Nespresso Pods are expensive and to save money, some Nespresso users try to get a second use out of their coffee capsules. But is it possible to safely use Nespresso pods twice without compromising taste or your machine?
Yes, you can Nespresso pods twice if you want. However, the taste, aroma, and flavors will be affected and you will end up with an inconsistent and watery shot of Espresso. And Nespresso doesn’t recommend users to Nespresso pods twice.
In this article, I’ll discuss how you can realistically use Nespresso pods twice and get decent results. We’ll look at the potential downsides and if the small savings are worth it.
how many times can you use a Nespresso pod?
Technically, you can use a Nespresso pod twice. Nespresso’s original line models don’t have a sensor to detect whether there’s a pod present in the chamber or not.
If you want to run Vertuo pods twice in the Vertuo line models then make sure that the barcode on the top of the pod is not affected in the first run.
So economically it might make sense to get two espresso shots from one Nespresso pod but I am sure you will not like the taste.
The taste is a completely subjective matter, though! If you are not offended by a bitter and less flavorful cup of coffee then Sure! you can reuse them.
Tips if you are going to use Nespresso pods twice
- You can use the second shot for preparing a milk-based drink as it will be very bitter on its own.
- Make a single larger drink by pouring the second shot over the first shot. This is a good idea if you like larger coffee servings.
- You can only use the Nespresso capsule twice if the duration between brewing hasn’t been too long. As once the punctured pod it gets exposed to air and quickly loses its quality and aroma. So don’t expect a good cup of coffee the next day if you leave a spent pod in the machine.
Why shouldn’t you use Nespresso pods twice?
Just because you can technically brew pods twice doesn’t mean you should use them. The following are the reasons why you should avoid using Nespresso pods twice.
- Your coffee will end up being bitter or burnt as the coffee grounds will get over-extracted when you run the pod twice.
- The taste of your coffee or espresso will become watery without any crema layer. There are only 5 to 7 grams of coffee grounds in the Nespresso pod which is sufficient for only one shot of Espresso.
- If you run pods multiple times, the pod might melt inside the machine and may cause damage to the machine.
If you are using more intense pods then it could be possible that you get a rich cup of coffee in the second run. But in most cases, it will more be like brown water than coffee.
Read a guide on how to recycle Nespresso pods
How to reuse Nespresso pods
You can reuse Nespresso pods by adding fresh coffee grounds to used Nespresso capsules and covering them with aluminum foils.
This is a DIY hack for reusing Nespresso capsules.
Steps include
- Remove the aluminum foil of the used capsule: Cut away the aluminum foil from the top of the used Nespresso pod with the help of a sharp knife.
- Empty & clean capsule: Now, discard spent coffee grounds from the capsule. Rinse it thoroughly to remove any coffee residue and let the capsule dry.
- Fill the capsule with ground coffee beans: Fill the capsule with about 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of your desired finely ground coffee.
- Now slightly press the grounds to level off the surface
- Cover the capsule with aluminum foil: Cut a piece of aluminum foil large enough for the capsule and entirely wrap the capsule top with it.
- Brew the coffee: Now, put the capsule back in the machine and brew as usual.
This method is almost three times cheaper than branded Nespresso capsules! Instead of reusing the same Nespresso Pod, you can also buy reusable Nespresso Pods.
Some Points to consider while reusing Nespresso pods
- Remember, this hack may result in a weaker and inconsistent shot of Espresso or can cause your Nespresso machine to leak.
- You have to do some experimentation with the coffee grind sizes and different foils to get the best results.
- These hacks may not work sometimes for Vertuoline machines because of barcode technology.
- Never reuse the Nespresso pod for more than 10 times.
Also Read: How to use your own coffee grounds in Nespresso
Can reusing Nespresso pods damage your machine?
Yes, reusing Nespresso pods can damage your machine. But no worries if you do it properly.
If you reuse the Nespresso pods, the following things might happen.
- The coffee grounds can clog your machine. This happens if you don’t cover the pod properly or overfill the pod with coffee grounds.
- Your coffee will not taste as good as authentic Nespresso pod. This happens when you use the wrong grind size or use too few coffee grounds.
- The pods could become stuck in the machine. This happens if you insert a damaged or bent capsule into the machine.
Using a spent capsule is generally a bad idea and not recommended by the manufacturer. But many folks have tried this method and had success in it.
So, the bottom line is if you are going to do it make sure to do it the right way.
Another way to enjoy Nespresso in an affordable way is by using unbranded Nespresso pods. Check out the Best Nespresso Compatible Pods
Final thoughts
So in the end, You can use the Nespresso pods twice if you are not bothered by the bitter and watery taste of coffee.
If you want to use your Nespresso machines more economically then you can reuse the Nespresso pods by filling your own coffee grounds.
Check out my favorite Nespresso Pods
