The owner of a Nespresso capsure coffee machine understands that Nespresso warns against the use of third-party capsules. Other brand capsules (they say) are made differently and may damage the machines.
Is there any truth in this?
Nick [1]Anyone who knows me would know it's not mine
Given that all of the profits are in the pods and not the machines I’d say highly unlikely.
Tim
The key is in the 'may'
In short we are damned if we are going to guarantree a machine if you use it with someone else's pods.
Let's face it, anything as massively advertised as Nespresso has just got to be utter crap.
I wonder how long it will be before high-end coffee machine makers start "protecting" their pods in the same way that inkjet printers only allow use of the OEM's cartridges. ;-)
Not long.
Some vendor 'may' make their pods out of Semtex, so we'll apply a blanket disclaimer.
Minus 10 years:
I have only ever used my[1] Dolci Gusto machine with Aldi and Lidl capsules and have had no problems.
[1] Mine was bought for me by a friend, so it means more to me than coffee - which is at least no more expensive than Nescafe, and better quality than instant.Owain
We have a Tassimo at work (personally I think pods are the work of the devil and one reason why we are headed towards an environmental shitstorm).
I note with interest it has a barcode reader to run the correct sequence depending on pod inserted.
TBH I am surprised that such a feature hasn't been leveraged (in the name of "safety", naturally) to ensure manufacturer only pods anyway.
Possibly. Nespresso patented the seal which goes around the edge of the capsule so you dont get any water blow -by as high pressure water is forced in. Other manufacturers of capsules cannot do this due to the patent and you could get excess water leakage in a genuine nespresso machine.
However. Other manufacturers of nespresso compatible capsule machines incorporate the edge seal in the machine - negating the need for manufacturers of capsules to incorporate it in their capsules.
I had read this elsewhere. So, using a third party capsule in a Nespresso machine means that there's no seal (either in the capsule or the machine) and there could be a problem.
Aren't these machines very cheap, though? So, you might choose to buy cheap capsules, and accept that might damage the machine in the long run.
I think the Tassimo pods are still patented so all the pod manufacturers are paying royalties to Tassimo.
I'll stick to my French Press...
Do you know if that patent is still valid? A lot of Nespresso patents from the 70s, 80s and 90s have expired.
I couldn't find a reference, but:
Theo
I think so, James Hoffmann referred to the seal in a relatively recent video ... can't remember which one
Excellent find! Explains it all far better that I could. Thanks Theo.
Interesting, thanks. I wonder when those seal patents run out? Although it seems like the solution is just not to buy a Nespresso machine and it's a non-problem with the clones.
Theo
Exactly. I have an electric grinder, roast Kenya beans and press style cafetières.
It remains the best coffee I have ever tasted. Been through filters, Konas, double pot things on a stove and espresso machines.
Its as good as filters, better than konas and half the trouble of either. Especially if you use a stainless steel rather than glass cafetière.
When camping coffee bags used to be reasonable substitute.
That is what I take with us, when away in the caravan. Coffee bags, brewed in one of those insulated large containers, in place of a French Press - one bag, makes two cups, then poured out to the cup.
Yes. See
Oops - too late.
Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.
Ask the community — no account required