4 Dirty Little Secrets About The Pod Coffee Machine Industry
4 Dirty Little Secrets About The Pod Coffee Machine Industry
Blog Article
The Best Pod Coffee Machines
With pod coffee makers, you just put a sealed capsule with roasted or ground coffee into the machine. The coffee then flows through for a specified amount of time to make your drink.
Some pod coffee machines offer multiple cup sizes and frothing milk capabilities. The ideal pod maker for you will depend on your lifestyle and personal preferences.
1. Keurig K-Select
If you're looking to buy a basic Keurig coffee maker without all the bells and whistles that come with more expensive models, this is a good option. It's simple to operate and has a beautiful design. When not in use it can be placed in a corner of the kitchen.
One downside to this machine is that it can be loud, but it isn't a big deal. It is also small enough to be able to fit on a counter with a small space. If you're looking for a Keurig with a larger variety of sizes or a carafe that is suitable for traditional drip brewing, you should look at other options.
Keurig K-Select is a single serve coffee maker that blends a sleek design with more user-friendly features. This lets you make the perfect cup of coffee every time. Pick from a variety of delicious K-Cup pods, or brew your own ground coffee using My-K-Cup's universal, reusable coffee filter (sold separately). Strong Brew increases the intensity and strength of your coffee, making it a perfect option for those who enjoy strong coffee.
The brewer is simple to operate that are operated by buttons. Place the K-Cup and then select the desired size of brew, and press the brew button. In less than one minute, you'll have freshly brewed coffee. The large reservoir of 52 ounces lets you to brew five cups prior to refilling, simplifying your morning routine.
This machine is easy to clean, with the ability to remove the reservoir of water and lid that can be easily washed. To ensure your Keurig is operating at its best you must clean it by descaler. Follow the instructions in the user's manual. The warranty covers the brewer as well as all accessories that came with it, except for normal wear and tear, damages caused by misuse or abuse and external causes of failure, such as power outages.
2. Tassimo My Way
If you're a lover of coffee and are in search of a pod maker that can produce more than just your regular cup of coffee it's the ideal choice. It's designed to make a wide range of drinks like tea and hot chocolate and features a large 1.3 millilitre water tank that can brew multiple cups at the same time. The machine can be heated in three minutes, and comes with a built-in milk container that can be used to make latte or a cappuccino. It also has a touch-sensitive display which lets you adjust the temperature, intensity and volume of your chosen beverage.
Tassimo My Way uses T Discs that are a set of ingredients that can be used to create your drink. There are more than 70 flavors to choose from, including brands like Kenco and Costa to Costa, Milka and Cadbury's. The machine has a range of T discs, which include ones for hot and tea chocolate.
The coffee that was produced by this machine was of good quality, though it was a bit lower than the other machines in our round-up. It also steamed the milk to make a caffe latte fairly quickly and produced a rich taste without being too thick. However, it must be noted that the frothy milk made from T Discs is a source of sugar that isn't a huge issue in itself but isn't for everyone's taste.
Tassimo Myway's removable parts such as the drip tray and the water tank are all dishwasher-safe. There's an Brita filter as well as a cleaning disc that can be used as well. A useful indicator light will let you know when it's time to descale and a reservoir of water keeps the limescale at the minimum. The machine is Energy Star rated, which reduces the power consumption of up to 15%..
3. Lavazza Lungo Pod Machine
This Nespresso pod coffee machine created in collaboration with Sage by Lavazza is one of the most beautiful machines available. It's made with tough and attractive materials, has an adjustable steam wand that can be used to make lattes and cappuccinos, and a stainless milk jug in steel. It can make espresso double espressos, lungos, gran lungos, mugs and altos with thick layers of foam.
As with most pod machines you load a pod via an opening at the top of the machine, and then drop it in place. The machine then pierces the capsule before closing it in such a way that when you pull the lever, the used pod falls into a dedicated spent pod tray beneath the drip tray.
It's not the fastest machine to brew it takes 30 seconds to make a shot of espresso and around 90 seconds for a lungo - however, the results are always impressive, with a great crema and a rich, smooth taste. The machine will also notify you when it's time to refill the tank of water or the pod bin.
The main selling point of this machine is that it can use it with any Lavazza brand pod There are seven in total including espresso ground (Qualita Rossa, Intenso, Passionale and Delizioso), two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso) and two organic coffees (!Tierra! Bio). The pod coffee machine isn't expensive, but if you pair it with pod delivery it can cost similar to a regular bean-to cup machine. This machine's slimline design means it can be tucked away in the smallest kitchens, while the pods themselves are compostable, so you can put them into your council's food waste bins or your own garden compost.
4. Nespresso Vertuo Pod Machine
Nespresso machines are the top pods coffee makers for those who are looking for a reliable, quick and consistent brew. They heat up quickly and are extremely simple to use--just insert a capsule, push a button and you're done. They also create a rich crema that can be added to your drinks for added flavour and thickness. The official pods are not cheap and you will have to purchase them.
The Vertuo line uses an entirely different method of technology from OriginalLine machines that use espresso capsules (and remain in operation). They scan each capsule's barcode and automatically adjust the brewing parameters for the perfect cup. And they include a centrifusion system that spins the capsule in order to extract the most flavorful and most dense crema.
That said that, the machines aren't as intuitive as some of our other choices. The lid only opens when the machine is in its final stages and it takes around 30 seconds for the capsule to heat up. The machine doesn't come with an milk frother, like some of the other pod coffee makers on this list, meaning you'll need an additional PS90 or so to purchase an extra Aeroccino if you want to make lattes or cappuccinos.
They also require more frequent maintenance than other models--refilling the water tank, emptying the pod containers, and descaling. However, they do come with an app that reminds you of these chores and provides tools such as store locators and capsule recycling. And if you connect your machine to an IntelliPort, you can even control it pods coffee machines with voice commands, which is a nice touch if you're making coffee in the dark at 4am, or have weak hands.
5. SMEG Barista Pod Machine
This sleek pod coffee machine is the love child of a well-known Italian brand and a well-known kitchen appliance company. It has the retro, sleek curves that SMEG are renowned for, and can brew the espresso and lungo drinks. It comes with a programmable setting for the shot, dual-height drip tray, and a pod bins that can be removed.
This coffee maker allows you to make an instant cup of lungo or espresso in the morning or during breaks at work. Its simple control panel keeps it looking elegant and doesn't hinder its function. If you're looking to dress up your daily joe even more, it has three interchangeable filter baskets that accommodate different types of capsules. You can even use ground beans that are loose (although you'll need to own a separate grinder).
The SMEG Barista Pod Machine doesn't include a milk pitcher, however, it does come with a built-in Pannarello milk frother, which froths soymilk and cow milk quite nicely. It also comes with a 51mm portafilter which is smaller than the standard commercial style filter. It's pressurized, which means it won't give off the stale, leftover taste. It also comes with a plastic tool which can also be used as scoop.
The SMEG is the most expensive machine we've reviewed. However, it's worth it if you're looking for something retro or you love making espresso drinks fast. This is a great option for those who are new to the art of making coffee and do not want to tackle the hassle of grinding, measuring and tamping the beans yourself.