A Productive Rant About Best Coffee Pod Machine
A Productive Rant About Best Coffee Pod Machine
Blog Article
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most sleek pod machine we've seen this brushed-steel model offers the trademark Sage quality and is easy to use. It preheats after switch-on, and makes an espresso with aroma or slightly longer lungo in about 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. Fast
Pod machines can be set up and operated faster than espresso machines. Most of them can make a cup of coffee in 30 seconds. The pre-portioned pods used in these machines are typically more expensive than freshly roasted coffee beans, and a lot of them aren't recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines that you can find due to its in-built barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod before making it. This makes it simple to get consistent, high-quality coffee every time, with virtually no chance of the drink turning out horribly wrong. It is also one of the slimmest and lightest available and does not require an additional milk jug, and the smallest footprint, making it easy to fit into even the tiniest kitchen.
However the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those looking to cut down on their environmental impact. The CitiZ isn't equipped with an automatic descaling feature. You'll have 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 to 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 either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered and compressed 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. The only drawback is that it takes longer to heat up, but once that occurs, it can make one cup in just 35 seconds.
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 it also comes with an ice cream wand, a stainless steel jug, and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use of a pod coffee maker is a major advantage. The top models are simple to use. Most machines rely on the same basic process to make your coffee: water is heated inside a reservoir, then pumped through your chosen capsules and extracted to create rich, hot java. Most brands offer a range of drink sizes to suit various needs. You can save your own settings on many models to streamline the process further.
Keurig K-Cups are among the largest brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules made by the most popular roasters. Some pods are made to be used once and discarded, while others are meant to be used multiple times. Either way, you'll need to plan ahead for how you'll deal with your spent pods so they aren't thrown away in the trash.
The sleek SMEG model we tested has a water tank that is removable and easy to fill, and the machine automatically dispenses a fresh capsule once the previous one has been chilled. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends to offer the variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee drinkers who want to move away from drip coffee.
In our testing of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most satisfying to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter and opens with just a touch to reveal the hidden compartment that stores empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of a water filtration system, which is great for areas with hard water.
The machine is fast and can make standard coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. Its intuitive controls are easy to navigate, thanks to switches that resemble airplanes and a lever that retracts with a minimum of effort to reveal the opening where you drop in the pod. It takes a bit of force to close, but our testers, even those with weak hand and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines remove all the messes of making coffee out of your hands. You simply put in a pod, hit a button and make coffee. You'll still need to clean your machine from time to time however not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are also smaller than their larger counterparts which means they can be placed on the counter and be kept out of view when not in use.
The ideal coffee maker for you will depend on your preferences and what you wish to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some offer more customization options. Pod variety, brew size options, and milk frothing capabilities are all important to help find the perfect coffee pod machine for your needs.
The most popular pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However, there are some newer competitors that may be worth a look. Bruvi uses a bespoke system of pods known as B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. The pods are identified by a barcode which is read by the machine to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This approach means the machine takes all the guesswork out of brewing a pod making machines cup and guarantees that every drink is made perfectly every time. It can even save customised drinks to a dedicated button so you can make them with the press of a button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee that allows you to select a specific temperature and size for each drink. It's more expensive than many other models, but it has the polished stainless steel build and excellent customer service synonymous with the brand and is a great option for those looking to get a bit more from their pod-based coffee maker.
Certain models are larger and can create lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this and is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee brand, Lavazza. It's a bit intimidating initially due to the airplane-style toggles however once you've become accustomed to it, it is quick and easy to use. A lungo can be brewed in just 30 minutes.
4. Customization
One of the main reasons pod coffee makers might not be the best choice for you is the limited customizability. Unless you purchase an additional milk frother, the only methods to add extra flavor or creaminess are to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option, and then add milk manually to your coffee. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem however it could be a problem for those who prefer an automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses a barcode reader to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse and give the correct amount of coffee that is appropriate for the type of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that performs its job very well but lacks any options for making drinks that are customized or for varying the strength of the brew. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, but many will find the convenience and variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they're looking for.
Apart from filling the tank with water and decaffeinating it occasionally the coffee maker will not require a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily. As previously mentioned, used pods are ejected in a container hidden from view that keeps your kitchen tidy. It also does a fantastic job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This is a beautiful-looking machine and is part of Smeg's fifties style range. It is easy to use with a simple interface and can take ground coffee or ESE pods. Its only flaw is the absence of a display that will let you know when to descale, and the inability to set the maximum level of water. It is also necessary to purchase the brand's capsules which can be costly. This is a good pod machine for those who want an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that is able to serve at a low cost. If you're looking for a little more variety, a broad selection of third-party capsules are available for this model, and it's also compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.