A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine
If you're looking for fast and simple coffee, a capsule machine is the best way to go. They're easy to use and can be paired with a range of speciality coffee pods.
In contrast to filter coffee machines capsule machines usually concentrate on black drinks, such as lungos and espressos - but with milky options as well for lattes and cappuccinos.
1. Simple to use
With a capsule coffee maker, you can get your fix at home without the hassle of a full bean-to-cup or filter machine. These machines are easy to operate and run effortlessly, whether you're a seasoned coffee maker or are just beginning your journey. You can choose from a variety of drink sizes, temperature and flavours. Some models also come with an integrated milk frothing tool to make lattes and cappuccinos. These models are great for busy families that want to grab an espresso before leaving for work.
There are a variety of capsule coffee machines models that will meet your needs. These models are affordable and feature a basic panel of buttons with a clear display. More advanced models let you alter your coffee by altering settings such as water temperature, capsule type, and bar pressure. Certain models come with an app that lets you have more personalisation and recipe suggestions.
The Smeg model has a sleek style that works with any work surface. It's also quiet, making it an excellent option for families with young children. It was easy to use and set up, with a responsive touchscreen and an easy operation of the lever for the water tank.
More expensive models from the likes of Dolce Gusto and Nespresso offer more customisation, allowing you to save personalised drinks by pressing a button. You can even alter the settings for your favorite blends to get the most optimal taste and aroma. They also include an easy capsule recycler to keep your kitchen neat and free of waste. The pricier models often come with a built-in milk cup that can make delicious cappuccinos as well as lattes, while some come with an additional steam wand which can be operated manually whenever you want.
2. Versatile
Although they aren't as versatile as a filter machine or a bean-to-cup coffee machine, capsule machines can still provide excellent results producing delicious and consistent results. They also have the benefit of being easy to use and cost-effective starting at just PS50. Many of these machines can even allow milk frothing, meaning you can make an espresso or cappuccino at the push of an button.
One thing to bear in mind with capsule machines is that you'll be limited in the kind of coffee pods and drinks you can use with it, since they've been packed with ingredients such as ground coffee, cream, sugar and flavorings. Nonetheless, you can still expect good quality brews from most brands, and there is a wide range of options available from Tassimo and Nescafe, for example, allowing you to choose from a wide selection of milky and black coffees.
Some capsule machines, like the Vertuo line of Nespresso can be used to prepare different milky drinks with different capsules. These capsules allow selecting a milky beverage like a latte or cappuccino from a selection of four, with the machine automatically dispensing the correct amount of milk.
The top pod machines available in the UK are also built with user-friendly features, like simple-to-read digital displays as well as automatic shut-off functions that save energy. Look for features like height-adjustable trays that can be adjusted to accommodate the size of your cup, and reduce splashing. Also look for a detachable capsule holder with an easy-to-empty and clean capsule holder that is easy to empty and clean. Sleep modes that save energy and eco-friendly settings are another nice extra.
The next level is the Morning Machine, a sleek benchtop machine that is operated either manually or via an app, with precise controls that let you alter the taste and body. In addition, you can alter the temperature setting, which has a direct impact on the flavor of your cup; lower temperatures result in acidity, while higher temperatures give it more body and bitterness.
3. Eco-friendly
Since their introduction by Nestle in 1986, coffee pods (or capsules) have had a massive impact on the way people drink coffee. They are convenient, quick and easy to make a perfect cup of coffee every single time. However, they're also extremely wasteful. They're typically packed in aluminum and plastic, which can be difficult to recycle. Plus, they contain unused ground coffee that can't be recycled.
Research has proven that using a capsule coffee machine is more eco-friendly than drip or filter coffee. Single-serve capsules are environmentally green because they consume the exact amount of water and coffee and reduce the amount of waste. Furthermore heating the water in a single-serve mug requires less energy than brewing a large pot.
It's important to remember that this study only covers the entire life cycle of coffee production. This includes harvesting, growing transportation, heating and transporting the water. If you're thinking of purchasing a capsule coffee machine, look for one that uses only biodegradable or compostable coffee pods. If you want to take it a step further, you can purchase an reusable capsule for coffee. They can be filled with ground coffee and 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 even further, find a machine compatible with Lavazza A Modo Mio Tiny Eco capsules. They're compostable in a way that is industrially, carbon neutral and come in a black design 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 biodegradable or compostable coffee pods for your capsule machine, try making coffee using a bean-to cup maker. They're costly, but they're more environmentally friendly than pod machines. They grind and brew the coffee on demand, instead of making a large pot in advance, and then cooling it down, which consumes energy. They are also more energy efficient than drip machines or espresso machine that is on stoves, since they consume less power.
4. Cost-effective
A capsule machine is an excellent option if you want to make coffee quickly coffee machine with capsules and conveniently in the morning. Capsules are made of sealed roasted and ground coffee beans that slot into the machine and are brewed for a specific amount of time. They are fairly inexpensive and easy to use but they can be expensive when you choose high-end models from big brands. This is particularly applicable to the coffee pods, which can be quite expensive.
Buying a capsule coffee machine is still considerably cheaper than getting a filter or bean-to-cup model However. The capsule model is cheaper upfront, and you will save money in the long run by not having to purchase filters or ground coffee. However, the initial expense isn't a deterrent for many and you should consider the amount you're able to spend on a machine and then consider the cost of coffee pods that will fit it.
If you're looking for a capsule machine that is budget-friendly look no further than the Lavazza Vertuo Pop. This sleek and compact machine makes a high-quality espresso with the Lavazza EcoCaps. Its unique brewing system also produces a thick crema despite only brewing black coffee. This is a nice alternative to the thin, watery mousse that often accompanies drinks made using other pod machines.
The machine is simple to use via a panel of four buttons and has a small footprint that doesn't occupy the counter space. It also offers hot drinks and a steam wand for milky drinks, which are rare for capsule machines. However, the jug that it dispenses the coffee into doesn't hold as much as the glass carafes that are found on less expensive rivals.
The independently-made Morning Machine is a more sophisticated pod coffee maker that provides a variety of extra options that set it apart from other machines. The Bloom & Brew option pre-wets ground coffee to produce an extra-strong, richer cup. It also offers adjustable settings for bar pressure, temperature, and the amount of coffee that is extracted. This lets you get more out of the capsules than ristretto, espresso and lungo options, and even recreates the drip and filter-style drinks. It can also be connected to your smartphone to create recipes and monitoring of energy consumption.