(Image: https://cdn.freshstore.cloud/offer/images/778/2826/keurig-k-mini-coffee-maker-single-serve-k-cup-pod-coffee-brewer-6-to-12-oz-brew-sizes-evergreen-2826.jpg)A Guide to Buying a Capsule Coffee Machine
A capsule coffee machine can make it easy to get a quick cup of coffee. They're simple to use and work with a range of speciality coffee pods.
Contrary to filter coffee machines, capsule machines tend to concentrate on black drinks - espressos and lungos - with milky options as well for lattes and cappuccinos.
1. Easy to use
With a capsule coffee machine, you can get your fix at home without the hassle of a full-on bean-to cup or filter machine. No matter if you're an experienced brewer or just starting out they're designed to be easy to use and run smoothly. You can pick from a variety of drink sizes, temperatures and flavors to suit your preferences. Some models have an integrated milk frother that can be used to make cappuccinos or lattes. They're a great option for busy families who are looking to grab coffee in a hurry on their way out the door.
There's a wide selection of capsule coffee machine uk models that will meet your needs. The budget-friendly models tend to be simple with a simple panel of buttons and a clear display whilst more advanced models let you customize the brew by altering settings like the temperature of the water, the type of capsule and bar pressure. Some even have a compatible application for further personalisation and recipe ideas.
The Smeg model is sleek in design that is a perfect match with any work surface. It's also very quiet in use which makes it a great choice for parents with young children who wake up early. Our testers found it simple to set up and used with a smooth and effortless operation of the lever on the cap of the water tank and a smart, responsive touchscreen.
The more expensive models, such as the ones from Dolce Gusto or Nespresso, offer more customization. You can save your most-loved drinks at the touch of a button. You can adjust the settings to achieve the best flavor and aroma for your favourite blends. The capsule recycler comes with it to keep your kitchen clean and free of trash. Some of the most expensive models have an inbuilt carafe that can be used for whipped cappuccinos or lattes. Others come with a separate steam wand you can manually operate.
2. Versatile
While they're not as flexible as a filter coffee maker or a bean-to cup machine capsule machines can do an excellent job of producing delicious and consistent results. They also have the benefit of being easy to use and affordable - basic models start at just PS50. Many of these machines even allow milk frothing which means you can make an espresso or cappuccino at the push of the button.
There are a few limitations to the kinds of coffee pods available since they are packaged with ingredients such as sugar, cream and ground coffee. You can still expect premium coffees from most brands. Tassimo and Nescafe offer a range of milky and black coffees, for instance.
Similar to the capsule machines, some can also be used with different milky drinks by utilizing different kinds of capsules like those produced by Nespresso's Vertuo line. These machines let you select a milky beverage such as a cappuccino or latte from a selection of four. The machine will automatically dispensate the right amount of milk.
The top pod machines available in the UK are also designed with easy-to-use features, including easy-to-read digital displays and automatic shut-off functions that save energy. You should look for features such as drip trays that can be adjusted in height, which can be moved up and down to suit the size of your cup and reduce splashing, and a reusable capsule holder that's easy to empty and clean. Energy-saving sleep modes and eco-friendly settings are another nice extra.
Moving things to the next level The Morning Machine, an elegant benchtop machine that can be operated manually or by apps, with precise controls that let you adjust the coffee's flavor and body. You can also adjust the temperature, which will have a direct effect on the flavor of your coffee. Lower temperatures result in acidity while higher temperatures impart more body.
3. Environmentally friendly
Since their introduction by Nestle in 1986 coffee pods (or capsules) have made a huge impact on how people consume coffee. They are convenient, quick and easy to make a perfect cup of coffee every single time. However, they can be quite wasteful. They are typically packaged in plastic and aluminum which are difficult to recycle. Plus, they often contain dregs from unused ground coffee that cannot be recycled.
However research has proven that, compared to filter and drip coffee, capsule machines is not as damaging to the environment. Single-serve capsules are more environmentally green because they consume the exact amount of coffee and water, reducing waste. Plus heating the water in a single serve capsule is less energy-intensive than making a large-sized pot.
However, it's important to remember that this research is dependent on the entire life-cycle of coffee machines capsules production, which includes the growing, 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 take it a step further, consider purchasing a reusable capsule for coffee. These capsules can be used to fill your capsule with coffee ground. They're designed to be compatible with popular systems such as Nespresso.
If you're looking for ways to reduce your environmental impact further, consider purchasing an appliance that works with Lavazza A Modo Mio Tiny Eco capsules. They're industrially compostable, carbon neutral and come in a black style which is made from more than 50 percent recycled plastic. Furthermore, they're the only capsules that can be added to food waste and then collected by the council.
If you cannot find biodegradable or compostable pods for your capsule maker, consider using a bean-to-cup coffee maker. They're expensive but they're also more sustainable than pod coffee makers machines. They grind and brew coffee on demand rather than brewing and cooling a large pot of coffee in advance, which uses up energy. They are also more efficient than a drip machine or espresso machine on stoves, as they consume less energy.
4. Cost-effective
A capsule machine is a great option if you want to make coffee quickly and easily in the morning. The capsules are sealed and include ground and roasted beans. They are then placed into the machine and brewed for an exact amount of time. The machines are relatively inexpensive and simple to use, but they can be expensive especially if you opt for top-of-the-line models from the top brands. This is particularly relevant to the cost of the coffee pods, which can be quite expensive.
A capsule coffee maker is still significantly less expensive than purchasing the bean-to-cup or filter model However. This is due to the upfront price of a capsule machine will be lower, and you'll save money in the long run by not having to buy filters or ground coffee. The initial cost could be a barrier to many people. So, think about how much money you can spend on the machine and then add the cost of the pods that fit the machine.
If you're looking for a capsule machine that is affordable look no further than the Lavazza Vertuo Pop. This sleek, compact machine uses the brand's compostable EcoCaps to give you a premium cup of espresso. Its unique brewing system lets it produce an extremely thick crema, despite the fact that it only makes black coffee pods machines. This is a nice change from the thin, watery slush that is typically served with drinks made with other pod machines.
The machine is easy to operate with a panel of four buttons and has a slim footprint that doesn't take up any counter space. It comes with steam wands as well as hot beverage functions, which are rare features for capsule machines. However, the jug that it dispenses the coffee into doesn't hold as much as the 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 the competition. The Bloom & Brew option pre-wets ground coffee to produce an extra-strong, richer cup. It also offers adjustable settings for bar pressure, temperature, and the amount of coffee that is extracted. You'll get more flavor from the capsules as compared to basic lungos, espressos, and ristrettos and even make drinks that drip or filter. It can also be linked to your smartphone for recipes and energy consumption monitoring.