Best Coffee Pod Machine: 11 Things That You're Failing To Do
Best Coffee Pod Machine: 11 Things That You're Failing To Do
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The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most sleek pod machine we've seen, this brushed-steel model has the signature Sage quality and ease of use. It warms up after switching on, and then brews a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in 30 minutes.
Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messy aspects of coffee-making out of your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines can be set up and used faster than espresso machines. They can typically make a cup in just 30 minutes. But they come at some cost in that the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these models are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans and many are also not recyclable (though some companies are now offering free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels to return them).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines on the market due to its built-in barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to making it. This ensures consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is virtually no possibility of getting a poor drink. The machine is among the tiniest and lightest available. It doesn't require a separate milk container and its compact footprint makes it easy to fit into even the tiniest kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those who want to reduce their environmental impact. The CitiZ doesn't 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. Once the filter cartridge is out, you'll need replace it with a new one. This can be costly for some users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a quick machine with customizable buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered grounds that are compressed between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to lessening its negative impact on the environment as well as its employees. The only downside is the time it takes to heat up. Once it does it, it can make one cup in around 35 seconds.
If you're looking for an elegant, stylish machine capable of handling a range of different drink sizes and styles, look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek beauty, created in collaboration with Sage it is not only simple and quick to operate but also comes with a milk frothing wand and a stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee maker's user-friendliness is a major selling point, and the best models are simple to use. Most machines utilize the same process to brew the cup of coffee you want: water is heated inside reservoirs, then moved through capsules to make rich, hot coffee. The majority of brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet different requirements, and you can save custom settings for a variety of models to speed up the process further.
Keurig K-Cups are among the top brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules from famous roasters. Some pods are made to be used just once and then get thrown away, whereas others are meant to be used for a variety of purposes. In either case, you'll have to plan ahead for the way you'll dispose of 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 new capsules once the previous one has cooled. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks and has eight different blends to give you the variety. This brewer is ideal for those who love coffee and want to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests we found that the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design is a looker on your counter and it opens with a light touch to reveal a hidden compartment for your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is great for areas with hard water.
This machine brews a standard cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as lungo and ristretto espresso-style drinks and is extremely coffee machine for pods fast. Its user-friendly controls are easy to use, thanks to aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the space that allows you to insert your pod. It requires some 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 makers take away all the mess from coffee making. All you have to do is put a pod in the machine, press a button, and let it brew. You'll still have to clean your machine every now and then, but not as often as a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts and can be stored on the counter when not being used.
The right coffee pod machine for you will be determined by your preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. All pod machines are easy to use, however some have more options for customization than others. Consider the coffee pod variety, brew sizes and milk frothing options when choosing the right machine.
The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few newer competitors worth taking a look at. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods, called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. These pods have an underside barcode that the machine scans to automatically adjust brewing settings.
The machine will eliminate all the guesswork and make sure that every drink is perfect every time. It can save your customised drinks in a single button, so that you can create them with only one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more control over your cup of coffee than others machines, allowing you to choose the exact size and temperature for each beverage. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel construction and superior customer support synonymous with Sage's My Way. This is a great option for those who want a bit more out of their pod-based espresso maker.
While most people will be using the pod-based machine to create single-serve drinks however, there are a few larger models that can also make longer shots, referred to as lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a great example, combines retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating initially due to the airplane-style toggles, but once you've gotten used to it, it is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be brewed in just 30 minutes.
4. Customization
A pod coffee maker's limited customisation is a major reason it may not be the best choice for you. If you don't purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only ways to add flavor or creaminess are to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option, and then add milk to your cup manually. This shouldn't be a problem for most people, but could be a problem for those who prefer the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology utilizes a barcode reader to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse and disperse the right amount of coffee required for that type of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that does the job flawlessly, but does not have any options for customizing drinks or altering the strength of brew. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, but others will find the convenience and variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they are seeking.
Apart from filling the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion, this coffee maker will not need a lot of maintenance. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily and, as we mentioned the pods that are used are ejected into a concealed container which keeps your kitchen spotless. It also does a fantastic job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This is a beautiful-looking machine and part of the Smeg fifties range. It's easy to use with a simple panel and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback is that it doesn't come with an indicator to let you know when it's time for descale. Also, the maximum water level can't be set which is an issue. You also need to buy the brand's capsules which can be costly. Nevertheless, this is a great pod coffee maker for those seeking a stylish and practical appliance that can serve them well for a reasonable price. If you're looking for some variety, a large selection of third-party capsules is available for this model and it's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.