Pod Coffee Machines

Marc

Marc

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Thinking of getting one of these. Is one much the same as the other or some better than others. They seem to be mostly around the same sort of price so hard to choose.

Been looking at mainly the Tassimo and Nespresso machines but open to recommendations of any others.

Thanks
 
I used a Bosch tassimo machine for a while and thought it was ok until I started grinding my own beans and using a dripper, then when I tried it again the coffee wasn't nearly as good as I thought it was.
If I was to get another, I'd go for one with reusable pods that I could fill myself....
 
We use Tassimo. Originally bought one for the MiL so she wasn't dealing with a kettleful of boiling water (being in her 90s and half blind as well as getting doddery!) but thought we'd better try it before passing it over. Bought her a new one and kept the "proof of concept" one for ourselves!
Not 100% comfortable with the amount of plastic involved but there are some places that recycle them (so we incorporate a drop off into a trip out for lunch - when allowed!)
I like the Costa latte - not quite as good as "the real thing" but at around 50p per serving, rather cheaper! Mrs Nod likes their americano. We signed up for their newsletter so get notice of their (frequent) promotions and get a fair amount per delivery (at 20 -30 percent discount).
 
Bobsyeruncle said:
I used a Bosch tassimo machine for a while and thought it was ok until I started grinding my own beans and using a dripper, then when I tried it again the coffee wasn't nearly as good as I thought it was.
If I was to get another, I'd go for one with reusable pods that I could fill myself....
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I do buy coffee and make it in a cafetiere but the convenience of the pod machine is appealing for when I just want a coffee for myself (Mrs F drinks mostly tea) and I fancy a cappucinno, latte etc.
 
The Twinings English Breakfast Tea (for Tassimo) isn't bad and is easier than a bag in a mug!
 
Nod said:
We use Tassimo. Originally bought one for the MiL so she wasn't dealing with a kettleful of boiling water (being in her 90s and half blind as well as getting doddery!) but thought we'd better try it before passing it over. Bought her a new one and kept the "proof of concept" one for ourselves!
Not 100% comfortable with the amount of plastic involved but there are some places that recycle them (so we incorporate a drop off into a trip out for lunch - when allowed!)
I like the Costa latte - not quite as good as "the real thing" but at around 50p per serving, rather cheaper! Mrs Nod likes their americano. We signed up for their newsletter so get notice of their (frequent) promotions and get a fair amount per delivery (at 20 -30 percent discount).
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Another vote for Tassimo then.

When you say that there are places that recycle them, we have bi-weekly recycling collections. Is that not the same or is it better to find somewhere more specialist?

I know you can get reusable pods but I'd struggle to fill them on my own.
 
Like Bob I grind my own and use a dripper.
One of my children then decided I need to speed up (when they visit) and bought me a nespresso. It is faster but the taste is not as good as the freshly ground. It is however a lot better than instant.

The nespresso is handy though as I can pop in a decaff. pod and quickly make a cup without having to change the bean hopper on my grinder.
 
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Nod said:
The Twinings English Breakfast Tea (for Tassimo) isn't bad and is easier than a bag in a mug!
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I didn't even think about tea. That said, we're both very much PG monkeys when it comes to tea. :D
 
They can't be just chucked in the council recycling bins, they have to be taken to specific drop-off locations ( The Tassimo® & L'OR® Recycling Programme | TerraCycle UK · TerraCycle ).

To be fair to the Nespresso system, I/we haven't tried one - we originally went for the Tassimo because it looked easier and Sainsbury's had the machines on special offer when we were in the market for one!
 
Had a Nespresso it was okay no where near strong enough for my liking so spent the money on a bean to cup and it's so worth it. If you're after good coffee just save up for one.
 
We bought a Tassimo a few years back after I got hooked on their chai lattes. They then changed their milk pods and the drinks went from really nice to dishwater. Gave the machine to my mum not long after. In fairness, the plain coffee pods aren’t too bad but their milk drinks, to me, are foul.

Since then have tried a Lavazza machine. Really decent coffee but limited range of pods. We’ve now got a Nespresso Vertuo and are happy enough with it. Good coffee and a nice range of pods. The downside is that you can’t buy the pods in supermarkets and they are more expensive than standard pods.

Tbh, if you want a pod machine, the standard Nespresso is a good buy. Plenty of third party pods available in supermarkets, (the Lor ones are good), and you could add a milk frother for making Cappucinos etc.

Saying all that, a drip/filter set up is the way to go imho. I’m happy to have both as the pod machine is quick and convenient and way better than instant.
 
If you like real coffee, you won't touch any of them; they are aimed at people who drink in the likes of Starbuck's and Costa's - OTT prices and dreadful coffee. :puke:

Get yourself a proper espresso machine with a milk frother - you don't have to spend a fortune. They're a little messy, but at least they don't generate a ton of plastic waste and the grinds make good compost.
 
robj20 said:
Had a Nespresso it was okay no where near strong enough for my liking so spent the money on a bean to cup and it's so worth it. If you're after good coffee just save up for one.
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Sky said:
If you like real coffee, you won't touch any of them; they are aimed at people who drink in the likes of Starbuck's and Costa's - OTT prices and dreadful coffee. :puke:

Get yourself a proper espresso machine with a milk frother - you don't have to spend a fortune. They're a little messy, but at least they don't generate a ton of plastic waste and the grinds make good compost.
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As I said above, I buy fresh coffee and use a cafetiere. It's not about cost, it's just about an added convenience. I used to have a bean to cup machine but we only have a small kitchen and it just took up too much space and was a pain in the arse to clean.

I do like real coffee. We have a small old fashioned coffee shop near us and I buy yirgacheffe coffee from them but I also enjoy instant coffee (Nescafe Azeera) and am rather partial to a flat white from Costa so I do have rather eclectic taste in coffee.
 
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Marc said:
I do buy coffee and make it in a cafetiere but the convenience of the pod machine is appealing for when I just want a coffee for myself (Mrs F drinks mostly tea) and I fancy a cappucinno, latte etc.
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I use a hario V60 dripper and make single cups of coffee for myself. It tastes so much better than instant/pods.
It takes a bit longer, but I like the process of making a coffee. I grind my own beans, but you can get them pre-ground for a dripper.
If you want frothy milk, heat milk in your cafetiere and pump furiously for 10 seconds and voilà....
 
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Just get a small (2 cup) cafetiere just for you ... or do half a big one (if it is a 6 cup)

Do you really need another (space taking!) gadget I bet you won't use as much as you think you will! ;)
 
I use a Nespresso machine. I like a strong coffee and have found some lovely ones.
 
I noticed my local Tesco had Tassimo machines at half price (£29) a couple of days back. Worth a look?
 
Sky said:
If you like real coffee, you won't touch any of them; they are aimed at people who drink in the likes of Starbuck's and Costa's - OTT prices and dreadful coffee. :puke:

Get yourself a proper espresso machine with a milk frother - you don't have to spend a fortune. They're a little messy, but at least they don't generate a ton of plastic waste and the grinds make good compost.
Click to expand...


Not true. I have a very expensive espresso machine and grinder, also a very expensive filter coffee machine, aero press, v60, Mokka pot, french press etc etc.
I also have a nespresso Vertuo and it produces coffee just as good. No plastic waste, as the capsules are recyclable aluminium. It takes less a minute to make a coffee where as the espresso machine needs 20 minutes to warm up and flush, the grinder has to be dialled in.. who’s got time for that every day?

A large group of coffee nerds I was involved with at one time did a large taste test with about 20 people including “experts” of lots of espresso machines from the cheapest £40 Argos special to a £20,000 commercial. As joke we stuck a nespresso machine in there too.
No one noticed and it got very good marks. This was some of the counties leading coffee people at the time Including World champion barista.

It’s purely snobbery that dismisses pod machines, not taste.
 
I have a Dolce Gusto that I use regularly.
I sometimes use the official DG pods, sometimes the asda compatibles. I find Asda compatibles sometimes poorly made though. Sometimes, I think the pod is slightly off and the pressure pushed through it is too much / exit isn't clear enough, and you see water dribbling from the top of the pod holder (with a couple of coffee grounds :()

That said, the machine itself is fine. I use it usually every morning to make an Americano in my work cup for the journey.
My only problem really is regularly filling it up, because I'm lazy.

I also have a Gaggia which I occasionally use if I can be bothered.

Looking at the availability of pods in supermarkets, I think Tassimo might have the largest available range.
 
I’ve been using a nextpresso pod compatible magimix pod machine it’s good for making a quick coffee but still prefer ground coffee
I buy ready ground coffee and use it in a single cup drip machine it doesn’t take much longer than the nexpresso and the filter part is quickly rinsed
 
Marcel said:
I have a Dolce Gusto that I use regularly.
I sometimes use the official DG pods, sometimes the asda compatibles. I find Asda compatibles sometimes poorly made though. Sometimes, I think the pod is slightly off and the pressure pushed through it is too much / exit isn't clear enough, and you see water dribbling from the top of the pod holder (with a couple of coffee grounds :()

That said, the machine itself is fine. I use it usually every morning to make an Americano in my work cup for the journey.
My only problem really is regularly filling it up, because I'm lazy.

I also have a Gaggia which I occasionally use if I can be bothered.

Looking at the availability of pods in supermarkets, I think Tassimo might have the largest available range.
Click to expand...

I think that's one of the reasons I chose the Tassimo, a bigger range of pods. Also includes Costa Gingerbread Lattes! :banana:
 
You can also get reusable pods for most makes, if you want to 'roll your own' drinks.
 
Register the machine and you get (or used to!) a voucher/code to use against your first couple of purchases. You'll also get notification and codes for discounts several times per year. Over a certain amount (not a huge amount), delivery is free and is reasonably fast - under a week from order to delivery. Sainsbury's occasionally have good offers on the pods too - had a couple of occasions when they were £2 per pack.

Enjoy it!
 
I have a Tassimo too. They are very quick & convenient to use. My son was first in our family to try Tassimo, he and his sister then bought me one for Christmas 3 years ago. I like the variety of pods, my wife doesn't drink coffee so making coffee for one from ground beans was a chore. The Cadburys hot chocolate pods are a particular favourite of my granddaughter.
 
Main thing that put me of Nespresso Vs been to cup was cost per drink. Cheapest decent pods I found were arrive 14p a pod, but I needed at least two for a decent drink.
1kg of beans is about £10.
 
We have a Senseo, very popular in Europe, works well and the coffee bags/pods are good plus not too expensive.
 
Over the years, we've tried most of the Tassimo options and we like the Costa ones. IIRC, there is (probably WAS now!) someone on Amazon selling mixed bags of pods so you can try lots without committing to a whole pack of each.
Mrs Nod won't drink the Kenco ones but will most others - try as many as you can before ordering a box full!

ETA 20 Tassimo T Discs Pods Variety Pack: AmazonSmile: Grocery
 
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Kenko columbian is a bit stronger if you like stronger flavours....
www.tassimo.com

Kenco Pure Colombian

TASSIMO KENCO Pure Colombian coffee T-DISC is made with Arabica beans sourced from coffee farms in Colombia. We’re proud to bring you this fruity and balanced blend, through the convenience of your TASSIMO machine.Per serving = 215 ml
www.tassimo.com www.tassimo.com
 
Bobsyeruncle said:
Kenko columbian is a bit stronger if you like stronger flavours....
www.tassimo.com

Kenco Pure Colombian

TASSIMO KENCO Pure Colombian coffee T-DISC is made with Arabica beans sourced from coffee farms in Colombia. We’re proud to bring you this fruity and balanced blend, through the convenience of your TASSIMO machine.Per serving = 215 ml
www.tassimo.com www.tassimo.com
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I'm an average kind of guy! :LOL:
 
Costco are reasonably priced but the range is limited. If you can face Tesco they have occasional decent discounts.

Let us know how you think it compares with your existing cafetiere.
 
Brentor said:
Costco are reasonably priced but the range is limited.
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Gave up my Costco membership years ago, had no self control. Would go in for a couple of items, would come out with enough to stock a small convenience store! :LOL:

Brentor said:
If you can face Tesco they have occasional decent discounts.
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I refer the honourable gentleman to my previous answer. ;)

Marc said:
TBF, I'd pay full price not to go to Tesco!
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Brentor said:
Let us know how you think it compares with your existing cafetiere.
Click to expand...

Will do. (y)
 
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