15 Tips Your Boss Wished You'd Known About Best Coffee Pod Machine
15 Tips Your Boss Wished You'd Known About Best Coffee Pod Machine
Blog Article
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most sleek pod machine we've ever seen, this brushed-steel model offers the trademark Sage quality and user-friendly. It warms up after switching on, and then brews a delicious espresso or a slightly longer lungo in about 30 minutes.
Unlike bean-to-cup machines, pod models take the most messed-up aspects of coffee making out of your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Fast
Pod machines are generally quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with many capable of making coffee in only 30 seconds or less. However, they come with an expense in that the pre-portioned coffee pods used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans, and they're not always recyclable (though some companies now offer free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels for returning the pods).
The Nespresso CitiZ is one of the most efficient pod machines on the market, thanks to its in-built barcode reader that scans the code of each compatible pod before brewing it. This allows you to make consistent quality, high-end coffee each time, and there is virtually no chance of the drink turning out badly wrong. This machine is among the slimmest and lightest available. It does not require an additional milk container and its small footprint allows it to be easily incorporated into even the tiniest kitchens.
However the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those wanting to reduce their environmental impact. The CitiZ isn't equipped with an automatic descaling feature. You will need to manually descale the machine every 300 cups for hard water and 1200 cups for soft water. Once the filter cartridge is out, you'll need to replace it with a fresh one. This can be costly for some users.
Tassimo Vivy 2 is a fast machine that can be customized with buttons. It can be utilized with ground coffee or ESE pods which are pre-dosed, tampered grounds compressed in between filter paper. This model is also B-Corp Certified, which means it is committed to decreasing its negative impact on the environment and its workforce. The only drawback is the time it takes to heat up. Once it does, it can brew one cup in around 35 seconds.
Vertuo Creatista is a stylish sleek machine that is able to make a variety drinks in different sizes and styles. This gorgeous, glossy machine, developed in collaboration with Sage, is not only easy to use and quick to start, but also comes with an ice-cream frothing wand, as well as an stainless steel Jug.
2. Removable parts
The user-friendliness is a major selling point, and the best models are easy to operate. Most machines use the same method to make a cup of coffee that is, heated water is placed in the reservoir, and then pushed through capsules to create rich hot java. The majority of brands offer various drink sizes for different needs. You can also save custom settings to make the process more efficient.
Keurig K-Cups are the biggest brands available on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also have a wide selection of capsules from well-known roasters. Some pods are made to be used just once and then discarded, while others are meant to be used multiple times. You'll need a strategy for the pods you've used to avoid them ending up in landfill.
The sleek SMEG model we tested features a removable water tank that's easy to fill and the machine automatically dispenses new capsules once the previous one has cooled. It can brew coffee and lungo drinks and comes with eight different blends that provide you with a wide selection. This brewer is ideal for coffee lovers who want to move away from drip coffee to drip.
In our testing of the Tassimo My Way 2 was the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks great on your counter, and it opens with just a touch to reveal the hidden compartment that houses your empty pods. It also comes with the added benefit of the water filtration system which is great for areas with hard water.
The machine is fast and brews standard coffee (240ml), ristretto, and lungo espresso drinks. The controls are easy to operate, using the style of airplane toggles that can be retracted easily and a lever that retracts to reveal the hole to place into your pod. It requires a bit of force to close, but the majority of our test subjects, including those with limitations in hand strength and mobility, were able to use it comfortably.
3. Size
The top coffee pod makers take all the messy parts of making coffee out of your hands - you simply put in the pod, press an icon and prepare to brew. You'll still have to clean your machine occasionally, but not as often as a bean-to-cup or espresso maker. The pod machines are also smaller than their larger counterparts, so they can fit on the countertop and be stored out of sight when not being used.
The best coffee machine for you will depend on your personal preferences and the goals you'd like to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, however some offer more customisation options than others. Take into consideration the variety of coffee pods, brew sizes and milk options for frothing when picking the right machine.
Most people will associate pod-based machines with the likes of Nespresso and Keurig, but there are a few newer rivals that could be worth considering. One of them is Bruvi, which uses a bespoke pod system called B-Pods that can only be used by its machines. These pods have a barcode on the underside that the machine scans to adjust the brewing settings automatically.
This method takes all the guesswork out the process of making a cup, and guarantees that every drink is perfect every time. It is able to save your customized drinks on a button, so that you can create them using a single button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way offer a greater degree of control over your coffee and allows you to select a specific size and temperature for each beverage. It's more expensive than other models, however it comes with the polished stainless-steel build and excellent customer support synonymous with Sage's My Way. This is a good choice for those looking for a bit more out of their espresso maker that is based on pods.
Certain models are larger and can create lungos. Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg, which is a excellent example, blends retro-fifties style from SMEG and Italian coffee brand Lavazza. It can be a little difficult to operate due to its airplane-style toggles as well as the manual lever, but it's incredibly easy and extremely enjoyable to use - a lungo is brewed in only 30 seconds, and the discarded pods are deposited into an internal bin at the push of a button.
4. Customization
The lack of customization is a major reason it may not be the best choice for you. If you don't have an alternative milk frother, the only option to enhance flavor or creaminess is to use a hot tea or chocolate option in your mug, or to manually add milk to coffee. For many people this won't be a problem but it could be a problem for those who prefer a fully automated experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew makes use of a barcode scanner to scan each capsule. It then automatically pre-wettes and infuses, then dispensing the right amount of coffee for the specific type of pod. It's a simple, hands-off machine that performs its job flawlessly, but does not have any options for customizing drinks or varying the strength of the brew. This might be frustrating for some customers however for others, the easy automation and range of cup lengths (espresso lungo, espresso and mug) will provide precisely what they require.
Apart from filling the water tank and decaffeinating it occasionally the coffee maker will not need a lot of maintenance. It can make short espresso shots or tall travel mugs easily. As previously mentioned, used pods are ejected in a hidden container that keeps your kitchen tidy. It is also excellent in delivering full-bodied coffees that have a crema-topped top.
It's a gorgeous machine and is part of Smeg's fifties-style range. It's easy to use with a simple pod coffee machines interface and can take ground coffee or ESE pods. The only issue is that it doesn't come with an indicator that lets you know when it's time to descale, and the maximum water level cannot be set which is a minor issue. You'll also have to purchase the brand's capsules, which can be pricey. Nevertheless, this is a great pod coffee maker for anyone seeking a stylish and practical appliance that can serve them well for a reasonable price. For those who want some variety, a large selection of third-party capsules is available for this model and it's compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo line.