Capsule coffee maker - device, operating principle, pros and cons, reviews

Brief information

Of course, we will tell you about the operating principle of capsule-type coffee machines, but first I would like to touch a little on the history of the device. The piece of engineering art that made a splash among foodies and bar owners in the 2000s was invented by Swiss scientist Eric Favre. Although in the 90s, for unknown reasons, the technical novelty was rejected en masse, they began to buy it for home use, and over time, the capsule design was appreciated by many. Now it has taken a strong position in the coffee market. A number of units from several manufacturers were presented to lovers of the aromatic drink.

What to look for when choosing a device?

The mechanism of action of individual models is almost similar, but there are some differences. That is why it is necessary to carefully study the operating instructions for the device before purchasing it. How a capsule-type coffee machine works is not all you need to pay attention to when choosing a model. First of all, it must be suitable for its purpose and be multifunctional. For example, for professional use, you need to choose a device with enough tray capacity to load capsules. A machine with small dimensions is suitable for making coffee at home.

The cleaning system is also an important criterion - no one wants to have to disassemble and wash the device after brewing one portion of the drink. Devices are produced that have auto-cleaning and a function for rejecting packaging material.

How to brew coffee in Dolce Gusto

Today, making coffee at home is very simple. There are many ways to brew ground coffee. And you don’t have to buy instant coffee to perk up in the morning. You can now prepare real coffee in just seconds. Capsule coffee machines were invented for this purpose. Let's take a closer look at the process of preparing a coffee drink in a Dolce Gusto coffee machine from Nescafe.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a capsule coffee machine?

Nescafe has released a capsule coffee machine for home use under the Dolce Gusto brand. Special capsules with coffee are sold for it. The entire brewing process involves placing the capsule in the coffee machine and turning it on.

The advantages of such a machine are obvious:

Coffee brewing speed;
Cleanliness around;
Takes up little space;
You can't go wrong with the proportions;
Large selection of coffee options;
No need to grind grains;
You can prepare both hot and cold drinks;
Coffee capsules are always fresh.

The disadvantage is that you lose the enjoyment of the coffee brewing process, which is so valued by some coffee lovers. However, there is not always time to calmly and calmly prepare a drink.

For many, the downside will be the price. The coffee machine is purchased once. And it's not that expensive. Another thing is that you will have to buy Nescafe brand capsules. Others won't fit here. In principle, each coffee machine produces its own capsules. They have a special barcode. By reading it, the machine determines what kind of coffee there is and how to prepare it. A cup of capsule coffee will cost less than the same cup in a coffee shop. But it’s more expensive if you take bean or ground coffee. However, considering all the advantages, this cannot be called a disadvantage.

Nescafe has produced several types of coffee machines. They differ in design, volume, and type of control. There are mechanical and automatic. All have an energy saving function. They turn off after 5 minutes after use. They are easy to wash.

How to use a Dolce Gusto coffee machine

The rules for using the Dolce Gusto coffee machine are very simple. It's hard to do anything wrong here. You need to buy capsules first. They are sold in all supermarkets and many online stores. Therefore, there will be no problems with their acquisition. They are sold in packs. You can purchase an assortment or one specific type. The type of coffee is indicated on the capsule itself.

You will need purified water. Flow-through is not suitable. It is too hard and will quickly create scale. Therefore, either filter it or take bottled water. Fill the water container with liquid to the maximum level. Plug in the machine. The green indicator should light up.

Now select the coffee you want. Pull out the capsule flange. And insert the selected type correctly with the foil facing up. Push the flange in until it clicks.

Place the cup or glass down on a special stand. It is adjustable to fit your cup size. For espresso, small cups are usually used, so the stand is raised higher. Glasses are suitable for cappuccino and black coffee.

Find the lever on top and move it to the right to get a hot drink. If you need cold coffee, go left.

Water will instantly flow through the capsule, brewing coffee at a certain temperature and pressure. Fill the cup and return the lever to its place.

It is better to immediately remove the capsule and throw it away. It's disposable. Of course, you can use it again if you wish. But the quality of the drink will be poor.

Varieties of coffee drinks from Dolce Gusto

The whole secret of delicious capsule coffee lies in the capsule itself. It is manufactured in a special way. Material: durable foil and plastic. Ground coffee is pressed and placed into a capsule. Since coffee does not come into contact with air and light, it does not lose its quality.

There are also reusable capsules. They are a plastic container into which ground coffee must be placed manually. This coffee can be brewed many times.

Capsule coffee from Dolce Gusto has a wide range. The line includes a variety of types of coffee. Everyone will find a favorite taste. You really have to try all the options.

Espresso from Dolce Gusto is especially valued among coffee connoisseurs. It has all the hallmarks of a strong and thick drink with foam. There are gourmet espresso options with milk and caramel.

Black coffee is also good. They drink it from a large glass. The drink has a deep soft taste and a pleasant coffee aroma.

This coffee machine makes an excellent Americano. It can be consumed at any time during the day. The drink has a pleasant delicate taste. Usually without foam and strong taste.

You don't even have to add milk here. It is already present in some types of coffee. For example, coffee with milk. It turns out to be an interesting layered coffee, just like in a coffee shop.

There are types of coffee: soft, strong and very strong. Available with fruity notes or classic versions. Women especially like different types of cappuccino and latte. They have a sweet and mild taste.

There are even options for children. For example, hot chocolate or cocoa. The most famous drink from Nescafe is Nesquik, which can also be made for a coffee machine.

As you can see, the assortment is very large. And you don't need any additional ingredients to make coffee. Everything is already included in the capsule in the required volume.

Everyone chooses how to prepare coffee and what drink to drink. But capsule coffee machines make life more comfortable. They are easy to use even in an office environment. They save a lot of time in the morning, freeing it up for other things.

Coffee brewed in a Turk or coffee maker on the stove, of course, cannot be compared with capsule coffee. Many people note that this coffee is less rich. However, there are also supporters. In any case, it's worth a try. This is the only way you can determine your preferences.

Capsule coffee machine device

This device consists of three main parts. Large compartment, which includes a water tank and heating device, a tray for containers with coffee and a stand for cups or a coffee pot. The device includes the following components:

frame;
thermoblock;
control panel (electrical unit and software);
water dispenser;
pump for pressure regulation;
Capsule processing system (for ejection, hole piercing and brewing).

The essence of this device is that the taste of coffee is determined by the company that makes the capsules, and not by the machine itself. This has its advantage, since branded packaging serves as a guarantee of high-quality raw materials.

Specifications

Let's find out by what criteria an automated coffee machine is evaluated. Main parameters:

Volume of the water bowl. This takes into account the number of glasses that the machine can prepare in a row.
Pressure. If this value is lower than 15 bar, then the drink will not be able to fully reveal its taste. The more intense the pressure is applied to the beans, the brighter the notes inherent in the coffee will be felt. An exception in this regard are devices that work with unpressed raw materials. For them, the degree of pressure does not matter.
Power. This is also an important criterion that affects the taste of coffee. The speed depends on the power, and if the drink is produced quickly, its characteristics will be at a high level. The optimal power rating of the device for use at home should be 1,200 W.
Additional functions: pan level adjustment lever, tank filling indicator, backlit display showing mode parameters.
Dimensions. The larger the size of the unit, the more drink it can produce. Therefore, this parameter is the main one regarding the purpose of the device.

Literally all coffee machines have a high noise level. However, this drawback is mitigated by the speed of preparation of the drink. Next, let's look at how a capsule coffee machine works.

Mechanism of action

To prepare the drink for each individual type of unit, you need to buy special capsules. They all work from the mains. You just need to go through a few simple steps:

Place the coffee package in the designated slot and close it.
The machine independently pierces the container with its contents in several places.
You should wait a minute, and after heating the water to a certain temperature, a hot stream under pressure will break through the capsule.
All you have to do is watch how the aromatic drink flows into a cup pre-installed on the stand.
The next task is to dispose of the used flask with any accumulated grounds.

A piece of household appliance frees its owners from regular cleaning. However, this does not mean that it does not require care. Periodically you need to disassemble the device, clean the cappuccino tube and the capsule container. If this is not done, then over time an unpleasant odor will accumulate inside the device.

Operating principle of a drip coffee maker

Everything is so simple that anyone can do it. By and large, you only need to insert one or two capsules (if you have a machine that prepares latte or cappuccino using double mixing technology). Then everything happens automatically:

Place the cup.
Choose the type of drink.
The pump pumps water from the tank.
Water passes by the heating element without boiling, but heating up to the desired temperature.
The container is pierced at the top or bottom, depending on the brand.
Hot water passes through the ground beans under high pressure.
The ground grains are brewed and the liquid is filtered.
The container is ejected automatically into a separate compartment, or this must be done manually.
You get the perfect taste.

Usually no settings are required - the device itself recognizes the capsule and what kind of drink it is, automatically selects the heating temperature, the amount of liquid and other preparation parameters. Some models may have a timer for delayed start, synchronize with your phone, etc.

Device capabilities depending on type

Despite the fact that the design was developed using the latest innovative technologies and the operating principle of the capsule coffee machine is quite complex, everyone can remember the algorithm of actions when using it. With minimal human intervention, the result will be stunning. The machine will turn coffee beans and water into an invigorating aromatic drink in one minute. Most devices have the following functions:

By adjusting the serving volume, you can set a certain strength of the coffee drink.
The capsules are punctured using an automated system.
Devices equipped with a milk frothing program prepare cappuccino.
There is a function for cleaning the compartment into which the capsules are inserted.
The water level in the tank is adjusted by an indicator.
Some units are equipped with several modes for preparing various drinks.
There is a “stop drop” button on the control panel.

There are machines on sale that, in addition to coffee drinks, can also prepare tea. These include a technical innovation from Paulig.

Budget options have a simplified design. However, by passing boiling water through capsules, they produce real aromatic coffee. There are machines that can only be filled with filtered water. They have a self-cleaning function. If such maintenance is not possible, then it is better to purchase a design with a special filter.

Device compatibility with raw material standards

All devices are designed to meet the standards of the flasks that contain the raw materials for preparing the drink. For example, how a Nespresso capsule coffee machine works. Since it is also tied to a specific type of packaging, it can only function with their presence. Nespresso is the most popular giant manufacturer in the coffee market, which produces both the units themselves and capsules for them. In this regard, you must first taste coffee drinks from different brands, figure out which standard is better to give preference to, and then buy a machine.

The most popular on the Russian market are models from well-known companies that meet the following standards for packaging flasks: Tassimo, Caffitaly, Dolce Gusto, Cremesso, Nespresso. Below is an overview of models from European manufacturers whose brands have taken a strong position in the coffee brewing industry.

Reviews

“Many cafes prepare drinks from capsules, but most people make a purchasing decision after trying different flavors in the office or at a party. Here are reviews from real owners who have already purchased capsule coffee makers.” — Alena, 39 years old, owner of DELONGHI Nescafe Dolce Gusto Stelia

“This is our third coffee machine of this type, and the whole family loves it! Sometimes we use reusable capsules, pour in different types of coffee, but more often we take standard disposable ones - there are a lot of flavors. Convenient and easy to use, no complaints! I’m satisfied and recommend!” — Margarita, 25 years old, owner of BOSCH Tassimo T20

“We got the coffee machine as part of a promotion: we bought 10 packs of Tassimo and received the machine itself for 1 ruble. In principle, it’s convenient, and different capsules fit into it (just insert it on top, and then the barcode is read and everything is prepared on its own). You can adjust the height of the cup stand, there is a cleaning program, and a large reservoir. We use it every day, although it’s a little expensive.” — Oleg, 42 years old, owner of Krups KP 1006 NESCAFE Dolce Gusto Piccolo

“We bought it solely because of my wife’s choice; she liked the unusual design. In practice, this is not the best option, the drink is not too hot, just warm, and the amount of liquid must be adjusted manually, that is, not automatic. But it hasn’t broken for two years now, so we’re using it.” — Vadim, 45 years old

Nespresso

This brand was among the first to appear on the domestic market; coffee makers were presented from the Swiss company Nescafe. In terms of reliability and functionality, they are deservedly considered to be among the best solutions. The devices are produced at the factories of manufacturers Krups and DeLonghi.

The operating principle of the Nespresso capsule coffee machine is the same as described above. But there are some differences due to the parameters of specific models. The line includes 20 options, differing in management functions, water tank sizes and additional positions. Among them there are miniature ones that do not take up much space and weigh a little more than two kilograms. Some are equipped with a cappuccino maker for pouring in fresh milk, sometimes with a regulator for the degree of whipping of the additive. There are devices equipped with cup heating and a system for controlling the volume of liquid.

Only 5 g of raw materials are placed in the capsule, but the drink turns out to be strong. The water flow occurs at the operating level of professional devices - 19 bar. Meanwhile, they are all economical, with minimal energy consumption.

Review of the best capsule-type coffee makers

The market is constantly updated, and any assessments of devices are quite subjective. We have selected for you the ten most interesting models of 2018, according to experts, coffee lovers and simply coffee lovers. Our top 10 best capsule coffee makers include the following models:

Delonghi EN 80 B Nespresso Inissia is very compact and functional, an excellent choice for beginners.
Tchibo Cafissimo - inexpensive and with many settings, cooking options and an assortment of its own capsules.
Nescafe Dolce Gusto Mini Me is a very compact design with surprisingly simple controls.
Bosch TAS4504 Tassimo Joy - over 40 different drinks from popular brands such as Kenco, Costa, Carte Noir, Oreo and Cadbury, as well as Twining tea.
Lavazza Blue LB-951 is an excellent solution from Lavazza, for all fans of this particular brand.
Nespresso CitiZ & Milk – with built-in milk foamer “Aeroccino”.
Nespresso Expert – Bluetooth enabled, allows you to customize your coffee settings to suit your preferences via the Nespresso mobile app.
Read also: How to insert a capsule into a Bosch Tassimo coffee machine?
Delonghi EN750 Nespresso Lattissima Pro – with an instant cappuccino system, an excellent choice for frothing milk.
Kitchenaid Nespresso Artisan – very interesting, retro style, 19 bar pump.
Nespresso Creatista Plus – with ultra-fast heating and a powerful 19 bar pump.

Tassimo and DolceGusto machines tend to prepare a smaller set of recipes, but a wider range is available: caramel macchiato, tea and hot chocolate. For those who seek variety and like to try something new every day, these brands will be especially interesting.

Read our full review of capsule coffee maker brands to make sure you make the best choice.

Dolce Gusto

An affordable option from the Krups brand. The model range is represented by a wide range - there are both fully automated and semi-manual devices. All of them are distinguished by an original design, in which one style can be traced - rounded configurations with smooth line outlines. If you need a compact model, then you can choose from the initial group of devices; the top ones, as a rule, are multifunctional and large in size. How does the Dolce Gusto capsule coffee machine with its wide capabilities work? The device is able to regulate the volume of the drink and set its strength. If we talk about the pump pressure, it is relatively small - 15 bar. The machine works with capsule standards, the range of which includes up to 25 recipes, including chocolate drinks. One package contains 6 g of raw materials.

The disadvantages of the device include: problems associated with the assembly of the device and the relatively low pump pressure.

Compact version from Dolce Gusto for home use

We will talk about the Nescafe capsule coffee machine. This is an excellent option for those who do not have the opportunity to receive aesthetic pleasure from production experiments with coffee beans. All you need to do to get a drink is insert the flask with the contents and press the button. When the lever located at the top of the device is pulled down, the capsules are pierced. The packaging container is removed by pressing it in the opposite direction. On the back of the case there is a water tank and a lever that includes four positions - hot and cold water supply and time control. The Nescafe capsule coffee machine is very compact and easy to use. The set includes a collection basket for waste packaging. At the front of the case there are adjustable holders for the stand, located at different heights, which makes it possible to use cups of different sizes.

Many people choose this option as a trial option. It allows the user to decide how such technology will fit into their usual rhythm of life. A coffee machine can be a wonderful gift for loved ones.

Benefits of use

The quality of this coffee has long been beyond doubt. In addition to the wonderful aroma and impeccable taste, several more advantages can be noted:

simplicity and speed of preparation;
environmentally tested composition;
variety of drinks.

All advantages apply to both disposable and reusable products. The second option is more progressive and improved, so their use is also economical. They also allow you to experiment with different flavors in your coffee machine.

DeLonghi

The main advantages of coffee machines are their reliable and high-quality assembly. This also includes strong fluid pressure. In terms of power, they are not inferior to units of the popular Nespresso brand and have the same value of this indicator - 19 bar. They also work with standard capsules from the same manufacturer. In general, the palette of drinks includes 26 types of tastes.

DeLonghi capsule-type coffee machines have an advantage, as do Krups units. Unlike other devices that can only accept their standard capsules, they can work with different types of packaging.

Peculiarities

Here are the five most important things to consider when purchasing:

Coffee machine price

Prices for capsule coffee makers vary depending on the model, brand, and features. For example, is there a cappuccino maker, is the latte prepared automatically, or is it possible to use fresh milk. The devices are really inexpensive, but you will constantly be purchasing coffee.

Price of capsules

The cost, again, varies, but you need at least one capsule for each cup, and some machines require you to use 2 to get one serving. Some brands are compatible with popular coffee makers, so there are alternatives, but sometimes only certain brands will suit you, so check how much a cup of espresso will cost you and whether it's easy to restock.

Possibility of repair and maintenance

It is better if there is a representative office of a specific brand in your city, or if the brand is popular and there are parts for it. It’s better not to take exclusive or rare noname models, because then you simply won’t be able to repair them.

Variety of drinks

All capsule coffee machines make espresso, but if you like something special, you need to look to see which manufacturer has all the necessary flavors, and whether the new containers are compatible with the machine.

Characteristics

Most characteristics, such as the color of the device or the range of flavors, depend on your personal preferences. However, it is worth paying attention to the technical specifications. To get good coffee, the pump pressure should be as high as possible - for professional machines about 15 bar. Typically, drip coffee machines operate at pressures between 9 and 19 bar.

For some, the difficulty of cleaning is also important - no one wants to take apart and wash the machine after preparing a cup of espresso. Try to find a device that offers convenient auto-cleaning and automatic empty packaging rejection features.

TASSIMO

This is an automated unit from the manufacturer Bosch, which is quite different from the rest. Raw materials from this company are packaged in flat disc-shaped containers. For them, a small pressure force is enough, so its value is significantly underestimated (3.3 bar), the drink comes out very weak. Multifunctional models differ from ordinary ones in their tank parameters and beautiful design. In their work, they only accept original packaging, with contents weighing 9 g. Recipes include tea and cocoa. Each foil disc has a barcode that is read by a scanner in order to select a specific amount of water and temperature setting.