10 Things You Learned In Kindergarden To Help You Get Started With Best Coffee Pod Machine
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
This sleek, brushed-steel appliance offers the Sage distinctive quality and user-friendly. After switching on, it warms up and makes a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 seconds.
As opposed to bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee making out of your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines are generally easier to setup and use than espresso machines, with many capable of making coffee in only 30 seconds or less. However, they come with an expense as the pre-portioned pods of coffee that are used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans and they are not recycled. (though some companies are now offering recycling bags for free and UPS labels for returning the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines on the market due to its built-in barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod prior to brewing it. This ensures that you get consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is virtually no chance of having a bad drink. The machine is also one of the slimmest and lightest available and does not require an additional milk jug, and the smallest footprint, making it easy to fit in even the tiniest of kitchens.
The CitiZ is not the best device to reduce the environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling feature, and you'll have to clean it yourself every 300 cups if reside in hard water areas or 1200 cups in soft water zones. It is also necessary to put in a new filter cartridge once this runs out, which could be costly for some users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another fast machine that has buttons that can be customized and the option to use either ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered grounds squeezed between filter paper. The model is B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to reducing its negative impact on the environment as well as its employees. Its only slight drawback is that it takes longer to warm up, but once that is done, it will be able to brew a cup in around 35 minutes.
If you're looking for an elegant, sleek machine capable of handling a range of different drink sizes and styles then you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine designed in collaboration with Sage is not only easy to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand an stainless steel jug and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
The ease of using a pod coffee maker is a major benefit. The most effective models are simple to use. Most machines utilize the same basic mechanism to brew the cup of coffee you want: water is heated inside the reservoir, and then pushed through capsules to create rich, hot java. Many brands offer a variety of drink sizes to suit various needs. You can save custom settings on many models to speed up the process further.
Keurig K-Cups are among the largest brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also offer a large selection of capsules made by the most famous roasters. Certain pods can be used only once before being thrown away however, others can be used multiple times. You'll need a plan for your old pods to prevent them from ending up in the garbage.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features a removable water tank that's easy to fill, and the machine automatically dispenses new capsules once the previous one has been cooled. It can brew espresso and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends to give you variety. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who want to move away from drip coffee to drip.
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 can be opened in a matter of seconds to reveal the compartment that holds empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of an filtration system for water, which is ideal for areas with hard water.
The machine can brew the standard cup of coffee (240ml), as well as lungo and ristretto espresso-style drinks, and is surprisingly quick. The controls are easy to operate, using airplane-style toggles that can be easily retracted and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening to drop into your coffee maker. It requires a little force to close, but our test subjects, even those with limited mobility and hand strength, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The top coffee pod machines take the mess of making coffee out of your hands - you simply put in a pod, hit a button and prepare to brew. You'll still have to clean the machine from time time however not as often as you would with a coffee maker that is a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are smaller than their larger equivalents and can be stacked on the counter when not being used.
If a coffee pod machine is the right option for you is based on your preferences and what you want to get out of it. All pod machines are simple to use, but some offer more customisation options than others. Different pod types, brew sizes options, and milk frothing capabilities should all be considered to help find the perfect coffee pod machine for your needs.
The most popular pod-based coffee machines are Nespresso, Keurig and similar brands. However there are newer competitors worth a look. One of them is Bruvi which has an exclusive pod system called B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. The pods are identified with a barcode that is read by the machine to adjust the brewing parameters automatically.
This approach means the machine eliminates all the guesswork of brewing a cup and ensures each drink comes out perfectly every time. It can even save customised drinks to a dedicated button, allowing you to make them with the press of a single button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer more control over your coffee than others machines, allowing you to choose a specific size and temperature for each cup. It's a little more expensive than some models, but it has the polished stainless steel construction and the excellent customer service that is synonymous with the brand and is a good choice for those who need something more from their pod-based coffee maker.
Some models with larger capacities can also create lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is a perfect example, blends retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It can be a little intimidating to use thanks to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's quick and extremely enjoyable to use and brews a lungo in just 30 seconds and the used pods are put into an internal bin at the push of a button.
4. Customization
One reason a pod coffee maker may not be the right choice for you is its lack of customizability. If you don't purchase an auxiliary milk frother, the only ways to add flavor or creaminess is to make use of an in-mug hot chocolate or tea option and to add milk manually to your coffee. For most people, this shouldn't be a problem, but it could be a problem for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology makes use of barcode readers to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse and give the correct amount of coffee required for that kind of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that performs its job very well but lacks any options for customizing drinks or for varying the strength of the brew. Some customers will be irritated by this, but many will appreciate the ease of use and the variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they are searching for.
pod making machines is extremely low-maintenance. It only requires you to fill up the water tank, and decaffeinate it every time. It can dispense short espresso shots and tall travel mugs easily and, as mentioned the used pods are ejected to a hidden container which keeps your kitchen spotless. It also does an excellent job of delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees.
This machine is part Smeg's 1950s style range. It is easy to use with a simple control panel and can take ground coffee or ESE pods. The only drawback is that it lacks an indicator that lets you know when it's time to descale, and the maximum water level can't be set which is an issue. It is also necessary to purchase the capsules made by the company, which can be pricey. But, it's a good pod coffee maker for anyone seeking a stylish and practical appliance that can serve them well for a reasonable cost. This model is compatible with a variety of capsules from third party manufacturers and is compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo range.