A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine
If you're looking for fast and simple coffee, a capsule coffee machine is the best way to go. They are 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 espressos and lungos - with some milky options available for cappuccinos and lattes.
1. Simple to use
You can enjoy your coffee fix at home using capsule machines. It's an excellent alternative to a bean-to cup or filter machine. If you're a seasoned brewer or just starting out the process, these machines are designed to be easy to use and run smoothly. You can select from a variety of drink sizes, temperature and flavors. Some models come with an integrated milk frother to make cappuccinos or lattes. They're an ideal choice for busy families who are looking to grab a quick cup of coffee on their way out the door.
There's a wide selection of capsule coffee machine models that will meet your needs. The budget friendly options tend to be straightforward with a few buttons and a clear LCD, whilst more 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 permits more personalisation and recipe suggestions.
The sleek design of the Smeg model is a major plus with its sleek design that blends well on any worktop. It's also extremely quiet during use, making it a good alternative for families with young children who wake up early. Our testers found it simple to set up and used with smooth operation of the lever for the water tank's cap and a responsive, smart touchscreen.
The more expensive models, like the ones from Dolce Gusto or Nespresso, provide more personalization. You can save your most-loved drinks with a click. You can tweak settings to achieve the best taste and aroma of your favorite blends. They also include an easy capsule recycler to keep your kitchen clean and free of garbage. Some of the more expensive models include built-in carafes for lattes or creamy cappuccinos. Others include an additional steam wand which you can manually operate.
2. Multi-faceted
While not as versatile as a filter machine or a bean-to cup machine capsule machines can perform admirably in making delicious and consistent results. They also offer the advantage of being easy to use and affordable the most basic models cost under PS50. A lot of these machines can also handle frothering milk, allowing you to make cappuccinos or lattes by pressing a button.
You will be limited in the types of coffee pods you can use, as they will come pre-packed, with ingredients such as sugar, cream and ground coffee. You can still expect premium beverages with the majority of brands. Tassimo and Nescafe offer a variety of black and milky coffees, for example.
Similarly, some capsule machines can be used with different milky drinks by utilizing different capsules, such as those made by Nespresso's Vertuo line. These capsules allow choosing a milky drink such as a latte or cappuccino, from a range of four options, with the machine automatically dispenses the correct amount of milk.
The best pod machines in the UK are also designed with user-friendly features, such as easy-to-read digital displays and automatic shut-off functions that save energy. Look for features like drip trays with adjustable heights, which can be moved up and down to accommodate your cup size and to minimise splashing, and a removable capsule holder that's easy to empty and clean. Sleep modes that save energy 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 through an apps, with precise controls that allow you to adjust the coffee's flavor and body. Among other things, you can alter the temperature which has a direct impact on the flavor of your cup; lower temperatures cause acidity, while higher temperatures give it more body and bitterness.
3. Eco-friendly
Since their introduction by Nestle in 1986 the coffee pods (or capsules) have had a major impact on how people consume coffee. They're easy to use, quick and make it easy to enjoy a consistently good coffee every time. However, they can be extremely wasteful. They're usually packaged in plastic and aluminium, which can be difficult to recycle. Additionally, they contain unusable ground coffee that is not recycled.
Research has proven that using a capsule machine for coffee is more info more sustainable than filter or drip coffee. This is due to the fact that single-serve capsules use the exact amount of water and coffee and reduce the amount of the waste of coffee that can happen when you make a large pot. Furthermore heating the water in a single-serve mug requires less energy than making a large pot.
It is important to keep in mind that this study only examines the entire cycle of coffee production. This includes harvesting, growing transportation, heating and transporting the water. If you're thinking about the use of a capsule coffee maker choose one that uses only biodegradable or compostable coffee pods. If you want to take it a step further, buy a reusable capsule for coffee. They can be filled with ground coffee and placed in your capsule machine - they're usually designed to be compatible with popular systems such as Nespresso.
If you're looking to lessen your environmental impact further, look for a machine that can be used with Lavazza's A Modo Tiny Eco capsules. They're industrially compostable carbon neutral and come in a black design which is made from more than 50% recycled plastic. Additionally, they are the only capsules which can be added to food waste and collected by the council.
Finally, if you can't find compostable or biodegradable coffee pods to fit into your capsule machine, you can try using a bean-to-cup coffee maker. These machines are more expensive however they are also environmentally friendly. They grind and brew the coffee at the moment, rather than brewing a big pot in advance and cooling it down, which uses energy. They are also more energy efficient than a drip machine or espresso machine on a stove, as they use less energy.
4. Cost-effective
If you're looking for a quick and easy method to make your morning coffee the capsule machine is the best option. Capsules are sealed roasts and ground coffee beans that slot into the machine and are brewed for a specific amount of time. The machines are simple to use and are relatively inexpensive however, they can be costly if you choose high-end models by big brands. This is especially relevant to the cost of the coffee pods that can be quite expensive.
A capsule coffee maker is still a lot cheaper than purchasing the bean-to-cup or filter model, though. This is due to the initial price of a capsule machine will be lower, and you'll save money in the end by not having to buy filters or ground coffee. The initial cost could be a barrier to many people. So, consider the amount you'll spend on the machine and then add the cost of the pods that will fit in it.
Lavazza Vertuo pop is an espresso machine that is an excellent option for those on a budget. This sleek, compact machine uses the brand's compostable EcoCaps to deliver a quality cup of espresso. Its unique brewing system also produces a thick crema despite only making black coffee. This is a welcome alternative to the thin, watery slush that is often served with drinks made with other pod machines.
The machine is easy to use via the four buttons on the panel and has a small footprint that won't take up the counter space. It also comes with hot drinks as well as a steam wand for milky drinks, which is rare for capsule machines. The jug used to serve coffee is smaller than the glass carafes on cheaper competitors.
Morning Machine, a pod coffee maker made independently, is more sophisticated than competitors and comes with a range of additional features that help it stand out. The Bloom & Brew option pre-wets ground coffee to produce an extra-strong, richer cup. It also has adjustable settings for temperature, bar pressure and the amount of coffee that is extracted. This allows you to get more out of the capsules than simple ristretto, espresso and lungo options, and even recreates the drip and filter-style drinks. It also allows you to connect to your smartphone to display recipes and monitor the consumption of energy.