11 Methods To Completely Defeat Your Best Coffee Pod Machine
The best capsule coffee machine Coffee Pod Machine
The most elegant pod machine we've seen this brushed-steel model offers the signature Sage quality and ease of use. It heats up immediately after switching on and brews an aroma-packed espresso or slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.
The pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the messiest components of making coffee off your hands, such as grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup in just 30 seconds. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines are typically more expensive than freshly roasted coffee pods coffee machine beans, and many of them aren't recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines that is available due to its built-in barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod before making it. This makes it easy to ensure consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, and there is virtually no chance of the drink turning out badly wrong. The machine is also among the tiniest and lightest on the market, with no need for an additional milk jug, and the smallest footprint, making it easy to fit in even the tiniest of kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those looking to minimize their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function, and you'll have to do it yourself every 300 cups if live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water areas. You'll also have to put the filter cartridge once this runs out, which could be costly for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option of using ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered and compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to reducing the negative impact it has on its surroundings and its workforce. The only drawback is that it takes a little longer to heat up, but once this happens it can brew a cup in around 35 seconds.
If you're looking for an elegant, sleek machine that can handle a variety of different drink sizes and styles, look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage and Sage, is not just easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with an ice cream frothing wand as well as a stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
The simplicity of pod coffee makers is a major benefit. The top models are easy to operate. Most machines rely on the same basic process to make your coffee the water is heated inside a reservoir, then pumped through your chosen capsules and extracted to create rich, hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of sizes for drinks to meet different needs, and you can save your own settings for a variety of models to streamline the process even further.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading brands on the market, yet each has a variety of capsules from top roasters and brands. Some pods are able to be used only once before being thrown away, while others can be used multiple times. In either case, you'll have to think about the way you'll dispose of your spent pods so they do not end up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with an ejectable water tank that's easy to fill and the machine automatically dispenses new capsules once the previous one has cooled. It can make lungo and espresso drinks and has eight different blends for variety. This brewer is perfect for those who love coffee and want to make the switch from drip coffee.
In our tests in our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design makes it an eye-catching addition to your countertop and can be opened with a gentle touch to reveal a hidden compartment to store your empty pods. The machine has an in-built water filter system that is perfect for areas that have hard water.
This machine brews a standard cup of coffee (240ml), as well as ristretto and lungo espresso-style drinks, and is surprisingly quick. Its user-friendly controls are a joy to navigate with the help of aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts without much effort to reveal the opening that allows you to insert your pod. It requires a little force to close, but our testers, even those with limited mobility and hand strength were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines take all the messy parts of coffee making out of your hands. You simply need to load the pod, press an icon and prepare to brew. It is still necessary to clean your machine from time to time but not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts, and can be stored on the counter when not in use.
Whether a coffee pod machine is the right option for you is based on your preferences and what you're hoping to gain from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to operate, however, some offer more customization options. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the right machine.
Most people will think of pod-based devices in the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are a few more recent competitors on the scene which are worth looking into. One is Bruvi which has a bespoke pod system called B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. The pods are marked with a barcode that is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
The machine will eliminate all the guesswork and ensure that every drink is perfect every time. It is able to save your customized drinks in a single button to allow you to create them using one button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a more granular level of control over your coffee capsules machines and allows you to select a specific size and temperature for each beverage. It's more expensive than other models, however it comes with a polished stainless-steel build and excellent customer service that is a hallmark of the brand. This is a great option for those wanting to get something more from their espresso maker that is based on pods.
While the majority of people are using a pod-based machine to make single-serve drinks however, there are a few larger models that can also create longer shots, also known as lungos, also. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a excellent example, blends retro style of the fifties from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to use due to its toggles that resemble airplanes and a manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and incredibly satisfying to operate - a lungo is brewed in less than 30 seconds and the used pods are placed in an internal bin at the touch of the button.
4. Customization
One of the main reasons pod coffee makers might not be the right choice for you is its lack of customizability. If you don't have an additional milk frother, then the only option to add more flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot tea or chocolate option in your mug or to manually add milk into your coffee. This won't be an issue for a lot of people, but it could be an issue for those who like an entirely automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology utilizes a barcode reader to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse and dispense the correct volume of coffee that is appropriate for the type of pod. It's an easy-to-use and hands-off machine that does an excellent job, but lacks options for customising drinks or for varying the strength of brew. This will irritate some buyers but for others the hassle-free automation and range of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) will provide exactly what they need.
Apart from filling the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally the coffee maker will not require much maintenance. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as previously mentioned the pods that are used are ejected to a hidden receptacle which keeps your kitchen spotless. It is also great at delivering full-bodied espressos with tops that are topped with crema.
This is a beautiful-looking machine that is part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It's easy to use with a simple control panel and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. The only downside is that it doesn't come with an indicator to let you know when it's time to descale and the maximum water level can't be set which is a minor inconvenience. You also need to buy the capsules made by the company which can be expensive. This is a good pod machine for those who want an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that is able to serve at a reasonable price. For those who want a little more variety, a wide range of third-party capsules is offered for this model and it's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.
