A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine
If you're looking for simple and quick coffee, a capsule machine is the best way to go. They're simple to use and work with a range of speciality coffee pods.
Contrary to filter coffee machines, capsule coffee machines typically concentrate on black drinks, such as lungos and espressos, with a few milky choices for capspuccinos and lattes.
1. Easy to use
With a capsule coffee machine allows you to 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 just beginning your journey, these machines are designed to be simple to use and run effortlessly. You can choose from a range of drinks sizes, temperatures and flavors. Some models include an integrated milk frother to make cappuccinos or lattes. They're an ideal choice for busy families who are looking to grab coffee in a hurry on the way out the door.
There is a variety of capsule coffee machine models that can meet the needs of different people. The budget friendly options tend to be basic with a few buttons and a clear display while more sophisticated models allow you to customize the brew by altering settings such as temperature of the water, capsule type and bar pressure. Certain models come with an app that lets you have more personalisation and recipe suggestions.
The Smeg model is sleek in design that is a perfect match with any work surface. It is also very quiet, making it an excellent option for families with small children. It was easy to use and set up with a responsive touchscreen and fluid 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 your own drinks to a specific button. You can alter the settings to achieve the best flavor and aroma for your favourite blends. The capsule recycler is available to ensure your kitchen is clean and free of trash. Some of the more expensive models come with an inbuilt carafe that can be used for creamy cappuccinos or lattes. Others include a separate steam wand you can manually operate.
2. Multi-faceted
Although capsule machines aren't as flexible as a bean-to- cup machine or filter machine, they are able to produce delicious and reliable results. The simplest models start at less than PS50. Many of these machines even offer milk frothing making an espresso or cappuccino at the push of the button.
There are a few limitations to the types of coffee pods you can use because they come packaged with ingredients such as sugar, cream, and ground coffee. However, you can expect good quality coffee from a variety of brands, with the range of options offered by Tassimo and Nescafe for instance that let you pick from a range of black and milky coffees.
Certain capsule machines, like the Vertuo line of Nespresso, can be used to prepare different milky drinks with different capsules. These machines allow you to choose a milky beverage such as a cappuccino, or the latte from a variety of four. The machine will automatically dispense the correct amount of milk.
The top pod machines in the UK are also designed with user-friendly features, such as simple-to-read digital displays as well as automatic shut-off functions that conserve energy. Look for features such as drip trays that can be adjusted in height that can be moved up or down to suit the size of your cup and to reduce splashing and a capsule holder that can be removed that's easy to empty and clean. Other great features include energy-saving sleep modes and eco-friendly settings.
The Morning Machine is a tabletop machine that can be operated manually or via an app. It features precise controls to adjust the coffee's body as well as flavour. You can adjust the temperature setting, which has a direct impact on the flavour of your coffee; 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 significant influence on how people consume coffee. They're easy to use, quick and make it easy to get a consistently great cup of joe every time. Unfortunately, they can also be quite wasteful. They're typically packed in aluminium and plastic, which can be difficult to recycle. Additionally, they contain unusable ground coffee that can't be recycled.
Research has revealed that the use of a capsule coffee maker is more sustainable than drip or filter coffee. Single-serve capsules are more environmentally friendly because they use the exact amount of water and coffee, reducing waste. Furthermore, it takes less energy to heat the water in a capsule than making a pot of coffee.
However, it's important to note that this research is only dependent on the entire life cycle of coffee production, including the growing, harvesting, and transportation of the beans, as well as heating the water. Choose a capsule that only makes use of recyclable or biodegradable coffee pods. If you're looking to take it a step further, consider purchasing a recyclable coffee capsule. These capsules can be used to fill your capsule machine with coffee ground. They're designed to be compatible with popular systems, such as Nespresso.
If you're looking to reduce your impact on the environment further, you should consider a machine compatible with Lavazza A Modo Mio Tiny eco capsules. These are industrially compostable, carbon neutral and come in a black design that's made from over 50% recycled plastic. Plus, these are the only capsules that can be added to food waste and collected by the council.
If you cannot find compostable or biodegradable pods for your capsule maker, consider using a bean-to-cup coffee maker. These machines are more expensive however, they are also more eco-friendly. They grind and prepare coffee on demand instead of making and cooling a huge pot of coffee in advance, which consumes energy. They are also more energy efficient than drip machines or espresso machine that is on stoves, as they consume less power.
4. Cost-effective
If you're looking for a fast and convenient way to make your morning coffee, a capsule machine is the ideal solution. The capsules are sealed and contain ground and roasted beans. They are then placed into the machine and brewed for a precise amount of time. They are fairly inexpensive and easy to use, but they can be expensive when you choose high-end models from the top brands. This is particularly applicable to the coffee pods that can be quite expensive.
A capsule coffee maker is still significantly less expensive than buying a filter or bean-to-cup model however. This is because the upfront price of a capsule machine will be lower, and you'll save money in the long run because you won't need to purchase filters or ground coffee. However, the initial cost isn't a deterrent for coffee pod machines many, so consider the amount you're able 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 affordable look no further than the Lavazza Vertuo Pop. This compact, stylish machine produces a top-quality espresso using the Lavazza EcoCaps. Its unique brewing system allows it to create an extremely thick crema, despite only making black coffee. This is a nice alternative to the thin, watery mousse that is often served with drinks made with other pod machines.
The machine has a small footprint and a simple four-button panel. It's easy to use, and won't require the most counter space. It has steam wands as well as hot beverage capabilities that are not often found for capsule machines. The jug it uses to serve coffee is smaller than glass carafes found on the cheaper machines.
The independently-designed Morning Machine is a more sophisticated pod coffee machine that provides a variety of extra options that set it apart from the competition. The Bloom & Brew option pre-wets ground coffee to create an extra-strong, richer cup. It also has adjustable settings for bar pressure, temperature and the amount of coffee extracted. You can get more from the capsules compared to simple lungos, espressos and ristrettos, and you can even make drinks with drips and filters. It can also be connected to your smartphone to display recipes and track energy consumption.