Be On The Lookout For: How Best Coffee Pod Machine Is Taking Over And What To Do About It
Be On The Lookout For: How Best Coffee Pod Machine Is Taking Over And What To Do About It
Blog Article
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most sleek pod machine we've seen this model with brushed-steel features the trademark Sage quality and is easy to use. It warms up after switching on, and brews an aroma-packed espresso or a little longer lungo in 30 minutes.
The pod models are a great alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the messiest parts of coffee making off your hands, including grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines are typically quicker to set up and use than espresso machines, with most capable of making a cup of coffee in only 30 seconds or so. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are typically more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans and many of them aren't recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines on the market due to its in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod prior to brewing it. This ensures you get consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is virtually no chance of having a bad beverage. The machine is also one of the slimmest and lightest available, with no need for an additional milk jug or the smallest footprint, making it a breeze to fit into even the tiniest kitchen.
However, the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those wanting 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 1200 cups for soft water. Once the filter cartridge runs out, you'll need to replace it with a new. This can be costly for some 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 squeezed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to decreasing the negative impact it has on the environment and its employees. Its only downside is that it takes a little longer to warm up, but once that is done, it will be able to brew a cup in around 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks with different sizes and styles. This sleek machine designed in collaboration with Sage is not just easy to use, but also comes with an ice cream wand an stainless steel jug and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of using pod coffee makers is a major selling point. The most effective models are simple to use. The majority of machines use the same general method to make your cup the water is heated in an internal reservoir, and then pushed through your chosen capsules and extracted to create rich hot java. 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 in the market, yet each offers a wide selection of capsules from top roasters and brands. Some pods are designed to be used just once and then discarded, while others are intended to be used multiple times. You'll need a strategy for your used pods to avoid them from being thrown away.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features a water tank that is removable and easy to fill and the machine automatically dispenses new capsules once the previous one has cooled. It brews coffee and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends to provide you with a wide selection. This brewer is perfect for coffee lovers who want to make the switch from drip coffee to drip.
In our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter and can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the compartment that stores your empty pods. The machine comes with an in-built water filter system that is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine is quick and can brew regular coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are simple to operate, using the style of airplane toggles that can be easily retracted and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening to drop in your pod. It takes a bit of force to close but our testers, even those with limited mobility and hand strength felt comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines take away all the mess from coffee making - you just load a pod in the machine, push a button and let it be brewed. You'll still need to clean your machine occasionally but not like a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger counterparts, so they can fit on the counter and be stored out of sight when not being used.
The best coffee machine for you will be determined by your preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, but some have more options for customization than others. Be aware of the different coffee pods, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when selecting the right machine.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are a few newer competitors worth taking a look at. Bruvi utilizes a unique system of pods, called B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods are identified by a barcode which is read by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
This means that the machine eliminates all the guesswork of brewing a cup and guarantees that every drink comes out perfectly every time. It can even save customized drinks to a dedicated button so you can make them with the press of a single button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your coffee than the majority machines, allowing you to choose a specific size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than some models but it offers the polished stainless steel design and excellent customer service synonymous with the brand and is a solid choice for those who want an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.
Certain models are larger and can make lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example, combines retro style of the fifties from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating initially due to the toggles that look like airplanes, but once you get used to it, it is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo can be made in 30 minutes.
4. Customization
One big reason why a pod coffee maker may not be right for you is the limited customizability. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother, then the only option to add more flavor or creaminess is to make use of hot chocolate or tea option in your mug or to manually add milk into your coffee. For many people this won't be a problem however it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses barcode readers to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and dispense the correct volume of coffee for that particular type of pod. It's an easy-to-use hands-off device that does an excellent job, but lacks options for customising drinks or varying brew strength. This will irritate some buyers but for others, the simple automation and range of cup lengths (espresso, pod making machines lungo and mug) it gives precisely what they require.
In addition to filling up the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion the coffee maker will not require a lot of maintenance. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as we mentioned, used pods are ejected to a hidden container that keeps your kitchen clean. It also does a fantastic job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This machine is part of Smeg's 1950s-style collection. It's easy to use with a simple control panel and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. It's only downside is the lack of an indicator that will let you know when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set the maximum level of water. You'll also need to purchase the brand's capsules which can be expensive. This is a great pod machine for anyone looking for an attractive and convenient appliance that will serve well at a reasonable price. This model can be used with a variety of capsules from third-party manufacturers and is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.