The 10 Scariest Things About Best Coffee Pod Machine
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel model offers the Sage distinctive quality and ease of use. It preheats after switch-on, and then brews a delicious espresso or a little longer lungo in 30 minutes.
Unlike 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 setup and use than espresso machines, with the majority capable of making coffee in only 30 seconds or so. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines tend to be more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans, and many are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code before brewing. This makes it easy to get consistent quality, high-end coffee capsules machines each time, with next-to-no chances of a drink turning out badly wrong. It is also one of the slimmest and lightest available and does not require an additional milk jug or its small footprint making it a breeze to fit into even the tiniest kitchen.
However, the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those who want to minimize their environmental impact. The CitiZ does not have an automatic descaling feature. You'll need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also need to swap in a new filter cartridge after this expires and can be expensive for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option to use ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered grounds compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on the surroundings and its workforce. The only drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it does it, it can make one cup in just 35 minutes.
If you're after an elegant, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different sizes and styles then look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, designed in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use, but also comes with an ice cream wand, an stainless steel jug and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use of a pod coffee maker is a major advantage. The most effective models are easy to operate. Most machines rely on the same general method to make your cup by heating water in an internal reservoir, then pumped through the capsules you choose and extracted to form rich, hot java. The majority of brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet different requirements, and you can save custom settings on a number of models to streamline the process even more.
Keurig K-Cups are among the top player on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules made by the most popular roasters. Some pods are made to be used only once before being get thrown away, whereas others are meant for multiple uses. Whatever the case, you'll need to plan ahead for how you'll deal with your spent pods so they don't end up in landfill.
The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with a removable water tank that's easy to fill and the machine will automatically pour fresh capsules after the previous one has been chilled. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends that provide you with a wide selection. This brewer is perfect for coffee lovers who want to switch to drip coffee.
In our tests in our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design is beautiful on your counter, and it can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the hidden compartment that holds empty pods. It has an integrated water filter that is ideal for areas with hard water.
This machine brews an ordinary cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is extremely fast. Its user-friendly controls are easy to navigate, thanks to airplane-style toggles and a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the area that allows you to insert your pod. It requires a bit of force to close, but the majority of our test subjects, including those with weak hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod pod-making machines take the mess of coffee pods coffee machine making out of your hands - you simply load in the pod, press a button and brew. You'll still need to clean your machine from time to time however not like a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents and can be stored on the counter when not being used.
The decision of whether a coffee machines with pods machine is the right option for you is based on your preferences and what you want to gain from it. All pod machines are simple to use, but others offer more customization options. Consider the coffee pod variety, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the best machine.
Most people will think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig, but there are a few newer competitors on the scene that are worth a look. Bruvi utilizes a unique system of pods, called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods are marked with a barcode, which is read by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This approach means the machine takes all the guesswork out of brewing a cup and guarantees that every drink is perfect every time. It is able to save your customized drinks on a button to allow you to create them using only one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee that allows you to select a specific temperature and size for each beverage. It's more expensive than other models, but it has the polished stainless steel construction and excellent customer service associated with the brand. It is a good choice for those who need a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.
Some larger models can also brew lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example, combines retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's difficult to use due to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's quick and extremely enjoyable to use and brews a lungo in just 30 seconds and the used pods are put into an internal bin at the push of a button.
4. Customization
One reason a pod coffee maker may not be right for you is the limited flexibility to customize. If you don't have an alternative milk frother, then the only way to add more flavor or creaminess is to use hot chocolate or tea option in your mug or to manually add milk to the coffee. For many people this won't be a problem however it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology utilizes barcode readers to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and disperse the right amount of coffee that is appropriate for the type of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that performs its job well, but it doesn't have any options for making drinks that are customized or varying the strength of the brew. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, but many will find the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they're looking for.
This coffee maker is low maintenance. It is all you need to do is to refill the tank with water, and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every once in a while. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as previously mentioned the used pods are ejected into a hidden container that keeps your kitchen clean. It is also great at delivering full-bodied coffees with crema-topped tops.
This is a beautiful-looking machine and is part of the Smeg fifties range. It's user-friendly with a simple panel of buttons, and it can handle ground coffee as well as ESE pods. The only downside is that it lacks 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 issue. You also need to buy the capsules made by the company, which can be pricey. But, it's a great pod coffee maker for anyone looking for an attractive and functional appliance that will serve them well for an affordable cost. If you're looking for a little more variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules is offered for this model. It's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.