A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine
If you want quick and easy coffee, a capsule coffee machine is the way to go. They're simple to use and work with a variety of coffee pods.
Contrary to filter coffee machines, capsule machines typically concentrate on black drinks, such as lungos and espressos - but with a few milky options for lattes and cappuccinos.
1. Easy to use
With a capsule coffee machine you can get your fix at home without the fuss of a full bean-to-cup or filter machine. These machines are simple to use and work smoothly, whether you're a seasoned coffee maker or are just beginning your journey. You can choose from a variety of drink sizes, temperatures and flavours to suit your preferences. Some models come with an integrated milk frothing tool to make lattes and cappuccinos. These models are ideal for families with busy schedules who would like to have a cup of coffee before heading out.
There are a variety of capsule coffee machines models available to suit your needs. These models are affordable and include a few buttons that display clearly. Advanced models allow you to customize your coffee by altering settings like the temperature of the water, the type of capsule and bar pressure. Some models have an app that allows for more customization and recipes suggestions.
The Smeg model is sleek in design that blends in well with any worktop. It's also quiet and is a great choice for families with small children. It was simple to use and set up with a responsive touchscreen as well as an easy operation of the lever of the water tank.
More expensive models from the likes of Dolce Gusto and Nespresso offer more customization, allowing you to save drinks that you have customised to a specific button. You can also alter the settings for your preferred blends to get the best flavor and scent. The capsule recycler is available to keep your kitchen clean and free of trash. Some of the more expensive models come with an inbuilt carafe that can be used for whipped cappuccinos or lattes. Others include an additional steam wand which you can manually operate.
2. Versatile
Although capsule machines are not as versatile as a bean-to cup machine or filter machine, they can provide delicious and reliable results. The simplest models start at less than PS50. A lot of these machines even allow milk frothing, meaning you can make an espresso or cappuccino at the touch of an button.
One thing to bear in mind when using a capsule machine is that you'll be limited to the type of coffee pods and drinks you can make with it, since they've been packed with ingredients such as ground coffee, cream, sugar and flavorings. However, you can expect good quality beverages from all brands, with the range of options available from Tassimo and Nescafe, for example that let you pick from a wide selection of black and milky coffees.
Certain capsule machines, such as the Vertuo line of Nespresso can be used to make different milky drinks with different capsules. These machines allow you to choose a milky beverage such as a cappuccino, or Latte from a choice of four. The machine will automatically dispensate the correct amount of milk.
The best pod coffee machines uk are also designed to be as user-friendly as possible with clear digital displays as well as automatic shut-off functions to conserve energy. Look for features like drip trays that can be adjusted in height, which can be moved up or down to suit your cup size and reduce splashing, and a removable capsule holder that is easy to empty and clean. Energy-saving sleep modes and eco-friendly settings are a nice addition.
Taking things to the next level is the Morning Machine, a sleek bench top machine that is operated either manually or via an application, with precise controls that allow you to alter the taste and body. You can also adjust the temperature, which will have an immediate impact on the flavor of your coffee. Temperatures that are lower will cause acidity, while higher temperatures provide it with more body.
3. Environmentally friendly
Since their introduction by Nestle in 1986, coffee pods (or capsules) have made a huge impact on how people consume coffee. They're easy to use, quick and allow you to get a consistently good coffee every time. However, they're also extremely wasteful. They're usually packaged in plastic and aluminium which can be difficult to recycle. In addition, they are filled with unneeded ground coffee that cannot be recycled.
However studies have shown that, compared to filter and drip coffee, using capsule machines is less detrimental to the environment. This is due to the fact that single-serve capsules use exactly the same amount of water and coffee which reduces the waste of coffee that can happen when making a large pot. Furthermore, heating the water in a single-serve mug is less energy-intensive than making a large-sized pot.
It is important to remember that this study is based on the complete life-cycle of coffee production, which includes growing, harvesting and transporting the beans, as well as heating the water. Look for a capsule machine that only uses recyclable or biodegradable coffee pods. If you're looking to go even further, consider buying a reuseable capsule. These can be filled with ground coffee and placed in your capsule machine. They're typically designed to work with popular systems like Nespresso.
If you want to reduce your impact on the environment Look for a machine that can be used with Lavazza's Modo Mio Tiny Eco capsules. These capsules are completely carbon neutral recyclable, industrially compostable and constructed of over 50% recycled plastic. They're also the only capsules that can be used to add food waste for council collection.
If you are unable to find biodegradable or compostable pods for your capsule maker, consider using a bean to cup coffee maker. They're expensive however they're more environmentally friendly than pod machines. This is because they grind and brew coffee at the moment, rather than brewing a big pot in advance and then cooling it down, which consumes electricity. They are also more energy efficient than drip machines or espresso machine that is on a stove, as they use less power.
4. Cost-effective
A capsule machine is a great option if you want to make coffee quickly and easily in the morning. Capsules are sealed roasts and ground coffee beans that go into the machine and are brewed for a predetermined amount of time. The machines are reasonably priced and easy to use but they can be expensive when you choose high-end models from big brands. This is particularly relevant to the cost of the coffee pods which can be very expensive.
A capsule coffee maker is still cheaper than a filter model or a bean-to-cup model. The capsule machine is less expensive upfront, and you will save money over time because you won't need to buy filters or ground coffee. However, the initial cost could be a hurdle for many people So, think about the amount you're able to invest in the machine, and then consider the cost of coffee pods that go with it.
Lavazza Vertuo pop is an espresso machine that is an excellent choice for those who are on a budget. This sleek and compact machine makes a high-quality espresso with the brand's EcoCaps. The unique brewing system produces a thick, rich crema despite only brewing black coffee. This is a welcome contrast to the thin, watery foam that is often served with drinks made with other pod machines.
The machine is compact in its footprint and a simple four-button panel. It's easy to operate and doesn't take the most counter space. It comes with a steam wand and hot beverage functions which are both rare features for capsule machines. However, pods coffee machines that it dispenses the coffee into doesn't hold as much as the glass carafes on the cheaper rivals.
Morning Machine, a pod coffee maker made independently, is more sophisticated than competitors and has a number of additional features that help it stand out. The Bloom & Brew option pre-wets ground coffee to produce an even stronger, more rich cup. It also has adjustable settings for temperature, bar pressure and the amount of coffee extracted. This allows you to get more value from the capsules than just ristretto, espresso and lungo options, and even recreates filters and drip-style drinks. It also allows you to connect to your smartphone to display recipes and track the consumption of energy.