15 Gifts For The Best Coffee Pod Machine Lover In Your Life
15 Gifts For The Best Coffee Pod Machine Lover In Your Life
Blog Article
The Best Coffee Pod Machine
The most sleek pod machine we've seen this brushed-steel model offers the signature Sage quality and ease of use. It warms up after switching on, and brews an aroma-packed espresso or a little longer lungo in just 30 minutes.
In contrast to bean-to-cup machines models take the most messy aspects of coffee-making out of your hands - including grinding and dosing grounds.
1. Speedy
Pod machines are generally quicker to install and use than espresso machines, with the majority capable of making a cup of coffee in just 30 seconds or less. But they do come at some cost: the pre-portioned coffee pods that are used in these machines are generally more expensive than freshly roasted beans and they're not always recyclable (though some companies now offer free recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels to return them).
The Nespresso CitiZ has one of the most efficient pod machines available due to the barcode scanner that scans every compatible pod's code prior to brewing. This makes it easy to make consistent, high-quality coffee every time, with next-to-no chances of a drink turning out badly wrong. The machine is also one of the slimmest and lightest available and does not require an additional milk jug, and a small footprint making it easy to fit into even the tiniest kitchen.
However the CitiZ isn't the ideal machine for those looking to reduce their environmental impact. It doesn't come with an automatic descaling function and you'll need to do it yourself every 300 cups if live in hard water or 1200 cups in soft water areas. When the filter cartridge wears out, you'll need to replace it with a new. This could be expensive for certain users.
The Tassimo Vivy 2 is another speedy machine with customisable buttons and the option to use ground coffee or ESE pods that are pre-dosed and tampered with grounds squeezed between filter paper. This model is B-Corp Certified. It is committed to reducing the negative impact it has on the environment and workforce. Its only downside is that it takes a little longer to warm up, but once that is done, it will be able to brew one cup in just 35 seconds.
If you're looking for an elegant, sleek machine capable of handling a range of different drink sizes and styles then you should look no further than the Vertuo Creatista from Nespresso. This sleek machine, created in collaboration with Sage is not just easy to use, but it also comes with an ice cream wand an stainless steel jug and milk frother.
2. Removable parts
A pod coffee maker's user-friendliness is a major draw and the top models are easy to use. The majority of machines employ the same basic process to brew a cup of coffee the water is heated inside the reservoir, and then pushed through capsules to create rich hot, hot java. Many brands offer a variety of sizes of drinks to meet different requirements. You can also save custom settings to speed up the process.
Keurig K-Cups are the biggest player on the market. However, Nestle Nespresso VertuoLine capsules also come with a variety of capsules from well-known roasters. Some pods can be used just once before they are discarded, while others can be used several times. You'll need a plan to dispose of your old pods to prevent them from being thrown away.
The sleek SMEG model we tested has a water tank that is removable and easy to fill and the machine automatically dispenses a fresh capsule once the previous one has been cooled. It can make espresso and lungo drinks, and comes with eight different blends for various options. This brewer is ideal for coffee drinkers who wish to make the switch from drip coffee.
In our tests of the Tassimo My Way 2 proved to be the most enjoyable to use. Its sleek design looks stunning on your counter, and it can be opened with a single touch to reveal the compartment that houses your empty pods. The machine also has the added benefit of the water filtration system which is ideal for hard-water areas.
This machine brews a standard cup of coffee (240ml) as well as lungo and ristretto espresso-style drinks, and is surprisingly quick. The controls are easy to operate, using the style of airplane toggles that can be easily pulled back and a lever which retracts to reveal the opening for dropping in your coffee maker. It requires a little force to close but our testers, even those who have limitations in hand strength and mobility, found it comfortable.
3. Size
The best coffee pod makers take away all the mess from coffee making. You just add a pod, press a button and let it brew. It is still necessary to clean the machine from time time, but not as frequently as you would with a bean-to-cup cup or espresso maker. Pod machines are also smaller than their larger counterparts which means they can be placed on the counter and be kept out of view when not in use.
The right coffee pod machine for you will be determined by your personal preferences and what you want to achieve. The majority of pod machines are easy to use, but some have more options for customization than others. Pod variety, brew size options, and milk frothing capabilities must be taken into consideration to find the ideal coffee pod machine for your needs.
Most people will think of pod-based machines as the likes of Nespresso and Keurig, but there are a few newer rivals that could be worth considering. Bruvi has a custom-designed system of pods called B-Pods that can only be used in its machines. These pods have a barcode on the underside that machines scan to automatically adjust the brewing settings.
This means that the machine eliminates all the guesswork of making a cup and guarantees that every drink comes out perfectly every time. It is able to save your customized drinks in a single button, so that you can make them by pressing only one button.
Other machines, such as Sage's My Way, offer more granular control over your coffee than the majority machines, allowing you to choose the exact size and temperature for each beverage. It's more expensive than other models, but it has the polished stainless steel construction and superior customer service that is a hallmark of the Sage's My Way brand. This is a good option for those who want an extra bit of quality from their espresso maker that is based on pods.
While most people will use the pod-based machine to create single-serve beverages however, there are a few larger models that can also create longer shots, also known as lungos, also. The Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg is an excellent example of this, and it combines the retro fifties styling of SMEG with the classic design of Italian coffee maker, Lavazza. It's not easy at first thanks to the airplane-style toggles, but once you've gotten used to it, it is easy and enjoyable to use. A lungo can be brewed in only 30 minutes.
4. Customization
One reason the pod coffee maker might not be right for you is its limited flexibility to customize. If you don't buy an auxiliary milk frother, the only options to add extra flavor or creaminess is to make use of a hot chocolate in-mug or tea option and to add milk to your coffee manually. This won't be an issue for most people, but it could be an issue for those who prefer a fully automatic experience in the morning.
Bosch's Intellibrew technology uses a barcode reader to scan each capsule and automatically pre-wet, infuse, and dispense the correct volume of coffee that is appropriate for the kind of pod. It's a hands-free, easy-to-use machine that does its job well, but it doesn't have any options for making drinks that are customized or for varying the strength of brew. Some buyers will be annoyed by this, but many will find the ease of use and variety of cup sizes (espressos and lungos, as well as mugs) to be exactly what they're looking for.
This coffee maker is low-maintenance. It's all you have to do is to fill up the water tank and decaffeinate the reservoir every once in a while. It is able to serve espresso-style shots and tall travel mugs easily and, as we mentioned the used pods are ejected to a hidden container that keeps your kitchen clean. It is also excellent at delivering full-bodied coffees with tops that are topped with crema.
This is a stunning machine that is part of the Smeg fifties range. It's easy to use via an easy-to-use panel of buttons and can accommodate both ground coffee and ESE pods. The only drawback is the absence of a gauge that will let you know when you should descale, and the inability to set the maximum level of water. You will also have to buy the capsules of the brand, which can be expensive. This is a good pod machine for anyone coffee pod machine looking for an easy-to-use and stylish appliance that will serve well at a low cost. This model can be used with a variety of capsules from third party manufacturers and works with the Nespresso Vertuo range.