Coffee 'Pod' machines...

[NikNak]

As the titles implies.... i'm kinda interested in getting meself one of these fangled coffee machines that use the 'pods'.

Has anyone got one or used one that can give good honest advice or opinion please..?

We tried the filter type coffee in the past, but experience (or should that be 'experimentation') proved that it can be very hit and miss with the cup of nectar that you end up with.


As always.... thanks in advance


Nick

 

[paultnl]

The pods are an expensive way of getting not fresh coffee and limit your options to the types provided. If you want good coffee I would suggest you look at some of the "Bean to Cup" machines though beware that it starts to become an obsession, the next step is roasting your own beans.

 

[marcros]

I like then espresso machines but the pods are, or certainly were, a pain to get. The tassimo ones in the supermarket I wasn't a great fan of.

The trouble with bean to cup is that you probably won't get through the beans quickly enough. It is alright in Starbucks where they have a lot of trade but even an expensive machine in a location that isn't busy tastes poor. My opinion is at least the pods are sealed, so should be as fresh as when packaged.

You used to get a commercial type machine that you slid a oblong capsule into. It was good coffee, although not speciality stuff. I liked that when we had one in an office I was at.

 

[AndyT]

However handy they might be, if you buy one you are taking a bet that the proprietary 'spares' will remain available as long as you want to use the machine. As Paul says, the variety available will be a lot less than the available choices of beans. And surely, the business model will be that the cost of the pods will be high and will rise fast.

 

[marcros]

I got one of these a few years ago. That, some illy dark roast and boiling water and it makes a good espresso. The shortfall is that the water needs to be boiling- a flask doesn't work half as well.

I tend to take it when travelling- much nicer than a sachet of out of date Nescafé in a hotel room.

 

[pip1954]

we bought a cheap one in currys when i say cheap i mean the machine not the coffee £3-80 for 8 cappo coffees some you get 16 and you get 8 per box
coffee is reasonable not the price
my boss bought a bosch machine paid £ 900-00 for it makes nice coffee use beans and fresh milk good but big price tag not sure about other makes was thinking of looking for a better machine in the new year myself so will be interested in this thread myself
pip :deer

 

[MMUK]

I use beans but I do have friends at Costa so I get their beans cheap

 

[jpt]

I have had the Tassimo machine for over a year now and love it. Yes the pods are more expensive than buying the beans or ready ground and filter papers but you only make a cup at a time and it is quick compared to other methods.

The range of pods available in the shops is dismal but the range on line is quite extensive have a look at their site https://www.tassimo.co.uk/

I wouldn't be without it now.

john

 

[Nippychippy]

I would suggest nespresso great coffee I had the tassimo cheap machine but mental money for the capsules and not really that good coffee . The nespresso pods or capsules work out at about 30p 250 capsules in mix box for £60 with free delivery and when you buy the machine you get ten samples then pick ones you like order the mix box with the ones you like and if you order their mix for your first order to get a free gift a choice of capsules holders get the aerocinno aswel for your lattes and cappachinnos it uses a magnetic whisk to froth the milk instead of adding water in the why of steam to the the milk much nice I highly recommend it all my pals have them since they tasted mine

Sorry about the spelling
Robert

 

[nev]

if one is feeling flush and is willing to gamble a fiver try 1 heaped teaspoon of Millicano instant. (he ducks as coffee aficionados hurl cups at the screen ) but its the closest I've come to 'restaurant' coffee without a machine.
Or if you're passing call in and I'll make you one

 

[Lons]

I've had a Dolce Gusto (Krups) machine for several years and it's ok for a quick coffee. The Nescafe pods are expensive but cheaper in Costco if you have access.
I recently bought a small bean to cup by Cuisinart as we have an ice cream maker of the same brand and it seemed decent quality. Was just over £100 so cheap but it's just a filter machine with built in grinder and in typical USA style has a flask and not a heat pad to keep it hot. I don't care for coffee that's onl;y warm! Should've done more research #-o

I prefer that made in the littlwe metal thingy we bought in Italy which goes on the hotplate but it's a faff and the good bean to cup models cost a small fortune.

Bob

 

[n0legs]

I have the Breville coffee machine that uses standard instant coffees. No need for little pods or refills and with the choice of coffees available I can make some great cappuccinos and the hot chocolate is awesome.
We had the tassimo before and got fed up with the prices for the pods.

 

[John Brown]

We have a Tassimo, and I'm very happy with it. We only use the Americano pods, but although they may seem a bit expensive, we were often chucking half a carafe of coffee down the drain before we got this.
All in in all I'd recommend it.

 

[lanemaux]

Just as a little out of the box thinking , an espresso machine really doesn't know what you are putting into it. As the light of my life and I are both heavily into caffeine and are not averse to some experimenting , I once put ordinary Maxwell House ground coffee into my espresso/cappucino maker. One Italian mini cup of coffee got stirred into a mug of steamed milk and sugar . A very satisfying flavour , hard to describe , definitely coffee , yet moreso. And for the single cup crowd a fine solution. As I got my machine some thousands of wet miles from you chaps , can't advise on price and maker (mines a Moulinex at about 60 dollars Canuckian) , this cuppa coffee was miles superior to any pod I had ever tasted. Just a thought.

 

[rdesign]

have the nespresso a baby one in the office and a steam wand one in the kitchen, great coffe nearly instantly all u need to do is keep it topped up every once in a while with water in its container in the back works out 30 cents for a really nice cup of coffee. well worth it in my opinion.
Regards Rick

 

[petermillard]

If you're 'into' coffee then I don't think any pod coffee maker will make you happy, but for anyone who wants the odd cup of coffee throughout the day, in less time than it takes to boil a kettle, then they're a great idea.

I've had the Tassimo for a couple of years, and most of my customers have one, or the Nespresso. The Nespresso machines I've used have been generally better made then my Tassimo, and look to be easier to clean - especially the water container - but they are quite a bit more expensive initially. The Tassimo pods work out about 20-odd pence apiece, so about 1/10th the price of my local deli...

 

[gregmcateer]

I've got a normal espresso and cap machine that uses ground coffee, (The make is Briel - not too well known, but years old and still works fine).
I either get Lavazza Qualita Rosa, (the red one), whenever it's on offer (about £4.50 for two bags. It's a good, reliable coffee, or if I want to try some new coffees, I buy beans from Monsoon Estates Coffee roasters in Stratford - They post it to me. They are a really great husband and wife outfit who just love their coffee.

I've sampled pod machine coffee and admit it is as good - just as said above, a v expensive way of doing it.

 

[Preston]

I've been after a coffee maker for a few years, every time we get close to buying one peoples comments put us off, why is it not like buying a hand tool?
As an example say you wanted to buy a hammer:
Question: Who makes the best hammers?
Answer: Eastwing.
Job done, finished.
Now why can't it be that simple?

 

[Lons]

I've been after a coffee maker for a few years, every time we get close to buying one peoples comments put us off, why is it not like buying a hand tool?
As an example say you wanted to buy a hammer:
Question: Who makes the best hammers?
Answer: Eastwing.
Job done, finished.
Now why can't it be that simple?

It probably is.

An Estwing (I agree as have invested in 2 of them) costs 3 or 4 times more than a cheapo hammer. Use the same multiplier and you'll probably be somewhere near coffee heaven.
I just can't bring myself to spend £500 - £900 on a coffee machine :shock:

Bob

 

[NikNak]

Nev.... thats a great offer.... c'ept i live a gazillion miles away

I used to drink nothing but Nescafe (coffee wise...) and have tried all the varieties, most recently Alta Rica.

Dont know if its me or just getting old, but i found that it was leaving an after 'twang'.... soooo i actually switched to Millicano about 9 months ago and normally use a level spoon, but will give your recipe a go (homer)

Yes... i'm lucky enough to have a few quid spare to splash on an xmas gadget, and as i like going to M&S and enjoy a latte there, i thought why not have a go at a 'home brew' system.


Nick