Coffee pod machine

Mnoee

Exodi said:

That said you lose the benefit you get with pod coffee in drinking a Peruvian espresso in the morning, following it up with a Colombian at lunch and ending with a decaf coffee at night. With a bean-to-cup I guess you commit to drinking the same coffee for the whole month.

My bean to cup (Jura C60) does have the ability to use ground coffee instead of using the beans, so as long as you're willing to grind (or deal with weeks old ground coffee) then there's machines that can do that. Never used it to he honest, I have neither the space nor budget for a decent grinder.

DullGreyGuy

Exodi said:

These are some of the things I've found over the few years of using a coffee machine (I've owned 6 to date).

1) Convenience is king - I find the most convenient machines I have get used the most!
2) A milk compartment is no bueno - you will spend your life cleaning it, steam wands/dedicated milk frothers are best.
3) Pods don't have to be expensive (can be picked up form as little as 10p online)... unless you buy a Vertuo machine then you've made a big oopsie.

Bean To Cup is probably the best option, if you can remove as many manual steps as possible. E.g I'd consider upgrading my Sage Creatista Pro to a Sage Barista Touch Impress or even a fully automated one like the Franke ones they use in Wetherspoons (assuming I won the lottery).

That said you lose the benefit you get with pod coffee in drinking a Peruvian espresso in the morning, following it up with a Colombian at lunch and ending with a decaf coffee at night. With a bean-to-cup I guess you commit to drinking the same coffee for the whole month.

Well if you get that lottery win @Exodi there is also the Miele built in bean to cup coffee machine that holds 3 different beans

bob2302

GDB2222 said:

Aeropress is similar to Swiss Gold. There's a plunger, so you can push the water through the ground coffee. Many millions of people swear by Aeropress, me included, whereas I had never heard of Swiss Gold.  

 They are actually very different. I have the Swiss Gold; the water goes into the container on the top and drips down onto the coffee and then through the filter. I like it a lot, but it is essentially filter coffee.

The Aeropress is an attempt to make a better espresso machine by producing high pressure from a lot of brute force on a small piston - rather than from steam. The idea is that the pressure extracts more flavour without the higher temperatures that extract bitterness. Most of the time I wouldn't have the energy to use it properly.

flaneurs_lobster

bob2302 said:

 The idea is that the pressure extracts more flavour without the higher temperatures that extract bitterness.

Indeed, and does it more quickly than a filter since bitterness increases the longer that the grounds are in contact with the water.

coffeehound

I think the idea that the extra pressure created when pressing down on the aeropress affects the extraction has been debunked as the pressure is too low.  The AP is good for experimenting with the parameters like temperature, grind, dose/ brew ratio, dwell time etc, but ultimately it's triumph of marketing over a fundamentally flawed design IMO.  The aerobie guy has now sold it on to an investment co who are milking it for every drop -- getting rid of the included accessories while constantly hiking the price

Cornucopia

I'm no coffee expert, but I do quite like my Dolce Gusto machine.

The pods are cheaper than some being mentioned on this thread.   Currently 3 boxes (48 pods) for £10 at Asda - which is 21p each.   It's one pod for basic black coffees and simple white coffees (Flat White/Cafe au Lait), and two pods for more exotic Lattes and Cappuccinos (although it does make them very nicely as multi-layer drinks). 

There is also free pod recycling via Pod Back/Yodel.

GDB2222

coffeehound said:

I think the idea that the extra pressure created when pressing down on the aeropress affects the extraction has been debunked as the pressure is too low.  The AP is good for experimenting with the parameters like temperature, grind, dose/ brew ratio, dwell time etc, but ultimately it's triumph of marketing over a fundamentally flawed design IMO.  The aerobie guy has now sold it on to an investment co who are milking it for every drop -- getting rid of the included accessories while constantly hiking the price

I worked out the maximum pressure with an aeropress, and it’s about 1 bar, maybe 2 if you virtually do a handstand on the plunger. That compares to 19 bars with the coffee pod machine. 

I use fairly bland coffee, strength 3, with the aeropress, with quite a lot of coffee in one go. This gives lots of flavour and not too much bitterness. 

I’m disappointed with the pod machine which gives tiny doses of boring coffee. 

Emmia

GDB2222 said:

coffeehound said:

I think the idea that the extra pressure created when pressing down on the aeropress affects the extraction has been debunked as the pressure is too low.  The AP is good for experimenting with the parameters like temperature, grind, dose/ brew ratio, dwell time etc, but ultimately it's triumph of marketing over a fundamentally flawed design IMO.  The aerobie guy has now sold it on to an investment co who are milking it for every drop -- getting rid of the included accessories while constantly hiking the price

I worked out the maximum pressure with an aeropress, and it’s about 1 bar, maybe 2 if you virtually do a handstand on the plunger. That compares to 19 bars with the coffee pod machine. 

I use fairly bland coffee, strength 3, with the aeropress, with quite a lot of coffee in one go. This gives lots of flavour and not too much bitterness. 

I’m disappointed with the pod machine which gives tiny doses of boring coffee. 

That depends on the pods you buy.

broughton

I frequently get l’or profundo capsules on offer in Sainsbury’s at 25p each and in bulk from Amazon for the same. I tried Amazon’s and found them bitter but they may have improved. Aldi and Lidl do cheaper and are Ok. I recycle l’or pods through local council (recycling bag free) as they are aluminium. I don’t like the coffee nearly as much as my old Delongi espresso machine and good home ground beans but it is less faff and very convenient. I would love a bean to cup machine but they are big and pricy.

John_the_Boy

Just treated myself to a De'Longhi Dedica Arte machine. Not bean to cup but the quality of the coffee is that much better than my Tassimo. Also use a Filter machine that has a shower water dispenser that is meant to make less bitter coffee and a French press/cafetière.

The De'Longhi is a bit more faff but the coffee is that much nicer. Really glad I bought it.