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Can You Use Original Nespresso Pods In a Vertuo Machine?

Dan

By: Dan

Updated on: 4/24/2024

Can You Use Original Nespresso Pods In a Vertuo Machine?

So, you bought the wrong Nespresso pods and are now wondering, “can you use Original Nespresso pods in a Vertuo machine?” The short answer is no, you cannot use OriginalLine pods directly in VertuoLine brewers, like the Nespresso VertuoPlus machine.

However, there is a workaround. I’ll explain more about why Original and Vertuo pods are not interchangeable in this article, and I’ll also explain the workaround and why I don’t recommend doing it.

Can You Use OriginalLine Nespresso Pods in a VertuoLine Machine?

No, you cannot use Nespresso’s OriginalLine pods in their newer VertuoLine coffee machines. The two pod types are completely incompatible.

First, let’s dive deeper into exactly why you can’t simply pop an OriginalLine pod into a VertuoLine machine and expect delicious coffee to come out. There are a few key reasons this can’t work:

  1. Physical Dimensions: OriginalLine pods are small, round, and flat on the bottom. They’re designed to work with OriginalLine machines that use centrally-placed piercing needles to inject water into the pod. VertuoLine pods, on the other hand, are much larger and dome-like in shape. The VertuoLine capsule holders are designed specifically for this larger, rounder shape. So right off the bat, you couldn’t even fit an OriginalLine pod into the capsule holder of your Vertuo machine if you wanted to.
  2. Barcodes: Each Nespresso pod has a barcode printed on the bottom rim. When inserted into the machine, a sensor reads this barcode, which tells the brewing system the exact pod type and size along with the blend of coffee inside. The machine then adjusts brewing parameters like water temperature, flow rate, and brew time to make that specific coffee perfectly. OriginalLine and VertuoLine pods have entirely different barcodes, and the machines have different brewing parameters. A VertuoLine machine simply wouldn’t be able to read an OriginalLine barcode at all.
  3. Brewing Methods: Even if you could fit an OriginalLine pod into a VertuoLine machine and trick it into reading the barcode, the brewing itself still wouldn’t be ideal. That’s because the two systems use completely different methods to extract the coffee, which require different grind sizes and pod designs. Which leads me to my next point.

Why You Might Not Want to Put Original Pods in a Vertuo Machine Even If You Could…

Let’s talk about why even if you somehow MacGyvered an OriginalLine pod to work in a VertuoLine machine, you probably wouldn’t be thrilled with the resulting coffee.

Nespresso’s two product lines use totally different brewing methods optimized for their respective pods.

OriginalLine machines work like a Keurig on steroids. They rapidly pump high-pressure hot water through the grounds to extract espresso-style coffee. The pods contain tightly packed, finely ground coffee to allow for even, balanced, and full extraction in a short amount of time. A 19-bar pressure pump forces water through the grounds to pull out oils and flavors in seconds.

VertuoLine machines, on the other hand, use a radically different approach called Centrifusion. The pod spins at up to 7,000 rotations per minute while water flows into the top. The rapid spinning generates centrifugal force, which pulls the water through the grounds. This Centrifusion simulates high-pressure extraction without needing an expensive pump.

It’s a seriously ingenious brewing technique that the coffee world has never seen before. And to make it work, the coffee in Vertuo pods is a bit coarser. The resulting coffee is less like espresso and more like a super-bold cup of drip coffee.

Because of these vastly different extraction methods, the coffee blends in OriginalLine and VertuoLine pods are precisely tailored for each system. OriginalLine’s fine grind and compacted grounds make bitter, overextracted coffee when used in a VertuoLine machine. And VertuoLine’s coarser grind would cause the water to flow far too quickly through an OriginalLine machine, leading to underextraction and sour coffee. Yuck.

So even if you could hack an OriginalLine pod to work in a Vertuo system, you probably wouldn’t like what came out. Stick to using pods designed specifically for your machine, or read on to learn about reusing grounds between systems if you’re dead set on trying it.

You Actually CAN Use the Coffee From an Original Pod in a Vertuo Machine

Alright, I said you can’t use OriginalLine pods in VertuoLine brewers. So how can you use the coffee inside them in a Vertuo machine?

The secret is reusable Nespresso pods. These are empty pods you fill with your own grounds. They’re made by third parties and are not officially affiliated with Nespresso. They have a few benefits like letting you use cheaper coffee, getting more variety, and reducing waste.

If you really wanted to, you could pry open OriginalLine Nespresso pods and dump those grounds into a reusable VertuoLine pod. Then you could brew it in a VertuoLine machine.

But before you go hacking open your Nespresso pods, know that there are some very good reasons not to do this:

  1. Flavor: As explained above, the grind size and extraction method aren’t designed to work together between the two systems. The brew would likely be weak and underwhelming if you used OriginalLine pod coffee in a Vertuo machine.
  2. No Barcode: Reusable pods lack the all-important barcode on the bottom to set the brew parameters. Without this, the time, temperature, and flow wouldn’t be calibrated to your coffee. This is why reusable pods usually make coffee that isn’t nearly as good as Nespresso-branded pods.
  3. Not Enough Grounds: OriginalLine pods only contain around 5 to 6 grams of coffee each. VertuoLine pods use 10 to 12 grams or more. So you’d have to combine multiple OriginalLine pods worth of grounds to fill a VertuoLine reusable pod. Not economical!
  4. Potential Damage: Some VertuoLine owners report that over time, reusable pods can actually damage components inside the brewer not designed to handle their excess weight and girth. Keep in mind that these pods spin at 7,000 RPM, so any added weight can damage the mechanism that spins them. You risk affecting the longevity of your machine, and since Nespresso doesn’t make reusable Vertuo pods and doesn’t support third-party ones, you could not only damage your machine but also void the warranty in the process.

Considering all these drawbacks, opening OriginalLine pods for use in a Vertuo brewer makes little sense. You’ll get questionable flavor, zero crema due to the coarse grind, potentially damage your machine, and void the warranty. A lot of wasted effort for bad coffee. Just use the pods as intended in OriginalLine machines, and enjoy VertuoLine pods in VertuoLine machines.

Wrapping Up: Stick With Nespresso-Branded Vertuo Pods

So, no, you can’t use Original Nespresso pods in a Vertuo brewer, and while you can use the coffee in Original pods in a Vertuo brewer if you have a reusable Vertuo pod, I don’t recommend it. You could damage your machine and void the warranty, and since the brewing methods of the two machine lines are totally different, use different grind sizes, amounts of coffee, and brewing parameters, you probably won’t like the coffee that comes out anyway.

My suggestion: resist the urge to try to make the different Nespresso pod types work across systems. Brew as intended for the safest and most delicious results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are the barcodes on Nespresso pods so important?

The barcodes contain critical information that allows Nespresso machines to optimize the brewing process for the coffee inside. When inserted, sensors read the barcode to determine capsule size, coffee blend, roasting degree, and other parameters, like water temperature and brew time. The machine then adjusts the brewing to match, controlling flow rate, water temperature, infusion time, and more. This allows every pod to be brewed perfectly according to its specific characteristics. Without the barcode, you wouldn’t get the best possible flavor.

Can I use reusable Nespresso pods to save money?

Yes, you can purchase reusable Nespresso pods from third-party companies to fill with your own coffee grounds. This allows you to use cheaper store-bought coffee. However, be aware that reusable pods lack the barcode that sets the proper brewing parameters, so they won’t brew quite as precisely. Only use reusable pods specifically designed for your Nespresso model to avoid damaging your machine. Maintain them well and adjust grind size to optimize flavor. Reusable pods allow some cost savings but likely won’t replicate the quality of Nespresso’s own pods.

Why is crema important for Nespresso coffee?

Crema refers to the layer of tan foam that floats on top of a shot of espresso and on top of Nespresso coffee. It’s prized for its texture and slightly sweet taste. VertuoLine machines in particular are designed to produce generous, long-lasting crema. The crema adds complexity of flavor and indicates some level of freshness and a proper extraction. Without crema, the coffee will taste weaker and flatter. So pods and parameters are optimized partly to generate crema, which is a mark of a high quality coffee.