A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine
A capsule coffee maker will make it easy to get an instant cup of coffee. They're simple to use and can be paired with a variety of coffee pods.
Contrary to filter coffee machines, capsule coffee machines tend to concentrate on black drinks like espressos and lungos with a few milky choices for cappuccinos and lattes.
1. Easy to use
You can enjoy your cup of coffee at home using capsule machines. It's a great alternative to a bean-to cup or filter machine. These machines are simple to use and operate well, regardless of regardless of whether you're a professional coffee maker or just a newbie. You can select from a range of drinks sizes, temperatures and flavors. Some models come with an integrated milk frothing wand to make lattes and cappuccinos. These models are a great choice for families who are busy and are looking to grab a cup of coffee before heading out.
There is a variety of capsule coffee machine models that will meet your needs. The budget friendly options tend to be straightforward with a panel of buttons and a clear LCD, whilst more advanced models allow you to tailor the brew by altering settings such as temperature of the water, capsule type and bar pressure. Some have an application for further personalisation and recipe suggestions.
The Smeg model is sleek in style that works with any work surface. It's also extremely quiet during use making it an ideal option for those with young children who wake up early. It was easy to use and set up, with a responsive touchscreen as well as fluid operation of the lever for the water tank.
The more expensive models, like the ones from Dolce Gusto or Nespresso, offer more customisation. You can save your most-loved drinks with a click. You can also alter the settings for your favorite blends to get the best taste and scent. The capsule recycler is available to ensure your kitchen is clean and free of trash. Some of the more expensive models include a built-in carafe for whipped cappuccinos or lattes. Others come with a separate steam wand you can manually operate.
2. Versatile
Although they aren't as versatile as a filter machine or a bean-to cup machine, capsule machines can still do an excellent job of providing consistent and delicious results. The simplest models start at less than PS50. A lot of these machines even offer milk frothing which means you can make an espresso or cappuccino at the touch of a button.
One thing to keep in mind when using capsule machines is that you will be limited to the types of drinks and coffee pods you can use with it, because they are packed with ingredients such as ground coffee sugar, cream, sugar and flavorings. You can still expect top-quality brews with most brands. Tassimo and Nescafe offer various milky and black coffees, for instance.
Similar to the capsule machines, some can also be used with various milky drinks by utilizing different kinds of capsules such as those made by Nespresso's Vertuo line. These offer the option of selecting a milky beverage such as a latte, or cappuccino from a selection of four, and the machine automatically dispensing the correct amount of milk.
The top pod coffee machines in the UK are also designed to be as user-friendly as is possible with clear digital displays and automatic turn-off functions to save energy. Look for features like drip trays with adjustable heights, which can be moved up and down to fit the size of your cup, and to minimise splashing, and a removable capsule holder that is easy to empty and clean. Energy-saving sleep modes and eco-friendly settings are another nice extra.
The Morning Machine is a benchtop machine that you can operate by hand or through an app. It comes with precise controls that allow you to fine tune the coffee's body and flavor. You can also alter the temperature, which has a direct effect on the taste of your coffee. Temperatures that are lower will cause acidity, while higher temperatures provide it with more body.
3. Eco-friendly
Since their introduction by Nestle in 1986 the coffee pods (or capsules) have made a huge impact on the way people consume coffee. They're convenient, fast and allow you to get a consistently good cup of joe every time. However, they're also very wasteful. They're typically packed in aluminium and plastic which can be difficult to recycle. In addition, they are filled with unneeded ground coffee that is not recycled.
Despite this research has proven that, compared to filter and drip coffee, a capsule machine is not as damaging to the environment. Single-serve capsules are more environmentally friendly because they use the exact amount of water and coffee which means less waste. Plus, it takes less energy to heat the water in a capsule than making a pot of coffee.
It is important to note that this research is only based on the total 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 is made of biodegradable or recyclable coffee pods. If you want to go further, buy an reusable capsule of coffee. These can be filled with ground coffee and placed in your capsule machine - they're usually designed to work with popular systems like Nespresso.
If you're looking to lessen your environmental impact further Look for a machine that works with Lavazza's A Modo Mio Tiny Eco capsules. These capsules are completely carbon neutral, industrially compostable and made of over 50% recycled plastic. Plus, they're the only capsules that can be used to add food waste for council collection.
Finally, if you can't find biodegradable or compostable coffee pods to fit into your capsule machine, try using a bean-to-cup maker. These machines are more expensive however, they are also more eco-friendly. They grind and brew the coffee at the moment, rather than brewing a big pot in advance and then cooling it down, which wastes electricity. They're also more efficient than drip or espresso machine that sits on a hob, as they require less power to operate.
4. Cost-effective
If you're looking for an easy and simple method of making your morning cup of coffee, a capsule machine is the ideal solution. The capsules are sealed and include ground and roasted beans. They are then put into the machine and brewed for coffee machines with capsules a precise amount of time. The machines are reasonably priced and simple to use, however, they can be costly when you choose high-end models from the top brands. This is especially true for the price of the coffee pods that can be quite expensive.
A capsule coffee maker is still considerably cheaper than getting an espresso machine or a bean-to-cup filter, though. The capsule machine is cheaper upfront, and you will save money over time by not buying filters or ground coffee. The initial cost can be an obstacle for many. So, consider the amount you'll be able to spend on the machine and then add the cost of the pods that go with the machine.
For a capsule coffee machine that is budget-friendly take a look at the Lavazza Vertuo Pop. This compact, stylish machine delivers a quality espresso using the Lavazza EcoCaps. Its unique brewing system also produces a thick, rich crema despite only brewing black coffee. This is a welcome improvement over the thin, watery foam that often comes with espresso drinks made in other pod machines.
The machine has a compact footprint and a simple 4-button panel. It is easy to use, and won't take the most counter space. It has steam wands as well as a hot beverage function, which are rare features for capsule machines. The jug it uses to dispense the coffee is smaller than the glass carafes found on the cheaper machines.
Morning Machine, a pod coffee maker that is made by itself is more sophisticated than competitors and has a number of additional features that make it stand out. The Bloom & Brew option pre-wets ground coffee, resulting in an extra-strong, richer cup. It also offers adjustable settings for temperature, bar pressure, and the amount of coffee extracted. You will get more out of the capsules as compared to basic ristrettos, espressos and lungos, and you can even recreate drip and filter drinks. It can also be connected to your smartphone to make recipes and monitoring of energy consumption.