“I would like to commend the staff at podstar. They were prompt in Thier correspondence prior to ordering. I ordered a pod on Dec 22, which they informed me I may not receive it for Christmas. It arrived the 24th and the receiver was very happy with the gift. If you like your coffee strong, I would recommend two pods, as it's not difficult to refill the pod, it just make things easier if you want another shot of coffee. I also recommend the stamper, or whatever the technical term is. I use a spoon to compact the coffee grinds but think the stamper might be the better tool. I cannot comment on the coffee received as a gift, as I am not a coffee drinker. I'm just the house Barista.”
“I absolutely love my reusable pods, they are the best. I have also purchased some for my son, he also loves them, we get to choose what flavour coffee we like & also help the planet & our plants as we take the coffee from the pods & use it as a pest control in the garden. Also when I needed to change some pods I had purchased, the staff were extremely helpful. Thanks guys.”
“Works well you don’t get quite as much of a crema on top but still good. I usually use two to get the strength I want. Great to know not adding to landfill by using these would recommend”
“I can't compare podstar to other re-fillable capsules because I haven't tried any others, but I can't see myself trying the others because podstar are so good.
I ordered some podstar pre-ground coffee as well as the capsules and found that made the best coffee I'd had so far out of my nespresso compatible machine. It was better than any of the nespresso brand capsules that came with the machine, better than any bought disposable capsules, better even than the individually foil wrapped Aurora capsules. Basically I found little difference between all the disposable capsules I've bought but the podstar pre-ground coffee in the podstar reusable capsules had more flavour and was comparable to a good cafe coffee.
I use two capsules per coffee, but I also use two capsules per coffee with all the disposable capsules as well, sometimes two capsules and a third capsule of decaf to try to top it up without losing flavour. Podstar recommend to invariably use two capsules per coffee.
The equipment is top quality, impeccably packed. The tamper is like an ornament, solid metal, pleasant to hold. I can't see how it could better. It's all top quality metal equipment.
It feels great to have this equipment because you know regardless of the supply of capsules, or if they stop making the capsules, you can make a better coffee using this equipment, which will last a lifetime. As long as you can get coffee beans you can grind it and pop it in a capsule and make a coffee, no waste.
If you're used to taking disposable plastic (or aluminium) capsules out of a box and sticking them in your machine, these re-usable capsules take a bit longer and need cleaning up. It's well worth it, certainly even just for the flavour, and perhaps you can think of it like a rest. You don't just rush in grab a coffee and leave, you need to fill and tamp, and there's washing up afterwards.
I bought 4 capsules and am glad I did. If there's two of you, you can fill 4 capsules = 2 coffees and worry about the washing up later. If you've got 2 used capsules you haven't emptied yet from your last coffee you can still just get another coffee and do washing up later.
To fill takes a little time and so far I've used a bowl to catch the fallout. Podstar do this on their videos. I can't think of any other way of doing it. Podstar also use a brush (!) to dust off coffee before screwing the capsule lid on. I find it very easy to brush it off with my fingers or give a gentle blow. I can't see myself getting a brush as well!
So to fill, get out your capsules, your coffee, your spoon and your tamper and a bowl and fill the capsules one by one. It's not instant like a disposable but it doesn't take long, and it's kind of a nice break. I find the tamper is somehow better than using the podstar spoon which fits inside the capsule specifically for the purpose of tamping, but the spoon is already in your hand, so in practice I find I will tamp during fill, with the spoon, and finish with a tamp using the tamper before putting on the lid. You don't want to tamp too heavily anyway, and that method works out fine. Brushing coffee grinds off the screw threads is easy to do with your finger and the lids go on easily. You then have the bowl with a bit of unused coffee left in it to put back into the coffee bag. If you kept your coffee in a wide mouth jar you might be able to skip the bowl and that step by filling the capsules over the jar.
I found putting the capsules in the machine took some care, almost like they were too big or too strong for the machine the first time I tried it, but I found you just need to position carefully and they fit fine. Ejecting the pods is funny as they fall into the basket with quite a thud. They're not disposable plastic things, they're solid metal.
I find the used coffee doesn't come out of the pods easily. You can't just bang it on the side of the bin / compost container and expect it to fall out in a neat lump. I used the handle of a teaspoon or something to try to flip as much as I can out and then end up washing the remainder out in the sink. I don't think soap is necessary. They clean up quickly in just water.
Better coffee than any of the disposables using some really nice equipment!”
“I had accidentally ordered the wrong starter pack, I sent emails like a crazy person requesting the correct one. My emails were responded to quickly & with understanding. My order was changed, and I received the correct pack.
I’m very pleased with Podstar from their products to the personal service.”
“Love my pod Star still playing around with perfecting the perfect tamping pressure and suggest 2 pods for those who like a strong cup but I love the product quality and stainless steel lids great. So glad I made the investment. Bonus is you can choose your fave coffee or try lots different ones”
“We have enjoyed the pods, but 2 is not enough when making a coffee for both my husband and I so will need to get more. It took a few goes to get the grind right on the coffee grinder but I am now producing consistent coffees which is good. I am very pleased not to be putting waste in the bin anymore, by using the pods no wastage as the grounds go into my FOGO bin for composting.
U tube videos and excellent help when learning how to use the pods, I revisited the tutorials a number of times”
