foggy Milan.
Creating and patenting the Gaggia espresso design the brand has been supplying bars and kitchens with their innovative design and state of the art coffee machines for over 80 years.
One of the forefathers of Italian coffee machines, today Gaggia produce some of the best home espresso machines that range from bean to cup espresso machines like the Brera through to more manual operated machines like the Gaggia Classic.
De’Longhi
De Longhi are kitchen appliance giants but have only been in the domestic coffee machine game for a relatively short amount of time.
Created by Giuseppe De'Longhi the business is still in the family with his son the CEO.
Their coffee machines are all over the world and grace the kitchen worktops in over 100 countries.
They showcase middle to high-end products with a huge range of all singing all dancing coffee machines.
Melitta
The German-based coffee machine manufacturers have been around for over 100 years.
They are famed for inventing the paper cone filter that you can still buy today in various forms.
They showcase a number of different types of home espresso machines that mainly fit into the super-automatic bean to cup category.
Melitta are also currently sponsors of one of, if not the greatest football team of all time, Manchester United.
Rancilio
Rancilio are an espresso machine manufacturer, founded in Parabiago, Italy.
They manufacture mainly professional coffee machines in the middle to the high end of the market.
They have in recent years however branched out to domestic one-group head coffee machines.
Maintaing their focus on quality products the espresso machines that they produce doesn’t have the slick design features like other home espresso machines but always perform high from a functional standpoint.
Which Type Of Coffee Beans Work Best With Espresso Machines?
Depending on the type of coffee you enjoy drinking.
When you make milky coffees like lattes of cappuccinos, you will want a coffee with body so the flavours don’t get lost in the milk. Typically blends make great espresso coffee as they are a mixture of coffees with bold dark notes.
If you drink your coffee black (espresso or americano) then try experimenting with different single-origin coffees. Colombian, Brazilian or Indonesian coffees often create sweet flavours in espresso.
Are Espresso Machines Expensive?
The components that makeup espresso machines can make them expensive.
Because you are using force through a build-up of pressure the mechanics inside the machine have to be made to a quality standard.
Espresso has many variables and everything has to be finely tuned to create the short, velvety coffee we associate with these machines.
How Important Is a Grinder When Making Espresso?
A grinder is extremely important when making espresso or any coffee for that matter. Some say it is the most important coffee-related equipment you can buy.
Without a decent grinder, you simply cannot make quality coffee.
What Is Tamping Espresso?
Tamping is the action of flattening and pressing the coffee grounds into the basket.
It is usually performed with an espresso tamper that looks like a plug with a handle.
What Is a Portafilter?
A portafilter is the handle that holds the basket of espresso grinds and the whole spout mechanism that eventually drips coffee into a cup.
What is a Filter basket?
The filter basket is normally stainless steel and holds the espresso grinds.
The bottom of the basket contains lots of tiny holes in which the extracted coffee will seep through.
What is a Steam wand?
This is the long wand-like part of some espresso machines. When activated through a button, dial or lever steam will rush out of the tip.
By placing the bottom in a frothing jug of milk you are able to heat it the required temperature and texture the foam to create various espresso-based drinks like cappuccinos, flat whites or lattes.
What’s The Difference Between a Single and Double Boiler?
The majority of home espresso machines will be a single boiler.
This refers to the single water boiler that is used to extract the coffee and also steam the milk.
A double boiler has one for pulling espresso and the other for milk.
A double boiler is great if you are making lots of coffees as you can steam the milk at the same time as pulling an espresso without affecting the pressure on the shot.
For home use, however, it is a worthwhile compromise to save some pennies and stick with a single boiler.
How Much Coffee Is In a Single Shot And Double Shot?
Normally a single shot is around 18g of coffee and a double is 36g.
This is a rough number and the volumes may change depending on how you like your espresso and the particular coffee beans you are using.
Usually, you will aim to dose half of the yield in weight. So for example, if you’re aiming for a 36g espresso, you should grind 18g of coffee.
What Are The Different Types Of Filter Basket?
Standard Filter Baskets are used in any commercial coffee machine and many home espresso machines.
They are of any size but contain lots of little holes that coffee will drip through to form an espresso.
A Pressurised Filter Basket is something associated with cheaper lower quality espresso machines.
They multiple sizes like a standard basket but only have one single small hole at the button of the basket. The coffee is forced through this hole to create the espresso.
The reason for this is that the one hole will certainly create a crema because of the force that is applied but the coffee is often flat or bitter because some areas of the puck are under-extracted while others are over-extracted.
What is Pre-Infusion?
When you pre-infuse an espresso shot you effectively soak the coffee grounds in water for a small amount of time before exerting the rest of the water through 9 bars of pressure, extracting the coffee.
This is a technique that is used in making filter coffee and is called the bloom.
By soaking the coffee in a small amount of water first, then the grounds will release CO2 and the outcome of the brew will taste less bitter.
The same concept is applied when pre-infusing the bed of espresso as well as ensuring that there is no channelling (water passing through one area of the puck) when the shot is being poured.
What Type Of Coffees Can You Make On An Espresso Machine?
As long as you have a coffee machine with a frother then you are able to make the following drinks; Espresso, Double Espresso, Macchiato, Cortado (Piccolo), Flat white, Cappuccino, Latte, Americano (Long Black).
Espresso based drinks have various names in the UK we call an espresso with a small amount of latte milk a cortado while in Australia it is called a Piccolo.
Although some machines will produce a milky coffee with the press of a button it can easily be thought of as a latte machine however the process is always making an espresso first before pouring over the milk.