Our CapsulesWill your coffee capsules work in my Nespresso® machine?Yes, our capsules are designed to work in your Nespresso® machine and for your piece of mind we offer a money back guarantee. How much do your capsules cost?Caffè Impresso capsules are priced at €0.30 each – 20% below Nespresso® retail price for their basic product. We believe this represents a great value over Nespresso® capsules, especially when you consider our coffee is actually higher quality! Do you offer some sort of guarantee against machine damages when customers use our capsules?There are myriad complaints and concerns about Nespresso machines breaking down for various reasons, most of which occur (statistically) while using Nespresso capsules. Our capsules are compatible with Nespresso machines, and therefore should not result in damage to any existing Nespresso machines currently on the market (as of June 2013).
A few practical suggestions:
Caffè Impresso also recommends that users regularly de-scale their Nespresso machine (calcium build-up inside the machines is one of the biggest causes of machine failure and breakage) according to the manufacturers’ recommendations. And that users keep their machine clean with a warm soapy cloth, as well as properly powered down when not in use. Nespresso Citiz, Pixie, Essenza, and ‘U’ Machine IssuesNespresso compatible capsule alignment.Nespresso Machines and Nespresso capsules fit together like very loose jigsaw puzzle pieces. The pyramidal shape, and matching slot in Nespresso machines, along with the capsules’ extruded Aluminium construction, are patented by Nespresso. Most Nespresso-compatible polypropylene or plastic capsules are therefore made with a flat rather than pyramidal top.
The practical result of this small design difference is that Nespresso-compatible capsules fit a Nespresso machine capsule slot to about 90% accuracy rather than 95% accuracy with Nespresso capsules (YES, Nespresso capsules drop through too !), which can occasionally create a tendency for misalignment as compatible capsules are dropped into the machine. This is EASILY overcome by paying a little attention to capsule insertion technique. Potential issues: Compatible capsule dropped into Nespresso capsule slot tilts down or sideways and thus becomes out of alignment with compression chamber, where Nespresso capsule stays aligned. Then when lever is being closed, it feels like its being forced to close. Lever closure feels forced: Caffè Impresso makes its capsules of polypropylene rather than Aluminium, although the bottom foil of the compatible capsule is made of the same aluminium foil which is easily pierced by the Nespresso machine. However, capsules may feel different in the machine lever-closure action. When the lever on top of the Nespresso machine is pressed down you align with the extraction unit, at the same time as puncturing the bottom of the capsule ready for coffee extraction. With Caffè Impresso capsules, you don’t need to puncture the top of the capsule as precision perforations which maximise extraction flow through the coffee are already in the top of the capsule. So if the lever feels like its being forced with Nespresso-Compatible capsules, its not ! This is the difference between capsule alignment mechanisms grasping the plastic ‘hips’ of the capsule rather than soft aluminium. Bear in mind, Nespresso compatible capsules will not damage a Nespresso machine just because they’re plastic. In any contest between the strength of steel vs. plastic, steel always wins ! Capsule doesn’t fit my NESPRESSO ROMEO machine very well.This is an old machine no longer sold by Nespresso. It was manufactured between 2004/2006, and in fact there have been myriad complaints about the machine breaking down: too many electrical problems and product jamming. It was a bit overcomplicated in its manufacture, hence its discontinuation.
Caffè Impresso points / suggestions as follows:
It would be entirely coincidental that a ROMEO machine would break down after 6+ years of use, when using a Nespresso-compatible capsule !
Coffee Strength IssuesHow to better manage espresso coffee strength.Machine Settings You should restrict the pour volume (the amount of water flowing through your capsule during the extraction process) in order to get the optimum strength of coffee that each specially blended capsule is designed to deliver. Most Nespresso or Nespresso-compatible machines have a programmable pour volume setting (check manufacturers instructions for your machine to learn how to adjust pour volume settings) which may have been deliberately or inadvertently adjusted during use. This most often results in longer-pour programming for your machine rather than a shorter pour. Coffee Volume Drink volume In fact the coffee connoisseurs’ choice is to order their espresso ‘ristretto’ (restricted) poured, at just 0.75 fl.oz to truly experience the finest and purest taste attributes and characteristics of each blend, and eliminate any of the bitterness that is experienced in coffee which is extracted for longer. Blend Selection Future Blends DeliveryWhen should I expect my order?We aim to process and dispatch your order same day so usually you should receive your coffee capsules next day.
|