Do refillable coffee pods work ok?
If so, which type and where to buy?
Refillable coffee pods
GordonR on 18/01/2014 - 11:43
Comments
Does this quote refer to attempting to refill a used original pod (which I don't want to do) or using a third-party pod that is actually designed for multiple uses (which is what I want to do).
My plan is to fill 20 pods with Five Senses (my favourite coffee) on weekends, then take them to work where I have the machine and drink them during the week.
To be honest, I don't know. Can't fathom why anyone would try to refill a capsule designed for single use, but that may have been what GG attempted.
I've tried some of the refillable type plastic pods, and in my experience, the results were rubbish… Couldn't get a consistent result, even trying different grinds/amounts… I'd stick with the D'Oro or similar… Sure, it's incredibly wasteful, but the coffee is a whole lot better…
I used to have difficulty with the wastage associated with pods. But then Nespresso started their recycling program here in WA and now I'm ok with it. Obv. there's still wastage but not as bad; something I can live with for the convenience, cost and quality advantages (vs. proper maching, cafes and instant coffee).
Though this is Ozbargain; my views on wastage have no place here.
I haven't tried them, but I have seen Nespresso type refillable pods on ebay.
Yes, they work, but they can be quite fiddly for piecemeal work…best to do large batches at a time IME.
As others have noted, the results can be a little hit & miss, but the short answer is yes they do work! ;)
Ebay is your friend on this one, they're cheap as chips there!
Yes they work but if you like larger full flavoured cups of Chinos then you may need a stronger bean blend. The Nespresso pods use about half the grit volume of the retail Chinos.
None of the refillable/tillable/reusable pods work the same as a single use manufactured capsule. The best one I've sampled, and I've sampled a LOT, is the French made capsulin version3 (v2 is available, but stay away - the wall is too thin).
Start with fresh beans, use a stronger bean, Grind it appropriately, dose correctly, use in an appropriate time and you will do okay - just don't expect better than ok - they are 5g of coffee only and most have preformed holes which affe t freshness dramatically. When prepared at home.
To my mind, convenience is the one thing about capsule coffee - a pretty decent cup of coffee for about 60-70 cents (or 20 cents, if you find $2 boxes of Piazza D'Oro L'OR at Officeworks). If you're going to muck about refilling capsules then you remove that factor. Here's Gadget Guy on the subject: