Hotel Chocolat The Podster coffee machine review

Lodge Chocolat is greatest recognized for making edible items and (due to the Velvetiser) unbelievable residence sizzling candies, however I used to be shocked after they added a espresso machine to their lineup. The machine, referred to as The Podster, is the results of one more collaboration with Dualit. It’s suitable with Nespresso capsules, however the machine additionally launched alongside a line of Rabot Property espresso pods, which declare to supply barista-quality brews, from residence. These pods are recyclable with the remainder of your house recycling, and include a ‘Podcycler’ gadget that’s simple to become familiar with.

I attempted the Lodge Chocolat The Podster espresso machine for 2 weeks, alongside a tasting choice of Rabot Property coffees, to see if it’s a worthwhile funding as the most effective espresso machines available on the market. It retails for £149.95 and at present solely is available in one color: charcoal.

Considering of shopping for The Podster? Nicely, right here’s what I believed in my Lodge Chocolat The Podster espresso machine evaluate. It’s a superb high quality machine with some considerate options that make it a superb rival for most of the greatest pod espresso machines, however I had a number of points with dripping, and would’ve preferred if the design had been a extra precise pairing to the Velvetiser.

Very best Dwelling rated: 4 out of 5 stars

Causes to purchase

• 9-bar stress
• Eco-conscious design
• Respectable used pod capability
• Pairs with the Velvetiser
• Considerate accents, with soft-touch buttons and textured deal with

Causes to keep away from

• The deal with received’t work below counters
• Plastic end
• Costly for what it does

Lodge Chocolat The Podster

Purchase The Podster direct at Lodge Chocolat, £149.95

Unboxing The Podster

The Lodge Chocolat The Podster is a comparatively light-weight machine. Its heaviest design function is the deal with, which is sturdy and echoes the deal with of the Velvetiser, additionally designed by Dualit. Lodge Chocolat despatched me a tasting assortment of Rabot Property Espresso pods, from their basic ‘The One’ to mellow ‘Cashmere’ and my private favorite, the brilliant and fruity ‘Oh, Good day’, to strive with the machine. Included with each Podster is a ‘Podcycler’, which is designed to make the aluminium Rabot Property pods recyclable.

It’s slimline and fairly deep, with the proper dimensions for small kitchens that don’t have the house foe a bulkier machine.

Meeting directions have been minimal, however the machine slots collectively intuitively. It has a fluted plastic water container which elevates it from a extra fundamental machine, and the identical plastic could be discovered on the used pod container. I like that that is see-through, which makes it simple to see when it’s essential to empty your machine.

There’s an on/off swap in conjunction with The Podster, in addition to two drink sizes to select from on the entrance of the machine. That’s it for controls, it couldn’t be extra easy.

Lodge Chocolat launched three mugs alongside the brand new espresso machine, referred to as Hug, Chat, and Spark. I actually loved these mugs, which value additional however actually full the look in case you plan on utilizing alongside a Velvetiser which has tall mugs which are good for a serving of sizzling chocolate. They’re the proper measurement for a latte, and have tactile designs that basically complement the ingesting expertise.

Utilizing the Lodge Chocolat The Podster

To make use of The Podster, merely use the sturdy facet deal with to open the engraved slot on the high of the machine and drop your pod in. Pulling the lever down, which is a strong and passable movement, locks the pod into place. Then it’s only a case of selecting between an espresso or a lungo shot of espresso. The pre-heat time sat at across the 8-second mark, which wasn’t lengthy but in addition wasn’t the quickest of the pod espresso machines I’ve reviewed. The buttons are each soft-touch, with a flashing mild that turns strong when the machine is able to dispense espresso.

I first opted to make a lungo, and located that a little bit water dropped from the dispenser earlier than the machine started to brew. This was a little bit disappointing, but it surely was adopted by a two-second pre-dose that’s good to develop the espresso flavour earlier than it begins to extract. As anticipated, my espresso was sizzling and wealthy, with a skinny layer of crema on the high of the drink. I did discover that the espresso was loads much less robust by the tip of the shot, which prompt to me that the pods are greatest suited to espresso, however I nonetheless loved the style and texture of my ‘The One’ home mix.

Making espresso

The espresso follows largely the identical course of, however I famous that some water nonetheless dripped into my glass earlier than I pulled the shot. I did discover that the depth was loads stronger, however the flavour was nonetheless nice and the layer of crema was loads thicker. After I positioned the machine below my kitchen cupboards, which is the place I take a look at home equipment for extended intervals of time, I discovered that the lever wouldn’t raise absolutely with out hitting the underside of cupboards. I needed to pull it out with a purpose to add a pod, which received in the best way of my each day use.

After my espresso had completed brewing, there was some extra dripping that fell instantly into the drip tray below the dispenser. This meant I wanted to empty it repeatedly, however didn’t final greater than ten seconds.

Utilizing The Podster with The Velvetiser

The Velvetiser is designed to make sizzling chocolate (which is what I examined it for in my Lodge Chocolat Velvetiser evaluate), however in terms of making a latte, it creates a thick foam that’s not too inflexible and has heaps of physique. It was good for making a persistently creamy espresso, and the matching deal with appears to be like the half when the machines are side-by-side. For those who already personal the Velvetiser within the shade Charcoal, you’re in luck. The podster solely comes on this color, which pairs with a charcoal Velvetiser. I’ve the white one, which doesn’t look fairly so suitable when sat side-by-side within the kitchen. This duo is ideal for making lattes at residence although, and even the occasional mocha.

Whereas the Velvetiser is all easy strains and metallic exteriors, the Podster is relatively plastic and much more streamlined. The one design ingredient that does tie them collectively is a beautiful textured deal with. Nevertheless, it will’ve been good to see a little bit extra continuity between the 2 merchandise.

Utilizing the Podcycler

The Podcycler comes included with each Lodge Chocolat machine, and it’s an innovation I’ve seen from Dualit prior to now. The idea is easy however does contain a little bit additional work. The perk? You may stack your used espresso pods collectively and put them within the family recycling.

To make use of the Podcycler, I positioned the used pods rim-side down on the underside of the contraption after which pressed down utilizing the highest half. This pushes the pod inside-out, ejecting the used espresso grounds and leaving you with an empty aluminium shell. Give this a superb rinse and stack the used pods collectively with a purpose to put them by means of family recycling.

Is it as sustainable as utilizing a bean-to-cup espresso machine? No. Nevertheless, it’s a step in the precise route when in comparison with the legions of plastic pods available on the market that claims to be recyclable, however require you to take them to sparsely-located recycling centres to get the job finished.

Must you purchase the Lodge Chocolat The Podster?

Whereas I used to be a little bit underwhelmed by the look, I nonetheless suppose that The Podster is a good espresso machine. For one, it’s backed by a high quality Dualit design, and it additionally boasts a formidable 9 bars of stress that labored completely with the Rabot Property espresso pods’ choice of blends. I actually loved this espresso, which had heaps of flavour, and I additionally loved utilizing the Velvetiser within the place of a milk frother. Nevertheless, I did want that the Podster and Velvetiser had a extra suitable design profile to appear like a whole set on the kitchen counter, and the dripping was a problem that detracts from the standard really feel of the machine.

When it comes to value, the £149.95 value is definitely fairly affordable. The Velvetiser retails for £110, which is nicely above the typical value for the very best milk frothers, so I used to be anticipating a extra dear espresso machine from Lodge Chocolat. The Podster is comparable in value to the Lavazza A Modo Mio Deséa, and loads cheaper than the Grind Pod Espresso Machine, which has an analogous lever-style design. It’s a good worth machine, particularly for the 9 bars of stress that come included.

About this evaluate, and the reviewer

Millie Fender is small home equipment editor at Very best Dwelling. She critiques every thing from espresso machines to air fryers from her personal kitchen, which means these assessments have been carried out in the identical situations that you simply’ll be utilizing the machine.

The Podster was kindly despatched to Millie by Lodge Chocolat, and he or she examined it for 2 weeks earlier than writing her evaluate. This gave her the prospect to check all of its features in addition to cleansing and test for any troubleshooting. Whereas she prefers a frothy latte or an iced cappuccino, her accomplice isn’t working on lower than three americanos, so the Lodge Chocolat The Podster was very completely examined.