Cheaper pod alternative?

[Incheesewetrust]

Thought I was being economically savvy by buying a refillable pod for the coffee pod machine ( I know, I know). But using cafetière coffee in it tastes weak and rank and I can’t see any coffee for pod not actually in pods. What do other people put in yours please?

Have you tried lidl or aldi for pods? You might not be packing enough coffee in the pod or your coffee strength is too weak

It’s hard to pack them properly, do you have a tamper to ensure you’re getting enough coffee in the pod and it’s packed properly so the water doesn’t flow through it too quickly?

I can’t imagine a cafetière coffee grind is fine enough for a pod machine. I’d imagine the coffee will be pretty under extracted. Could you see if you can find coffee ground for espresso rather than cafetière?

Thanks, can’t seem to find any cheap decaf pods if anyone knows anyone doing nespresso dupes that’d be great. I think it is too fine which is why it’s so weak even with really tamping it in with the tool

Try a v60 dripper instead?

Thanks am trying to avoid buying more things thought

I hear you. Best coffee I can make in a couple of minutes is my v60 though, and loads better for the environment. And they're cheap. You just need the filter papers and they can be recycled. So if you were in the market for something new, that'd be your best bet.

Hoping you find what you need op!

Aldi do a lot of nespresso dupe pods but not decaff. Coop do decaff pods

I'd be surprised if the grind was too fine if the coffee is ground for fresh press. French press is generally one of the coarsest grinds, and for a refillable pod the advice is generally fine to medium-fine. General advice for espresso is if your shot tastes sour, watery and is pale then the grind needs to be finer to slow extraction. If the shot is dark, very bitter, low volume out then the grind is too fine as coffee is over extracted.

Apparently Aldi have some Nespresso compatible pods, but can't speak to the range as I don't have a pod machine.

@JuneOsborne

i just googled the V60. I get they all just hold the filter while it drips into something, but doesn't the coffee get cold? Is your bottom bit (oh she 🤣) heated/insulated?

what coffee do you buy?

I have a Philips Senseo which used pads (similar to tea bags) not pods and it's great, I like the coffee, but would like to be able to buy fresh coffee.

The thing is though, I've found the various non machine methods don't make the actual coffee a bit foamy like Philip does. I think it must steam the water on the way through?!

I've tried coffee in the reusable pods but it was weak & revolting. Maybe I just need to try different coffee??

@toastofthetown

could you please recommend a brand and type/grade (link would be excellent so I can't mess it up) for my refillable pods to go in my philips Senseo machine. I'd really like to be able to buy coffee, not the pads (they're not pods)

TIA

@Incheesewetrust I use this brand (although not the decaf ones!), they are tasty enough and so much cheaper than Nespresso.