You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Philips LM8014/60 Machine and 100 L'or capsules for £60 (including free shipping) from their website with up to 16% cashback available from Topcashback making is ~£52. That's 25p per coffee INCLUDING the machine!
Available in a variety of colours (black, red and white) - the black machine alone is £76 at John Lewis and the red one is over £100. Take normal Nespresso capsules and even takes BIG Nespresso style capsules if you want a big cup of coffee.
Wow, great price! This machine is really good (as are the L’or capsules IMO). Obviously I’d never use it at home but I got one to put in the van for post-ride espressos 🙂
There must be a catch. Where's the catch? This might make my wife quite happy.....I need a catch to justify the 'no', but i don't want another machine in our tiny kitchen. Is there a catch?
Is there a catch?
1) the inherent waste that comes with capsule coffee machines
2) the cost of the pods compared to loose coffee
I know those! It's my basic reason for resisting.
Is this just a Nespresso machine - cos that never tasted that good to me when I had one or is it something else?
I have had one of those since May and it's been very good. Used once or twice a day by one of the kids and for my midday pick me up (I drink a gallon of filter coffee first thing).
I paid £80 including 200 capsules and came to the conclusion that the machine was in effect free. So that price is very very good.
The only slight issue I have had with it is that it doesn't seem to work with some compostable Nespresso Capsules.
Is this just a Nespresso machine – cos that never tasted that good to me when I had one or is it something else?
yes - but how good it is, is all down to the particular capsule. My local artisanal roasters make their own which are IMO much better than standard Nespresso ones, and also fully compostable!
1) the inherent waste that comes with capsule coffee machines
2) the cost of the pods compared to loose coffee
Each capsule uses less coffee than a traditional Espresso 14g vs 18-22g which is good for the environment.
Many capsules are recyclable. We use a pod crusher which squeezes the coffee out and into a composter and the flat aluminium goes to back to Nespresso.
You can also buy refillable capsules which use espresso ground coffee, so less waste and less beans.
It's not as simple as you make it out to be. I have a Sage Barista, but my wife uses this.
Thanks for the PSA! My wife said she should get me a machine for my B'day/Chrimble/just because to save me pinching the work one when were away. The boys at the factory will be grateful! With 100 pods the machine is very cheap indeed.
It’s not as simple as you make it out to be
Yes it is. I should flipping hope the capsules are recyclable, but that really doesn't offset the fact that pod machines are inherently wasteful. 6g of coffee is not equivalent to the carbon cost of producing, shipping and recycling (or sadly in many cases putting into landfill) pods.
Reduce > reuse > recycle in that order.
finbarFree Member
It’s not as simple as you make it out to be
Yes it is. I should flipping hope the capsules are recyclable, but that really doesn’t offset the fact that pod machines are inherently wasteful. 6g of coffee is not equivalent to the carbon cost of producing, shipping and recycling (or sadly in many cases putting into landfill) pods.Reduce > reuse > recycle in that order.
So, you're making my point for me? Reduce comes first, right?
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/feb/10/single-use-coffee-pod-environment-impact-better
The paper (and others) which this report links to show that there's substantially less C02 production and water use per coffee for capsules than for Filter coffee. Whilst waste (assuming not recycled) is a problem, from a CO2 PoV, it is better.
Many capsules are recyclable.
And many aren't. And of the ones that are, what proportion of those actually do get recycled? And what about the transport of pods vs the transport of loose coffee, as pods are clearly less space-efficient packaging wise.
The comparison to filter coffee is likely a deliberate contrivance as it involves more paper use and is a less usual coffee brewing method. An Aeropress might be a closer coffee brewing comparison in quality and budget.
Surely the valid comparison is 'traditional' espresso maker?
Each capsule uses less coffee than a traditional Espresso 14g vs 18-22g which is good for the environment.
That explains why I need to use 2 capsules! There's a newer variant of Nespresso that can actually hold enough coffee to make a double shot in one hit... but most machines don't take them, so they're not as readily available.
The comparison to filter coffee is likely a deliberate contrivance as it involves more paper use and is a less usual coffee brewing method. An Aeropress might be a closer coffee brewing comparison in quality and budget.
I think it's because it's North America based research and due to their low voltage, filter coffee machines and Nespresso machines are more common than a proper espresso machine. The other research in the linked article covered espresso.
But a Nespresso capsule has 5-7g of coffee (normal or lungo) - and a typically double espresso is 18-22g. So 4-15g is the range of coffee savings. At 2x coffee a day that's 3-11kg of coffee saved per person, which equates to needing 2-5x as many coffee plants to produce it. Water, land area, etc.
ALL coffee is damaging and it's a question of how you equate that damage. Just to say, I don't use a Nespresso, I have a single double espresso every morning from a Sage Barista Pro Touch, and that's me done for the day. My wife (who does recycle her capsules) has 3 coffees per day from her Nespresso, but she uses less coffee than I do.
We use one of these:
And then these:
https://www.nespresso.com/uk/en/order/accessories/original/recycling-bag
And only buy aluminium capsules.
kelvinFull Member
Sounds like greenwashing bullshit to me.
Then you might want to educate yourself on full lifecycle analysis before passing judgement.
I've got one of these, also on the £80 with 200 pods. It arrived with a number of bags for recycling the pods. I drop them off at the local recycling centre on my way to work. They do both alloy and plastic pods.
While it might not make the best coffee it certainly makes the best coffee I have the skills or inclination to make. Give me a £4000 machine and it'll still be average!
I get my pods from Kafekapslen in Denmark. They do one trip a week to the UK and sort all the import faff out for you. Huge range of pods, XL, hot choc, etc.
Anyway - I thought it was a good PSA, perhaps this is the wrong crowd.
MODS - please feel free to delete if it's deemed to be greenwashing, unethical or temper tantrum causing.
£59 for me but great PSA thanks!
Lol at the usual STW descent into petty squabbling/hand wringing 🙂
I bought one!
Great PSA, I’m well chuffed, been umming and arring for ages but our Eurocamp cabin had one last week and we were pretty impressed with it.
There’s a newer variant of Nespresso that can actually hold enough coffee to make a double shot in one hit… but most machines don’t take them, so they’re not as readily available.
That and Nescafe still having a patent on the design, something that long expired on the originals.
If you like long coffees these are good as LOR make XL pods and Jacobs make double filled normal sized ones that Kaffekapslen.co.uk sell. This may be a repeat of what's already been said but I ain't venturing back into the thread.?
My local artisanal roasters
There's seemingly a couple of those on this thread.
Nice PSA, not for me but I've passed it on to a friend who might be interested. Ta.
Cougar, that's the best line I've heard on here for a long time. Bravo
Applauds Cougar
Here all week, try the coffee. (-:
ALL coffee is damaging and it’s a question of how you equate that damage.
But can’t that argument be levelled at everything that we eat and drink? Unless everyone only eats and drinks what they themselves consume, then where do you actually draw the line?
Personally, I’m not much interested in coffee or whizzy machines like these, I’m perfectly capable of putting a coffee bag in a mug and adding hot water, for all I actually care about it, I always drink tea, either regular tea in a bag with milk, or green tea, also in a bag for ease of preparation; I can’t be arsed to make a pot, it’ll have gone cold before I finish the first cup!
ALL coffee is damaging and it’s a question of how you equate that damage
Yep. My coffee prep is a right process involving flushing, cleaning, paper towels, some discarding, beans that have travelled miles etc.
Clearly anything you do has an impact.
I reckon making coffee at home ought to be allowed in this crazy day and age.
Whereas going to Starbucks ...
I thought it was a good PSA
It is. Thanks - ordered. I'm happy with my decision. Also ordered a Podcycler and supply of bags, although I'll double-check with my local council as apparently aluminium pods can go in one of our recycling bins.
Saved the Kaffekapslen link for future.
And *applauds* Cougar.
Just to add, Discount Dragon usually have cheap coffee pods, for example.
https://discountdragon.co.uk/product/10-x-mild-everyday-coffee-nespresso-pods/
Which appear to be the Kaffekapslen brand mentioned above.
Great PSA, thank you. Usually use an aeropress in the house and will continue to do so, but this was so cheap it means I can give one a whirl to see how it goes in my office/garage where I have no running water
Each capsule uses less coffee than a traditional Espresso 14g vs 18-22g which is good for the environment.
But a Nespresso capsule has 5-7g of coffee (normal or lungo) – and a typically double espresso is 18-22g. So 4-15g is the range of coffee savings.
So it makes a smaller coffee. That's like saying my pint of beer emits less CO2 than yours because it's in a 500ml glass not 568ml. Now *maybe* Nespresso claim that they use the coffee more efficiently and extract every last drop of flavour and caffeine out of what goes into the pod. But it never feels like that when I've had them - an 18g double espresso from my machine at home is enough for me, but even having two pods from a Nespresso machine I'm left wanting more*
Convenience wise they're great. Small, no mess, pretty much foolproof. But I've never been convinced for everyday home use.
*this is not 100% scientific. Nespresso is only ever when on holiday/hotel/b&b. it may be influenced by alcohol consumption previous night or long slow breakfasts. It could be even the best Nespresso pods I've used are less to my taste than the coffee I buy at home.
Smaller espresso? Not convinced.
Normal espresso at home (no pod) and a moka pot on small stove if out. Not sure how a moka pot/gas stove stacks up energy use wise, but certainly less waste/ manufacture of pods etc. I could improve things by switching to a small wood stove for outside use though.
Whereas going to Starbucks …
Should be a hanging offence?
Yeah got that, meant from beans rather than bean to cup machine!
Love the idea and will maybe head that way when time and disposable funds allow...
@Daffy - thank you for the PSA - I've plumped for a red one - obvs red is faster.
Going to get a pod crusher now.
Looking forward to trying it out now 🙂
Great PSA thanks! Only drink coffee occasionally and even then no more than one a day so never been able to justify one of these. Handy for guests and kids looking forward to trying hot chocolate.
Mine arrived today so hoping to get it firing up later. Thanks ?
I don’t believe either Philips or L’or have anything to do with Nestlé
Surprised nobody has left this here yet…
why? L’or is part of Douwe Egberts and I can’t see any links with Nestle from a quick google.
why? L’or is part of Douwe Egberts and I can’t see any links with Nestle from a quick google.
I don’t believe either Philips or L’or have anything to do with Nestlé
But the "nes" presso ? The machine is under license but the pods are now - nestle failed to uphold the licensing in legal battles.
Hence why they developed virtuo to try and recapture the licensing.
Got this and it is great, thanks for the PSA.
Question from a pod machine newbie. What is the difference between pods which are recommended for ristretto/espresso/lungo? Is it just blends or roasts which someone deems more suitable for a given drink type? Ground size?
If I make a lungo from a ristretto pod, will I die? Will it be disgusting? Will I not notice?
There’s more coffee (7g vs 5g) in a lungo pod vs a normal one so you can extract more coffee from it. If you try to extract too much from a pod (or espresso for that matter) you’ll end up with a worse tasting coffee.
I’ve got a fully working Vertuo machine in good order I’m trying to offload if anyone wants it.
Picked one of these up. The instructions are pretty sparse but wanted to check something with those that have one.
The ristretto and espresso buttons, with a single press, deliver the listed volume of coffee
The lungo button however, seems to require it to be pressed again to stop it. Basically I can't press it once and it'll deliver 80ml or whatever the listed amount is.
I can see something in the manual about a custom setting where you hold the ristretto button for 4 seconds, and it'll keep on pouring out until you press it again.
Does mine sound faulty or am I missing something
why? L’or is part of Douwe Egberts and I can’t see any links with Nestle from a quick google.
I convinced the missus to move away from Nestle because #<edited because it beat the swear filter, but it's Fnestle>, but it appears Douwe Egberts is part of Mondelez. Not saying they're as bad as Nestle, but...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mondelez_International#Controversies
@boardingbob
If the Ristretto button is the one on the far right of the machine I just press it and it dispenses a given volume the same as the others
The lungo button however, seems to require it to be pressed again to stop it. Basically I can’t press it once and it’ll deliver 80ml or whatever the listed amount is.
That doesn't sound right. I'm working through the included pods and prefer a long coffee (annoyingly few lungo pods included relative to the ristretto and espresso sizes). One press of my lungo button and it delivers the correct 110ml (or 220ml for XXL pods) without needing to press the button again to stop it. I had a play around with dispensing volumes via the 4-sec press process, but didn't think it improved things so reset it back to the standard volumes for all 3 buttons.
Has anyone found a pod recycler/crusher thing that works will for the XXL pods? I bought the Dualit EcoPress but it's only meant for regular-sized pods and not the XXL ones - it does them, not doesn't always extract all (or even most) of the coffee and occasionally buggers it up completely.
Also, I'm enjoying the Double Lungo Profondo XXLs but struggling to find alternatives in this XXL format. I'm aware this machine is the only one that takes these XXL size but I thought there'd be more choice in these pods. Anyone got suggestions or links for other XXL long coffees?
@boardinbob press and hold the lungo button until it flashes rapidly, releasing and quickly pressing again should cause the machine to carry on pouring until it reaches the minimum amount for a lungo…50ml for a regular pod, 100ml for a double…
Same process for the other styles.
Hold all 3 buttons simultaneously to reset to default.
Has anyone found a pod recycler/crusher thing that works will for the XXL pods? I bought the Dualit EcoPress but it’s only meant for regular-sized pods and not the XXL ones – it does them, not doesn’t always extract all (or even most) of the coffee and occasionally buggers it up completely.
I had exactly the same problem, I found that stabbing an "x" into the flat bit of the big pod with a knife will help it burst when pushed inside out, and then it works pretty well.