With a drip coffee jug on one side, a Nespresso machine on the other and foam for milk. hand The Ninja Prestige DualBrew System, which can pop out of the side, looks kind of weird, but after a week of testing, it's become my new best morning friend.
I enjoy the meditative process of making espresso—grinding the beans, tamping them down, brewing a shot of espresso, frothing the milk, and then trying to get the perfect pour—but not first thing in the morning. I'm neither a night owl nor a morning person, and dragging myself out of bed is never easy (even with Philips Hue Play wall-mounted washing machine offering a simulated sunrise to make the experience less harsh).
That's where the new Ninja car comes in. Whether I want my first coffee of the day in drip coffee or espresso format, this is the fastest and easiest way to brew it and add it to my sluggish system.
Drip coffee is always an easy option, especially if your machine has a timer so you can prep everything the night before. The DualBrew system offers just that and is extremely easy to use. When you turn on the device for the first time, you will be prompted to set the current time by turning the dial on the front panel. Refuel the machine by running it without coffee as described in the quick guide and you're ready to go.
The machine is equipped with thoughtful details that make it easy to get started. For example, for drip coffee, you'll find a double-sided measuring spoon attached to the left side of the machine that tells you the approximate amount of coffee you should use for different brew sizes and strengths. If you're using whole beans, you'll probably find it easier to weigh them before grinding, but for those who use pre-ground coffee, this is a great benefit.
Instead of an insulated carafe, this machine has a glass pitcher with a hotplate underneath to keep your drink warm. An insulated carafe preserves the flavor of your coffee better (keeping it on the stove for too long can affect the taste), but glass has the obvious advantage of being able to see how much coffee is left. It also has a certain old-school appeal: it's the type of pitcher you'd get at a diner.
(Ninja sells an insulated jug version for a few extra dollars in the US, but it doesn't seem to be available here in the UK at the moment.)
If (unlike me) you primarily need a small amount of drip coffee, you can set the machine to brew one cup and raise the drip tray accordingly. This is a nice touch: you don't have to wash both the pitcher and the coffee mug if you're brewing coffee for one.
Another feature I particularly like is the drip-stop feature, which closes the filter basket when the machine finishes brewing, so you don't lose any stray coffee drips on the burner when you put the carafe away.
What if you prefer your morning coffee short and strong? Well, on the right side of the machine is a Nespresso machine that can brew three sizes of coffee, with a drip tray that can be moved up and down to accommodate different sized cups. To move it, simply unhook it and insert it into another set of holes.
The machine would look more premium if you could slide the tray up and down instead, but that's a minor quibble. It gets the job done and there's a grippy silicone ring on top of the tray to prevent the cup from slipping, which is a nice touch.
The machine accepts Nespresso Original capsules—the ones that are shaped like a cylinder—so I picked up a pack from my local coffee roaster to give it a try. (Pro tip: Nestlé no longer holds the patent on this type of pod, and a growing number of dedicated independent roasters are getting involved. Take a look – the selection is amazing, and they taste much better than the pods you can buy in the supermarket.)
Load the pod sideways into the top of the machine (it will only fit one way), press the lid, then use the buttons or dial to select the drink size and press Start Brew. The dual brew system will pre-heat the required amount of water, make a slightly strange whine as it pierces the pod and lets the water in, and within seconds your drink will be ready.
Lift the lid of the capsule container up and the used capsule will fall into the bin, which can be emptied later, just like any other Nespresso machine. Innovative? No, but it's very convenient to have next to the drip brewer, and it does the job well without adding another appliance to the kitchen counter.
Lastly, we have a milk frother, which is nice to have, but it's not the same as a steam wand. It's essentially a small whisk that's activated by pressing a button on top; it doesn't heat the milk, so you'll need to put it in the microwave first if you want to make a hot cappuccino or latte. Luckily, Ninja has included a “recipe guide” on the side of the machine that tells you how long you'll need to microwave and then froth the milk to make various drinks.
The foamer may not look very stylish, but it is convenient and can be hidden away when not in use. Just be careful when using it while standing to the left of the car. Ninja cautions against having to reach into a hot part of the machine to reach the nozzle, which is good advice.
A real steam wand would work better, but it would require a boiler and pump, which this machine simply doesn't have. If you want to froth milk and get proper microfoam, take a look at Ninja Lux Cafe instead, it will fit the bill better.
I'm currently writing a full review of the Ninja Prestige DualBrew system, but so far it's been very impressive. Check back later to see if it can earn a spot in my reviews best drip coffee makers And best Nespresso coffee machines.
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