A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine
If you're looking for quick and easy coffee, a capsule machine is the way to go. They're simple to operate and can be paired with a variety of specialty coffee pods.
Contrary to filter coffee machines capsule coffee machines tend to focus on black drinks, such as espressos and lungos with a few milky choices for lattes and capspuccinos.
1. Simple to use
With a capsule-based coffee maker, you can get your fix at home without the fuss of a full bean-to-cup or filter machine. These machines are easy to use and operate smoothly, regardless of whether you're an experienced coffee maker or just a newbie. You can choose from a range of drink sizes, temperatures and flavors to meet your needs. Some models come with an integrated milk maker to make cappuccinos or lattes. They're a convenient choice for busy families who want to grab a quick cup of coffee on the way out the door.
There's a wide selection of capsule coffee machine models that can meet the needs of different people. The models that are budget-friendly tend to have a simple panel of buttons with a clear display. More advanced models allow you to customize your brew by changing settings like the temperature of the water, the type of capsule, and bar pressure. Some have an app for further personalisation and recipe ideas.
The sleek design of Smeg's model is a big plus, with a sleek body that blends well on any work surface. It's also quiet when in use which makes it a great option for those with children who get up early. It was simple to use and set up with a responsive touchscreen and 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 your own drinks by pressing a button. You can also alter the settings for your favorite blends to get the most optimal taste and aroma. The capsule recycler comes with it to keep your kitchen tidy 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 an additional steam wand which you can operate manually.
2. Versatile
Although capsule machines aren't as versatile as a bean-to cup machine or filter machine, they are able to provide delicious and consistently good results. Basic models start at less than PS50. Many of these machines can also handle making frothy milk so you can make cappuccinos and lattes at 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 coffee pods and drinks that you can drink with it since they've been packaged with ingredients like ground coffee cream, sugar, and flavorings. You can still expect high-quality beverages with the majority of brands. Tassimo and Nescafe offer a variety of black and milky coffees for instance.
Certain capsule machines, like the Vertuo line of Nespresso, can be used to prepare different milky drinks with different capsules. These offer the option of selecting a milky beverage such as a latte or cappuccino from a selection of four, with the machine automatically dispensing the correct amount of milk.
The top pod coffee machines in the UK are also designed to be as user-friendly as possible, with easy to read digital displays and automatic shut-off functions to save energy. Look for features such as adjustable height trays that can be adjusted to accommodate the size of your cup and minimize splashing. Also look for a movable capsule holder with an easy-to-empty and clean capsule holder. Other nice features include sleep modes that save energy, and eco-friendly settings.
The Morning Machine is a benchtop machine that you can operate manually or via an application. It comes with 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 impact on the flavour of your cup; lower temperatures result in acidity, while higher temperatures give it more body and bitterness.
3. Eco-friendly
Since Nestle introduced capsules of coffee in 1986, they've had a significant impact on how people drink coffee. They're convenient, fast and allow you to get a consistently good cup of joe every time. However, they can be very wasteful. They are usually packaged in plastic and aluminum which is hard to recycle. In addition, they typically contain dregs from unused ground coffee that aren't recycled.
Despite this research has proven that, compared to filter and drip coffee, using capsule machines is not as harmful to the capsule coffee machine environment. This is because single-serve capsules use an exact amount of coffee and water which reduces the waste of coffee that can happen when making a large pot. Plus, it takes less energy to heat the water in a capsule than the brewing process of a large pot.
However, it's important to remember that this study is dependent on the entire life-cycle of coffee production, including the cultivation, harvesting and transportation of the beans as well as heating the water. Look for a capsule machine that only makes use of recyclable or biodegradable coffee pods. If you want to go further, consider purchasing a reusable capsule for coffee. They can be filled with ground coffee and used in the capsule machine you have - they're typically designed to work with popular systems like Nespresso.
If you want to reduce the environmental impact of your business Look for a machine that can be used with Lavazza's A Modo Mio Tiny Eco capsules. These are industrially compostable, carbon neutral and come in a black style made of more than 50% recycled plastic. They're also the only capsules that can be added to food waste for council collection.
If you cannot find biodegradable or compostable pods for your capsule maker, you might consider using a bean to cup coffee maker. They can be pricey, but they're more sustainable than pod machines. This is due to the fact that they grind and brew coffee on demand, instead of making a large pot of coffee in advance and cooling it down, which wastes electricity. They're also more efficient than drip or espresso machine that is sat on a hob, as they require less energy to operate.
4. Cost-effective
If you're looking for a quick and simple method of making your morning coffee, a capsule machine is the best option. Capsules are made of sealed roasted and ground coffee beans that are inserted into the machine and are brewed for a fixed amount of time. The machines are easy to use and relatively cheap, but can be costly in the event you opt for high-end models by big brands. This is especially relevant to the cost of the coffee pods that can be quite expensive.
A capsule coffee maker is still a lot cheaper than buying an espresso machine or a bean-to-cup filter However. This is due to the upfront cost 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. The initial cost can be a barrier to many people. So, think about how much money you can invest in the machine, and then add the cost of the pods that will fit in it.
Lavazza Vertuo pop is a capsule machine that's a great option for those on a tight budget. This compact, stylish machine makes use of the brand's compostable EcoCaps to give you a premium cup of espresso. Its unique brewing system also produces a thick, rich crema despite only making black coffee. This is a refreshing change from the thin, watery mousse that is typically served with drinks made with other pod machines.
The machine has a compact footprint and a simple 4-button panel. It's easy to operate and doesn't take any counter space. It comes with a steam wand and a hot beverage function that are not often found for capsule machines. The jug it dispensing the coffee into does not hold as much as the glass carafes on the cheaper competitors.
The independently-designed Morning Machine is a more sophisticated pod coffee maker that comes with a variety of additional options that sets it apart from the competition. Its flagship Bloom & Brew setting pre-wets the ground coffee for an even stronger, more rich cup and it has adjustable settings that can alter the amount of coffee extracted, temperature, and bar pressure. You will get more out of the capsules than simple ristrettos, espressos and lungos, and you can even make drinks that drip or filter. It can also be linked to your smartphone to make recipes and for monitoring energy consumption.