A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine
If you're looking for simple and quick coffee, a capsule coffee machine is the best way to go. They're easy to use and work with a variety of coffee pods.
Contrary to filter coffee machines, capsule coffee machines tend to concentrate on black drinks such as espressos and lungos with a few milky choices for cappuccinos and lattes.
1. Easy to use
With a capsule-based coffee maker allows you to enjoy your coffee at home without the hassle of a full-on bean-to cup or filter machine. These machines are easy to use and work smoothly, regardless of whether you're an experienced coffee maker or are just beginning your journey. You can pick from a range of drinks sizes, temperature and flavors. Some models also come with an integrated milk frothing tool to make lattes and cappuccinos. They're a great option for busy families who are looking to grab a quick cup of coffee before heading out the door.
There are many different capsule coffee machines in the UK that will meet your needs. The budget-friendly options tend to be straightforward with a simple panel of buttons and a clear display whilst more advanced models allow you to customize your brew via settings such as water temperature, capsule type and bar pressure. Some models even come with a compatible application for further personalisation and recipe suggestions.
Smeg’s model has a sleek design that blends in well with any work surface. It's also very quiet in use making it an ideal choice for parents with young children who wake up early. It was easy to set up and use, with a responsive touchscreen and fluid operation of the lever for the water tank.
More expensive models from likes of Dolce Gusto and Nespresso offer more customisation, allowing you to save your own drinks to a dedicated button. You can even alter the settings for your preferred blends to ensure the best flavor and scent. The capsule recycler comes with it to ensure your kitchen is clean and free of trash. The pricier models often come with a built-in milk cup to make creamy cappuccinos and lattes, while other models include steam wands that you can manually operate whenever you want.
2. Versatile
Although capsule machines are not as flexible as a bean-to- cup machine or a filter machine, they can produce delicious and consistently good results. They also offer the advantage of being easy to use and cost-effective - basic models start at just PS50. Many of these machines are capable of milk frothing so you can make lattes or cappuccinos with the click of the button.
There are a few limitations to the kinds of coffee pods available, as they will come packaged with ingredients such as sugar, cream and ground coffee. However, you can be sure of high-quality brews from most brands, and there is a wide range of options available from Tassimo and Nescafe for instance that let you pick from a range of black and milky coffees.
Some capsule machines, like the Vertuo line of Nespresso, can be used to make different milky drinks using different capsules. They allow selecting a milky drink such as a latte or cappuccino, from a range of four, and the machine automatically dispenses the right amount of milk.
The top pod coffee machines in the UK are also designed to be as user-friendly as is possible with clear digital displays as well as automatic shut-off functions that help conserve energy. Look for features such as adjustable height trays that can be adjusted to suit your cup size, and reduce splashing. Also look for a detachable capsule holder with an easy-to-empty and clean capsule holder. Energy-saving sleep modes and eco-friendly settings are a nice bonus.
The Morning Machine is a benchtop machine that can be operated either manually or with an application. It has precise controls to adjust the coffee's body and flavour. You can adjust the temperature setting which has a direct impact on the flavor of your coffee; lower temperatures cause acidity, and higher temperatures provide more body and bitterness.
3. Environmentally friendly
Since their introduction by Nestle in 1986 the coffee pods (or capsules) have made a huge impact on how people consume coffee. They're convenient, fast and easy to enjoy a consistently good cup of coffee every single time. However, they can be extremely wasteful. They're usually packed in aluminum and plastic, which can be difficult to recycle. In addition, they are filled with unneeded ground coffee that is not recycled.
Despite this studies have shown that when compared to filter or drip coffee, a capsule machine is less detrimental to the environment. This is because single-serve capsules use an exact amount of coffee and water which reduces coffee waste that can occur when making a large pot. Plus heating the water in a single-serve mug uses less energy than brewing a large pot.
However, it's important to note that this research is only dependent on the entire life-cycle of coffee production, which includes growing, harvesting and transporting the beans, as well as heating the water. If you're considering a capsule coffee machine make sure you choose one that uses only biodegradable or compostable coffee pods. If you're looking to take it a step further, buy an reusable capsule for coffee. They can be filled with ground coffee, and then used in your capsule machine. They're typically designed to be compatible with popular systems such as Nespresso.
If you're looking to lessen your environmental impact further, you should consider a machine compatible with Lavazza A Modo Mio Tiny Eco capsules. These capsules are carbon-neutral, industrially compostable and made of over 50 percent recycled plastic. They're also the only capsules that can be used to add food waste for council collection.
If you are unable to find compostable or biodegradable pods for your capsule maker, consider using a bean-to-cup coffee maker. These machines are more expensive but they are also more environmentally friendly. They grind and brew coffee on demand rather than brewing and cooling a large pot of coffee in advance, which uses up energy. They're also more efficient than drip or espresso machine that is sat on a hob, since they require less energy to operate.
4. Cost-effective
If you're looking for a quick and convenient way to make your morning cup of coffee, a capsule machine is the perfect solution. The capsules are sealed, and they contain roasted and ground beans. They are then put into the machine and brewed for an exact amount of time. The machines are simple to use and are relatively inexpensive, but can be costly in the event you opt for high-end models by big brands. This is particularly true of the cost of the coffee pods pod coffee machines themselves which can be quite expensive.
A capsule coffee machine is still cheaper than a filter model or a bean-to cup model. The capsule model is cheaper upfront, and you will save money over time because you won't need to buy filters or ground coffee. However, the initial cost could be a hurdle for many people, so consider how much you're able to invest in the machine and then consider the cost of the coffee pods that will fit it.
Lavazza Vertuo pop is an espresso machine that is an excellent choice for those on a tight budget. This compact, stylish machine utilizes the brand's compostable EcoCaps to give you a premium cup of espresso. The unique brewing system produces a thick, rich crema despite only brewing black coffee. This is a significant improvement over the thin foam that typically comes with espresso drinks made in other pod machines.
The machine is compact in its footprint and a simple 4-button panel. It is simple to use and doesn't take the most counter space. It comes with steam wands as well as hot beverage capabilities that are not often found for capsule machines. However, the jug that it serves coffee in 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 comes with a variety of extra options that set it apart from other machines. The Bloom & Brew option pre-wets ground coffee to produce a stronger, richer cup. It also offers adjustable settings for temperature, bar pressure, and the amount of coffee extracted. You'll get more flavor from the capsules as compared to basic lungos, espressos and ristrettos and you can make drinks with drips and filters. It can also be connected to your smartphone to create recipes and for monitoring energy consumption.