When my 10 year old Krups 4400 finally gave up recently, I was in need of a new way to make my morning latte. I landed on the Nespresso Inissia, but I wanted to use my own coffee. I read many reviews and did some experimenting on my own to discover a way to make a delicious, consistent latte. The following procedure is the result of my labor. I am very satisfied with the Nespresso Inissia and the fact that I am able to enjoy my own brand of coffee. All purchases (except the coffee) were made on Amazon.com.

My Perfect Latte
using my own prepared capsules

Serving: one 8 oz double shot latte

Materials
"¢ Nespresso Inissia with Aerocinno Plus
Burr grinder (or finely ground coffee)
"¢ 8 oz double-walled glass tumbler (preheating this tumbler will insure that the double-shot latte is the perfect hot temperature)
"¢ Kobos Coffee dark roast coffees or blends containing mostly dark roast, (dark roast decaf works well too "“ especially Dave's Decaf)
"¢ 4 oz 2 %milk (the fresher the better; decrease in froth is noticeable a week after the milk is opened)
"¢ Seal Pod metal capsules and/or used washed Nespresso capsules
"¢ Seal Pod sticker lid, CM sticker lid, or light weight aluminum foil

Coffee preparation
"¢ Grind coffee at finest setting in burr grinder (I use a Baratza Maestro Plus) or purchase it pre-ground, fine
"¢ Scoop and gently and evenly tamp coffee into capsules; weigh on gram scale for consistency
One Seal pod metal capsule + rubber stand + coffee = 19.8-20.2g
One aluminum used Nespresso capsule + rubber stand + coffee = 10.8-11.2g
"¢ Seal capsule with sticker or small square of light-weight aluminum foil (foil must be light-weight not heavy duty)

Brew
"¢ Turn on Nespresso Innisia (press both "cups" at once) and make sure unit is "closed"
"¢ Check water level in reservoir and fill if necessary
"¢ When blinking lights stop, fill double-walled glass with "large cup" portion of water to preheat the cup (press right button)
"¢ Put steam stirrer into Aerocinno Plus (solid black)
"¢ Pour 4 oz 2% milk (first max line) into Aerocinno Plus and press button once.
"¢ When milk is ready, empty double-walled glass tumbler then pour in the steamed milk
"¢ Open Inissia unit. Place a capsule into the Nespresso Inissia and close securely
Note on placing used Nespresso capsules: to figure out where the holes are punched, draw a line on a fresh, unused capsule with a marker. Put the capsule in the machine so that the line is facing directly up. After you see where the holes are punched in relation to the line on this capsule, you will be able to judge how to position used capsules. Experiment on a few of them if necessary.)
"¢ Press the "small cup" (left) portion of water; pump should run about 10 sec
"¢ Eject first capsule and place a second capsule in the Nespresso Inissia; close.
"¢ Eject second capsule; close unit.
"¢ Replace the prepared latte with an empty waste cup
"¢ Press the "large cup" option (right) to clean the machine
"¢ Remove waste cup, open slot to air-dry, add water to reservoir, and turn off by pressing both "cup sizes" at the same time
"¢ ENJOY your latte!

Clean up the capsules and wash Aerocinno Plus
"¢ Let capsules cool
"¢ Remove the foil lids and discard
"¢ Scoop coffee into compost bucket
"¢ Rinse capsules and remove dents in Nespresso capsules
"¢ Dry
*Note: if Nespresso capsules acquire too many holes, discard
"¢ Wash the Aerocinno Plus with soapy water, dry
"¢ Do not store Aerocinno Plus on its electrical pad

My Weights for Coffee Capsules + Coffee
"¢ Rubber stand + used Nespresso capsule = 5.9g
Actual coffee = 4-9-5.3g
Total = 10.8-11.2 g
"¢ Rubber stand + metal capsule = 15.7g
Actual coffee = 4.1-4.5g
Total = 19.8-20.2g

Note: I am sure this process will work with lots of coffee brands. I have not experimented with any besides Kobos. This latte procedure suits my taste but it may not suit everyone. However, some of the preparation procedures may be used to start an experimental latte brewing adventure of your own. Hope this helps!

Everything seems fine but the assorted coffee pods that are supposed to come with the machine were missing- and reading the reviews, many other buyers had the same issue"¦.

The only things I dislike about this unit is the noise the pump generates, and the complicated, picture-based user guide; otherwise, this unit is spectacular in every way.

The unit is compact, moreso in its narrow footprint, than in its depth, but it's quite small compared to many kitchen appliances.

The removable water container is easy to take over to my refrigerator water dispenser to fill, and it goes back on as easily as it comes off. I need only set the drain plug over the machine's intake, and tilt the container forward until its two little alignment clips go into their slot.

A removable capsule bin and drip tray assembly slides out of the front of the unit. It holds few pods, but I empty it regularly, so that I may rinse the tray of the coffee that comes out of the used pods before it gets funky.

Loading capsules may seem unclear at first for anyone looking for a defined slot to stick the pods, as when looking down into it they appear as if they would fall through, but it's a sleek easy-loading system. When pods are dropped in, it is best to drop with the flat end of the cap higher than its opposing end, and the pod will drop, then stop on its own at the point to which it should go where it needs to go when the bar is brought back down.

The Inissia has two buttons, espresso and lungo. Despite the instructions, I have been able to figure out its basic use. Touching either button, while unit is off, causes both buttons to flash off and on while it heats up. Once the lights remain on, it is ready to make espresso. Though it powers off automatically, I know that pressing both buttons for a full second will power the unit off. That is all that is required to enjoy spectacular coffee from the Inissia.

The energy saving option powers down after nine minutes, but it can be changed to thirty minutes if you can figure out the steps from the pictures. My best guess is that, while off, press both buttons for a full second, then hold down espresso for three seconds, such that it illuminates steadily. Then, for nine minutes, press espresso one time, or for a thirty minute shutoff, press espresso two times, followed by holding down lungo for three seconds. I haven't bothered switching the shutoff time, as there are series of pictures to decipher for this process, as well as for the processes of programming the water volume, whatever that is for, emptying the system, and descaling, for example.

This machine includes a pack of sixteen different coffee pods to sample. It also comes with a menu that shows which color pods represent which flavors. Some of the colors look so much like other similar colors, that even having sampled the coffee, I still question which I just enjoyed, so reordering may not be such a simple task if there is a particular coffee pod you prefer. I enjoyed all of the flavors, and I plan to reorder a variety pack, so I'm still exploring. Just know that this is one of the things to consider when using the Nespresso system.

I love my Inissia, and all of the coffee I've made with it. I have been enjoying third-party pods from Aldecoa that seem to work about as well as the genuine pods, though the crema from the genuine pods seems to have a consistency about them that is slightly superior to that produced by third party pods...it could be that particular flavor though. Still, it is nice to have options.

If I had to do it all over again, I absolutely would do it again. I am so happy with its red finish, it just looks wonderful, and expresses the intensity of the pleasure it is ready to brew.

My regular coffee pot has been lonely, because of my Inissia. I hit up the coffeepot on occasion, to shake things up, but the quality of the espresso that this machine can make is tremendous. This is a 5.3 pound, 19 bar of pressure beauty, and I am absolutely pleased with its performance. I was certainly content with its affordable price.

After doing research, I decided to buy this espresso machine, and boy, it did not disappoint. The barista-grade quality makes every morning feel like a visit to a fancy coffee shop. It fits any interior design, seamlessly blending into my kitchen. I love how fast the heating system is, perfect for my early morning coffee fix. And the two cup sizes? They're just the cherry on top! So happy to be back in the Nespresso world â¤ï¸.

I knocked one star for the loudness of the machine, and because the price of the pods which is too near cafe prices in my opinion if you drink them plain and compare with plain coffees/Americanos at the shops. Home use machines should be vast amounts cheaper than coffee shops, by comparison. That's the point of brewing at home rather than going to the shop, is to save loads of money.

I spend about $200 a month on a major coffee chain. I actually prefer Nespressos taste on some pods, and at least liked ALL the samples I tried. I spent a while trying different coffee machines at home and was always let down. I then realized I should be making espresso for what I like, so I tried a cheap espresso machine and it always came out lukewarm and was difficult for an amateur to master.

Then I bought this masterpiece of a machine. Simple to use and I'm overjoyed with it. It has the right amount of water and grounds automatically, and throws the used pod down to the chamber for easy disposal and cleaning later on. It also tastes better to me. I made a couple plain lattes and they were great. Got to find the right percent of espresso and milk for you. I actually prefer the 'lungo' option plain to lattes because the grounds are tasty. I think it's pretty close to an Americano. It's thicker and richer and fuller and has a crema, as well, which I much prefer all of those things to the drink I used to love at the cafe. I used to live to get my coffee there and now I have had no cravings for it. In fact I crave Nespressos instead. I think my cravings for Nespresso are stronger than my cravings for the cafe were. I do wish the machine brewed more, as I'm used to 16+oz cups of coffee like it's a 3-4oz. When I first used it I remember saying aloud "thats it??" And I'm sure a lot of others experienced the same thing on their first use. I knew it wasn't much, but it still threw me off to see it in the mug. But depending on what you like (and what you try as alternatives in the machine) you can save money with a Nespresso.

PRICE COMPARISON WITH CAFES:
-Lattes at home vs at cafe---If you buy a $5-6 latte at this particular chain, possibly plus tip, you'd be saving big by making your own with the easy and tasty Nespresso pods (about $.70 per pod on the nespresso website. Free shipping on bulk orders over $50).

-Straight from the machine vs cafe coffee---As for Americano or black coffee fans, the price difference isn't as great. At around $.70 a pod, it's $2.10 for three shots to make your own 12oz of lungos, vs about $2.45 (without tip) at the cafe chain for around the same size. So if you intend to drink it plain in the hopes it'll save you money, unless you try a cheaper non-nespresso brand of espresso pods or a reusable/refillable pod or sealing cap, you won't be saving as much. Or if you only really want 3-4oz of espresso in the morning.

Cheaper options to Nespresso pods---there is also third party brand coffee in Nespresso compatibe pods to try for cheaper here on Amazon, not to mention the reusable plastic or metal pods I intend to check out with mine. Or the resealable lids for reusing old pods as well.

I tried to cover a used pod with foil and reuse it like I saw on a YouTube video before buying the machine, but the bulk of the foil folded over the edges (no matter how small I snipped the foil down to) kept it from spinning in the machine, and the puncturing mechanism couldn't poke adequate holes in the loose fitting foil. I tried a few times to get it tight and smooth, but it would be a waste of grounds to do that every day until you get it right. Also you have to insert the used Nespresso pod at the same angle as the first time to avoid punching three new holes in the bottom. Over all not a good alternative for saving money that way. Makes more sense to buy the lid replacements on Amazon, but you'd still get limited use out of used pods, as eventually the holes re-poked at the bottom each time would get too big and water down the espresso.

CONCLUSIONS:
Either way it's worth it in my opinion for the (for me, at least) better quality coffee at an slightly to moderately lesser price point depending on what you're making with it. Not to mention you don't have to drive down to the cafe and spend unnecessarily on car gas for a coffee run. And you get that crema which is fun, you don't even have to froth the milk for lattes if you don't want to. You can make all the same fancy drinks at the coffee shop for cheaper once you get it right. Making the espresso is the easiest part.

CONSIDERATIONS:
-The machine is VERY loud. Like a blender. It brews quickly, though. It could wake up a light sleeper in another room. Not sure if other Nespresso models are quieter.
-It is literally the easiest coffee or espresso machine I've ever used. No wonder pod machines are so popular.
-Also, like I mentioned earlier, it makes 3oz cups in espresso and 4oz cups in lungo, so keep that in mind if you like a large cup. You may need to brew 2 or 3 pods.