A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine
A capsule coffee machine will make it easy to get an instant cup of coffee. They're simple to use and work with a variety of coffee pods.
Contrary to filter coffee machines, capsule coffee machines typically focus on black drinks like lungos and espressos, with some milky options for lattes and capspuccinos.
1. Simple to use
With a capsule coffee machine 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 select from a variety of drink sizes, temperatures and flavors. Some models also feature an integrated milk frothing tool to make lattes and cappuccinos. These models are great for families with busy schedules who would like to have a cup of coffee before heading out the door.
There are many different capsule coffee machines models that will meet your needs. The budget friendly options tend to be straightforward with a panel of buttons and a clear LCD, while more sophisticated models allow you to tailor the brew by altering settings such as water temperature, capsule type and bar pressure. Some have an app to further personalize your drink and recipe ideas.
The sleek design of the Smeg model is a huge benefit, with a sleek body that can be easily incorporated on any table. It is also very quiet and makes it a great option for families with small children. It was simple to use and set up, with a responsive touchscreen as well as an easy operation of the water tank capsule lever.
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 alter the settings to get the most optimal taste and aroma for your favourite blends. They also include an efficient capsule recycler that will keep your kitchen neat and free of waste. Some of the most expensive models have a built-in carafe for creamy cappuccinos or lattes. Others include an additional steam wand that you can operate manually.
2. Versatile
Although they aren't as versatile as a filter coffee machine or a bean-to cup machine capsule machines can provide excellent results producing delicious and consistent results. They also offer the advantage of being easy to use and relatively cheap the most basic models cost just PS50. A lot of these machines can also handle milk frothing so you can make cappuccinos or lattes by pressing one button.
One thing to bear in mind when using capsule machines is that you will be limited to the type of coffee pods and drinks you can drink with it because they are packed with ingredients such as ground coffee sugar, cream, sugar and flavourings. Nonetheless, you can still expect good quality beverages from all brands, and there is a wide range of choices available from Tassimo and Nescafe for instance that let you pick from a variety of milky and black coffees.
Certain capsule machines, such as the Vertuo line of Nespresso, can be used to prepare different milky drinks with different capsules. These machines let you choose a milky beverage like a cappuccino or the latte from a variety of four. The machine will automatically give you the right amount of milk.
The top pod machines available in the UK are also built with easy-to-use features, including easy-to-read digital displays and automatic shut-off features that help save energy. You should look for features such as drip trays with adjustable heights, which can be moved up and down to accommodate your cup size and reduce splashing, and a reusable capsule holder that's 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 you can operate by hand or through an app. It features precise controls to fine-tune the coffee's body as well as flavour. Among other things, you can alter the temperature, which has a direct influence on the taste of your cup; lower temperatures cause acidity, while higher temperatures give it more body and bitterness.
3. Environmentally friendly
Since Nestle introduced capsules of coffee in 1986 they've had a huge influence on how people consume coffee. They are convenient, quick and easy to make a great cup of coffee every single time. However, they're also extremely wasteful. They are usually packed in plastic and aluminium which are difficult to recycle. Plus, they contain unused ground coffee that is not recycled.
Despite this, research has shown that compared to filter and drip coffee, capsule machines is not as damaging to the environment. This is due to single-serve capsules using an exact amount of coffee and water which reduces the amount of coffee that is wasted when making a large pot. Plus, heating the water in a single serve capsule requires less energy than brewing a large pot.
It is important to keep in mind that this research only considers the entire process of coffee production. This includes harvesting, growing transportation, heating and transporting the water. If you're considering capsule coffee machines make sure you choose one that is made from biodegradable or compostable coffee pods. If you want to go further, buy an reused coffee capsule. These can be filled with ground coffee, and then used in your capsule machine - they're typically designed to work with popular systems like Nespresso.
If you're looking for ways to reduce your impact on the environment even further, find an appliance that works with Lavazza A Modo Mio Tiny Eco capsules. They're compostable in a way that is industrially, carbon neutral and come in a black color which is made from more than 50 percent recycled plastic. Plus, these are the only capsules which can be added to food waste and collected by the council.
In the end, if you cannot find any compostable or biodegradable coffee pods to fit into your capsule machine, try making coffee using a bean-to cup maker. These machines are more expensive, however they are also green. They grind and brew coffee on demand instead of brewing and cooling a large pot of coffee in advance, which uses up energy. They are also more efficient than drip machines or espresso machine that is on stoves, as they use less power.
4. Cost-effective
If you're looking for a fast and convenient way to make your morning coffee, a capsule maker is the best option. Capsules contain sealed roasted and ground coffee beans that slot into the machine and are brewed for a specific amount of time. The machines are relatively inexpensive and easy to use however they can be costly especially if you opt for top-of-the-line models from major brands. This is particularly relevant to the cost of the coffee pods which can be very expensive.
A capsule coffee machine is still cheaper than filter models or a bean-to-cup model. This is due to the upfront price of a capsule machine will be less and you'll save money in the end by not having to purchase filters or ground coffee. The initial cost can be a barrier to many people. Consider the amount you'll be able to invest in the machine, and then add on the cost of the pods that fit the machine.
Lavazza Vertuo pop is a capsule machine that's an excellent option for those on a tight budget. This compact, stylish machine uses the brand's compostable EcoCaps to deliver a quality cup of espresso. Its unique brewing system lets it produce an extremely thick crema, despite the fact that it only makes black coffee. This is a huge improvement on the thin foam that typically is found in espresso drinks made coffee pods machine with other pod machines.
The machine has a compact footprint and a simple four-button panel. It is simple to operate and doesn't take the most counter space. It has a steam wand and hot beverage capabilities which are both rare features for capsule machines. The jug used to pour the coffee is smaller than the glass carafes on cheaper competitors.
Morning Machine, a pod coffee maker created by itself, is more sophisticated than its competitors and has a number of additional features that help it stand out. The Bloom & Brew option pre-wets ground coffee to create a stronger, richer cup. It also offers adjustable settings for temperature, bar pressure and the amount of coffee that is extracted. This allows you to make more from the capsules than simple espresso, ristretto and lungo options, and even recreates filters and drip-style drinks. It can also be connected to your smartphone to display recipes, and monitor the energy consumption.