Best Coffee Pod Machine: 11 Things You're Forgetting To Do
Best Coffee Pod Machine: 11 Things You're Forgetting To Do
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The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The sleekest pod machine we've seen this brushed-steel model offers the signature Sage quality and user-friendly. After switching on, it heats up and makes a scrumptious espresso or slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
The pod models are a great alternative to bean-to cup machines. They take the clumsiest components of making coffee off your hands, including grinding and measuring grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines are generally quicker to setup and use than espresso machines, with most can make coffee in 30 seconds or less. But they come at some cost: the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these models are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans. And many are also not recyclable (though some companies are now offering recycling bags for free and UPS labels to return them).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the fastest pod machines that is available, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod before brewing it. This ensures you get consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is almost no chance of getting a bad drink. It's 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 best machine for those who want to minimize 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. You'll also need to swap in a new filter cartridge once this runs out and could be expensive for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option to use either ground coffee or ESE pods, which are pre-dosed, tampered and packed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to reducing the negative impact it has on the surroundings and its workforce. The only downside is the time it takes to heat up. Once it does it will brew a cup in just 35 minutes.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that is able to create a variety of drinks with different sizes and styles. This sleek beauty, created in collaboration with Sage it is not only simple and quick to operate but also comes with an ice cream frothing wand as well as an stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
The ease of use of a pod coffee maker is a major benefit. The best models are simple to use. The majority of machines employ the same basic process to brew the perfect cup of coffee: water is heated inside reservoirs, then moved through capsules to make rich hot java. The majority of brands offer various sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. You can also save custom settings to streamline the process.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading players in the market, yet each offers a wide selection of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods are designed to be used once and be thrown away, while others are meant to be used for a variety of purposes. You'll need a plan for your used pods to avoid them ending up in landfill.
The sleek SMEG model we tested comes with a removable water tank that's easy to fill and the machine automatically pours a fresh capsule once the previous one has cooled. It can make espresso and lungo drinks, and has eight different blends for variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who want to switch to drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable one to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter, and it opens with just a touch to reveal the compartment that houses your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is ideal for hard-water areas.
This machine brews the www.coffeee.uk standard cup of coffee (240ml), as well as lungo and ristretto-style espresso drinks and is surprisingly fast. Its easy-to-use controls are a joy to use, thanks to airplane-style toggles and a lever that retracts with little effort to reveal the area where you drop in the pod. It requires some effort to close, but the majority of our testers even those with limitations in hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod makers remove all the mess from coffee making - you just put a pod in the machine, press a button, and let it brew. You'll still have to clean the machine from time time, but not as frequently as you would with a coffee maker that is a bean-to cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are also smaller than their larger counterparts, so they can fit on the countertop and be stored out of view when not in use.
Whether a coffee pod machine is the best choice for you depends on your preferences and what you're hoping to gain from it. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but some have more options for customization than others. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods as well as brew sizes, milk and options for frothing when picking the best machine.
The most well-known pod-based machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors that may be worth a look. Bruvi uses a bespoke system of pods known as B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. The pods have an underside barcode that the machine scans to automatically adjust the brewing settings.
This method removes all the guesswork of making a cup and ensures each drink comes out perfectly every time. It is able to save your customized drinks in a single button, so that you can make them by pressing one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way offer a more precise level of control over your coffee that allows you to select a specific size and temperature for each beverage. It's more expensive than other models, but it has the polished stainless-steel construction and the excellent customer service that is synonymous with the brand. This is a good option for those wanting to get an extra bit of quality from their pod-based espresso maker.
Some larger models can also make lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a perfect example, blends retro style of the fifties from SMEG and Italian coffee maker Lavazza. It's a bit difficult to operate due to its toggles that resemble airplanes and a manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and incredibly satisfying to operate and brews a lungo in just 30 seconds and the pods that are used are deposited into an internal bin at the touch of the button.
4. Customization
One reason pod coffee makers might not be right for you is its limited customization. Unless you purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only methods to add flavor or creaminess is to use an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and to add milk to your cup manually. 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 technology utilizes barcode readers to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse and dispense the correct volume of coffee required for that type of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that does its job very well but lacks any options for customizing drinks or for varying the strength of brew. This might be frustrating for some customers however for others, the easy automation and range of cup lengths (espresso, lungo and mug) it gives precisely what they require.
Aside from filling up the tank with water and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion This coffee maker does not require a lot of maintenance. It dispenses short espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs effortlessly and, as mentioned the pods that are used are ejected into a hidden receptacle that helps keep your kitchen clean. It also does an excellent job of providing full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This machine is part of Smeg’s 1950s-style collection. It is easy to use with a simple interface and can be used with ground coffee or ESE pods. It's only downside is the lack of an indicator that lets you know when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum water level. You also need to buy the brand's capsules, which can be pricey. However, this is an excellent pod coffee maker for anyone looking for a beautiful and functional appliance that will provide them with quality coffee at an affordable cost. This model can be used with a variety of capsules from third-party manufacturers and is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.