A Provocative Rant About Best Coffee Pod Machine
A Provocative Rant About Best Coffee Pod Machine
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The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most elegant pod machine we've seen this brushed-steel model has the trademark Sage quality and ease of use. When it is turned on, it heats up and makes a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.
Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the messiest aspects of coffee making out of your hands, including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Rapid
Pod machines are generally easier to set up and use than espresso machines, with many can make coffee in 30 seconds or less. But they come at an expense as the pre-portioned pods of coffee used in these models tend to be more expensive than freshly roasted beans and they're not always recyclable (though some companies are now offering recycling bags for free and UPS labels to return the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines available that is available, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod before brewing it. This ensures you get consistently top-quality coffee every time. There is virtually no possibility of getting a poor beverage. The machine is also among the slimmest and lightest available that doesn't require an additional milk jug or a small footprint making it a breeze to fit into even the tiniest kitchen.
The CitiZ isn't the most efficient machine to minimize your environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling feature, and you'll have to clean it yourself every 300 cups if you live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water areas. You'll also need to swap the filter cartridge when it runs out, which could be costly for some users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a speedy machine that has customisable buttons. It can be utilized with ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed, tampered grounds compressed in between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to lessening the negative impact it has on the environment and workforce. Its only downside is that it takes longer to warm up, but once that happens it can brew a cup in around 35 seconds.
If you're looking for a sleek, stylish machine that can handle a variety of different drink sizes and styles, take a look at the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek beauty, created in collaboration with Sage it is not only easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with a milk frothing wand and a stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
The user-friendliness is a major selling point and the best models are easy to operate. The majority of machines utilize the same general method to make your cup the water is heated inside a reservoir, then pumped through the capsules you choose and extracted to form rich hot java. Most brands offer a range of sizes for drinks to meet different requirements, and you can save custom settings on many models to speed up the process even further.
Keurig's K-Cups and Nestle's Nespresso VertuoLine series are the two leading brands on the market, however each offers a wide selection of capsules from the most popular roasters and brands. Some pods are made to be used only once before being be thrown away, while others are intended to be used multiple times. Either way, you'll need to think about how you'll deal with the pods that are no longer being used so they don't end up in landfill.
The SMEG we tested comes with a removable water reservoir that is easy to fill. It also automatically releases an additional capsule once the previous one cools down. It can brew coffee and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends to provide plenty of options. This brewer is a great choice for those who love coffee and want to switch from drip coffee.
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 it can be opened with a single touch to reveal the compartment that stores empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of the water filtration system which is ideal for areas with hard water.
This machine is easy to use and can make regular coffee (240ml) and ristretto and lungo espresso drinks. The pod-making machines controls are easy to use, with switches that resemble airplanes, which can be easily pulled back and a lever that retracts to reveal the opening for dropping into your pod. It takes a bit of effort to close, but our test subjects, even those with limitations in hand strength and mobility were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The best coffee pod makers take away all the mess from coffee making - you just add a pod the machine, push a button and let it brew. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time time but not as often as you would with a coffee maker that is a bean-to cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are also smaller than their bigger counterparts and can be tucked away on the counter and be stored away from view when not in use.
The best coffee machine for you will be determined by your personal preferences and what you want to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some have more options for customization than others. Be aware of the different coffee pods, brew sizes and milk frothing options when choosing the best machine.
Most people will think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig however there are a few more recent competitors on the scene that could be worth considering. Bruvi utilizes a unique system of pods known as B-Pods, which can only be used in its machines. These pods have an underside barcode that the machine scans to automatically adjust the brewing settings.
This approach means the machine removes all the guesswork the process of making a cup, and guarantees that every drink is made perfectly every time. It is able to save your customized drinks to a button, so that you can create them using one button.
Other machines, like Sage's My Way, offer greater control over your cup of coffee than others machines, allowing you to choose the exact size and temperature for each drink. It's a little more expensive than many other models, but it comes with the polished stainless steel build and the excellent customer service that is synonymous with the brand and is a good option for those looking to get an extra level of quality from their pod-based coffee maker.
While most people are using a pod-based machine to make single-serve beverages, there are some larger models that are able to brew longer shots, known as lungos. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this. It is a combination of the retro style of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's difficult to operate due to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's easy and incredibly enjoyable to use - a lungo is brewed in less than 30 seconds and the used pods are placed in an internal bin at the touch of the button.
4. Customization
The limited capabilities of a pod coffee maker's customisation is a major reason it may not be the best choice for you. If you don't have an auxiliary milk frother then the only option to add more flavor or creaminess is to use hot chocolate or tea option in your mug, or to manually add milk to coffee. For most people, this won't be a problem but it could be a sticking point for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses barcode scanners to scan each capsule, and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and give the correct amount of coffee required for that type of pod. It's a hassle-free, hands-off machine that does the job flawlessly, but does not have any options for customised drinks or for varying the strength of brew. Some customers will be irritated by this, but others will appreciate the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos, lungos and mugs) to be exactly what they're seeking.
Apart from filling the water tank and decaffeinating the reservoir on occasion, this coffee maker will not require a lot of maintenance. It can dispense short espresso shots or tall travel mugs effortlessly. As previously mentioned, used pods are then ejected from a hidden container that keeps your kitchen tidy. It is also great in delivering full-bodied coffees that have a crema-topped top.
It's a gorgeous machine that is part of Smeg's fifties style range. It's simple to use with an easy-to-use panel of buttons, and it can handle both ground coffee and ESE pods. The only drawback is the absence of a gauge that lets you know when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum level of water. It is also necessary to purchase the brand's capsules, which can be pricey. But, it's an excellent pod coffee maker for those seeking a stylish and functional appliance that will provide them with a great service at a reasonable price. This model can be used with a variety of third-party capsules and also works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.