A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine
If you're looking for a simple and quick coffee, a capsule coffee machine is the best way to go. They're simple to operate and can be used with a range of speciality coffee pods.
In contrast to filter coffee machines capsule machines usually concentrate on black drinks, such as lungos and espressos - but with milky options as well for cappuccinos and lattes.
1. Easy to use
With a capsule coffee machine you can get your fix at home without the fuss of a full bean-to-cup or filter machine. No matter if you're an experienced brewer or just starting out they're designed to be simple to use and operate effortlessly. You can choose from a range of drinks sizes, temperatures and flavors. Some models include an integrated milk maker to make cappuccinos or lattes. These models are ideal for families who are busy and are looking to grab an espresso before heading out.
There are many different capsule coffee machines in the UK available to suit your needs. The budget friendly options tend to be simple with a panel of buttons and a clear LCD, whilst more advanced models allow you to customize your brew via settings such as temperature of the water, capsule type and bar pressure. Some even have a compatible application for further personalisation and recipe ideas.
The sleek design of the Smeg model is a big benefit, with a sleek body that can be easily incorporated on any worktop. It's also quiet and makes it a great option for families with small children. It was easy to use and set up with a responsive touchscreen and a fluid operation of the lever of the water tank.
The more expensive models, such as those from Dolce Gusto or Nespresso, provide more customization. You can save your most-loved drinks to a button. You can adjust the settings to get the best flavor and aroma for your favourite blends. The capsule recycler is available to ensure your kitchen is clean and free of trash. Some of the more expensive models come with an inbuilt carafe that can be used for whipped cappuccinos or lattes. Others come with an additional steam wand which you can operate manually.
2. Versatile
While they're not as flexible as a filter machine or a bean-to-cup machine capsule machines are able to perform admirably in making delicious and consistent results. Basic models start at less than PS50. A lot of these machines even allow milk frothing making the perfect cappuccino or latte with the push of a button.
You will be limited in the types of coffee pods you can use because they come pre-packaged, with ingredients like sugar, cream and ground coffee. You can still expect top-quality coffees from most brands. Tassimo and Nescafe offer various black and milky coffees, for example.
In the same way, certain capsule machines can also be used with different milky drinks by using different types of capsules, like those manufactured by Nespresso's Vertuo line. These machines allow you to select a milky drink such as a cappuccino, or the latte from a variety of four. The machine will automatically dispensate the right amount of milk.
The top pod coffee machines in the UK are also designed to be as user-friendly as they can with clear digital displays and automatic turn-off functions to save energy. Look for features such as height-adjustable drip trays that can be moved up and down to suit the size of your cup, and to reduce splashing and a removable capsule holder that is easy to empty and clean. Other attractive features include energy-saving sleep modes and eco-friendly settings.
Moving things to the next level The Morning Machine, an elegant benchtop machine that is operated either manually or through an app with precise controls that let you adjust the coffee's flavor and body. You can also alter the temperature, which will have an immediate impact on the flavor of your coffee. Lower temperatures result in acidity while higher temperatures impart more body.
3. Environmentally friendly
Since Nestle introduced coffee capsules in 1986, they've had a significant impact on the way people drink coffee. They're easy to use, quick and easy to enjoy a consistently good coffee every time. However, they can be quite wasteful. They are typically packaged in aluminium and plastic which are difficult to recycle. Additionally, they usually contain dregs of unutilised ground coffee that aren't recycled either.
However studies have shown that when compared to filter or drip coffee, using capsule machines is less detrimental to the environment. This is due to the fact that single-serve capsules use exactly the same amount of water and coffee, cutting down on the amount of coffee that is wasted when making a large-sized pot. Additionally heating the water in a single-serve mug is less energy-intensive than making a large pot.
It is important to note that this research is based on the total life-cycle of coffee production, which includes the growing, harvesting, and transportation of the beans as well as heating the water. If you're considering a capsule coffee machine choose one that is made from biodegradable or compostable coffee pods. If you're looking to go further, consider purchasing a reusable capsule for coffee. These can be filled with ground coffee and used in the capsule machine you have - they're typically designed to be compatible with popular systems such as Nespresso.
If you want to reduce your environmental impact further consider a device that can be used with Lavazza's A Modo Mio Tiny Eco capsules. These capsules are completely carbon neutral recyclable, industrially compostable and constructed from more than 50 percent recycled plastic. Additionally, they are the only capsules which can be added to food waste and disposed of by the council.
If you are unable to find compostable or biodegradable pods for your capsule maker, consider using a bean to cup coffee maker. They're expensive but they're also more environmentally friendly than pod machines. They grind and prepare coffee on demand rather than brewing and cooling a large pot of coffee in advance, which consumes energy. They're also more efficient than a drip or espresso machine which sits on a hob, as they require less power to run.
4. Cost-effective
A capsule machine is an excellent option if you want to make coffee quickly and efficiently in the morning. Capsules contain sealed roasted and ground coffee beans that are inserted into the machine and are brewed for a specific amount of time. The machines are reasonably priced and simple to use, however they can be costly especially if you opt for top-of-the-line models from the top brands. This is particularly in the case of the coffee pods themselves, which are usually quite expensive.
A capsule coffee machine is still cheaper than a filter model or a bean-to-cup model. This is due to the initial price of a capsule machine will be lower and you'll save money over the long term by not having to purchase filters or ground coffee. However, the initial expense isn't a deterrent for many, so consider how much you're able to invest in a machine and then factor in the cost of the coffee pods that will fit it.
If you're looking for a capsule machine that is affordable, look no further than the Lavazza Vertuo Pop. This sleek and compact machine produces a top-quality espresso with the Lavazza EcoCaps. Its unique brewing technology also allows it to produce a thick crema, despite only making black coffee. This is a significant improvement over the thin, watery foam that often accompanies espresso drinks made in other pod machines.
The machine is easy to use via the four buttons on the front panel and has a compact footprint that won't take up too much counter space. It has steam wands and a hot beverage function, which are rare features for capsule machines. The jug that it uses to dispense the coffee is smaller than glass carafes found on the cheaper machines.
The independently-designed Morning Machine is a more check here sophisticated pod coffee maker that provides a variety of additional options that sets it apart from its rivals. The Bloom & Brew option pre-wets ground coffee to create an even stronger, more rich cup. It also offers adjustable settings for bar pressure, temperature and the amount of coffee that is extracted. This allows you to get more out of the capsules than just lungo, espresso, and ristretto options, and can even recreate filters and drip-style drinks. It can also be connected to your smartphone to make recipes and monitoring of energy consumption.