Welcome to the Espresso Coffee Machine Site where we aim to provide information on the coffee makers that are available in the UK.

This is a system from the Italian coffee company, Lavazza. There are four types of coffee - two for espressos, with the stronger of the two being particularly authentic. The other two make a longer, Americano, drink, and a decaffinated coffee. You can buy them in packs of 16. About 22p per shot.

Caffitaly

Used by smaller Gaggia models, this has nine brands of espresso coffee in packs of 40 or 80. About 35p per shot.

ESE

Foil wrapped

Pump Driven

A pump driven espresso machine is the most common type of machine on the market and is the type which you will find in most coffee shops. This is where a motor-driven pump creates the force which is necessary to force the flavour out of the bean. When you are looking at this type of machine they usually have a water reservoir built in, but some of the best quality machines will actually need to be plumbed in to a water supply. This is definitely something which you need to think about when you are making your choice. Also, with pump-driven machines the product description will often tell you what the maximum pump pressure is for that espresso machine. Here, you should be looking to get the highest pump pressure you can for your budget, as a higher pressure will mean that more of the flavour is gotten out of the bean by the espresso machine.

Steam Driven

Although the pump-driven espresso machine is the type which is most commonly available, you may also see machines which are steam-driven. These have no motor inside them to force the flavour from the coffee and instead use the steam from boiling water to do the same job. This is the mechanism which is more often seen in the cheaper models of espresso machine. The much simpler design leads to a much lower pressure being achieved then is possible with a pump-driven machine, and so the flavour is of a lower quality than you will get with a pump-driven espresso machine.

Piston Driven

The piston-driven espresso machines that are available rely on manual power to create the pressure for extracting flavour from the coffee. These types of mechanisms are usually seen on the lower- to mid-priced models and may be the best compromise if you are working on a smaller budget. The quality of the coffee which you get from one of these piston-driven espresso machines is comparable to that of a pump-driven machine and better than from a steam-driven machine. The main disadvantage to a piston-driven espresso machine is however that it can be quite hard work, especially if you are making espressos for a large group of friends.

Air Pressure Driven

Air-pressure espresso machines are new to the market and are designed to be a portable device rather than a work-top appliance. They work by pumping air at very high pressures through a small reservoir which contains just enough coffee for one espresso shot. When this is held over a cup, the machine is activated and the water is forced through the reservoir directly out to the cup. The main advantage to this type of device is that it is portable, and should not compromise the quality of the espresso which is made.

An Espresso Machine will make coffee with a more intense flavour than either a filter machine or a cafetiere.

An espresso is about 25 to 30 ml of strong black coffee. It should have a good crema- the golden froth that is firm, rich and creamy that floats on your coffee until you’ve finished it.

Espresso Machines use either a pump or pressure to make the coffee. Many have a steamer nozzle as well. This enables you to make a latte or cappuccino with the espresso as the base.

Types of Espresso Machine

Pressure Machine

A Pressure Machines only makes a cup or two at any one time and is suitable if you prefer ground coffee. It doesn’t take coffee pods (the flat discs of coffee in filter paper, usually foil wrapped) You fill it with a jug, clamp the lid down and then the element heats the water and pressure builds up to about 3 or 4 bars.

They lack cup warmers, have to turn the coffee off manually, and wait for it to cool down before refilling. Much cheaper and great cups of coffee, though!

Pump Machines

A Pump Machine can be used with ground or pod coffee. They can make more than one or two cups of coffee at any one time.

They use a pump to force the correct amount of water through a thermo block. This heats the water quickly and fotces it through the coffee. Pressure levels are actually higher than for pressure machines - reaching about 10 to 19 bars.

Most have water tanks that can be removed and filled from the tap (or via a jug if you prefer). Extras can include cup hotplates.

Size

Before buying, think where you’ll be keeping it. If on a counter, make sure it’s not too large. If in a cupbard check that it will be light enough to take in and out fairly easily.

Machines with double spouts will make two cups at the same time - can be very useful if you’re in a hurry.

Automatic or not

A fully automatic machine will sense how much water has been through the coffee grounds and stop at about 30ml.

Semi automatic machines use an electric pump rather than steam to force the hot water through the coffee grounds. They are considerably cheaper.