Reusable Nespresso Capsules - Sealpod Stainless Steel Refillable Pods for Nespresso Machines (OriginalLine Compatible) (5, 0 Lids (Purchased Separately))

It is smaller than original Nesspresso capsules so less coffee. It also leaks a LOT into the container below. But it works. I give it a pass.

Absolutely love these pods, they work perfectly. I've used them over 30 times since I got them, and have had 0 issues. The key to getting the sticker on is to make sure that the rim is clean and that it is lined up first before you stick it on. I love that I can use any type of espresso in them, and that they are steel, instead of plastic like the cheaper ones. They are super easy to clean, although some times you might need to scrub the sticky residue off the rim, but not a big deal at all. Having a set of 5 with the lids and silicone bottom is perfect because then I can fill all 5 at once and it is just as fast as the disposable ones in the morning!

These seemed like a great idea - and they are from an environmental point of view. Unfortunately, they are incredibly expensive for what you get, and a messy pain to use. Lots of coffee is wasted. If you don't measure it just right then you get a coffee that is too weak, too strong or it just doesn't work at all. In addition, there are not enough of them in the pack if you're using them in an office setting.

There are plenty of reviews on the Nespresso Sealpod system already. I read through them and decided to try them. The 5-pack seems to be most economical. The instructions enclosed say not to use espresso coffee. And they acknowledge this is ironic: "Use a fairly fine grind, but not the espresso grind, ironically." I am trying to keep my comments specific to the capsules and not my machine: the Nespresso Inissia. This is difficult, since the machine was designed with a disposable strategy in mind, and this device attempts to circumvent it. My major concerns were that I was going to have to experiment a lot to get a decent espresso, that filling would take too much time, and that I would waste a lot of coffee and stickers in the process. None of my initial concerns were realized. The Sealpods came with 6 included stickers (yay!). I also purchased the 100-pack of Sealpod stickers. I have tried different grinds, different blends, and each time I was able to make... espresso. Yes, it did work. One thing I did not anticipate was the leaking. Although the pods have a rubber gasket, and the stickers seem to make a great seal with the needles, there is a noticeable amount of liquid in the drip tray, and under the spent pod, after using a refillable capsule compared with a Nespresso capsules (having little to none whatsoever). For the purposes of this review, I will call this "backflow". This happens regardless of how much or how little I tamp the coffee, regardless of grind size. In the beginning I was annoyed with the backflow, now I just pour it down the sink. This is something to be aware of - after about 4 pod runs, the drip tray is almost full, so it would be wise to empty it before it overflows. Some reviews warned that the sticker glue was difficult to remove. The adhesive plastic ring sticks to the metal capsule body once you peel the aluminum sticker off. I found that if you scratch under the sticker ring, the whole ring lifts off the capsule body in one piece, leaving little if any residue. I found that refilling a single capsule was as easy and relatively quick - a less-than-3-minute activity. In an unrelated note, I also found that the Inissia can simply dispense hot water without a pod, thus rendering my kettle redundant. It's also a good idea to flush the Inissia this way in between changing flavours, or if you haven't used your Nespresso in a while - because the backflow dries in the pod hopper, and will make a dark crust that you really don't want/need in your coffee or tea. Is this a perfect solution for the Nespresso? Not quite. A perfect solution would not require me to apply or peel-off stickers - still a consumable, but less expensive and less wasteful than regular capsules. An ideal solution would have the same capsule volume as the Nespresso disposable pods. The metal Sealpod capsule is substantially smaller than the Nespresso capsule to prevent damage of the bottom needles in the machine, leaving you with the suboptimal decision of having coffee that is much weaker, or tamping coffee to the point where flowrate and coffee volume wane - this is part of the reason for backflow. I was getting very frustrated with the kit until a coworker of mine suggested to just make a smaller volume of coffee - in other words, press the small volume button, or stop dispensing after the coffee looked like it was going clear. This suggestion worked very well - giving much more flavourful half-cups of coffee. On a regular day, one pod doesn't do it - I use two pods per coffee. Given that I drink two coffees in the morning, that means 4 pods spent. I purchased a second 5-cup kit so that I wasn't refilling pods every day. Would I recommend this system? After 6 months of using it, I give it a well-considered 4 stars - it's good. If you have a Nespresso machine, and would like to save money, it's an idea, and a bargain at what I paid - the break-even point being 100 cups (do your own math). You can also experiment with other powders in the pods: hot chocolate, loose teas, etc. - giving you expanded flexibility for your Nespresso. On the plus side, it results in coffee that YOU choose, clean up is fast (literally cleaning out a thimble), and this system is less expensive and less wasteful than using brand name or aftermarket coffee capsules. On the down side, the coffee using these pods is noticeably weaker, coffee volume is smaller if you try to adjust, there is more backflow, and for what you get in this kit (5 metal cups and some stickers) the price tag is non-trivial, although eventually (and nicely) it does pay for itself. One more thing I noticed- if you used this system together with disposables, be careful not to turf them in the garbage. I almost threw a few of them out accidentally. I ran out of stickers recently, and asked the obvious question - can you jerry-rig your own? The answer, surprisingly, is yes (at your own risk) - watch the attached video to find out how! If you don't have a Nespresso system and you are considering purchasing these cups with the machine, I would probably think again. Percolating is my favourite kind of coffee brewing strategy, not requiring filters, pods, plugs, stickers, or purchasing minute amounts of coffee overpackaged for rediculous prices. I wonder why brewing has to be so complicated, and whether or not these machines exist because products need to be continually re-invented. But maybe that's just me.

Kind of stinks that you have to use and buy stickers to put on the pod. Wish it was a lid instead.