Best Coffee Pod Machine: 11 Thing You're Forgetting To Do
Best Coffee Pod Machine: 11 Thing You're Forgetting To Do
Blog Article
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most elegant pod machine we've ever seen, this model with brushed-steel features the signature Sage quality and ease of use. It warms up after switching on, and then brews a delicious espresso or a little longer lungo in just 30 seconds.
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. Speedy
Pod machines can be set up and used faster than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup in 30 seconds. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans and a lot of them aren't recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the fastest pod machines on the market due to the barcode scanner that scans each compatible pod's code before brewing. This ensures that you get consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is hardly any chance of having a bad beverage. It's also among the slimmest and lightest available, with no need for an additional milk jug or the smallest footprint, making it easy to fit in even the tiniest kitchen.
However the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those who want to reduce 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 every 1200 cups for soft water. You'll also have to put in a new filter cartridge once this runs out and could be expensive for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option of using ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered and squeezed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on the environment and workforce. The only drawback is that it takes longer to warm up, but once this happens it can brew a cup in around 35 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish, sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks in different sizes and styles. This sleek beauty, created in collaboration with Sage it is not only simple and quick 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 big selling point and the top models are simple to operate. The majority of machines employ the same mechanism to brew the cup of coffee you want: water is heated inside the reservoir, and then moved through capsules to make rich hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of drink sizes for different needs. You can also save custom settings to speed up the process.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest players on the market, but 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 discarded, while others are meant to be used multiple times. In either case, you'll have to plan out how you'll handle your spent pods so they aren't thrown away in the trash.
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 make espresso and lungo drinks and has eight different blends for variety. This brewer is ideal for those who love coffee and want to switch to drip coffee.
In our tests of 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. The machine also has the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is perfect for hard-water areas.
The machine is fast and can make regular coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its intuitive controls are easy to navigate using the switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the opening where you drop in your coffee maker. It requires a bit of pressure to close, however the majority of our test subjects even those with limited hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod makers remove all the messes of making coffee out of your hands. You simply load in a pod, hit the button, and then prepare to brew. You'll still have to clean your machine occasionally but not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents and can be stored on the counter when not being used.
The ideal coffee maker for you will be determined by your personal preferences and what you wish to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but some offer more customisation options than others. Different pod types, brew sizes options, and milk frothing features are all important to find the ideal coffee pod machine.
The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few newer competitors worth a look. One of them is Bruvi, which uses its own pod system, known as B-Pods that can only be used in conjunction with its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode that is read by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
The machine will take all the guesswork and make sure that every drink is perfect every time. It can save your customised drinks on a button, so that you can make them by pressing one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee and allows you to select a specific temperature and size for each beverage. It's more expensive than other models, however it comes with a polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer service that is synonymous with the Sage's My Way brand. This is a great option for those wanting to get an extra bit of quality from their espresso maker that is based on pods.
While most people will use the pod-based machine to create 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 great example, combines retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It can be a little intimidating to use thanks to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's easy and extremely enjoyable to use the lungo is made in only 30 seconds, and the pods that are used are put into an internal bin at the push of a button.
4. Customization
A pod coffee maker's limited customisation is a major reason it may not be the right choice for you. If you don't have an additional milk frother, the only option to add flavor or creaminess is to use hot chocolate or tea option in your mug or to manually add milk to coffee. For most people, this won't be a problem, but it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses a barcode reader to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and dispense the correct volume of coffee required for that kind of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that performs its job flawlessly, but does not have any options for making drinks that are customized or for varying the strength of the brew. This will irritate some buyers however for others, the easy automation pods coffee machines and range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) it gives exactly what they need.
Apart from filling the tank with water and decaffeinating it occasionally, this coffee maker will not need a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso shots or tall travel mugs with ease. As previously mentioned, used pods are ejected into a container hidden from view which keeps your kitchen clean. It also does a fantastic job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
It's a gorgeous machine and part of Smeg's fifties style range. It's easy to use via an easy-to-use panel of buttons, and it can handle ground coffee as well as ESE pods. The only downside is that it doesn't have an indicator to let you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level cannot be set which is an inconvenience. You will also have to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be costly. This is a great pod machine for anyone who wants a convenient and attractive appliance that can be used at a reasonable cost. If you're looking for some variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules are available for this model and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.