A Productive Rant Concerning Best Coffee Pod Machine
A Productive Rant Concerning Best Coffee Pod Machine
Blog Article
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've seen this brushed-steel model offers the signature Sage quality and ease of use. It heats up immediately after switching on and makes an espresso with aroma or a little longer lungo in just 30 seconds.
As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messy aspects of coffee-making out of your hands, such as grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. The majority of them can make a cup in 30 seconds. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines tend to be more costly than freshly roasted coffee beans and a majority of them aren't recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available that is available due to its built-in barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to brewing it. This ensures consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is almost no possibility of getting a poor drink. It is also among the slimmest and lightest on the market, with no need for a separate milk jug and the smallest footprint, making it easy to fit into even the tiniest of kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine for those who want to minimize 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 replace it with a new. This can be costly for certain 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 that are pre-dosed and tampered grounds squeezed 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 workforce. The only downside is the time it takes to warm up. Once it is heated it, it can make one cup in about 35 seconds.
If you're after an elegant, stylish machine that can handle a range of different sizes and styles, you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This glossy beauty, made in collaboration with Sage, is not only quick and simple to operate but also comes with a milk frothing wand and an stainless steel jug.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee maker's user-friendliness is a major selling point and the top models are easy to operate. The majority of machines employ the same basic process to brew the perfect cup of coffee: water is heated inside a reservoir, then pushed through capsules to create rich, hot coffee. Most brands offer a range of drink sizes to suit different requirements, and you can save your own settings on a number of models to speed up the process even more.
Keurig K-Cups are among the top players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules by popular roasters. Some pods can be used only once before being thrown away and others can be used a number of times. You'll need a plan for the pods you've used to avoid them ending up in landfill.
The SMEG we tested comes with a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically releases a new capsule after the previous one cools down. It can brew lungo and espresso drinks and comes with eight different blends to give you variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee drinkers who wish to switch to drip coffee.
In our testing, the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design makes it a looker on your countertop and it can be opened with a gentle tap to reveal a hidden compartment to store your empty pods. It has a water filter system which is perfect for areas with hard water.
This machine is able to make an ordinary cup of coffee (240ml) as well as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks, and is surprisingly quick. Its easy-to-use controls are a joy to use with the help of switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the opening that allows you to insert your pod. It requires some pressure to close, however the majority of our testers even those with limitations in hand strength and mobility, felt comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod makers remove all the mess from coffee making - you just add a pod the machine, press a button, and let it make coffee. You'll still have to clean your machine every now and then but not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are also smaller than their bigger counterparts, so they can fit on the countertop and be stored out of sight when not in use.
The ideal coffee maker for you will depend on your preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. All pod machines are simple to use, however some provide more options for customization. Be aware of the different coffee pods, brew sizes and milk frothing options when choosing the best machine.
The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are more recent competitors that are worth taking a look at. Bruvi uses a bespoke system of pods known as B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode, which is read by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This method eliminates all the guesswork of making a cup and guarantees that every drink is made perfectly every time. It can even save customized drinks to a specific button, allowing you to make them with the press of a single button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your coffee than the majority models, allowing you to select the right size and temperature for each drink. It's more expensive than some models but it offers the polished stainless steel construction and the excellent customer service that is synonymous with the brand and is a great option for those looking to get something more from their pod-based coffee maker.
While most people will be using a pod-based machine to make single-serve drinks, there are some larger models that can brew longer shots, known as lungos, too. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example of this. It is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's a little intimidating initially due to the airplane-style toggles however once you've become accustomed to it, it is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo can be made in just 30 seconds.
4. Customization
One reason the pod coffee maker might not coffee machine with capsules be the best choice for you is its lack of customizability. If you don't buy an additional 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 coffee manually. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem but it could be a problem for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology makes use of barcode readers 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 simple, hands-off machine that performs its job flawlessly, but does not have any options for customizing drinks or altering the strength of brew. This might be frustrating for some customers but for others the hassle-free automation and range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) will provide precisely what they require.
This coffee maker is very low-maintenance. It's all you have to do is to refill the water tank, and decaffeinate it every so often. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs with ease and, as mentioned the pods that are used are ejected into a hidden container that helps keep your kitchen clean. It is also excellent at delivering full-bodied coffees with a crema-topped top.
This is a beautiful-looking machine and part of Smeg's fifties style range. It's easy to use with a simple interface and can take ground coffee or ESE pods. Its only flaw is the lack of a display that lets you know when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set the maximum water level. You will also have to purchase the brand's capsules which can be expensive. However, this is a good pod coffee maker for those looking for a beautiful and functional appliance that will serve them well for an affordable cost. If you're looking for more variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules is available for this model and it's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.