11 Ways To Completely Sabotage Your Best Coffee Pod Machine
11 Ways To Completely Sabotage Your 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 heats up and makes a delicious espresso or slightly longer lungo within 30 seconds.
Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee making off your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines are typically quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with many able to make a cup of coffee in only 30 seconds or so. The pre-portioned pods that are used in these machines tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans, and a majority of them are not recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available that is available, thanks to its in-built barcode scanner that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to brewing it. This ensures you get consistently high-quality coffee, every time. There is almost no chance of having a bad drink. It's also one of the slimmest and lightest available that doesn't require a separate milk jug and a small footprint making it a breeze to fit into even the smallest of kitchens.
However, the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those looking to cut down on 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 zones. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll have to replace it with a fresh one. This can be costly for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another fast machine that has buttons that can be customized and the option of using either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed and tampered with 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. Its only downside is that it takes longer to warm up, but once this is done, it will be able to brew the cup in about 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that can create a variety of drinks in different sizes and styles. This sleek machine designed in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand, stainless steel jug and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The user-friendliness is a major draw and the best models are easy to operate. The majority of machines employ the same basic mechanism to brew the cup of coffee you want that is, heated water is placed in reservoirs, then pushed through capsules to create rich hot, hot java. The majority of brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet different needs, and you can save custom settings on many models to streamline the process even further.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading players in the market, however each has a variety of capsules from popular roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used only once before being be thrown away, while others are meant to be used for a variety of purposes. You'll need a plan to dispose of the pods you've used to avoid them ending up in landfill.
The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with an ejectable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine automatically dispenses new capsules once the previous one has been chilled. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends for variety. This brewer is a great choice for those who love coffee and want to move away from drip coffee.
In our tests in our tests, the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design is beautiful on your counter, and it opens with just a touch to reveal the hidden compartment that holds empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is great for areas with hard water.
This machine brews an ordinary cup of coffee (240ml) and also serves as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is surprisingly fast. Its user-friendly controls are easy to use using the aircraft-style toggles as well as a lever that retracts without much effort to reveal the opening that allows you coffee pods machines to insert the pod. It requires a little force to close, but our testers, including those who have limited mobility and hand strength were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod machines eliminate all the mess that comes with coffee making - you just load a pod in the machine, push a button and let it make coffee. You'll still have to clean the machine from time time, but not as frequently as you would with a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are also smaller than their bigger counterparts which means they can be placed on the countertop and be stored away from view when not being used.
If a coffee pod machine is the best choice for you depends on your preferences and what you're looking to get out of it. All pod machines are simple to use, but certain models offer more customization options than others. Different pod types, brew sizes options, and milk frothing capabilities are all important to find the ideal coffee pod machine for you.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors that may be worth taking a look at. One of them is Bruvi, which uses a bespoke pod system called B-Pods that can only be used in conjunction with its machines. The pods are marked with a barcode, which is read by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
The machine will take all the guesswork out of it and ensure that each drink is perfect every time. It can even save customised drinks to a dedicated button to allow you to make them with the press of a button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your coffee than the majority, letting you choose the right size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, however it comes with the polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer service that is a hallmark of Sage's My Way. This is a good option for those wanting to get something more from their espresso maker that is based on pods.
Certain models are larger and can create lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a great example, combines retro style of the fifties from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's intimidating to use thanks to its airplane-style toggles and manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and incredibly enjoyable to use the lungo is made in only 30 seconds, and the used pods are placed in an internal bin at the push of the button.
4. Customization
A pod coffee maker's limited customization is a major reason it may not be the best choice for you. If you don't purchase an additional milk frother, the only ways to add extra flavor or creaminess is to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and to add milk to your cup manually. This won't be an issue for most people, but it could be a problem for those who like the convenience of a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology makes use of a barcode reader to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and give the correct amount of coffee required for that kind of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine which does a great job however it isn't equipped with options for customizing drinks or for varying the strength of brew. This might be frustrating for some customers but for others, the simple automation and range of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) it provides precisely what they require.
In addition to filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally the coffee maker will not require much maintenance. It can dispense short espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs effortlessly. As previously mentioned, used pods are then ejected from a hidden container that keeps your kitchen tidy. It is also great at delivering full-bodied coffees with tops that are topped with crema.
This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s-style range. It's simple to use with simple buttons and can accommodate both ground coffee and ESE pods. Its only flaw is the lack of a display that tells you when it's time to descale, as well as the inability to set the maximum water level. You also need to buy the brand's capsules, which can be pricey. This is a great pod machine for those who want an attractive and convenient appliance that will serve well at a low cost. For those who want more variety, a large selection of third-party capsules is available for this model and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.