A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine
If you're looking for simple and quick coffee, a capsule coffee machine is the way to go. They are simple to use and can be used with various coffee pods.
Contrary to filter coffee machines, capsule machines typically focus on black drinks - lungos and espressos - but with some milky options available for lattes and cappuccinos.
1. Easy to use
With a capsule coffee machine you can enjoy your coffee at home without the hassle of a full bean-to-cup or filter machine. These machines are easy to use and operate well, regardless of whether you're a seasoned brewer or a beginner. You can pick from a range of drinks sizes, temperatures and flavors. Some models come with an integrated milk frothing tool to create cappuccinos and lattes. They're an ideal option for busy families who are looking to grab an espresso on the way out the door.
There are a wide variety of capsule coffee machine uk models to suit different needs. The budget-friendly models tend to be simple with a few buttons and a clear LCD, while more sophisticated models let you customize your coffee by altering settings like the temperature of the water, the type of capsule and bar pressure. Some models have an app that permits more customization and recipes suggestions.
The sleek design of the model from Smeg is a major plus, with a sleek body that can be easily incorporated on any worktop. It's also extremely quiet during use which makes it a great alternative for families with young children who wake up early. Our testers found it easy to set up and used, with a smooth operation of the water tank's capsule lever and a smart, responsive touchscreen.
The more expensive models, such as those from Dolce Gusto or Nespresso, provide more customization. You can save your favourite drinks at the touch of a button. You can tweak settings to achieve the best taste and aroma of your favorite blends. They also come with an easy capsule recycler to keep your kitchen tidy and free of waste. Some of the most expensive models have an inbuilt carafe that can be used for creamy cappuccinos or lattes. Others come with a separate steam wand you can operate manually.
2. Multi-faceted
Although capsule machines are not as flexible as a bean to cup machine or a filter machine, they can still produce delicious and consistently good results. Basic models start at less than PS50. Many of these machines are capable of frothering milk, allowing you to make lattes or cappuccinos by pressing a button.
You will be limited in the types of coffee pods you can use, as they will come pre-packed, with ingredients such as sugar, cream, and ground coffee. You can still expect premium brews with most brands. Tassimo and Nescafe offer a range of milky and black coffees, for example.
Some capsule machines, such as 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 selection of four. The machine will automatically give you the right amount of milk.
The best pod machines in the UK are also equipped with user-friendly features, like easy-to-read digital displays and automatic shut-off functions that conserve energy. Look for features such as drip trays that can be adjusted in height, which can be moved up or down to suit the size of your cup, and to reduce splashing and a reusable capsule holder that's easy to empty and clean. Other great features include sleep modes that save energy and eco-friendly settings.
Moving things to the next level is the Morning Machine It's a beautiful benchtop machine that can be operated by hand or via an apps, with precise controls that allow you to fine-tune a coffee's flavour and body. In addition, you can adjust the temperature setting that has an immediate influence on the taste of your coffee; lower temperatures result in acidity, and higher temperatures provide more body and bitterness.
3. Eco-friendly
Since Nestle introduced coffee capsules in 1986, they have had a major impact on the way people drink coffee. They're convenient, fast and make it easy to get a consistently great cup of joe every time. Unfortunately, they can also be extremely wasteful. They are typically packed in plastic and aluminium which is hard to recycle. In addition, they typically contain dregs of ground coffee that cannot be recycled as well.
Research has shown that the use of a capsule coffee maker is more environmentally friendly than drip or filter coffee. This is due to single-serve capsules using the exact amount of coffee and water which reduces the waste of coffee that can happen when making a large-sized pot. Additionally, it requires less energy to heat the water in a capsule than the brewing process of 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 recycled or biodegradable coffee pods. If you're looking to take it a step further, consider purchasing an reusable coffee capsule. They can be filled with ground coffee and used in your capsule machine - they're usually designed to be compatible with popular systems such as Nespresso.
If you're looking to lessen your environmental impact even further, find an appliance that is compatible with Lavazza A Modo Mio Tiny Eco capsules. They're industrially compostable carbon neutral and come in a black design that's made from over 50% recycled plastic. Furthermore, they're the only capsules which can be added to food waste and collected by council.
If you can't find compostable or biodegradable pods for your capsule maker, you might consider using a bean-to-cup coffee maker. They're costly however they're more environmentally friendly than pod machines. They grind and brew the coffee on demand, instead of making a large pot of coffee in advance and then cooling it down, which uses energy. They're also more efficient than a drip or espresso machine that sits on a stove, since they require less power to run.
4. Cost-effective
If you're looking for a quick and simple method of making your morning cup of coffee, a capsule machine is the perfect solution. The capsules are sealed, and they contain ground and roasted beans. They are then inserted into the machine, and brewed for a precise amount of time. The machines are relatively inexpensive and simple to use, however they can be costly especially if you opt for top-of-the-line models from major brands. This is especially true for the price of the coffee pods which can be very expensive.
A capsule coffee machine will still be cheaper than filters or a bean-to-cup model. The capsule machine is less expensive upfront, and you will save money over time by not buying filters or ground coffee. However, the initial cost isn't a deterrent for many people and you should consider how much you can afford to invest in a machine and then coffee pod machines consider the cost of coffee pods that you will need to fit it.
If you're looking for a capsule machine that offers a budget-friendly option, look no further than the Lavazza Vertuo Pop. This sleek and compact machine delivers a quality espresso using the brand's EcoCaps. Its unique brewing system also produces a thick and dense crema despite only brewing black coffee. This is a refreshing contrast to the thin, watery foam that is typically served with drinks made using other pod machines.
The machine is easy to use via a panel of four buttons and has a slim footprint that doesn't occupy too much counter space. It comes with steam wands as well as hot beverage functions, which are rare features for capsule machines. However, the jug it dispensing the coffee into does not hold as much as glass carafes found on cheaper rivals.
The independently-made Morning Machine is a more sophisticated pod coffee maker that provides a variety of additional options that set it apart from its rivals. Its most popular Bloom & Brew setting pre-wets the ground coffee to create a richer, stronger cup. It also has adjustable settings that allow you to alter the extracted coffee quantity, temperature and bar pressure. This lets you get more out of the capsules than just ristretto, espresso and lungo options, and even recreates the drip and filter-style drinks. It can also connect to your smartphone to display recipes and track the consumption of energy.