Are coffee machines like Tassimo etc worth it?

[AintNobodyHereButUsChickens]

Or will it just be like other kitchen gadgets that get used a couple of times and then the novelty wears off? Are the drinks nice? We would mainly use one for hot chocolate and lattes.

I think so, I've had one a few years and it's used regularly. You can buy the pods in supermarkets or in bulk on Amazon.
I mainly drink mocha, and lattes.

I love my tassimo and use it every day

We use our tassimo every day, mainly for coffee. I didn't like the waste of the plastic pods but managed to find reusable pods that you can use with any ground coffee and they're great. Had it 3 years now and wouldn't be without it.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Reusable-Capsules-Compatible-Machines-Refillable/dp/B08PD7HDWT/ref=ascdff_B08PD7HDWT/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=463010883517&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14293789791984319157&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007336&hvtargid=pla-1072435570297&psc=1

We have a dolce gusto machine at work and I do really like the coffee. I worry about the plastic pods though. Reusable pods sound great!

@weegiemum

We use our tassimo every day, mainly for coffee. I didn't like the waste of the plastic pods but managed to find reusable pods that you can use with any ground coffee and they're great. Had it 3 years now and wouldn't be without it.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Reusable-Capsules-Compatible-Machines-Refillable/dp/B08PD7HDWT/ref=ascdff_B08PD7HDWT/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=463010883517&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14293789791984319157&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007336&hvtargid=pla-1072435570297&psc=1

I agree, hate waste but there is somewhere near me that recycles them which is good.

I have an aeropress and moka pot (along with decent handgrinder), and they make delicious coffee, with no machine to break down and join the huge mountain of e-waste appliances. No pods to dispose of. Even if they claim to be recyclable, they are made of so many composite layers, it takes more energy and resources to recycle them than they yield. Not tied into any coffee corporate "eco-system"... have the full range of beans across the entire market from Aldi to artisan roast houses.

Another vote for aeropress. Makes great coffee, should last forever. The only waste generated is the filter paper, which goes on a compost heap.

Sure, recycling is good-ish - but surely it's better not to produce the waste in the first place? (Re-cycling is only good-ish, in the sense that it is better to reduce the waste in the first place).

I don’t like the coffee they make, especially the tassimo ones (yes, we tried lots of different types of pod). We had a tassimo machine for years and the coffee was rubbish, it was DH’s and he was happy enough with it for a couple of cups a day until I replaced it with a good digital bean to cup machine and local freshly (within a week) roasted, ethically sourced beans. The difference is like night and day and much less plastic waste and locally roasted. Coffee is best freshly roasted and ground immediately before brewing. The ground coffee in those pods must sit around for ages between manufacturing and brewing, not ideal. I think Nespresso are better for the recyclable pods and a better range of ‘off brand’ pods compatible with their system, same issue with the freshness though. On the upside, they are compact and convenient.

If BTC is out of budget, they are expensive for a decent one and space is an issue (they can be bulky), I’d do as a PP suggests and get a good grinder, aero press and/or moka pot

Love my Nesspresso. It's saved me a fortune.

Love our Nespresso! I'd be dead without it on the little sleep I'm getting.

We had a tassimo and returned it as it was so dreadful. Now on our third nespresso machine (over a 12 year period, would only be two, but we recently changed to the vertuo) and they are great. I just use the milk frother on the machine to make hot chocolates for the kids.

We also stayed in a holiday cottage that had a really expensive bean to cup machine that was amazing too, so might be an option.

@BalladOfBarryAndFreda

I don’t like the coffee they make, especially the tassimo ones (yes, we tried lots of different types of pod). We had a tassimo machine for years and the coffee was rubbish, it was DH’s and he was happy enough with it for a couple of cups a day until I replaced it with a good digital bean to cup machine and local freshly (within a week) roasted, ethically sourced beans. The difference is like night and day and much less plastic waste and locally roasted. Coffee is best freshly roasted and ground immediately before brewing. The ground coffee in those pods must sit around for ages between manufacturing and brewing, not ideal. I think Nespresso are better for the recyclable pods and a better range of ‘off brand’ pods compatible with their system, same issue with the freshness though. On the upside, they are compact and convenient.

If BTC is out of budget, they are expensive for a decent one and space is an issue (they can be bulky), I’d do as a PP suggests and get a good grinder, aero press and/or moka pot

Which BTC would you recommend? I’d love one but it needs to be really easy!

I hate all the faff of cleaning them. Rather just have a sachet of instant latte powder from Aldi in a mug of microwaved milk!

The Tassimo own brand capsules are rank, absolutely awful. We use an Aeropress for coffee and a Velvetiser for frothy hot milk or chocolate.

We have breville coffee machine, get on offer under 200. Just grind your coffee and put it in. Add milk to frothy. Press cappuccino and makes it. If you are buying a machine that is similar make sure the bar pressure is good.

We have got one that we used for many years now gathering dust in the basement. Recently I got a dolce gusto and the coffee and chocolate drinks are much better. The price is the same and the dolce pods can be recycled and some supermarkets also do their own brand pods a bit cheaper, although I’ve never tried them. I would recommend the dolce gusto if you’re looking for a budget drinks machine.

Nespresso is definitely the best Pod machine, I've been a user for years. I had a Tassimo originally and found the drinks undrinkable. The Creatista Nespresso line is the best if you want milk based drink because it makes proper steamed milk unlike the separate milk frothers.

I have just had a Sage Oracle Touch delivered today though and I'm obsessed. Got my beans from the local roasters and I'm definitely not getting any sleep tonight 😂 I've already had a latte and an americano, deciding what to make next.