A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine
A capsule coffee machine will make it easy to get an instant cup of coffee. They are easy to use and work with a variety of coffee pods.
Contrary to filter coffee machines, capsule machines typically concentrate on black drinks - lungos and espressos, with milky options as well for cappuccinos and lattes.
1. Easy to use
With a capsule coffee maker allows you to enjoy your coffee at home without the hassle of a full bean-to-cup or filter machine. If you're a seasoned brewer or just starting out they're designed to be user-friendly and run effortlessly. You can pick from a range of drinks sizes, temperatures and flavors. Some models also come with an integrated milk frothing wand to create cappuccinos and lattes. They're an ideal choice for busy families who need a quick cup of coffee before heading out the door.
There are many different capsule coffee machines models that can be found to meet your requirements. These models are affordable and feature a basic panel of buttons with a clear display. More advanced models allow you to customize your coffee by altering settings such as the temperature of the water, the type of capsule, and bar pressure. Some even have a compatible application for further personalisation and recipe ideas.
The Smeg model has a sleek design that blends in well with any work surface. It is also very quiet and makes it a great choice for families with young children. Our test subjects found it easy to set up and used with smooth operation of the water tank's capsule lever and a responsive, smart touchscreen.
The more expensive models, like those from Dolce Gusto or Nespresso, offer more customisation. You can save your favourite drinks to a button. You can tweak settings to get the most optimal taste and aroma of your favorite blends. The capsule recycler comes with it to ensure your kitchen is clean and free of garbage. Some of the most expensive models have built-in carafes for lattes or creamy cappuccinos. Others include a separate steam wand you can operate manually.
2. Versatile
Although capsule machines aren't as flexible as a bean to cup machine or filter machine, they are able to provide delicious and consistent results. The simplest models start at less than PS50. Many of these machines can even allow milk frothing making the perfect cappuccino or latte with the touch of the button.
One thing to bear in mind when using a capsule machine is that you will be limited in the kind of drinks and coffee pods you can use with it, since they've been pre-packaged with ingredients such as ground coffee, cream, sugar and flavourings. However, you can expect good quality brews from most brands, including the variety of options offered by Tassimo and Nescafe, for example, allowing you to choose from a variety of milky and black coffees.
Similar to the capsule machines, some can also be used with different milky drinks by using different types of capsules, like those manufactured by Nespresso's Vertuo line. These capsules allow choosing a milky drink such as a latte, or cappuccino from a choice of four, and the machine automatically dispensing the right amount of milk.
The best pod machines in the UK are also built with user-friendly features, like clear digital displays that are easy to read and automatic shut-off functions that conserve energy. Look for features like height-adjustable trays which can be adjusted to fit the size of your cup and minimise splashing. Also, look for a removable capsule holder with an easy-to-empty and clean capsule holder. Eco-friendly sleep modes and energy-saving settings are a nice bonus.
The Morning Machine is a tabletop machine that you can operate either manually or with an app. It features precise controls to adjust the coffee's body as well as flavour. In addition, you can alter the temperature setting which has a direct impact on the flavour of your coffee. Lower temperatures cause acidity, and higher temperatures provide more body and bitterness.
3. Environmentally friendly
Since Nestle introduced coffee capsules in 1986, they've had a significant impact on how people drink coffee. They are convenient, fast and easy to make a perfect cup of coffee every time. However, they can be quite wasteful. They are usually packed in plastic and aluminium which is hard to recycle. In addition, they typically contain dregs of ground coffee that aren't recycled as well.
Despite this, research has shown that when compared to filter or drip coffee, a capsule machine is less harmful to the environment. This is because single-serve capsules use the exact amount of coffee and water and reduce the amount of the amount of coffee that is wasted when making a large pot. Furthermore, heating the water in a single-serve capsule is less energy-intensive than brewing a large pot.
It's important to remember that this study only examines the entire cycle of coffee production. This includes pod capsule coffee machine growing, harvesting, transporting, and heating the water. If you're considering the use of a capsule coffee maker, look for one that is made from biodegradable or compostable coffee pods. And if you want to go further, consider buying an reuseable capsule. They can be filled with ground coffee and used in your capsule machine - they're usually designed to be compatible with popular systems such as Nespresso.
If you're looking to lessen your impact on the environment further, consider purchasing a machine compatible with Lavazza A Modo Mio Tiny eco capsules. These capsules are carbon-neutral, industrially compostable and made of more than 50 percent recycled plastic. Furthermore, they're the only capsules which 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 to fit into your capsule machine, you can try using a bean-to-cup coffee maker. They're costly however they're more environmentally friendly than pod machines. They grind and brew coffee on demand, rather than making a large pot of coffee in advance, and then cooling it down, which consumes energy. They are also more energy efficient than a drip machine or espresso machine on a stove, as they consume less energy.
4. Cost-effective
A capsule machine is a fantastic option if you want to make coffee quickly and conveniently in the morning. Capsules are sealed roasts and ground coffee beans that are inserted into the machine and are brewed for a fixed amount of time. They are fairly 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 especially applicable to the coffee pods which can be very expensive.
A capsule coffee maker is still less expensive than a filter model or a bean-to-cup model. The capsule machine is cheaper initially, and you'll save money in the long run by not having to purchase filters or ground coffee. However, the initial cost could be a hurdle for many, so consider how much you're able to invest in the machine and then factor in the cost of the coffee pods that will fit it.
Lavazza Vertuo pop is a capsule machine that's an excellent option for those who are on a budget. This sleek and compact machine makes a high-quality espresso with the brand's EcoCaps. The unique brewing process allows it to create thick crema, even though it is only producing black coffee. This is a nice alternative to the thin, watery foam that often accompanies drinks made using other pod machines.
The machine has a small footprint and a simple 4-button panel. It's easy to operate and doesn't take much counter space. It comes with steam wands and a hot beverage function that are not often found for capsule machines. However, the jug it dispenses the coffee into doesn't hold as much as the glass carafes on the cheaper rivals.
The independently-made Morning Machine is a more sophisticated pod coffee maker that provides a variety of additional options that sets it apart from the competition. The Bloom & Brew option pre-wets ground coffee, resulting in a stronger, richer cup. It also has adjustable settings for bar pressure, temperature and the amount of coffee extracted. You will get more out of the capsules than simple lungos, espressos, and ristrettos and even make your own drinks with drips and filters. It can also be connected to your smartphone to create recipes and monitoring of energy consumption.