I may be wrong seeing that I don't have much experience with Nespresso, but I think the burr outlet on Baratza grinders is pretty small. The OP could probably just remove the catch bin on a Virtuoso or Preciso and hold the reusable capsule under the outlet...any Baratza owners who also use Nespresso machines care to confirm?
^^^ You're right. I just held a Capsul'in capsule under my Preciso's chute, and it looks like your suggestion would work. I'd probably still prefer to grind into the bin and then "dip" the capsule into it if I were the OP, but that's personal preference.
To the commentariat, you might consider keeping in mind that using freshly ground coffee in a Nespresso system is a fun way to start exploring "coffee" more seriously without upgrading the brewer. Single-serve is often a launching pad for this sort of exploration; it certainly was in my case. Personally, re: espresso, I started with Nespresso ($20 via Craigslist) and then ultimately upgraded--first to a Gaggia Carezza and, shortly thereafter, to a Gaggia Classic. Bought all the necessary accessories, experimented with probably 30 different specialty coffee blends and single-origins, tweaked the machine's OPV using my own home-built gauge, and...then fell off the wagon after a year and stepped away from espresso entirely. Why? A new baby in the house didn't help. Also, a Trifecta took the Classic's place on the counter. I'd always been more into brewed coffee anyway. This is why I don't judge. On the rare occasion that I feel like having an espresso drink, I either go to a great local shop or pull a Nespresso shot in the basement. And nobody can tell me I'm less of a "coffee geek" when I do the latter. I know the difference, but at the moment I simply don't care.
To the commentariat, you might consider keeping in mind that using freshly ground coffee in a Nespresso system is a fun way to start exploring "coffee" more seriously without upgrading the brewer. Single-serve is often a launching pad for this sort of exploration; it certainly was in my case.
Interesting comment. As you can tell I have been a member here for a few years. Have used many many commercial machines since I was once in the cafe and restaurant business for 15 years as well as owning a coffee roastery. What I have found for me is consistancy of the product is paramount. My cousin introduced me to his Nespresso machine about 4 years ago and I could not have been more impressed with the quality that came out of it as well as the Aeroccino. Now that I am aware of what I consider the best espresso machine in the world, Synesso, I have concluded that the Nespresso takes all the aggravation out of achieving that consistent brew and of course the maintenance and service that normally goes along with it. I cannot wait until they come out with a "doppio" version.
Ah, so launching pad or *landing* pad then! Interesting. I wasn't referring to you, specifically, earlier; honestly, I didn't think you'd check back in. Which refillable capsules are you using?
Jumping in with observations on Nespresso for this old topic.
Last summer $tarbuck$ had me market test their Verismo machine. It was an interesting experience. All of the burnt, extra-dark roasted espresso you would ever care to drink! LOL Their milk pods were horrific and the coffee was always bitter, but it lit the espresso bug in me again. While testing their machine I refilled some of the pods with my own ground coffee and found that I could make better espresso with it than I could get at $tarbuck$, but I guess that's not much of an accomplishment.
I'd toyed with getting a machine for years, but the wife just won't use a real espresso machine so that was always the drawback. I started researching pod machines, because the wife will use that no problem, and ended up using the market research funds that $tarbuck$ gave me to buy a Nespresso Citiz & Milk and the first set of pods. After that I ordered 3x10 packs of the EmoHome Generation 4 pods for Nespresso for $72! I too have been very happy with these pods. They are relatively easy to fill and not too bad to clean.
My filling method: Dump the fresh espresso ground coffee into a small Glad-ware container. Using a clean pod I press the coffee against the side of the container into the pod with just enough force to cause the coffee to stick and mound above the pod opening. Use a popsicle stick to scrape the coffee flush, close the cap, run a test through the machine. Once I get the proper load on the pods right I'll generally pod up 20+ pods at once. Store them in a Glad-ware container and they're ready to go. (20+ pods is only a few days of single shots here and around 50 pods/week.)
Used pods go into another container and into the refrigerator until cleaning time. A popsicle stick and toothbrush along with hot, soapy water is all I need to clean these. Having all the pods ready to go when you need them is great for me and the wife.
I'm looking forward to finally getting my own grinder so I don't have to rely on one at the store that lately isn't getting as fine as I need. A "customized" doser would be nice, but non-doser would be great also. As it is I buy enough coffee for 1 week and grind it at the store.
The Nespresso sold pods are good, and have great flavor and crema, but I prefer beans from my local roaster; plus I pack my beans a little tighter and get a little better crema out of my custom pods. I recommend this system to rich people that don't mind paying $0.65/espresso single shot, and to the tightwads I recommend filling your own pods if you don't go full blown espresso machine. (I think my coffee costs around $0.22/single shot. Refillable pods have long ago paid for themselves although they are expensive.)
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