Are Pod Coffee Makers Taking Over the Kitchen?
The Pros and Cons of Pod Coffee Makers
Pod coffee makers -- they sound like something from a sci-fi novel. While pod coffee makers are definitely not science fiction, they do indeed seem to be the home coffee wave of the future. But what are pod coffee makers and what makes them better than the traditional drip coffee machines?
Under Pressure
When a coffee house makes an espresso, the machine they use utilizes high pressure to push the water through the coffee grounds which is how they are able to make the espresso so quickly. Drip coffee makers don’t use any pressure at all, greatly increasing the brewing time. Pod coffee makers are a happy medium between the two. While they’re not as high-pressure as espresso makers they do use light pressure to push the water through the coffee beans. This results in a brewing time of about two minutes and when it comes to my morning coffee, every minute counts.
In addition to making coffee more quickly, pod coffee makers tend to make a better cup of coffee than the traditional drip coffee makers (in my book anyway).
The Cons
As much as I love pod coffee makers, I do have to admit there are some downsides. First and foremost is the fact that most pod coffee makers will only brew one cup of coffee at a time, so if you’re looking to brew coffee for a large party, you’re going to want to look into other options.
Pod coffee makers can also be quite expensive compared to some other coffee makers. Depending on the features your pod coffee maker comes with, the machine can run you a few hundred dollars (although there are definitely much cheaper models than that).
And when you use pod coffee makers, you have to use the special coffee “pods”. The pods can cost a bit more than traditional coffee beans, but they do equate to a perfect cup of coffee.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is this – if you’re a die-hard coffee fan who just can’t live without your morning cup of coffee and you want it quick and you want it good, pod coffee makers may be your dream come true. On the other hand, if you’re just a casual coffee drinker who can’t tell the difference between the brews at Starbucks or McDonalds, you might want to opt for the less expensive coffee making options.