10 Things You Learned In Kindergarden That Will Aid You In Obtaining Best Coffee Pod Machine
10 Things You Learned In Kindergarden That Will Aid You In Obtaining Best Coffee Pod Machine
Blog Article
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've seen, this model with brushed-steel features the renowned Sage quality and ease of use. After turning on, it preheats and brews a fragrant espresso or a slightly longer lungo within 30 minutes.
Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the messiest 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 many can make a cup of coffee in just 30 seconds or less. But they come at some cost as the pre-portioned pods of coffee that are used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans and many are also not recyclable (though some companies now offer free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels for returning them).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available that you can find, thanks to its in-built barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to making it. This allows you to get consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, with next-to-no chance of the drink turning out badly wrong. It's also one of the slimmest and lightest available, with no need for an additional milk jug, and a small footprint making it easy to fit into even the tiniest of kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those looking to minimize their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automatic descaling function and you'll need to clean it yourself every 300 cups if you reside in hard water, or 1200 cups in soft water areas. You'll also need to swap the filter cartridge once this runs out and can be expensive for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option of using either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered grounds packed between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment as well as its employees. The only drawback is that it takes longer to heat up, but once that happens it can brew a cup in around 35 seconds.
If you're looking for an elegant, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different drink sizes and styles, look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage, 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
The simplicity of pod coffee makers is a major benefit. The best models are simple to use. The majority of machines utilize the same basic process to make your coffee the water is heated in an internal reservoir, then pressured through your chosen capsules and extracted to create rich hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of drink sizes to suit different requirements, and you can save custom settings on a number of models to simplify the process even more.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two biggest brands on the market, yet both offer a variety of capsules from top roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used only once before being discarded, while others are intended to be used multiple times. In either case, you'll have to plan out how you'll handle the pods you've used up so that they do not end up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with a water tank that is removable and easy to fill and the machine automatically pours a fresh capsule once the previous one has cooled. It can brew lungo and espresso drinks, and comes with eight different blends to give you plenty of variety. This brewer will appeal to coffee drinkers who want to switch from drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter and opens with just a touch to reveal the hidden compartment that houses your empty pods. The machine has an in-built water filter system that is ideal for areas with hard water.
This machine is able to make the standard cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as ristretto and lungo espresso-style drinks and is surprisingly fast. Its user-friendly controls are a joy to navigate, thanks to 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 testers, including those who have limited mobility and hand strength, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines remove all the messes of making coffee out of your hands - you simply load in a pod, hit an icon and make coffee. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time time however not as often as you would with a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their bigger counterparts, and can be stored on the counter when not in use.
The ideal coffee maker for you will be determined by your personal preferences and the goals you'd like 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 capabilities are all important to help find the perfect coffee pod machine for you.
Most people will think of pod-based devices in the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are a few more recent competitors on the scene that are worth a look. One of them is Bruvi which makes use of a bespoke pod system called B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. The pods are identified by a barcode which is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This method removes all the guesswork of brewing a cup and ensures each drink is made perfectly every time. It can save your custom drinks on a button, so that you can create them with only one button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer more control over your coffee than most models, allowing you to select the exact size and temperature for each beverage. It's a bit more expensive than other models but it offers the polished stainless steel construction and excellent customer service which is synonymous with the brand. It is a good option for those looking to get something more from their pod-based coffee maker.
While most people are using the pod-based machine to create single-serve drinks There are some larger models that can create longer shots, also known as lungos, too. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this. It blends the retro-fifties style of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to use due to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and incredibly enjoyable to use and brews a lungo in just 30 seconds and the discarded pods are deposited into an internal bin with the click of the button.
4. Customization
One reason a pod coffee maker may not be right for you is the limited customizability. If you don't have an alternative milk frother then the only way to add more flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot chocolate or tea option in your mug or to manually add milk to the coffee. This won't be an issue for many people, but could be a problem for those who prefer the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew utilizes barcode scanners to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets and infuses, then dispensing the correct amount of coffee for the particular kind of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine which does an excellent job, however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or varying brew strength. This may be a problem for some buyers however for others, the pod coffee machine easy automation and variety of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) it provides precisely what they require.
This coffee maker is low maintenance. It only requires you to refill the water tank and decaffeinate the reservoir every time. It can dispense short espresso 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 excels in delivering full-bodied coffees that have crema-topped tops.
It's a gorgeous machine and part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It's simple to use with simple buttons and can accommodate both ground coffee and ESE pods. The only drawback is the absence of a gauge that will let you know when to descale, and the inability to set the maximum level of water. You will also have to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be costly. However, this is an excellent pod coffee maker for anyone seeking a stylish and functional appliance that will serve them well for an affordable price. This model is compatible with a range of capsules from third-party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.