Nutribullet decided to design its first coffee maker with K-cup integration too, seen in the Nutribullet Brew Choice Pod + Carafe, which is also significantly cheaper than the Keurig and the Ninja, and it comes with a reusable pod. Pop in a K-cup with the Pod holder to choose from 6, 8, or 12 oz. cups, or brew a 6, 9, or 12 cup carafe. It can automatically detect and adjust whether you've inserted a coffee pod or a filter filled with coffee grounds. The Dualit Cafe Plus is a simple coffee machine that pours espresso and lungo coffees, as well as tea. It's compatible with Nespresso capsules, although Dualit also makes its own. First, I brewed a full-carafe of the Classic brew with fives big scoops of coffee. The measuring scoop shows the recommended number of scoops for your cup size to take out any of the guesswork, between 4 and 7 for a full carafe. Since I've used Ninja coffee makers before, and that was my typical dose, that amount pleased my family.

Ninja pods and grounds coffee maker review | Real Homes

It's also pretty tall on a countertop, so you might be better off with a more compact coffee pod machine like the Nespresso Vertuo Next if you have low cabinetry. Should you buy the Ninja DualBrew Coffee Maker? Cleaning and descaling: How easy is it to provide maintenance for the machine? This may involve anything from removing coffee stains to getting rid of limescale. Why settle for a basic coffee maker, when you can have an entire caffeine system at your fingertips? This machine doesn’t come with a coffee grinder, so you’ll need to grind your own coffee beans or buy grounds. If you’re brewing coffee grounds, use the included Ninja Smart Cup to measure coffee grounds and follow the guidance for the number of scoops for each brew size, which can be found on the handle of the Smart Scoop. The warming plate turns on and stays on for two hours if you’re brewing at least ¼ of a carafe on classic or rich brew, and will be off automatically otherwise. The warming plate can also be turned on manually for up to four hours using the “Keep Warm” button at the front of the coffee maker for up to, and you’ll know the warming plate is on when the triangular icon at the base of brew is illuminated.You don't have permission to access "http://www.ninjakitchen.com/products/ninja-dualbrew-pro-specialty-coffee-system-zidCFP301" on this server. The fold-out milk frother is a convenient feature with a designated spot on the left side of the machine that folds out for use. It's a very basic whisk style design and does not heat milk, so you will also have to microwave your milk as an extra step. It made very good froth from both hot and cold milk. You'll want to immediately snap it off to rinse once you finish frothing milk, otherwise, it will drip onto the counter. It's very easy to remove. You can boil hot water to two different temperatures, which can be used for things like oatmeal, hot chocolate, or tea. To switch to hot water mode, turn the dial to the water droplet icon. Then, water will be dispensed next to the coffee outlet. Test 5: Keeping coffee warm

Ninja Single-Serve Pods and Grounds Specialty Coffee Maker Ninja Single-Serve Pods and Grounds Specialty Coffee Maker

Overall, I found that the frother made cold almond milk creamer pretty bubbly and sweeter but not foamy, so this machine isn’t replacing my reliance on Nespresso Aeroccino3 Milk Frother for cold foam. However, this frother was much more effective with oat milk. The milk frother also won’t heat up the milk, so you’ll need to do that on your own first. Test 4: Hot water The specialty brew is an ultra-concentrated 4 oz. serving of coffee designed to mimic espresso, and uses two large scoops or 4 Tbsp. While not quite espresso, it is smooth, bold, and intense. We probably wouldn't opt to drink it on its own, but it pairs nicely with the milk frother to create your own latte. The serving is not adjustable, and you can not brew multiple servings at the same time. This was the biggest pain point for me with the specialty brew because if I wanted to brew multiple servings of the specialty coffee for more than one person, I'd have to take the time for the brew basket to cool and clean the wet grounds from the permanent filter. You can also use a K-cup and choose the Specialty brew option too. I did the same testing as the 8oz brew with traditional grinds, and it yielded similar results when using the classic, rich, and over-ice brew with the K-cup pods. However, since you’re using pods over grinds, starting the brew and cleaning up after is a bit easier, as you don’t need to deal with filters or measurements. You just simply pop open the top of the adapter and take out or put in the pod.There are clean cycles for each mode: grounds, pods, and hot water. For grounds, make sure the coffee maker is in that mode and the brew basket is installed. You’ll fill the water tank with a descaling solution or white vinegar, and the carafe should be placed below to hold the dirty water. You just press the clean and start brew buttons and let the machine do its thing. It should take about 75 minutes. You’ll want to run a classic brew with just water to rinse out the machine after, and you’ll be good to go. The same steps are taken with the pod mode, only the K-cup adapter will be installed. For the hot water mode, ensure you’ve got the knob on the side switched to the water droplet. That’s it for maintenance, making for super manageable upkeep. I tested the Ninja DualBrew over three weeks, brewing at least one cup of coffee from the machine per day, and testing out different settings, sizes, and brew styles. It was easy to adjust to using the Ninja DualBrew, as I’ve used plenty of coffee makers before. The control panel is a bit more high-tech than some, though it’s simple to understand and enjoyable to use.

Ninja DualBrew Pro Specialty Coffee System review - Real Homes Ninja DualBrew Pro Specialty Coffee System review - Real Homes

The slim profile also makes it a no-brainer for small space dwellers. You can’t beat its space-saving ways. Is there anyone who wouldn’t like it? If hot steamed milk is critical to your morning coffee or you prefer a true espresso, then this might not be your machine. The Ninja® PB051 Pods & Grounds Specialty Single-Serve Coffee Maker comes with an instruction guide that walks you through each brewing process. If you and your partner or roommate can’t agree on whether you want pods or grounds, or if you like the flexibility of having both options then the Ninja® PB051 Pods & Grounds Specialty Single-Serve Coffee Maker can’t be beat. The ability to brew either pods or grounds — and brew them both well — is not something you see in most machines. Add in the 4 oz. specialty option and the milk frother, and you have a machine that can do it all. The taste of the coffee from the Ninja DualBrew Pro varied depending on the brew style, but it doesn’t get watered down. Coffee made on the specialty method is designed for espresso-based drinks and is well-balanced when combined with dairy or creamer. The milk frother is a nice feature as well, and easy to use and remove to clean. It does not have a heated element like a steam wand you might find on an espresso machine, but at this price point, and the fact that it stores on-board and takes up minimal space, it is convenient.From the very first steps of making coffee with the Ninja, I was in love. Give me organization, and I’m happy. Being able to snap the coffee scoop off the side of the machine and see on the handle exactly how much to scoop? Perfection. Using the storage bin to choose the brew basket or the pod adapter? It doesn’t get any more convenient.