What are the best pod coffee makers?

Why Does it Matter? People who consume coffee multiple times per day can save a lot of time and energy by going with a pod coffee maker. Pod coffee makers allow users access to hot fresh coffee within minutes. It is important to be careful when choosing a pod coffee maker because the industry is relatively new, and many pod coffee makers have significant flaws. Additionally, the brand of coffee maker often determines the brand of coffee that can be consumed.

Important Criteria

Brew temperature:

●The ideal brew temperature is anywhere from 195-205 F. The temperature should never exceed 212 F, as boiling water will damage the coffee.

Pod quality:

●Coffee quality doesn’t change much from brand to brand. Pod qualities that do vary over brands include recyclability, amount of coffee in the pod, the ability to refill the pod, filter quality, and materials used (plastic vs. aluminum).

Reservoir qualities:

●A small reservoir must be filled for each brew, but allows the user to match brew size to the mug. A large reservoir can brew several cups without having to be refilled. Larger reservoirs tend to be removable in order to be filled directly from the sink.

FAQ

What are coffee pods?

●Coffee pods (also called coffee capsules) are prepackaged coffee grounds and filters in individual containers.

Do other kinds of drinks come in pods?

●Yes, common pod drinks include hot chocolate, tea, and fruit drinks. Variations such as flavor and organic beans can be found as well.

What are K-cups?

●K-cups are the brand name for pods manufactured by Keurig. These are by far the most popular pods - in 2013, almost one fifth of Americans were using K-cups.

What are T-discs?

●T-discs are coffee pods made by Tassimo. They are similar to K-cups but are also machine/brand specific.

Can one brand of pod be used with another brand of coffee maker?

●Typically, coffee pods can only be used with the corresponding brand of coffee maker. This is done by the manufacturer by inserting an RFID tag into the pod. While one of the main motivations for putting RFID tags in the pods was to force customer loyalty, the tag can also tell the machine the contents of the pod so the brewing process can be carried out appropriately.

How do pod coffee makers compare to traditional coffee makers in terms of cost per serving?

●Pod coffee is about 2-3 times more expensive per serving than traditional coffee brewing techniques. Pods also give the user access to a larger variety of flavors and drinks.

What is the benefit of using a pod coffee maker?

●Pod coffee makers allow users to make a cup of coffee quickly and efficiently with a high level of consistency that has virtually no cleanup afterwards.

What are the disadvantages of using a pod coffee maker?

●Pod coffee makers tend to require more maintenance than traditional coffee makers.

Can single serve coffee pods be hazardous to my health?

●Coffee pods are made out of #7 BPA free plastic that is generally regarded as safe by the FDA. Some individuals voice concern over leeching of potentially carcinogenic chemicals such as polystyrene, but the majority of these claims seem to be unfounded.

Why is pod coffee carry a sigma in the coffee community?

●A common criticism of pod coffee is that the non-recyclable nature of plastic pods encourages waste and environmental damage. As of 2013, Green Mountain alone was producing over 8 billion K-cups per year. Fortunately, the company plans to make all coffee pods recyclable by the year 2020.

How can I make my coffee maker last?

● Many coffee maker manufacturers suggest that using unfiltered water helps reduce mineral buildup within the machine - this may come at the expense of bad tasting coffee for those who can taste the difference. Additionally, a mixture of half vinegar half water should be run through the machine at least once per month to keep the components working like new.