Comparing Nespresso Machines: Inissia vs. Pixie vs. Citiz vs. Essenza

For rich coffee flavour in seconds, the Nespresso line of machines delivers. With so many different models, however, it can be difficult to know which one is best suited to your needs. After we have reviewed the comparison between Nespresso and Dolce Gusto in a previous post, we have reviewed the most popular Nespresso models to help you determine which is right for you.

The basic function of a Nespresso machine remains the same in each model. Each model we reviewed features two programmable one-touch buttons for cup capacity, a fast 25-second warm up time, and an automatic shut off. In every model, the coffee is dispensed quickly and with a rich crema on top.

Inissia
This is a great choice if you are considering buying your first Nespresso machine.
A compact, lightweight machine
  • Dimensions: 32.1 x 12 x 23 cm
  • Weight: 2.4 Kg
  • Special Features: Programmable; Removable Tank; Thermoblock
  • Wattage: 1,260 watts
Pixie
This is a great machine if you are looking for a machine that will last.
Ultra compact, just 11 cm
  • Dimensions: 32.6 x 11.1 x 23.5 cm
  • Weight: 2.8 Kg
  • Special Features: Programmable; Removable Tank; Thermoblock
  • Wattage: 1,260 watts
CitiZ
The Citiz makes an espresso that even aficionados appreciate, and the increased height allows room for taller mugs.
Barista style coffee every time
  • Dimensions: 37.2 x 13 x 27.8 cm
  • Weight: 3.1 Kg
  • 1 L removable water tank
  • Wattage: 1, 870 watts
Essenza Mini
The Essenza Mini is the most compact of the Nespresso machines
A solid, quality machine
  • Dimensions: 32 x 11 x 20.5 cm
  • Weight: 2.3 Kg
  • Separate Aeroccino milk frother
  • Wattage: 1, 310 watts

Nespresso Inissia Review

The Nespresso Inissia is a compact, lightweight machine. It is 4.7 inches wide, 9 inches high, and 12.6 inches tall, with an ergonomic black handle. It’s whimsical and cute with a curving shape, and it comes in four different colours: black, white, red, and ivory. Each colour has a corresponding pattern in the black backsplash behind where the coffee dispenses. In the ivory and white, the grid has a honeycomb pattern, while in the red and black, a simple vertical line pattern. The 24-oz. water tank will brew up to nine cups of coffee without needing to reheat. The Inissia is considered the budget model, but it delivers the delicious coffee you want quickly, and it looks beautiful, too. This is a great choice if you are considering buying your first Nespresso machine. Something to consider, though, is that as the budget model more of the machine is made with plastic. This would be a great machine for a college student, it is fashionable and works well, but shouldn’t be handled too roughly.

Nespresso Pixie Review


The Pixie is similar in size and structure to the Inissia, but it features an avant-garde design aesthetic. It has a black centre with premium aluminium siding, which comes in two different colours and textures. The Pixie Aluminum is silver in colour along the side, with a small diamond pattern in the metal. The Pixie Electric Titan is a warmer steel colour, with a pattern of repeating horizontal lines. In addition to the differences in design from the Inissia, the Pixie model also includes a feature to alert you when you need to refill the water tank. When the water level in the tank begins to get low, red backlights along the side of the machine will light up. The Pixie also has a 24-oz. water tank, which translates to nine cups of coffee. The Pixie is a little sturdier than the Inissia and seems to have more parts made from steel. This is a great machine if you are looking for a machine that will last.

Nespresso Citiz review


The Citiz is slightly bigger than the Inissia and Pixie. It measures 5 inches wide, 11 inches tall, and 14.5 inches deep, and has a retro-modern design in black and silver. The Citiz has a slightly larger water tank as well, at 34 ounces. This allows you to brew up to 12 cups of coffee in quick succession. It further differs from the Inissia and Pixie in that it does not have a handle. To insert the coffee capsule, you raise a small, subtle lever on the top front of the machine. This model can collect 9-11 used capsules, before needing to be emptied. The Citiz makes an espresso that even aficionados appreciate, and the increased height allows room for taller mugs. This is a great option if you like to add steamed milk to your espresso to make a tall latte.

Nespresso Essenza Mini review


The Essenza Mini is the most compact of the Nespresso machines. It is 4 inches wide, 8 inches tall, and 12.8 inches deep. The same model includes several colours and two different shapes to choose from. The first shape is a very contemporary rectangular box. The second shape has the same rectangular base but rises to a rounded peak. It reminds me a little of an old-style radio. The water tank holds 20 ounces, which can make seven consecutive cups of coffee. The Essenza is the quietest of the Nespresso machines we reviewed. If you want to make a cup of coffee without waking someone else up, this is a great choice! One thing of note, though, is the most compact machine you are limited in the cup size that will fit under the dispenser. This is best for small or traditional sized coffee cups.

Nespresso machines have earned a reputation for quality, both in design and in coffee experience. The truth is, you can’t go wrong with any of these models. Some of the brand makers of these models include De’Longhi and Krups, in addition to Nespresso. Each maker builds a solid, quality machine.

Eco Friendly Cleaning Tips for Your Home

Eco Friendly Cleaning Tips for Your Home
These eco-friendly cleaning tips for your home will help people who want to avoid extra spending and prevent illnesses caused by the harmful toxins that are present in many cleaning products today. It is really easy to get your home looking the way that you want it to without exposing you, your family and your pets to many of the agents which have been proven to cause cancer and even reproductive problems in children. Read more to learn how to save money easily keep your upholstery, floors and other surfaces looking like new.

Read more

How to Clean an Induction Hob

How to Clean an Induction Hob

Induction stoves are some of the most modern and convenient ways to safely cook a variety of foods. As their name hints, these mechanisms use the thermal process of induction to heat a pot or pan as opposed to a gas or electric source. Still, there are times when the hob can become dirty due to grease, food or other matter. Cleaning this unit is actually quite easy and can be accomplished in only a handful of quick steps. Let us take a closer look at the process. Read more

Best Raclette Grill Review: Find our top picks for 2018

Top 5 Most Popular Raclette Grills Reviewed!

1 – Andrew James Traditional Raclette Grill
2 – Andrew James Rustic Stone Raclette Grill
3 – Tri-Star Gourmet Raclette Party Grill Set
4 – VonShef Raclette Grill with Natural Stone Plate
5 – Swan SP17030N Classic Stone Raclette Grill

A raclette grill is a fantastic addition to any modern kitchen. If you think that this is just another novelty nondescript kitchen appliance not worth your time, you are in for a surprise. At its core, a raclette grill is basically a traditional Swiss grill with multiple levels/surfaces for cooking different stuff like meat vegetables, seafood and cheese. It gets its name because cheese is at the centre of any raclette grilling experience. Think fondue, but taken to an all new level of social eating experience! Its quite simple really. You gather your family/friends and fire up the raclette grill and cook up some delicious cheesy grilled foods together. Trust me, it is a simple, fun and elegant part option. For the discerning customer, there are a number of fine raclette grills available various specifications. Here are the top 5 most popular raclette grills out there at the moment:

1 - Andrew James Traditional Raclette Grill

Andrew James Traditional Raclette Grill

This raclette grill may sport a traditional design aesthetic, but the technology is all modern with advanced thermostatic temperature control giving you full control to cook up anything from meat to seafood to veggies with the minimum of fuss. You get 8 pans and 8 spatulas to serve a maximum of, you guessed it right, 8 people; so this is a perfect grill for cosy parties involving close friends/family. Griddle lines on the cooking surface provide you with that authentic char-grilled effect. For those looking for delicious pancakes on the menu, there is even a pancake making section! With cheese, meat and seafood all on the table, you would think that maintenance and cleaning would be a chore right? Well, with removable non-stick steel hotplates, cleaning is easy and hassle-free. With its relatively lightweight, you can even fire this grill up outdoors for a fun picnic. All in all, this is a great raclette grill.

2 - Andrew James Rustic Stone Raclette Grill

Andrew James Rustic Stone Raclette Grill

This is yet another great option of a modern raclette grill from the dependable Andrew James brand stable. What truly sets it apart from the other Andrew James model in this list is the hot plate integrated into this model. Instead of a steel surface, you get a solid stone hot plate. Stone is a fantastic surface for all kinds of grilling and searing, imparting the food with a rich and rustic flavor. With the need for oil reduced to a minimum, you can cook up healthy and hearty grilled dishes with great flavor and texture. The stone surface is evenly heated by an advanced 1200W thermostatic temperature control. Though this grill is considerably heavier than its steel plate counterpart, it is still relatively manageable at under 10kg. That means that you can still take it with you on the road on caravan trips and the likes, which is a fantastic proposition. This model can serve up to 8 people.

3 - Tri-Star Gourmet Raclette Party Grill Set
Tri-Star Gourmet Raclette Party Grill Set

This is another stylish yet functional option from Tri-Star. With a large cooking surface measuring in at 43x30cm, this grill can comfortably feed a party of 8 people. Meats, seafood, cheese, sauces, bread, this grill handle them all. With thermostatic control mechanism, this is a simple plug and cook device that can be fired up with minimal fuss. It goes without saying that the cooking surface is non-sticky, removable and incredibly easy to clean. There is even a nifty 19cm fajita/crepe pan built into to the surface, providing you the option of cooking up crispy crepes or fajitas should you guests desire them!

4 - VonShef Raclette Grill with Natural Stone Plate

VonShef Raclette Grill with Natural Stone Plate

This is yet another great user-friendly raclette grill that allows you to cook up a great party atmosphere right at your dinner table. As is the norm in most popular raclette grill models in the market, this one also has the capacity to entertain a maximum of 8 people at one time. You get two different surfaces for all your grilling and cooking needs. This includes a natural stone grill plate as well as a modern metal grill plate, both boasting of an advanced non-stick coating. While the metal surface is appropriate for vegetables and delicate seafood, the stone grill is an excellent surface for grilling all cuts of meat to absolute perfection. The best raclette grills boast of advanced temperature control and this VonShef model is no exception.

5 - Swan SP17030N Classic Stone Raclette Grill

Swan SP17030N Classic Stone Raclette Grill

To round off our top 5 list, we have this classic raclette grill manufactured by Swan. Along with its peers on this list, this grill also sports 8 pans to serve a maximum of 8 diners. Sporting an industry standard 1200W heating element, this classic grill has an elegant oval-shaped stone top. The non-stick stone surface is ideal for cooking all kinds of meats. Despite the stone surface, this highly portable raclette grill weighs a mere 7kg, making it a fantastic choice for those looking for a raclette grill that can be taken outdoors for camping trips or caravan holidays. With cool touch panhandles, this raclette grill incredibly safe to handle. The grill comes replete with a set of 8 wooden spatulas to go with the pans.

Conclusion

Raclette grills are all about taking cooking out of the kitchen and directly on to the dining table, be it indoors or outdoors. It makes cooking and dining a completely social and participative experience, which is not something we all come across often in our busy lives. And since it involves cooking a wide variety of fresh ingredients, ranging from veggies to seafood, fish, meat cuts and meat products as well as cheeses with minimal oil, raclette grills are a very healthy proposition. You can entertain both vegans as well as dedicated carnivores with this great device. Since cheese is the central binding factor in any raclette meal, this gives you a great chance to try out and experiment with a wide variety of exotic as well as common cheeses available in the market today. For starters, we would suggest raclette (the Swiss cheese after which this grill is named), or any other Alpine varieties like Gruyere, Beaufort or de Savoie.

Photo Credit:  julesjulesjules m