A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine
If you're looking for a simple and quick coffee, a capsule coffee machine is the best way to go. They're easy to use and can be paired with a variety of specialty coffee pods.
Contrary to filter coffee machines, capsule coffee machines typically concentrate on black drinks, such as espressos and lungos with a few milky choices for lattes and capspuccinos.
1. Easy to use
With a capsule coffee machine, you can get your fix at home without the fuss of a full-on bean-to cup or filter machine. These machines are simple to operate and run well, regardless of whether you're a seasoned brewer or a beginner. You can pick from a variety of beverage sizes, temperatures and flavors to match your tastes. Some models come with an integrated milk frother to make lattes or cappuccinos. They're an ideal option for busy families that want to grab an espresso on the way out the door.
There are a variety of capsule coffee machines uk models available to suit your needs. Budget friendly models tend to include a few buttons that display clearly. Advanced models let you alter the brew you make by changing settings such as the temperature of the water, the type of capsule and bar pressure. Some have an application for further personalisation and recipe suggestions.
The slick design of the Smeg model is a big benefit, with a sleek body that blends well on any work surface. It's also quiet, making it an excellent choice for families with small children. Our testers found it easy to set up and use, with a smooth operation of the lever for the water tank's cap and a responsive, intelligent touchscreen.
The more expensive models, like the ones from Dolce Gusto or Nespresso, offer a greater level of personalization. You can save your favorite drinks with a click. You can even alter the settings for your favorite blends to get the best flavor and scent. The capsule recycler comes with it to ensure your kitchen is clean and free of trash. Some of the more expensive models come with built-in carafes for whipped cappuccinos or lattes. Others include a separate steam wand you can manually operate.
2. Multi-faceted
Although they aren't as versatile as a filter machine or a bean-to-cup machine capsule machines can do an excellent job of producing delicious and consistent results. They also offer the advantage of being simple to use and cost-effective the most basic models cost less than PS50. Many of these machines even froth milk, meaning you can make the perfect cappuccino or latte with the touch of an button.
One thing to bear in mind with a capsule machine is that you will be limited to the type of coffee pods and drinks you can make with it, as these will have been pre-packaged with ingredients such as ground coffee cream, sugar, and flavorings. You can still expect high-quality beverages with the majority of brands. Tassimo and Nescafe offer a range of milky and black coffees, for example.
In the same way, certain capsule machines can be used with different milky drinks by using different kinds of capsules like those manufactured by Nespresso's Vertuo line. They allow selecting a milky beverage such as a latte or cappuccino from a choice of four options, with the machine automatically dispensing the correct amount of milk.
The best pod coffee machines uk are also designed to be as user-friendly as is possible with easy-to-read digital displays and automatic shut-off functions to conserve energy. Look for features such as height-adjustable drip trays that can be moved up and down to fit the size of your cup and to minimise splashing, and a removable capsule holder that's easy to empty and clean. Eco-friendly sleep modes and energy-saving settings are a nice bonus.
The next level is the Morning Machine, an elegant benchtop machine that can be operated manually or through an app with precise controls that let you alter the taste and body. You can also adjust the temperature, which will have an impact directly on the flavor of your coffee. Lower temperatures result in acidity, while higher temperatures impart more body.
3. Eco-friendly
Since their introduction by Nestle in 1986 the coffee pods (or capsules) have had a massive impact on how people drink coffee. They're convenient, fast and allow you to get 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. In addition, they typically contain dregs from unused ground coffee that aren't recycled as well.
However studies have shown that when compared to filter or drip coffee, capsule machines is not as harmful to the environment. Single-serve capsules are environmentally sustainable because they use the exact amount of coffee and water and reduce waste. Furthermore, heating the water in a single serve capsule requires less energy than making a large pot.
However, it's important to remember that this research is only dependent on the entire life-cycle of coffee production, which includes the growing, harvesting, and transportation of the beans, as well as heating the water. If you're thinking about a capsule coffee machine choose one that only uses biodegradable or compostable coffee pods. If you'd like to go even further, think about purchasing a reusable capsule. These can be filled with ground coffee, and then used 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 Modo Mio Tiny Eco capsules. These are industrially compostable carbon neutral and come in a black style made of more than 50% recycled plastic. Plus, these are the only capsules that can be added to food waste and then collected by the council.
In the end, if you cannot find biodegradable or compostable coffee pods to fit into your capsule machine, try using a bean-to-cup coffee maker. These machines are more expensive, however, they are also more eco-friendly. This is due to the fact that they grind and brew coffee on demand, instead of brewing a big pot in advance and then cooling it down, which wastes electricity. They are also more efficient than a drip machine or espresso machine on stoves, since they consume less energy.
4. Cost-effective
A capsule machine is an excellent option if you want to make coffee quickly and conveniently in the morning. The capsules are sealed and include ground and roasted beans. They are then put into the machine, and brewed for a specific amount of time. The machines are simple to use and are relatively inexpensive however, they can be costly when you select premium models made by major brands. This is especially true for the price of the coffee pods that can be quite expensive.
The purchase of a capsule coffee machine is still significantly less expensive than buying a filter or bean-to-cup model however. The capsule machine is cheaper initially, and you'll save money over time because you won't need to buy filters or ground coffee. However, the initial cost isn't a deterrent for many people So, think about the amount you're able to invest in a machine and then consider the cost of coffee pods that go with it.
For a capsule coffee machine that is budget-friendly take a look at the Lavazza Vertuo Pop. This sleek and compact machine delivers a quality espresso using the Lavazza EcoCaps. The unique brewing method produces a thick crema despite only making black coffee. This is a significant improvement on the thin foam that usually is found in espresso drinks made with other pod machines.
The machine is simple to use via the four buttons on the panel and has a small footprint that won't take up the counter space. It also offers a hot drink function and steam wands for milky drinks, which is rare for capsule machines. However, the jug that it dispensing the coffee into does not hold the same amount as glass carafes found on cheaper competitors.
Morning Machine, a pod coffee maker that is made by itself, is more sophisticated than its competitors and offers a variety of additional features that help it stand out. The Bloom & Brew option pre-wets ground coffee, resulting in a stronger, richer cup. It also offers adjustable settings for temperature, bar pressure and the amount of coffee extracted. You'll get more flavor from the capsules compared to simple lungos, espressos and ristrettos, and you can even make your own drinks with drips and filters. It can also be linked to your smartphone to create recipes and monitoring of energy consumption.