11 Methods To Completely Defeat Your Best Coffee Pod Machine
11 Methods To Completely Defeat Your Best Coffee Pod Machine
Blog Article
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel appliance offers the Sage brand's distinctive quality and user-friendly. It warms up after switching on, and brews an aroma-packed espresso or a little longer lungo in 30 minutes.
The pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the most messy components of making coffee off your hands, such as grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines are generally easier to install and use than espresso machines, with the majority capable of making coffee in only 30 seconds or less. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines tend to be more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans, and a lot of them aren't recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This allows you to make consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, and there is virtually no chance of a drink coming out horribly wrong. It is also among the slimmest and lightest available and does not require an additional milk jug or its small footprint making it easy to fit in even the tiniest kitchen.
However the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those looking to reduce their environmental impact. The CitiZ does not have an automatic descaling feature. You will need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and every 1200 cups for soft water. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll need to replace it with a new one. This can be costly for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another fast machine that has buttons that can be customized and the option of using either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered grounds packed between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment as well as its employees. Its only minor drawback is the time it takes to warm up. Once it does it, it can make one cup in about 35 seconds.
If you're looking for 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 sleek machine designed in collaboration with Sage is not just simple to use, but also comes with an ice cream wand stainless steel jug and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee maker's ease of use is a big selling point and the best models are easy to operate. The majority of machines employ the same basic process to brew the cup of coffee you want that is, heated water is placed in the reservoir, and then pushed through capsules to create rich, hot coffee. Most brands offer a range of sizes for drinks to meet different needs, and you can save your own settings on many models to streamline the process further.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading players in the market, however both offer a variety of capsules from top roasters and brands. Some pods are able to be used just once before being thrown away, while others can be used several times. You'll need a strategy for your used pods to avoid them from being thrown away.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features an ejectable water tank that's easy to fill and the machine will automatically pour fresh capsules after the previous one has cooled. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with a set of eight different blends that provide you with a wide selection. This brewer will appeal to coffee lovers who are looking to switch from drip coffee.
In our testing of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design makes it an attractive addition to your countertop and it opens with a simple touch to reveal a hidden compartment for your empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is great for hard-water areas.
The machine can brew the standard cup of coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso-style drinks and is extremely fast. Its easy-to-use controls are easy to use using the airplane-style toggles and a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the opening which allows you to drop the pod. It requires a little effort to close, but our test subjects, even those with weak hand and mobility felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines remove all the messes of coffee making out of your hands. You simply put in a pod, hit the button, and then make coffee. You'll still need to clean your machine from time to time, but not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts, and can be stored on the counter when not in use.
The best coffee machine for you will depend on your personal preferences and what you want to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, however some provide more options for customization. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods as well as brew sizes, milk and frothing options when choosing the best machine.
Most people will coffee capsules machines think of pod-based devices in the likes of Nespresso and Keurig, but there are a few newer rivals which are worth looking into. One is Bruvi which has a bespoke pod system called B-Pods, which can only be used with its machines. These pods are marked with a barcode, which is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
This approach means the machine removes all the guesswork of making a cup and ensures each drink is made perfectly every time. It can save your customised drinks to a button to allow you to create them with one button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your coffee than most machines, allowing you to choose the right size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, however it comes with the polished stainless-steel build and excellent customer service that is synonymous with the Sage's My Way brand. This is a great option for those who want something more from their pod-based espresso maker.
While most people are using a pod-based machine to make single-serve beverages, there are some larger models that are able to create longer shots, also known as lungos, also. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a perfect example, blends retro style of the fifties from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to operate due to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's easy and extremely enjoyable to use the lungo is made in just 30 seconds and the discarded pods are deposited into an internal bin with the click of a button.
4. Customization
A pod coffee maker's limited customization is a major reason it might not be the best choice for you. If you don't have an additional milk frother, then the only option to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot chocolate or tea option in your mug or to manually add milk into your the coffee. For most people, this won't be a problem however it could be a sticking point for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew uses a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses the correct amount of coffee for the particular type of pod. It's a simple and hands-off machine that does a great job but isn't able to customize drinks or altering 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 and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they are looking for.
In addition to filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating it occasionally the coffee maker will not require a lot of maintenance. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily and, as we mentioned the used pods are ejected into a hidden container that helps keep your kitchen clean. It also excels at delivering full-bodied coffees with a crema-topped top.
It's a gorgeous machine that is part of Smeg's fifties style range. It's easy to use with a simple control panel and can accommodate ground coffee or ESE pods. The only issue is that it doesn't have an indicator that lets you know when it's time to descale, and the maximum water level cannot be set, which is a minor issue. You'll also have to purchase the capsules made by the company which can be expensive. However, this is a great pod coffee maker for those looking for an attractive and practical appliance that can provide them with quality coffee at a reasonable cost. This model can be used with a variety of capsules from third-party manufacturers and is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.