cthomaspa Junior Member Joined: 3 Sep 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Swarthmore, PA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Capresso Ultima Grinder: Capresso Burr Model 551 Drip: Capresso MT500 Roaster: CaffeRosto
Posted Thu Sep 4, 2008, 7:00am Subject: Opinions on POD only Machines
I have the opportunity to buy a nearly new Alma Hi-Tech Espresso machine. It is very similar to the Astoria Prima. This is a POD only unit. I'd like some input from readers on the following questions:
Do POD only machines produce good espresso? I can't find any posts on this issue.
Can anyone supply info about the Alma Hi-Tech unit? There is no information on the CG forums about either the Alma or the Astoria Prima.
Vater5B Senior Member Joined: 16 Feb 2007 Posts: 88 Location: Oklahoma Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: La Pavoni Europiccola, Saeco... Grinder: Ascaso I-2, Zassenhaus Knee... Vac Pot: I will gladly take one off... Drip: Bodum French Press,... Roaster: Air Popper, or if I have...
Posted Thu Sep 4, 2008, 7:34am Subject: Re: Opinions on POD only Machines
The number one thing above all else in achieving delicious espresso is fresh coffee. The very nature of "pods" mean that they will be stale right out of the box. You will enjoy fresh coffee prepared in a cheap manner like manual drip or pressed much more than you would enjoy the coffee from a pod machine.
Posted Thu Sep 4, 2008, 7:38am Subject: Re: Opinions on POD only Machines
First we have to disregard the cost of using nothing but pods. Next ignore the inability to try new or different coffees as you are stuck using the pods available to you. Finally, ignore the nature of pods that are marginally fresh at best.
So, if you are a person who prizes convenience over quality, who puts speed over taste, and who has no interest at all in learning the ins and outs of making espresso the "old fashioned" way, then a pod machine may be OK for you.
having a machine that CAN do pods is a lot different from a machine that ONLY does pods. Bottom line- try some coffee made with the machine and see if you like it.
Everman Senior Member Joined: 25 Nov 2004 Posts: 966 Location: Coffee Land Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Valentina Levetta Grinder: Mazzer Mini Roaster: Hottop
Posted Wed Sep 10, 2008, 6:20pm Subject: Re: Opinions on POD only Machines
You could do something like get a quality semi-auto that can also do pods, if you really must use pods right now. Silvia has a pod adapter, and once you see the light, it can be removed to make real espresso ;)
Worldman Senior Member Joined: 16 Nov 2004 Posts: 1,622 Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Expobar Office Control Grinder: Cunill Tranquilo - Gaggia...
Posted Thu Sep 11, 2008, 1:06am Subject: Re: Opinions on POD only Machines
Richard,
Welsome to CoffeeGeek!
I guess that you see that there is not too much regard for pod machines in here...and rightly so. The "inconvenience" of making a true espresso is slight...the rewards in taste significant...the joy of accomplishment on-going.
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