A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine
A capsule coffee machine can allow you to enjoy an instant cup of coffee. They're easy to use and can be used with a range of speciality coffee pods.
Contrary to filter coffee machines, capsule machines usually concentrate on black drinks, such as lungos and espressos, with a few milky options for cappuccinos and lattes.
1. Simple to use
With a capsule coffee machine, you can enjoy your coffee at home without the fuss of a full-on bean-to cup or filter machine. These machines are simple to operate and run effortlessly, regardless of whether you're an experienced brewer or a beginner. You can select from a variety of drink sizes, temperatures, and flavors to suit your preferences. Some models also feature an integrated milk frothing wand to make lattes and cappuccinos. These models are a great choice for families with busy schedules who want to grab an espresso before heading out.
There are a variety of capsule coffee machines in the UK that can be found to meet your requirements. The budget-friendly options tend to be simple with a few buttons and a clear display whilst more advanced models let you customize your brew via settings like the temperature of the water, the type of capsule and bar pressure. Certain models come with an app that allows for more personalisation and recipe suggestions.
The Smeg model has a sleek design that is a perfect match with any work surface. It is also very quiet and makes it a great choice for families with young children. 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 from the likes of Dolce Gusto and Nespresso offer more customization, allowing you to save personalised drinks to a specific button. You can even tweak settings for your favourite blends to get the best taste and scent. They also come with a handy capsule recycler to keep your kitchen clean and free of waste. Some of the more expensive models come with a built-in carafe for whipped cappuccinos or lattes. Others come with a separate steam wand you can manually operate.
2. Multi-faceted
Although capsule machines aren't as versatile as a bean-to cup machine or filter machine, they can still yield delicious and reliable results. They also have the benefit of being easy to use and cost-effective - basic models start at under PS50. A lot of these machines can also handle frothering milk, allowing you to make cappuccinos and lattes with the click of a button.
One thing to keep in mind with capsule machines is that you'll be limited to the types of coffee pods and drinks you can drink with it because they are packed with ingredients such as ground coffee, cream, sugar and flavourings. Nonetheless, you can still expect good quality beverages from all brands, and there is a wide range of options available from Tassimo and Nescafe for instance which allows you to select from a wide selection of black and milky coffees.
In the same way, certain capsule machines can also be used with various milky drinks by utilizing different kinds of capsules like those manufactured by Nespresso's Vertuo line. These machines allow you to select a milky drink such as a cappuccino or latte from a selection of four. The machine will automatically dispense the right amount of milk.
The best pod machines in the UK are also built with easy-to-use features, including easy-to-read digital displays and automatic shut-off functions that save energy. Look for features such as height-adjustable drip trays, which can be moved up and down to suit your cup size and to reduce splashing and a capsule holder that can be removed that's easy to empty and clean. Eco-friendly sleep modes and energy-saving settings are another coffee pods machines nice extra.
The Morning Machine is a tabletop machine that can be operated manually or via an application. It features precise controls to fine-tune the coffee's body and flavor. You can also adjust the temperature, which will have an immediate impact on the flavor of your coffee. Lower temperatures cause acidity while higher temperatures give it more body.
3. Environmentally friendly
Since Nestle introduced capsules of coffee in 1986, they have had a major impact on how people drink coffee. They are convenient, quick and easy to make a good cup of coffee each time. Unfortunately, they can also be quite wasteful. They're usually packed in aluminium and plastic which can be difficult to recycle. Plus, they contain unused ground coffee that can't be recycled.
Research has shown that the use of a capsule coffee maker is more environmentally friendly than drip or filter coffee. This is due to single-serve capsules using exactly the same amount of water and coffee which reduces the amount of coffee that is wasted when making a large-sized pot. Plus, heating the water in a single-serve mug uses less energy than making a large pot.
It is important to remember that this research is based on the total life cycle of coffee production, including the growing, harvesting, and transportation of the beans, as well as heating the water. If you're thinking about capsule coffee machines choose one that only uses biodegradable or compostable coffee pods. If you're looking to take it a step further, buy a recyclable coffee capsule. These capsules can be used to fill your capsule machine with coffee ground. They're designed to work with popular systems like Nespresso.
If you want to reduce your impact on the environment, look for a machine that can be used with Lavazza's Modo Mio Tiny Eco capsules. They're compostable in a way that is industrially carbon neutral and come in a black style which is made from more than 50% recycled plastic. Plus, these are the only capsules which can be added to food waste and collected by council.
If you are unable to find compostable or biodegradable pods for your capsule maker, you might consider using a bean to cup coffee maker. They're expensive however they're more environmentally friendly than pod machines. They grind and make coffee on demand, rather than making and cooling a huge pot of coffee in advance, which uses up energy. They are also more efficient than drip machines or espresso machine on stoves, since they consume less energy.
4. Cost-effective
A capsule machine is a fantastic option for those who want to make coffee quickly and easily in the morning. The capsules are sealed and contain roasted and ground beans. They are then put into the machine, and brewed for a precise amount of time. The machines are simple to use and relatively cheap, but can be costly when you select premium models made by major brands. This can be especially true of the cost of the coffee pods themselves, which are usually quite pricey.
A capsule coffee maker is still less expensive than filter models or a bean-to cup model. The capsule machine is less expensive upfront, and you will save money in the long run by not having to purchase filters or ground coffee. However, the initial expense can still be a barrier for many, so consider how much you can afford to invest in the machine and then consider the cost of the coffee pods that will fit it.
For a capsule coffee machine that is budget-friendly, look no further than the Lavazza Vertuo Pop. This sleek, compact machine makes a high-quality espresso with the Lavazza EcoCaps. Its unique brewing system allows it to create thick crema, even though it is only making black coffee. This is a welcome contrast to the thin, watery slush that is often served with drinks made with other pod machines.
The machine is easy to operate using the four buttons on the panel and has a compact footprint that won't take up the counter space. It has steam wands as well as a hot beverage function that are not often found for capsule machines. The jug used to pour the coffee is smaller than glass carafes found on the cheaper machines.
The independently-made Morning Machine is a more sophisticated pod coffee machine that provides a variety of extra options that set it apart from its rivals. The Bloom & Brew option pre-wets ground coffee to produce an even stronger, more rich cup. It also has adjustable settings for bar pressure, temperature, and the amount of coffee extracted. This lets you get more out of the capsules than simple ristretto, espresso and lungo options, and even recreates drip and filter-style drinks. It can also be linked to your smartphone to create recipes and energy consumption monitoring.