Lictin Pack of 3 Reusable Refillable Coffee Capsules with 1 Plastic Spoon and 1 Brush for Dolce Gusto(Black) I Cafilas

I've purchased a variety of reusable pods over the last few years and I have to say these are the best I have had. They are sturdy, durable and last longer than the "brown ones" I've used previously.For clarification, I should say that I almost exclusively use these for making espresso and so cannot comment on making a "longer" coffee like an americano.As with any of these types of things there is a knack to getting things to work correctly and these are tips and tricks that I have identified along the way...1) The type of coffee makes a difference as to how well they work. In my experience, Lavazza ground espresso works very well (see 2nd photo). I have used others where (I suspect) the coffee grounds are too fine and once water is added create too much compacting and hence resitance so that the water ends up bursting the capsule open. The information does recommend medium or fine grains and not coarse or very fine.2) Using the provided scoop, I find the 2.5 - 3 scoops is sufficient to provide a decent serving while leaving enough room for the water to enter the pod.3) I use a stainless steel tamper that I also bought on Amazon (see photo 2) and apply some, but not too much, pressure to ensure the grounds are compact enough to a) create a decent coffee and b) leave room in the capsule for water. Too much compacted coffee and you run the risk of bursting as described in 1. The scoop can also be used to tamp down the coffee instead if you don't have a tamper.4) Once the pod is ready, make sure the lid is really firmly pressed down. The better the seal, the better to end result. The risk of bursting is greater if the lid is not as firm as it can be.5) The amount described above will comfortably give a volume of somewhere between 35 and 75ml of espresso depending on strength profile required. See the first photo for the end result - this is approximately 50ml. Note there is a decent amount of crema, at least for a DIY pod, although clearly not quite as good as the real thing.6) I make lattes with the espresso for my wife, but as of yet I have to use milk pods or fresh milk as I have been unable to source a decent diy pod for milk.So why the 4 stars?They have lost a star mainly because there is a little bit of precision to get things just right and occasionally one pod doesn't work very well (I have bought a few of these). However, the environmental benefits of reusable pods (I drink a lot of coffee!) along with the fraction of the cost of buying pods clearly for me makes these worthy of 4 stars. I just wish you didn't always seem to have to get the brush and scoop in the pack as I have quite a collection now! I'd prefer a little cost saving or an extra pod.

I don’t know why one of the ratings asks you to rate flavour, it’s my coffee in there and I don’t feel the need to lick the pod to find out how plastic it tastes!That being said it’s a bit of trial and error getting a coffee that works with the pod. The coarser ground coffees don’t work, you need a fine blend. I needed a decaf so choice is limited but I’ve found Lavazza is the most compatible. It does pour out in a finer stream than the original pods so it takes a little longer but I don’t mind that.The pods themselves are quite robust in the main part but where the lids attach they’re quite flimsy. I’ve already broken one of the little opening tabs. It still works though and I think even if the lid hinge breaks it will still work it just won’t be as easy to get it off. I taken a star off as this could be improved.I haven’t tried them with milk powder but I assume as it’s fine it should pass through fairly easily. It worked with coffee whitener but I’m not keen on the flavour.They tick a couple of boxes for me, I can only drink decaf and dolce gusto don’t make a decaf latte. I was also uncomfortable with the amount of waste the machine generates so at least this way I have cut mine in half. If I can find a decent powdered milk option I will no longer need to buy the original ones.

So far so good. I've been reusing them again and again. I cant test the number of 'uses' yet as i havent reached anywhere near '50' but I'm being careful not to keep bending the hinge and when not in use, have it permanently open. I might even be able to repair them...who knows.** Word of warning though ** The last time i used these pods, the pod drawer would not come out of my Movenza. I tried with some pressure but it wasn't having it. Read many articles about having to wait for the pressure to die down then try, flushing it through with water but none of these worked. What had happened was that when it came time to remove the pod via the drawer, the little plastic tab on the pod, near the injection hole (the tab you place at 6 o clock position on the pod) had raised up a tiny bit and had caught on the surface above the pod drawer. I tried everything including the suggested tips above and also turning my machine upside down. The more I tried to pull out the drawer, the more the plastic tab and probably the pod lid was catching and bending upwards, making it impossible to open the drawer. It was like a fish hook. I managed to finally get it out after many many attempts, by inserting old store card and trying to flatten the lid but the trouble is, you can only access it from the front, where it opens. You cannot access the pod from the rear where its hinge is which would have made it much easier. Suffice to say, i don't want to go through this again. Really it was only part brute force and part poking with a card that made it come out. I chucked that particular pod away as the tab had been well bent and had became weak. Now maybe it was me not having pressed the lid down properly after putting in the coffee, i don't know. The machine works fine now but my heart sank!...I love my Movenza! and the thought of it breaking did not make me feel good.Remember...Position the pod into the drawer, so the tab and injection hole are at 6 o clock position exactly. This applies to the Movenza, not sure about other models.