10 Things Everybody Hates About Best Coffee Pod Machine
10 Things Everybody Hates About Best Coffee Pod Machine
Blog Article
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel model provides the Sage brand's distinctive quality and ease of operation. It heats up immediately after switching on and makes an espresso with aroma or a slightly longer lungo in 30 seconds.
As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee-making out of your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines are generally easier to install and use than espresso machines, with most able to make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds or so. However, they come with some cost: the pre-portioned coffee pods that are used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and they are not recycled. (though some companies now offer free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels to return the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available that is available due to its built-in barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to brewing it. This makes it easy to get consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, with next-to-no chances of a drink turning out badly wrong. The machine is among the lightest and slimmest on the market. It doesn't require an additional milk container and its compact footprint makes it easy to fit into the smallest kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those wanting to cut down on their environmental impact. The CitiZ isn't equipped with an automatic descaling feature. You'll need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and 1200 cups for soft water. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll need to replace it with a new one. This could be expensive for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another fast machine that has buttons that can be customized and the option of using ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered grounds squeezed between filter paper. This model is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to lessening its negative impact on the environment and its workforce. The only downside is the time it takes to heat up. Once it is heated it, it can make one cup in about 35 seconds.
If you're after a sleek, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different drink sizes and styles, take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage it is not only quick and simple to operate but also comes with an ice-cream frothing wand, as well as an stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee maker's user-friendliness is a major draw, and the best models are simple to operate. The majority of machines use the same general mechanism to brew your cup: water is heated inside a reservoir, and then pushed through the chosen capsules and extracted to form rich, hot coffee. Most brands offer a range of sizes for drinks to meet different requirements, and you can save custom settings for a variety of models to streamline the process even more.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest players on the market, yet each offers a wide selection of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used just once and then get thrown away, whereas others are designed to be used multiple times. Whatever the case, you'll need to plan out the way you'll dispose of the pods you've used up so that they aren't thrown away in the trash.
The SMEG we tested comes with a removable reservoir of water that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispensates another capsule after the previous one cools down. It can brew lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends that provide plenty of options. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who are looking to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design makes it a looker on your countertop and opens with a simple touch to reveal a concealed compartment to store your empty pods. It has an integrated water filter that is ideal for areas with hard water.
This machine is quick and can make regular coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its user-friendly controls are easy to navigate using the airplane-style toggles and a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the area which allows you to drop your pod. It does take a little force to close but our test subjects, even those with weak hand and mobility were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines remove all the messes of coffee making out of your hands - you simply put in one of the pods, press the button, and then make coffee. You will still need to clean the machine from time time however not as often as you would with a coffee maker that is a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents and can be stacked on the counter when not being used.
The decision of whether a coffee machine is the right option for you depends on your preferences and what you're hoping to get from it. All pod machines are simple to operate, however, some offer more customization options. Be aware of the different coffee pods sizes, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when picking the right machine.
The majority of people associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are a few more recent rivals that are worth a look. Bruvi utilizes a unique system of pods known as B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods have an underside barcode that machines scan to automatically adjust the brewing settings.
The machine will eliminate the guesswork out of it and ensure that each drink is perfect every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a separate button to allow you to create them at the touch of a single button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose the ideal temperature and size for each cup. It's a little more expensive than many other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel construction and the excellent customer service that is associated with the brand. It is a solid option for those looking to get a bit more from their pod-based coffee capsule machine coffee maker.
While most people are using a pod-based machine to make single-serve drinks however, there are a few larger models that can brew longer shots, known as lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this, and it blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating initially due to the airplane-style toggles, however once you've become accustomed to it, the machine is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be brewed in 30 minutes.
4. Customization
One of the main reasons a pod coffee maker may not be the right choice for you is the limited customizability. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother, then the only way to add more flavor or creaminess is to use a hot chocolate or tea option in your mug, or to manually add milk into your coffee. This won't be an issue for most people, but it could be an issue for those who like an entirely automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew utilizes a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets, infuses and dispenses the right amount of coffee to the specific kind of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that performs its job flawlessly, but does not have any options for customised drinks or varying the strength of brew. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, but many will appreciate the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they're searching for.
The coffee maker is extremely low maintenance. It is all you need to do is to fill up the water tank, and decaffeinate it every once in a while. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as previously mentioned the used pods are ejected into a concealed container that keeps your kitchen clean. It also does a great job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This is a stunning machine and part of Smeg's fifties style range. It's user-friendly with an easy-to-use panel of buttons and can be used with both ground coffee and ESE pods. Its only flaw is the lack of a display that lets you know when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum level of water. You will also have to purchase the brand's capsules which can be expensive. This is a great pod machine for anyone looking for an attractive and convenient appliance that will serve well at a reasonable cost. This model is compatible with a variety of capsules from third-party manufacturers and is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.