How Do Pod Coffee Machines Work? (Pros & Cons)

Written by Jeff Campbell in Coffee & Tea

As our world turns more and more to convenience, it’s no surprise that coffee makers have moved that way too. But being a coffee lover, I used to wonder how do pod coffee machines work.

Here’s what I’ve discovered after buying a Keurig:

All pod coffee makers work by adding hot water to the brewer & allowing it to drip through the pod holder, saturating the coffee inside the pod, and then dripping from the bottom of the pod holder into the coffee cup.

But coffee pods refer to a variety of single-serve coffee containers.

Keurig’s K-cups are the best-known type. But the round flat discs of coffee found in hotel coffee makers are the original form of coffee pod.

But that’s just the beginning of what Keurig and other single-serve coffee makers are all about.

So in this article, we’re breaking it all down. We’ll answer the most common questions and also look at the differences between coffee pods and K-cups.

Ultimately, we’re answering the question of how do coffee pod machines work.

Before we go any further, there is a common misconception regarding coffee pods and k-cups.

Although they are both single-serve coffee containers, a coffee pod and K-cups are not the same things. Coffee pods most often refer to round disks (think flying saucer) made of a coffee filter material, similar to a teabag.

You’ve probably used these if you ever stayed in a hotel with an in-room coffee maker.

K-cups are small, plastic cups with foil tops that are made specifically for Keurig and other compatible coffee systems.

Confusingly enough, K-cups are often referred to as pods as well.

For this article, I will be referring to K-cups as both K-cups and pods. That being said, let’s talk a little bit about how they are used.

Check out all my coffee product recommendations (click to see my list) with additional features and direct links to Amazon for easy purchase.

I always hand-select items that I either own, have used, or have researched well to ensure they are great items. I also give not only top of the line as well as inexpensive alternatives so my choices work for any budget.

How do you use coffee pods in a Keurig?

Simply place an unused K-cup into a Keurig K-cup holder and close the lid such that the needle pierces the K-cup. Then ensure adequate water in the reservoir, place a coffee cup on the stand and select the brewing size to begin brewing. 

Keurig used their proprietary K-cup as a coffee pod. Their K-cup design is exclusively for their brand of brewers.

If you’ve ever watched them make espresso at Starbucks, the concept here is very similar. You pack ground coffee into a holder (or buy the pod or K-cup already filled). Then you force very hot water through that holder and into a cup below.

Once your machine is plugged in, fill the reservoir to the fill line with clean, filtered water.

Often these coffee makers have a built-in replaceable filter. But it doesn’t hurt to use spring, or purified water to begin with. And don’t forget to change your filter every few months too!

Press the power button and let the water heat up.

Place your mug on the drip tray. Lift the handle and insert the pod of your choice into the basket. Lower the handle, making sure that it is closed all the way. Finally, select your cup size and brew!

It is also important to note that Pod Coffee Machines should be cleaned regularly.

The reservoir should be hand washed in warm, soapy water. Most drip trays can be placed on the top rack of your dishwasher.

Last, but certainly not least, you should run vinegar or a descaler through the machine every few months or so. If you take care of it, it will take care of you.

Of course, if you own a Keurig, you know the frustration of when that descale light comes on and it stops working!

Sometimes, a Keurig still won’t work after you perform the descaling. So for that, you’ll want to check out a recent article that breaks down all the steps to take to get yours working again.

But I even break down how to descale it without buying Keurig’s expensive descaling solution. Just click that link to read it on my site.

Do pod coffee machines make good coffee?

Pod coffee makers do make excellent coffee. As with any kind of coffee brewing system, the quality is largely determined by the quality and freshness of the beans and the water quality.

So don’t buy Folgers or Maxwell house pods or K-cups and wonder why your coffee tastes like it came from Denny’s.

Just like any home coffee maker, the actual brand of coffee that you use is up to you. There are a ton of brands and different kinds of coffee pods; regular, decaf, organic, flavored…you name it, it’s out there.

If you have non-coffee drinkers in your home or that like to visit, tea, hot cider, and hot chocolate pods are also widely available.

If you are a self-proclaimed coffee snob or connoisseur that must have freshly ground beans or an incredibly obscure blend, fear not!

You can purchase reusable K-cups (click to see my favorite one on Amazon) to make your own coffee pods using the grounds of your choice.

Of course, this is an added step to the process, but it is an available option. It is also more eco-friendly. In fact, if more people used reusable pods, thousands, if not millions, of k-cups would be eliminated from our landfills.

Food (well, coffee) for thought!

Now, purists out there may tell you that the French Press is the only way to go if you want great coffee.

So in a recent article, I take a deep-dive into French Presses and explore the pros and cons and whether they are worth it. They aren’t super expensive, but they aren’t the most convenient option either.

Just click that link to see it on my site.

Can you use K Cups or other coffee pods without a machine?

You can utilize K-cups or coffee pods without a pod-based machine. Simply empty the contents of the pod or K-cup into a coffee filter or French Press and brew as normal.

But really, K-cups are not meant to be used without a machine.

You see, when you lower the handle of the machine, two needles puncture the pod; one on the bottom of the plastic cup and one on the top of the foil.

This allows water to flow through and brew your coffee without grounds entering your cup. They are very specifically designed for a very specific kind of machine. Thankfully, there are a ton of both pods and machines now in production.

However, this day in age, anything seems possible and people love to prove other people wrong…so, never say never!

If you want to get super technical, you could purchase make-your-own-tea bags, open the k-cup, dump it into the bag and brew it like tea, but that seems a little high-maintenance.

Can I use coffee pods in a regular coffee maker?

You can not use sealed coffee pods or K-cups in a regular coffee maker, as they are meant to fit into specific pod coffee machines. To use them with a regular coffee maker, simply empty the contents of the pod or K-cup into a coffee filter and brew as normal.

After all, the way a Keurig works is by having a tiny needle penetrate the K-cup injecting very hot water inside the cup. That water, in turn, mixes with the ground coffee, dripping out the bottom into your cup.

Again, if you want to get technical, you could open the pod and pour the grounds into your basket filter or french press. But I don’t know why you’d do that unless you were desperate for a cup and could only find K-cups in the pantry.

So ultimately, it’s counterproductive and probably not very cost-effective, but it is possible.

If you’re like me, you like your coffee pretty hot.

Maybe not McDonald’s hot, but pretty hot nonetheless. What coffee maker makes the hottest coffee? How hot does Starbucks make their coffee? And how hot was the coffee at McDonald’s anyway?

All that and more can be found in a recent article. Just click that link to see it on my site.

What is the best pod coffee machine for home use?

The best pod coffee maker for home use is either the Nespresso Coffee and Espresso Machine or the Keurig K-Elite which brews both hot coffee and cold brew.

But let’s explore those 2 and some others in greater detail.

There is a wide variety of Coffee Pod Machines on the market today. Many of them have add-ons such as additional cup sizes, milk frothers for all of your cappuccino and latte needs and even iced coffee capabilities.

As with any product I recommend, I like to only recommend items I own or have used, or at the very least have used at a friend’s house. I also won’t recommend products with under 4-star ratings or if the number of 1-star reviews is greater than 12% (unless I have personally used it and know it works).

Just click any of the links to see the current price on Amazon.

1. Nespresso Coffee and Espresso Machine w/ Milk Frother by De’Longhi

This machine is made specifically for Nespresso Virtuo Capsules, which is definitely something to consider before purchasing.

These capsules do not seem to be as widely available as standard K-cups, nor do they have as many flavor options. That being said, this machine does still has a lot to offer with a whopping five different coffee or espresso size options.

The Aeroccino Milk Frother makes lattes and cappuccinos in minutes. Not only does this machine heat up in seconds, but it also has an automatic shut off after nine minutes of inactivity.

Over 1,500 reviews and almost all 5-star.

CLICK TO SEE THE CURRENT PRICE ON AMAZON

2. Keurig K-Elite K-Cup Pod Coffee Brewer w/Iced Coffee Capability

This Keurig machine, which is compatible with any K-cup brand (think, lots of options!), also makes coffee in five sizes in less than a minute.

Complete with an energy saver auto on/off and descaling alert that tells you when it is time to clean your machine. This machine is also perfect for iced coffee. Another cool feature is its capability to provide hot water (without the use of a k-cup) for instant soups and oatmeals.

Almost 2,000 near-5-star reviews can’t be wrong!

CLICK TO SEE THE CURRENT PRICE ON AMAZON

3. Homia Kafo Coffee Maker Machine Single Serve – K-cup Сompatible

The Homia Kafo is a more affordable option with fewer bells and whistles. It provides the perfect temperature in less than three minutes. You can use any standard K-cup and will also fit a travel mug.

This one is an Amazon’s Choice product with almost 300 reviews, most of which are 4-star. This one will fit any budget too, coming in at well under $60.

CLICK TO SEE THE CURRENT PRICE ON AMAZON

DISCOVER | Tips Every Coffee Pod Machine Owner Should Know

Did I cover all you wanted to know about coffee pod machines and how they work?

In this article, we eliminated some of the confusion about coffee pods and K-cups.

We explored the differences between coffee makers and explained how they work. Then we answered some of the most common questions people have about pod coffee makers.

Ultimately, we answered the question of how do pod coffee makers work.

Now that you know how a Pod Coffee Machine works, you can decide if it works for you!

Individualized pod coffee systems are definitely convenient and offer a variety of options from super simple (one cup size) to super complex (multiple cup sizes, milk frothers, espresso, and iced coffee capabilities, etc.).

However, they also have environmental issues (unless you use refillable containers), take up counter space and need to be cleaned regularly.

Yes, it’s a lot to think about, but now that you have the information, I hope that you can make a delicious decision.

Check out all my coffee product recommendations (click to see my list) with additional features and direct links to Amazon for easy purchase.

I always hand-select items that I either own, have used, or have researched well to ensure they are great items. I also give not only top of the line as well as inexpensive alternatives so my choices work for any budget.

Jeff Campbell

Jeff was a leader for Whole Foods Market for over 2 decades and is now a recovering foodie. When he's not spending time in the kitchen, he can usually be found with 3 daughters, practicing martial arts, making music, or blogging on his other sites. Click to learn more about me

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