Watch Out: How Best Coffee Pod Machine Is Taking Over And What You Can Do About It
Watch Out: How Best Coffee Pod Machine Is Taking Over And What You Can Do About It
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The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel model comes with Sage brand's distinctive quality and ease of use. After switching on, it heats up and makes a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in just 30 minutes.
The pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the clumsiest components of making coffee off your hands, like grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines are generally easier to install and use than espresso machines, with many capable of making a cup of coffee in 30 seconds or less. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans, and many of them are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines available, thanks to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code before brewing. This allows you to get consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, with next-to-no chance of a drink coming out badly wrong. It's also one of the slimmest and lightest on the market that doesn't require a separate milk jug and its small footprint making it a breeze to fit into even the tiniest kitchen.
The CitiZ isn't the best machine to reduce your environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't have an automatic descaling feature. You'll have to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water, and every 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also need to swap with a new cartridge when it runs out and could be expensive for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option to use ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered with grounds compressed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on its surroundings and its workforce. The only drawback is that it takes longer to warm up, but once that occurs, it can make the cup in about 35 minutes.
If you're after an elegant, stylish machine that can handle a range of different sizes and styles then take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage and Sage, is not just quick and simple to operate but also comes with a milk frothing wand and a stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
The simplicity of a pod coffee maker is a major advantage. The top models are easy to operate. Most machines utilize the same basic process to brew the perfect cup of coffee: water is heated inside reservoirs, then pushed through capsules to create rich hot, hot java. The majority of brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet different needs, and you can save custom settings on a number of models to streamline the process even more.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two major players in the market, yet each has a variety of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Certain pods can be used just once before being thrown away however, others can be used several times. You'll need a plan for your old pods to prevent them from ending up in the garbage.
The SMEG we tested has a removable reservoir of water that is simple to fill. It also automatically releases a new capsule after the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends for the variety. This brewer will appeal to coffee lovers who are looking to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design looks stunning on your counter and opens with just a touch to reveal the hidden compartment that houses empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is great for areas with hard water.
The machine can brew an ordinary website cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is surprisingly fast. The controls are simple to operate, with airplane-style toggles that can be easily retracted and a lever that retracts to reveal the hole to place into your coffee maker. It takes a bit of force to close, but our testers, even those who have limited mobility and hand strength were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines remove all the messes of coffee making out of your hands - you simply load in a pod, hit a button and prepare to brew. It is still necessary to clean your machine occasionally however not like a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are click here smaller than their larger counterparts, and can be stored on the counter when not in use.
The best coffee machine for you will be determined by more info your personal preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, but some offer more customisation options than others. Be aware of the different coffee pods, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the right machine.
The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors that may be worth a look. One is Bruvi, which uses an exclusive pod system called B-Pods, which can only be used in conjunction with its machines. These pods have a barcode on the underside here that machines scan to automatically adjust brewing settings.
This approach means the machine removes all the guesswork of brewing a cup and guarantees that every drink is perfect every time. It is even able to save custom drinks to a dedicated button to allow you to make them with the press of a button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a read more greater degree of control over your coffee, allowing you to choose the right temperature and size for each beverage. It's more expensive than many other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel build and the excellent customer service that is synonymous with the brand and is a solid choice for those who want an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.
Some larger models can also brew lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a fantastic example of this. It is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with the retro-fifties design of SMEG Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's a little intimidating initially due to the toggles that look like airplanes, but once you've gotten used to it, the machine is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be brewed in just 30 seconds.
4. Customization
A pod coffee maker's limited customization is a major reason it may not be the right choice for you. If you don't buy an auxiliary milk frother, the only methods to add extra flavor or creaminess is to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and to add milk manually to your coffee. This shouldn't be a problem for a lot of people, but it could be a problem for those who prefer a fully automatic experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew makes use of a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets and infuses, then dispensing the right amount of coffee for the specific type of pod. It's a simple hands-off device that does an excellent job, but lacks options for customising drinks or varying brew strength. Some customers will be irritated by this, but many will appreciate the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they are looking for.
This coffee maker is very low maintenance. It only requires you to refill the water tank, and decaffeinate the reservoir every once in a while. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily and, as mentioned, used pods are ejected into a hidden container which keeps your kitchen spotless. It is also great in delivering full-bodied coffees that have a crema-topped top.
This is a beautiful-looking machine and part of Smeg's fifties style range. It's user-friendly with a simple panel and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. The only downside is that it doesn't come with an indicator that lets you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level cannot be set, which is a minor inconvenience. It is also necessary to purchase the brand's capsules which can be expensive. But, it's a good pod coffee maker for anyone looking for an attractive and convenient appliance that will provide them with quality coffee at a reasonable cost. This model is compatible with a range of capsules from third-party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.