Can You Use Nespresso Pods Twice?
Nespresso capsules are a quick-and-easy way to make espresso. However, there’s a lot of discussion about whether or not you can use Nespresso pods twice to save on cost. Some people say that it’s no problem, while others claim that the coffee doesn’t taste as good the second time around.
To read more on the topic, check out our other blog posts covering how to make your own Nespresso pods and how long are Nespresso pods good for.
So, what’s the truth? Can you use Nespresso pods more than once? In this blog post, we will investigate and provide an answer to that question.
Are Nespresso Pods Reusable?
There’s more to this question than you might think. Nespresso does not make reusable pods and does not recommend that their customers reuse the pods.
A post from Delishably argues differently by stating that the resulting coffee or espresso is strong enough to use pods repeatedly, which would effectively cut your coffee pod expenses in half.
Nonetheless, we beg to differ.
Even if we remove coffee pods from the equation, grounds from a single brew pod are designed to only be used once. Running Nespresso capsules twice will result in a more bitter brown water rather than coffee, and it won’t be easy to consume.
This is because the water that passes through the coffee during the brewing process extracts out its flavor and strength. So, you end up with less intense espresso each subsequent time you use a capsule.
In addition, the capsules are made from aluminum foil, which is not meant to be washed and reused. The water will also have a hard time draining through the coffee if the pod is already wet, which means that you’ll get a far inferior cup of coffee than before.
Even though you can physically reuse the pod, the resulting coffee or espresso will not be as good as if you used a new pod.
What’s The Ideal Way To Reuse Nespresso Pods?
Now that we have found that we can not reuse the Nespresso pods, there is still a way to make your own Nespresso pods.
After making your first brew from the pod, cut the pod open and remove the existing content. Rinse the pod out and let it dry completely. Once dry, you can refill the pod with your favorite coffee beans or grounds: around 8 to 10 grams per pod.
Secondly, cut circular shapes from a piece of aluminum foil, place them on top of the pods, and press down to close. Or you can use a coffee pod sealer to accomplish this task.
Insert the filled pod into your machine and enjoy!
Finally, brew your coffee as usual, but be sure that you don’t pull a shot too long, or else it will burn the beans or grounds. This is not the best solution for getting more out of your pods, but recycling them and getting another cup of coffee out of them is possible.
So, what’s the verdict? Can you use Nespresso pods twice?
The answer is no: you can’t reuse the actual pod itself. However, if you’re willing to go through a few extra steps, you can refill the pod with fresh coffee grounds and get another cup of coffee out of it.
Can Reusing Nespresso Pods Damage The Coffee Machine?
Yes, reused espresso pods can damage your Nespresso machine.
Nespresso machines are designed to use authentic Nespresso pods. If you try to use a recycled pod:
- the coffee ground may get stuck in your machine
- You will be voiding your machine warranty if you rigorously use the wrong Nespresso pods
- your coffee might not turn as good as it would turn out with an authentic Nespresso pod
- the pods might also get stuck into the machine
For these reasons, reusing the Nespresso pods is not a great idea. However, some people have tried it, and it’s worked out for them. But I would not recommend this.
Conclusion
You cannot reuse the Nespresso pods themselves, but you can recycle them by filling them with fresh coffee grounds and brewing a cup of coffee. Just be careful not to overdo it, so as not to damage your machine or void your warranty.
