10 Things You'll Need To Be Educated About Pod Coffee Machine
10 Things You'll Need To Be Educated About Pod Coffee Machine
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The Best Pod Coffee Machines
Pod coffee makers allow you to insert a capsule containing ground or roast coffee beans into the machine. The coffee then flows through for a set time period to create your drink.
Some pod coffee makers have multiple cup sizes as well as a built-in filter and milk that froths. The ideal pod maker for you will depend on your lifestyle and your personal preferences.
1. Keurig K-Select
If you're looking to buy a basic Keurig coffee maker that doesn't have all the bells and whistles that come with more expensive models, this machine is a good choice. It's easy to use, has a beautiful design and can be stored into the corner of your kitchen when it's not in use.
The machine can be loud but that's not a major problem. It's also small enough to fit on a counter with a small space. But, if you're looking for a Keurig with a larger range of sizes or a carafe for traditional drip brewing, look at other alternatives.
The Keurig K-Select single serve coffee maker comes with a sleek design with more efficient features to help make your perfect cup every time. Pick from a variety of delicious K-Cups, or brew your coffee using a universal My-K-Cup filter (sold separate). The Strong Brew feature kicks up your coffee's strength and intensity and makes it the perfect choice for coffee lovers who enjoy a bold cup.
The brewer comes with simple controls using buttons. Simply insert the K-Cup pod, choose the desired brew size, and then press the brew button. In less than a minute you'll have a freshly-brewed cup of coffee ready to drink. The large 52-ounce water reservoir allows you to brew up to five cups between refills, making it easier to manage your morning routine.
The Keurig is simple to clean, with the ability to remove the reservoir of water and lid that can be easily washed. However, it is recommended to clean your Keurig before cleaning it, and follow the directions in the user guide to ensure that your machine is performing optimally. This warranty covers the brewer as well as all original accessories, except for normal wear and tear, damage caused by abuse or misuse or any other external cause of failure such as power outages.
2. Tassimo My Way
This is the ideal choice for coffee lovers who want a machine that can do more than just make your daily cup. It's designed to make wide variety of drinks including hot chocolate and tea, and features a large 1.3 litre water tank that allows you to brew multiple cups at a time. The machine is warm in only three seconds, and can create the perfect cappuccino or latte using the built-in milk jug. It also has a touch-sensitive LCD which lets you adjust the temperature, intensity and quantity of your desired drink.
The Tassimo My Way uses the brand's T Discs that contain everything you need to make your preferred drink. There are more than 70 varieties, including Kenco, Costa, Milka and Cadbury's. The machine also provides T discs for hot chocolate and tea as well.
We discovered the coffee it produced to be of a high quality, albeit just a little less than some of the other pod machines we have reviewed in this round-up. It also gave a smooth mouthfeel and steaming milk for a caffe lattes quickly. It is important to know that the milk that is frothy has sugar which, though not a major issue however, might not be a favorite for everyone.
Tassimo Myway's removable parts such as the drip tray and the water tank are all dishwasher-safe. There's a Brita filter as well as a cleaning disc that can be used as well. A useful indicator light informs you when it's time to descale and a water reservoir keeps the limescale at a minimum. The machine is classified as Energy Star, which helps reduce the amount of electricity it uses by up to 15%.
3. Lavazza Lungo Pod Machine
This Nespresso pod coffee machine was designed in collaboration with Sage by Lavazza is capsule coffee makers one of the most attractive machines on the market. The machine is made of durable and attractive materials. It has a neat steam wand that can be adjusted to make cappuccinos and lattes, and a stainless steel milk jug. Pop in a pod, select your cup size and the machine will whir into action - brewing espresso, lungo, double espresso gran lungo, mug and alto drinks with a thick layer of silky foam.
Like most pod machines, you load a pod through an opening at the top of the machine, and then drop it into place. The machine punctures the capsule then closes it. When you pull the lever, the used pod will fall into a dedicated spent Pod tray underneath the drip tray.
It's not the fastest machine to brew it takes 30 seconds to make an espresso shot and around 90 seconds for a lungo but the results are consistently impressive, with excellent crema and a smooth, rich taste. The machine will also alert you when it's time to refill the tank of water or the pod bin.
The main selling point of this machine is that you can use it with any Lavazza-branded pod Seven pods are available in total including espresso ground (Qualita Rossa, Intenso, Passionale and Delizioso), two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso) and two organic coffees (!Tierra! Bio). It's expensive, but with a subscription deal that combines this pod coffee machine with the delivery of pods it could come at a similar price to a regular bean-to cup machine. The slim design of this machine makes it possible to fit into the smallest kitchens. The pods are recyclable, so you can place them in your local food bins or garden compost.
4. Nespresso Vertuo Pod Machine
Nespresso machines make some of the best pods coffee makers for those who are looking for a reliable, quick and consistently brewed cup. They heat quickly and are super easy to use. Just insert a capsule, press a button and you're done. They also create a rich crema that you can add to your drinks for extra flavour and thickness. They're not cheap, though, and you have to purchase their official pods.
The Vertuo line is based on a different technology than OriginalLine machines that work with espresso capsules (and remain in operation). The Vertuo line scans the barcode of each capsule and automatically adjusts the brewing parameters to create a perfect cup. They also have a centrifusion machine that spins the capsules to make the best flavor and thickest crema.
However that, the machines aren't as intuitive as our other choices. The lid only opens when the machine is ready and it takes about 30 seconds for the capsule to get hot. And they don't come with an milk frother, like some of the other pod coffee makers listed on this list, meaning you'll need to spend an additional PS90 or so to buy an extra Aeroccino in order to make lattes and cappuccinos.
They also require more regular maintenance than other models--refilling the water tank, emptying old pod containers, and descaling. However, they do come with an application that reminds you of these chores and provides tools such as store locators and capsule recycling. If you connect your machine to an IntelliPort it is possible to control it with voice commands which is a great touch if you're making coffee in the dark at 4am, or have a weak hand.
5. SMEG Barista Pod Machine
This sleek pod coffee maker is the lovechild of a beloved Italian brand and a renowned kitchen appliance company. It comes with all the retro, sleek curves that SMEG is known for, as well as the ability to make lungo and espresso drinks with ease. It also comes with a programmable shot setting and dual-height drip tray, and a pod bin that can be removed.
This coffee maker makes it easy to make one-shot or double-shot espresso in the morning, or a lungo during your break at work. The simple control panel looks sleek and doesn't distract you from the functionality. If you're looking to spice your daily coffee even more, it comes with three interchangeable filter baskets that accommodate different types of capsules. You can also make use of loose ground beans (although you'll need an additional grinder).
The SMEG Barista Pod Machine does not come with a milk pitcher. It does however have a Pannarello built-in milk frother that froths cow and soymilk very nicely. It also comes with a 51mm portafilter which is smaller than the typical commercial filter. It's pressurised, which is nice because it means you won't get the stale, lingering grind taste. It comes with a plastic tamper which can also double as a spoon.
The SMEG is one of the most expensive pod machines on our list however it's certainly worth it if your a fan of the retro style or enjoy being able to make espresso-based drinks. This is a great option for those who are new to coffee making and don't want to deal with the burden of measuring, grinding and tamping beans yourself.