If you love a good cup of coffee and want to make sure that great coffee is available at your place of work, but can’t be bothered with all the bean grinding or spooning out ground coffee, a good pod coffee maker could be just what you need. These machines are simple and easy for anybody to use and pack all the mess and fuss into a simple, disposable plastic pod that’s as easy and convenient as a teabag. And, the best part is that they can deliver superb quality coffee within a matter of minutes.
How Pod Coffee Machines Work
Pod coffee machines are ideal for smaller offices since they are usually only capable of making one cup at a time. However you choose to make your coffee, you’ll know that you need two main ingredients: the coffee itself, and the water. In order to get the perfect cup of coffee, the water needs to be slightly cooler than boiling, but the exact temperature will depend on the type of coffee that you are using. There are lots of different pod coffee machines available that will take care of all this for you; you start off with a pod, which is ground coffee within a sealed plastic container lined with filter paper. When you place it inside the machine, it breaks through the foil automatically and heats the water to the correct temperature. It then forces the water at high pressure through the coffee in the pod into your cup, similar to a traditional espresso machine. Some machines also have the option to add a milk pod, or you can add your own fresh or frothed milk later.
Why Choose a Pod Coffee Machine?
Pod coffee machine sales have seen massive growth over the past few years, and it’s easy to see why. They are completely fool-proof, easy to use and great for anybody who wants a quick cup of coffee without the hassle of grinding the beans or learning how to use an espresso machine.
According to market research firm Euromonitor, pod coffee machines represented around one-third of the total coffee market in 2014, up from just 0.06% back in 2000. Around a third of US citizens now use pod-coffee capsules and machines in both residential and commercial settings.
What’s so great about them? Most people opt for a pod coffee machine because they are extremely easy to use and can make a great quality cup of coffee. They are quick and convenient compared to all the fiddling and mess that you might experience with a more sophisticated espresso machine. There’s no need to weigh the coffee out, tamp it down or make sure that the water is heated to the right temperature; the machine does it all for you.
However, there are some drawbacks to consider, too. Firstly, the range of coffees available is quite limited compared to the huge variety of blended and unblended coffee that you can get for a traditional espresso or bean-to-cup coffee machine.
Secondly, traditional machines tend to produce better-tasting coffee since you’re more likely to use freshly roasted beans that are ground just before you make the coffee; with a pod coffee machine, you’re using pre-ground coffee that has been sealed inside a plastic container for perhaps months beforehand. And pods can work out twice as expensive as freshly roasted beans, although it’s definitely still much cheaper to make your own coffee in a pod machine compared to getting a cup from Starbucks.
Finally, if you’re concerned about the environment, a single-serve pod coffee machine might not be the best choice for you as you will be throwing away plastic, foil, and paper with every cup of coffee that you make. That being said, more pod coffee machine brands are providing environmentally friendly, recyclable pods these days.
Pod Vs Bean to Cup Coffee Machines
If you’re considering getting a coffee machine for your office or workplace, you might be weighing up your options and comparing the different types of coffee machines available. While pod coffee machines are certainly popular and ideal for anybody who doesn’t want to spend time learning how to make the perfect cup of coffee, there are alternative options that may work just as well.
Bean to Cup coffee machines are a great alternative to a pod system because they are just as easy to use, and have some advantages including being cheaper to run, eco-friendlier and have a wider range of coffee options available.
Bean to Cup coffee machines take care of everything for you, from grinding the beans to measuring out the exact amount and boiling the water to the correct temperature. The only drawback is that they may be a little messier to use compared to a pod machine as you’re putting beans into the grinder rather than using a neat, compact pod system – but it’s a price that most people are willing to pay for better, cheaper coffee in the office. And, many Bean to Cup coffee machines will come complete with a milk steaming wand that you can use to make the perfect milk for lattes, flat whites, cappuccinos and any other coffee drinks that take your fancy.
Since you can put just about any roasted coffee beans into a Bean to Cup machine, the amount of coffee drinks that you can make is infinite – you don’t need to buy specially prepared pods from a select number of brands. And since the coffee is ground right there before you make your cup, you’re going to have fresher, better-tasting coffee in comparison. Add that to the fact that you can buy coffee beans in bulk at a much cheaper price than pods and you’re not wasting plastic every time you make a cup, and they are often a much better choice for those who really care about having great coffee at work. On the other hand, if you just want quick, great-tasting coffee with as little hassle as possible, a pod machine could be ideal for you.
Best Pod Coffee Machines and Brands
Nespresso Gemini 220 Pod Coffee Machine:
This machine is great for businesses as it makes elegant, flawless milky coffees like lattes and cappuccinos at the touch of a button. And, the double head means that it can be used to make two coffees at once, making it one of the more efficient options available. The insulated thermal container keeps the milk fresh throughout the day.
Acaso Bar:
This mid-range professional machine is designed for low to moderate coffee consumption, making it a great choice for small office environments. It can be used either with a tank or plumbed into the mains, making it versatile for most settings. You can use it with capsules, ESE coffee pods or ground coffee. It’s built with longevity in mind and the stainless-steel steam wand uses cool touch technology to make it as safe as possible to use when making cappuccinos or lattes.
Bunn My Cafe MCA & MCP Pod Brewer:
This compact yet powerful machine provides efficiency and simplicity above all else. It doesn’t waste a drop and its ability to produce coffee, tea or hot chocolate means it’s versatile enough to suit everybody’s tastes. You can brew a full cup of perfect coffee or tea with the touch of a button and there’s a wide selection of over twenty pod options to choose from.