Do Nespresso® reusable capsules damage machines?

Do Nespresso® reusable capsules damage machines?

Some people wonder whether reusable capsules damage machines, since they are stiffer. Having used reusable capsules ourselves several thousand times, and sold over 3,000 CAPS kits, the answer is no, reusable capsules don't damage machines. We explain in detail.  

 

Refillable capsules are pre-pierced

When you place a disposable capsule in your machine and close the valve/lever, 3 needles pierce the back of your capsule. It is through these holes that the water enters the capsule from the pump. 

When you use a reusable capsule, it is both pre-drilled and smaller than a disposable capsule. This means that the 3 needles of your Nespresso® machine are positioned just at the entrance to the pre-drilled holes, without coming into contact with the capsule. 

As a result, neither your machine nor your capsule will be damaged.

 Find out more about our Nespresso® reusable capsules here.

 

Use a seal instead of a reusable lid

The machines were designed to work with lidded capsules, not reusable lids. When we first started out, we did all our tests with lidded capsules. But we were never satisfied with the results in the cup, and there's an explanation for that.

A reusable lid doesn't allow the pressure to rise to 19 bar, which means that the coffee can't be extracted properly. 

With a lid, the machine will build up pressure, then reach a plateau and stay there. The pressure profile is therefore different from what was intended, and on the one hand the result in the cup is noticeable, but it's also the machine that isn't stressed as it should be. 

On the other hand, the lids are designed to withstand a pressure of between 0 and 18 bar, and give way at 19 bar. Once 19 bar is reached, the lid gives way and the coffee can flow at a much lower pressure. You can see for yourself: if you listen carefully, you'll hear a "pop!" before the coffee flows into your cup.

Find our compostable lids right here.

 

The very first machines

As we saw earlier, the capsules are pre-pierced and slightly lower than disposable capsules, so as not to come into contact with machine needles.

Almost all machines pierce capsules with 3 needles. However, the very first Nespresso® machines pierced capsules with a single needle. These machines are rare today, but if your machine was produced before 2010, it may have only one needle. To check this, simply look at your disposable capsules before throwing them away and check the number of holes at the bottom of the capsule. You'll see that if there's only one hole, our capsules won't be compatible, but this is very rare.

Conclusion

Reusable capsules won't damage your machines, as long as you use an operculum, and your machine pierces your capsules with 3 needles.

Discover the CAPS kit right here.