A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine
A capsule coffee maker will make it easy to get an instant cup of coffee. They are easy to use and can work with various coffee pods.
Contrary to filter coffee machines capsule coffee machines typically focus on black drinks, such as lungos and espressos, with a few milky options for lattes and capspuccinos.
1. Easy to use
With a capsule coffee maker you can enjoy your coffee at home without the hassle of a full-on bean-to-cup or filter machine. Whether you're an experienced coffee maker or just beginning your journey the process, these machines are designed to be easy to use and run smoothly. You can choose from a variety of beverage sizes, temperatures and flavours to suit your preferences. Some models include an integrated milk frother that can be used to make lattes or cappuccinos. They're a great option for busy families that need an espresso on their way out the door.
There is a variety of capsule coffee machine models to suit different needs. These models are affordable and include a few buttons that display clearly. More advanced models let you customize the brew you make by changing settings like temperature of water, capsule type, and bar pressure. Some models have an app that permits more customization and recipes suggestions.
The Smeg model is sleek in style that works with any work surface. It's also very quiet in use, making it a good alternative for families with children who get up early. Our testers found it easy to set up and used with a smooth and effortless operation of the lever on the cap of the water tank and a responsive, intelligent touchscreen.
More expensive models from likes of Dolce Gusto and Nespresso offer more customization, allowing you to save personalised drinks to a dedicated button. You can tweak settings to achieve the best taste and aroma of your favorite blends. The capsule recycler is available to keep your kitchen tidy and free of waste. The higher-end models typically come with a built-in milk cup to deliver creamy cappuccinos and lattes, while some come with steam wands that you can manually operate when you need to.
2. Versatile
While not as versatile as a filter coffee maker or a bean-to-cup coffee machine, capsule machines can still perform admirably in providing consistent and delicious results. Basic models start at less than PS50. Many of these machines are capable of making frothy milk so you can make lattes or cappuccinos by pressing a button.
One thing to bear in mind with capsule machines is that you will be limited to the types of coffee pods and drinks that you can make with it, as these will have been packaged with ingredients like ground coffee cream, sugar, and flavorings. You can still expect high-quality brews with most brands. Tassimo and Nescafe offer various milky and black coffees, for instance.
Certain capsule machines, like the Vertuo line of Nespresso can be used to create various milky drinks by using different capsules. These machines let you select a milky beverage such as a cappuccino or Latte from a choice of four. The machine will automatically dispense the right amount of milk.
The best pod machines available in the UK are also equipped with user-friendly features, like clear digital displays that are easy to read and automatic shut-off functions that save energy. Look for features such as height-adjustable drip trays, which can be moved up and down to accommodate the size of your cup and to reduce splashing and a reusable capsule holder that's easy to empty and clean. Other nice features include sleep modes that save energy and eco-friendly settings.
The Morning Machine is a benchtop machine that can be operated by hand or through an app. It has precise controls that allow you to fine tune the coffee's body and flavour. You can also adjust coffee machine with capsules the temperature, which has an immediate impact on the flavor of your coffee. Temperatures that are lower will cause acidity while higher temperatures give it more body.
3. Environmentally friendly
Since their introduction by Nestle in 1986 coffee pods (or capsules) have had a massive impact on how people drink coffee. They are convenient, quick and easy to make a perfect cup of coffee every single time. Unfortunately, they can also be extremely wasteful. They're typically packed in aluminum and plastic, which can be difficult to recycle. Additionally, they usually contain dregs of unutilised ground coffee that aren't recycled.
Research has shown that using a capsule machine for coffee is more environmentally friendly than filter or drip coffee. This is due to single-serve capsules using an exact amount of water and coffee and reduce the amount of the waste of coffee that can happen when making a large pot. Additionally, 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. Find a capsule maker that only uses recyclable or biodegradable coffee pods. If you want to take it a step further, buy a recyclable capsule of coffee. They can be filled with ground coffee and placed in the capsule machine you have - they're typically designed to be compatible with popular systems such as Nespresso.
If you're looking to cut down the environmental impact of your business, look for a machine that works with Lavazza's A Modo Mio Tiny Eco capsules. These capsules are completely carbon neutral recyclable, industrially compostable and constructed from more than 50% recycled plastic. Plus, they're the only capsules that can be used to add food waste for council collection.
If you are unable to find biodegradable or compostable coffee pods for your capsule machine, you can try using a bean-to-cup maker. These machines are more expensive but they are also more green. They grind and brew coffee on demand, instead of making a large pot of coffee in advance and cooling it down, which consumes electricity. They are also more energy efficient than drip machines or espresso machine that is on a stove, as they use less energy.
4. Cost-effective
A capsule machine is a fantastic alternative if you wish to make coffee quickly and efficiently 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. The machines are simple to operate and fairly inexpensive however they can be expensive if you choose premium models made by major brands. This is particularly applicable to the coffee pods which can be very expensive.
A capsule coffee maker is still cheaper than filters or a bean-to-cup model. The capsule machine is less expensive in the beginning, and you'll save money over time by not buying filters or ground coffee. The initial cost can be a barrier to many people. So, consider how much money you can spend on the machine, and then add the pods that fit the machine.
Lavazza Vertuo pop is a capsule machine that's an excellent option for those who are on a budget. This compact, stylish machine uses the brand's compostable EcoCaps to deliver a quality cup of espresso. The unique brewing process lets it produce a thick crema, despite only making black coffee. This is a welcome improvement on the thin, watery foam that often comes with espresso drinks made in other pod machines.
The machine has a compact footprint and a simple four-button panel. It is easy to use and doesn't take much counter space. It comes with a steam wand and hot beverage functions that are not often found for capsule machines. However, the jug that it dispenses the coffee into doesn't hold as much as glass carafes found on cheaper competitors.
The independently-designed Morning Machine is a more sophisticated pod coffee maker that comes with a variety of extra options that set it apart from its rivals. Its flagship 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 as well as temperature, and bar pressure. You can get more from the capsules as compared to basic lungos, espressos and ristrettos and you can recreate drip and filter drinks. It also allows you to connect to your smartphone to display recipes, and monitor the consumption of energy.