A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine
If you want simple and quick coffee, a capsule coffee machine is the best way to go. They're simple to use and can be used with a variety of coffee pods.
Contrary to filter coffee machines capsule coffee machines typically focus on black drinks, such as lungos and espressos. They also have a few milky choices for capspuccinos and lattes.
1. Simple to use
With a capsule coffee maker, you can get your fix at home without the fuss of a full-on bean-to cup or filter machine. No matter if you're an experienced coffee maker or are just beginning to learn the process, these machines are designed to be user-friendly and run effortlessly. You can choose from a range of drink sizes, temperatures and flavours to match your tastes. Some models come with an integrated milk frothing tool to create cappuccinos and lattes. They're a convenient choice for busy families who need coffee in a hurry on the way out the door.
There's a wide selection of capsule coffee machine models that will meet your needs. The budget friendly options tend to be straightforward with a panel of buttons and a clear display, whilst more advanced models allow you to tailor the brew by altering settings like temperature of the water, capsule type and bar pressure. Some models have an app that permits more personalisation and recipe suggestions.
The Smeg model has a sleek style that works with any worktop. It's also very quiet in use making it an ideal option for those with children who are up early. Our testers found it easy to set up and use, with a smooth operation of the lever on the cap of the water tank and a responsive, smart touchscreen.
The more expensive models, such as the ones from Dolce Gusto or Nespresso, offer a greater level of personalization. You can save your most-loved drinks at the touch of a button. You can even alter the settings for your preferred blends to get the most optimal flavor and scent. They also come with an easy capsule recycler to keep your kitchen neat and free of waste. Some of the more expensive models include an inbuilt carafe that can be used for whipped cappuccinos or lattes. Others include an additional steam wand which you can operate manually.
2. Versatile
While they're not as flexible as a filter machine or a bean-to cup machine capsule machines are able to do an excellent job of producing delicious and consistent results. Basic models start at less than PS50. A lot of these machines can also handle frothering milk, allowing you to make cappuccinos or lattes by pressing the button.
You'll be limited in the kinds of coffee pods available because they come pre-packaged, with ingredients like sugar, cream and ground coffee. You can still expect premium coffees from most brands. Tassimo and Nescafe offer a variety of black and milky coffees for instance.
Similar to the capsule machines, some can also be used with different milky drinks using different kinds of capsules such as those made by Nespresso's Vertuo line. They allow choosing a milky drink such as a latte or cappuccino, from a range of four, with the machine automatically dispensing the right amount of milk.
The top pod coffee machines in the UK are also designed to be as user-friendly as possible with easy-to-read digital displays as well as automatic shut-off functions to conserve energy. You should look for features such as height-adjustable trays that can be adjusted to fit your cup size, and minimise splashing. Also, look for a removable capsule holder with an easy-to-empty and clean capsule holder. Other attractive features include sleep modes that save energy, and eco-friendly settings.
The next level The Morning Machine, a sleek bench top machine that can be operated manually or by application with precise controls that allow you to fine-tune a coffee's flavour and body. You can also alter the temperature, which has an impact directly read more on the flavor of your coffee. Lower temperatures result in acidity, while higher temperatures give it more body.
3. Environmentally friendly
Since their introduction by Nestle in 1986 the coffee pods (or capsules) have had a massive impact on how people drink coffee. They are convenient, fast and easy to make a perfect cup of coffee every single time. However, they can be extremely wasteful. They are typically packaged in aluminium and plastic which are difficult to recycle. In addition, they are filled with unneeded ground coffee that is not recycled.
However studies have shown that, compared to filter and drip coffee, a capsule machine is less detrimental to the environment. Single-serve capsules are eco green because they consume the exact amount of coffee and water, reducing waste. Furthermore, it takes less energy to heat the water in a capsule than to brew a whole pot.
It is important to remember that this research is based on the total life-cycle of coffee production, which includes the growing, harvesting, and transportation of the beans, as well as heating the water. Find a capsule maker that is made of biodegradable or recyclable coffee pods. If you'd like to go even further, consider buying an recyclable capsule. They can be filled with ground coffee and placed in your capsule machine - they're typically designed to be compatible with popular systems such as Nespresso.
If you're looking to lessen the environmental impact of your business Look for a machine that works 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. Furthermore, they're the only capsules that can be added to food waste and then collected by the council.
If you can't find biodegradable or compostable pods for your capsule maker, you might consider using a bean-to-cup coffee maker. They're expensive however they're more eco-friendly than pod machines. They grind and brew the coffee at the moment, rather than making a large pot in advance, and then cooling it down, which consumes energy. They're also more efficient than a drip or espresso machine which sits on a stove, since they require less power to run.
4. Cost-effective
If you're looking for a fast and simple method of making your morning cup of coffee, a capsule machine is the ideal solution. Capsules contain sealed roasted 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, but they can be expensive if you go for high-end models from major brands. This is especially in the case of the coffee pods that are typically pricey.
A capsule coffee maker is still less expensive than filter models or a bean-to cup model. The capsule machine is less expensive initially, and you'll save money over time by not buying filters or ground coffee. The initial cost can be an obstacle for many. So, consider the amount you'll invest in the machine, and then add on the cost of the pods that go with the machine.
Lavazza Vertuo pop is a capsule machine that's an excellent option for those on a tight budget. This sleek and compact machine makes a high-quality espresso with the brand's EcoCaps. The unique brewing method produces a thick crema despite only making black coffee. This is a nice alternative to the thin, watery mousse that is often served with drinks made using other pod machines.
The machine is easy to use via the four buttons on the front panel and has a small footprint that won't take up too much counter space. It also offers hot drinks and a steam wand for milky drinks, which are uncommon for capsule machines. However, the jug that it dispenses the coffee into doesn't hold as much as glass carafes that are found on less expensive competitors.
Morning Machine, a pod coffee maker that is made by itself is more sophisticated than its competitors and offers a variety of additional features that help it stand out. Its most popular Bloom & Brew setting pre-wets the ground coffee for an even stronger, more rich cup, and it comes with adjustable settings that allow you to alter the amount of coffee extracted, temperature and bar pressure. You will get more out of the capsules compared to simple lungos, espressos and ristrettos, and you can even recreate drinks with drips and filters. It can also be connected to your smartphone to create recipes and energy consumption monitoring.