A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine
If you're looking for a quick and easy coffee, a capsule coffee machine is the way to go. They are easy to use and can work with a variety of coffee pods.
In contrast to filter coffee machines capsule machines tend to concentrate on black drinks, such as lungos and espressos - but with milky options as well for lattes and cappuccinos.
1. Simple to use
You can get your morning cup of coffee at home with a capsule machine. It's a great alternative to a bean-to cup or filter machine. These machines are easy to use and operate smoothly, whether you're a seasoned coffee maker or just a newbie. You can pick from a variety of drink sizes, temperatures, and flavors to meet your needs. Some models come with an integrated milk frothing tool to create cappuccinos and lattes. These models are ideal for busy families that would like to have a cup of coffee before leaving for work.
There is a variety of capsule coffee machine models to suit different needs. The budget friendly options tend to be simple with a panel of buttons and a clear display while more sophisticated models allow you to customize your brew via settings such as water temperature, capsule type and bar pressure. Some models even come with a compatible app for further personalisation and recipe ideas.
The sleek design of the Smeg model is a huge benefit with a sleek and modern design that blends well on any worktop. It is also very quiet and makes it a great option for families with small children. It was simple to set up and use, with a responsive touchscreen as well as fluid operation of the lever for the water tank.
The more expensive models, such as those from Dolce Gusto or Nespresso, offer a greater level of customization. You can save your most-loved drinks with a click. You can even tweak settings for your preferred blends to get the most optimal flavor and aroma. The capsule recycler is included to ensure your kitchen is clean and free of garbage. Some of the more expensive models include built-in carafes for whipped cappuccinos or lattes. Others include an additional steam wand that you can operate manually.
2. Versatile
While not as versatile as a filter coffee maker or a bean-to-cup coffee machine, capsule machines can still do an excellent job of producing delicious and consistent results. Basic models start at less than PS50. A lot of these machines even froth milk which means you can make a cappuccino or latte at the touch of the button.
You'll be limited in the types of coffee pods available since they are pre-packaged, with ingredients like sugar, cream, and ground coffee. But, you can expect good quality brews from most brands, including the variety of options offered by Tassimo and Nescafe, for example which allows you to select from a range of milky and black coffees.
Similarly, some capsule machines can also be used with various milky drinks by utilizing different kinds of capsules like those produced by Nespresso's Vertuo line. These machines let you choose a milky beverage such as a cappuccino, or Latte from a choice of four. The machine will automatically dispense the correct amount of milk.
The best pod machines in the UK are also equipped with user-friendly features, like easy-to-read digital displays and automatic shut-off functions that conserve energy. You should look for features such as drip trays that can be adjusted in height, which can be moved up and down to suit your cup size and to reduce splashing and a reusable capsule holder that is easy to empty and clean. Other great features include energy-saving sleep modes, and eco-friendly settings.
The Morning Machine is a benchtop machine that can be operated manually or via an application. It features coffee pods coffee machine precise controls that allow you to fine tune the coffee's body as well as flavour. Among other things, you can adjust the temperature setting, which has a direct impact on the flavour of your cup; lower temperatures cause acidity, and higher temperatures provide more body and bitterness.
3. Eco-friendly
Since their introduction by Nestle in 1986 the coffee pods (or capsules) have had a massive impact on the way people consume coffee. They are convenient, fast and easy to make a great cup of coffee every single time. Unfortunately, they are also extremely wasteful. They are typically packed in plastic and aluminium, which is difficult to recycle. Plus, they contain unused ground coffee that can't be recycled.
However, research has shown that, compared to filter and drip coffee, a capsule machine is less harmful to the environment. Single-serve capsules are more environmentally green because they consume the exact amount of coffee and water which means less the amount of waste. Plus heating the water in a single-serve capsule uses less energy than brewing a large pot.
However, it's important to note that this research is dependent on the entire life-cycle of coffee production, which includes growing, harvesting and transporting the beans as well as heating the water. Look for a capsule machine that only uses biodegradable or recyclable coffee pods. If you're looking to take it a step further, buy an reused coffee capsule. These capsules can be used to fill your capsule machine with coffee ground. They're designed to work with popular systems, such as Nespresso.
If you're looking to cut down the environmental impact of your business, look for a machine that works with Lavazza's A Modo Tiny Eco capsules. They're compostable in a way that is industrially carbon neutral and come in a black style made of more than 50% recycled plastic. Furthermore, they're the only capsules that can be added to food waste and then collected by the council.
In the end, if you cannot find any compostable or biodegradable coffee pods for your capsule machine, consider using a bean-to-cup maker. They're costly however they're more sustainable than pod machines. This is because they grind and brew coffee on demand, instead of making a large pot of coffee in advance, and then cooling it down, which consumes energy. They're also more efficient than drip or espresso machine that is sat on a hob, as they require less energy to operate.
4. Cost-effective
If you're looking for a quick and easy method to make your morning coffee, a capsule maker is the perfect solution. Capsules are sealed roasts and ground coffee beans that are inserted into the machine and are brewed for a specific amount of time. They are fairly inexpensive and simple to use, however, they can be costly especially if you opt for top-of-the-line models from big brands. This can be especially in the case of the coffee pods themselves that are typically expensive.
Buying a capsule coffee machine is still considerably cheaper than purchasing a filter or bean-to-cup model, though. This is because the upfront cost of a capsule coffee machine will be lower and you'll save money over the long term 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're able to invest in the machine, and then consider the cost of coffee pods that go with it.
Lavazza Vertuo pop is a capsule machine that is an excellent choice for those who are on a budget. This sleek, compact machine makes use of the brand's compostable EcoCaps to provide a high-quality cup of espresso. Its unique brewing technology also allows it to produce an extremely thick crema, despite only making black coffee. This is a huge improvement on the thin, watery foam that often accompanies espresso drinks made in other pod machines.
The machine is simple to operate with the four buttons on the front panel and has a small footprint that won't take up the counter space. It comes with steam wands as well as a hot beverage function which are both rare features for capsule machines. The jug that it uses to pour the coffee is smaller than the glass carafes on cheaper competitors.
Morning Machine, a pod coffee maker that is made by itself, is more sophisticated than competitors and comes with a range of extra features that make it stand out. Its flagship Bloom & Brew setting pre-wets the ground coffee for a richer, stronger cup, and it comes with adjustable settings that allow you to alter the amount of coffee extracted as well as the temperature, and bar pressure. You'll get more flavor from the capsules as compared to basic lungos, espressos and ristrettos, and you can even recreate drinks that drip or filter. It can also be connected to your smartphone for recipes and for monitoring energy consumption.