Best Coffee Pod Machine: 11 Thing You're Forgetting To Do
Best Coffee Pod Machine: 11 Thing You're Forgetting To Do
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The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most sleek pod machine we've seen, this brushed-steel model has the renowned Sage quality and is easy to use. When it is turned on, it heats up and brews a fragrant espresso or a slightly longer lungo within 30 seconds.
Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the messiest aspects of coffee-making out of your hands, such as grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines are generally quicker to set up and use than espresso machines, with many able to make a cup of coffee in just 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 aren't recyclable.
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines on the market due to its in-built barcode reader that scans code of each compatible pod before making it. This makes it simple to get consistent high-quality, high-end coffee every time, and there is virtually no chances of a drink turning out badly wrong. It's also one of the slimmest and lightest available, with no need for a separate milk jug and the smallest footprint, making it easy to fit in even the smallest of kitchens.
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 every 1200 cups for soft water. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll need to replace it with a new one. This could be expensive for certain users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a fast machine that can be customized with buttons. It can be used with either ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered grounds compressed in between filter paper. It is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment and its employees. The only drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it is heated it, it can make one cup in around 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish, sleek machine that can make a variety drinks in different sizes and styles. This sleek machine, designed in collaboration with Sage is not just simple to use, but also comes with an ice cream wand, a stainless steel jug, and a milk frother.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee maker's user-friendliness is a major selling point and the top models are simple to operate. Most machines rely on the same process to make your coffee by heating water inside a reservoir, then pressured through the chosen capsules and extracted to create rich hot coffee. Many brands offer a variety of drink sizes to suit different needs, and you can save custom settings on many models to speed up the process even more.
Keurig K-Cups are among the largest players on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules by well-known roasters. Some pods are made to be used once and get thrown away, whereas others are intended to be used for a variety of purposes. In either case, you'll have to plan out the way you'll dispose of the pods that are no longer being used so they do not end up in the garbage.
The SMEG we tested comes with a removable reservoir of water that is simple to fill. It also automatically releases another capsule after the previous one cools down. It can be used to brew espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends for various options. This brewer will appeal to 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 makes it an eye-catching addition to your counter and opens with a light touch to reveal a concealed compartment for your empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of the water filtration system which is ideal for hard-water areas.
This machine brews a standard cup of coffee (240ml) as well as ristretto and lungo espresso-style drinks, and is surprisingly quick. The controls are easy to operate, using the style of airplane toggles that can be easily pulled back and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening to drop in the pod. It does take a little force to close but our testers, including those who have weak hand and mobility were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines take the mess of coffee making out of your hands. You simply put in one of the pods, press the button, and then make coffee. You'll still have to clean your machine from time to time but not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are also smaller than their larger counterparts, so they can fit on the counter and be kept out of view when not being used.
If a coffee pod machine is the right choice for you depends on your preferences and what you're looking to get from it. All pod machines are simple to use, however some have more options for customization than others. Different pod types, brew sizes options and milk frothing capabilities should all be considered to find the ideal coffee pod machine.
The majority of people associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are a few newer competitors that could be worth considering. One is Bruvi which makes use of an exclusive pod system known as B-Pods that can only be used in conjunction with its machines. The pods have a barcode on the underside that the machine scans to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
The machine will eliminate the guesswork and make sure that each drink is perfect every time. It can save your customised drinks to a button, so that you can create them using one button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your coffee than others, letting you choose the right size and temperature for each cup. It's more expensive than other models, but it comes with the polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer service that is a hallmark of the Sage's My Way brand. This is a good choice for those looking for a bit more out of their pod-based espresso maker.
While the majority of people are using the pod-based machine to create single-serve drinks, there are some larger models that can make longer shots, referred to as lungos, too. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a great example, combines retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to operate due to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's quick and incredibly satisfying to click here operate and brews a lungo in just 30 seconds and the discarded pods are put into an internal bin at the push of a button.
4. Customization
One reason the pod coffee maker might not be the best choice for you is its lack of customization. If you don't have an alternative 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 to your the 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 makes use of barcode scanners to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse and give the correct amount of coffee for that particular type of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that does its job well, but it doesn't have any options for customizing drinks or altering the strength of the brew. Some customers might be disappointed by this, however others will appreciate the convenience and variety of cup sizes (espressos and mugs, lungos and espressos) to be exactly what they're seeking.
Aside from filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir occasionally, this coffee maker will not require a lot of maintenance. It can make short espresso-style shots or tall travel mugs easily. As mentioned, the used pods are ejected into an unnoticed container that helps keep your kitchen tidy. It also excels at delivering full-bodied espressos with tops that are topped with crema.
This is a stunning machine that is part of Smeg's fifties style range. It's easy to use via simple buttons and can accommodate ground coffee as well as ESE pods. The only drawback is the lack of a display that lets you know when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum water level. You'll also need to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be expensive. But, it's an excellent pod coffee maker for those looking for an attractive and functional appliance that will serve them well for a reasonable price. This model can be used with a variety of third-party capsules and also works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.