So, you own an oh-so-snazzy Lumio machine, and are now considering popping some equally snazzy reusable coffee capsules into your nifty cuppa companion - well, you've come to the right place! This useful little guide contains all you need to know about which sustainable pod will fit in your machine, to help get you sustainably brewing in no time and saving some coin in no time!
Dolce Gusto Lumio Machine
The Dolce Gusto Lumio is an excellent compact coffee machine available in a variety of colours (Black, Red and White) to suit your kitchen aesthetic. Priding itself on simple, minimalist design, the Lumio lets you prepare beverages with the push of a button, and will set you back somewhere between $89-$119.*
With a stylish design, this machine allows you to select the extraction quantity you desire by touching the volume selector, as well as letting you prepare both cold or hot coffee beverages by switching the temperature toggle. With an eco-mode feature, an added advantage of this machine is that it automatically switches off after 1 minute of inactivity, making it a practical choice for your kitchen.
Occasionally, the Lumio can be prone to spattering a little during the coffee extraction process, however this tends to be minimal. Overall, the Nescafe Dolce Gusto Lumio Coffee Machine is a handy kitchen appliance for brewing rich, velvety crema in the comfort of your home.
Reusable capsules
WAYCAP FOR DOLCE GUSTO
Pros: Made from 100% stainless steel with a durable silicone cap, this refillable coffee capsule base is designed to be infinitely reusable. This super convenient system is also famous for delivering a great coffee with rich crema. WayCap Dolce Gusto compatible packs come with 2 interchangeable Steel Filters per capsule - each one suited to a particular grind size. What's more, this system is also highly practical thanks to the WayCap Dock and Tamper, making it easy to refill your pods in seconds. Easy to clean, cost-effective and quality craftsmanship - it's basically everything you could possibly want from a refillable coffee capsule.
Cons: It's worth being mindful not to overfill these reusable capsules with coffee, as overfilling may result in incomplete closure of the cap, which can in turn cause issues during the brewing process. We'd definitely suggest filling the capsule with around 7.5g-8.5g of ground coffee (that's two-thirds capacity if you're eyeballing it).
SEALPOD DGPOD
Pros: Made from high-quality stainless steel, SealPod DGpod capsules allow the environmentally-conscious brewer to create delicious espresso from the comfort of home. DGpod refillable capsules minimise waste and provide a way for you to source coffee from your favourite local cafe or roastery.
Cons: There are a lot of components to the SealPod DGpod system (capsules, covers, lids, strainers and paper filters). Some may find this daunting as they adjust to brewing sustainably. There is also the ongoing purchase of paper filters that could be a slight deterrent.
The verdict
Zero waste, highly economical and capable of brewing a delicious espresso, WayCap for Dolce Gusto are a pretty neat product, and the obvious choice for anyone keen to reduce their environmental impact whilst not compromising on flavour quality.
Compatible with all Dolce Gusto machines, including EDG635, EDG635W, EDG635B, NCU600BLK, NCU600RED, NCU600WHT, NCU250BLK, NCU250RED, NCU250WHT and NCU150MTB. *Officeworks (Australia), April 2020.