Best Coffee Pod Machine: 11 Thing You're Not Doing
Best Coffee Pod Machine: 11 Thing You're Not Doing
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The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most sleek pod machine we've seen this model with brushed-steel features the trademark Sage quality and ease of use. It heats up immediately after switching on and brews an aroma-packed espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.
The pod models are an excellent alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the most messy parts of coffee making off your hands, like grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines can be installed and used more quickly than espresso machines. The majority of them can make a cup in just 30 seconds. But they do come at a cost: the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these models tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and many are also not recyclable (though some companies are now offering free recycling bags and pre-paid UPS labels for returning the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available that you can find due to its built-in barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod prior to making it. This makes it easy to make consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, with next-to-no chances of a drink turning out horribly wrong. It's also among the tiniest and lightest available and does not require an additional milk jug or its small footprint making it a breeze to fit into even the smallest of kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the best machine for those wanting to reduce their environmental impact. It doesn't have an automated descaling function and you'll need to descale it yourself once every 300 cups if reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water zones. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll have to replace it with a fresh one. This can be costly for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another quick machine that comes with a customisable button and the option to use ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered with grounds packed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to lessening the negative impact it has on the environment and its employees. The only drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it's done, it can brew one cup in just 35 minutes.
If you're looking for an elegant, sleek machine capable of handling a range of different drink sizes and styles, look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. 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 a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee maker's ease of use is a major draw, and the best models are a breeze to operate. The majority of machines use the same process to make your coffee by heating water inside a reservoir, then pumped through the chosen capsules and extracted to create rich hot coffee. The majority of brands offer a variety of drink sizes to suit different needs, and you can save your own settings on many models to streamline the process even more.
Keurig K-Cups are the biggest players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules from well-known roasters. Some pods can be used only once before they are discarded however, others can be used multiple times. Either way, you'll need to plan out how you'll handle your spent pods so they aren't thrown away in the trash.
The SMEG we tested has a reservoir of water that is easy to fill. It also automatically dispensates another capsule after the previous one cools down. It can brew coffee and lungo drinks and comes with best pod coffee machine a set of eight different blends to give you plenty of variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee drinkers who wish to make the 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 is an attractive addition to your counter, and it opens with a simple tap to reveal a hidden compartment to store your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of the water filtration system which is ideal for areas with hard water.
The machine is fast and brews regular coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are simple to operate, using airplane-style toggles that can be easily retracted and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening for dropping into your coffee maker. It takes a bit of force to close, but our testers, even those who have weak hand 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 the pod, press a button and make coffee. You'll still have to clean the machine from time time however not as often as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are also smaller than their bigger counterparts which means they can be placed on the counter and be stored away from sight when not being used.
The decision of whether a coffee machine is the right option for you is based on your preferences and what you're looking to gain from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some provide more options for customization. Be aware of the different coffee pods as well as brew sizes, milk and frothing options when choosing the right machine.
The majority of people think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig However, there are a few more recent rivals which are worth looking into. One is Bruvi, which uses its own pod system, known as B-Pods that can only be used in conjunction with its machines. These pods are marked with a barcode, which is scanned by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This means that the machine removes all the guesswork of making a cup and ensures each drink is made perfectly every time. It is able to save your customized drinks on a button, so that you can make them by pressing only one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee and allows you to select the right size and temperature for each drink. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with the polished stainless-steel build and excellent customer service that is synonymous with the brand. This is a good option for those who want something more from their pod-based espresso maker.
Some larger models can also brew lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, a perfect example, blends retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating initially due to the airplane-style toggles but once you've gotten used to it, the machine is quick and satisfying to use. A lungo can be made in just 30 minutes.
4. Customization
A pod coffee maker's limited customisation is a major reason it's not the right choice for you. If you don't have an alternative milk frother, the only way to add more flavor or creaminess is to use hot chocolate or tea option in your mug or to manually add milk into your coffee. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem, but it could be a nagging issue for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew utilizes a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wets, infuses and dispenses the correct amount of coffee to the particular type of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that does its job very well but lacks any options for customised drinks or varying the strength of brew. Some customers will be irritated by this, but many will appreciate the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they're looking for.
This coffee maker is low maintenance. It is all you need to do is to refill the tank with water, and decaffeinate the reservoir each and every so often. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as we mentioned, used pods are ejected into a hidden receptacle that helps keep your kitchen clean. It also does an excellent job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This is a beautiful-looking machine and is part of the Smeg fifties range. It's simple to use with simple buttons and can accommodate both ground coffee and ESE pods. It's only downside is the absence of a display that tells you when to descale, and the inability to set the maximum level of water. You also need to buy the brand's own capsules which can be costly. This is a good pod machine for those who want a convenient and attractive appliance that is able to serve at a low cost. This model is compatible with a range of third-party capsules and also is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.