KRUPS Dolce Gusto ‎KP1A0840 Single Serve Machine - Review 🏆

The Krups Dolce Gusto KP1A0840 is a single-serve pod coffee maker designed for convenience and ease of use. This model brews a wide variety of hot and cold beverages using patented capsules called Dolce Gusto pods. It offers an affordable way to enjoy gourmet cafe-style drinks at home with minimal effort.

This compact coffee machine features intuitive controls and is simple to operate. It can make espresso, cappuccino, latte macchiato and other coffeehouse favorites in minutes. The KP1A0840 delivers consistent results every time by using smart technology to identify the pod type and adjust water temperature and flow accordingly.

With a sleek, modern design and small footprint, the Krups Dolce Gusto blends seamlessly into any kitchen decor. This review covers the key features and performance of this popular single-cup coffee maker to help you decide if it's the right choice for your morning coffee routine.

Design and Appearance

The KP1A0840 has a sleek and modern design that will look great on any kitchen countertop. It has a glossy black plastic finish and an LED-backlit front panel that displays your selected drink.

In terms of dimensions, the machine measures ‎37 x 27.5 x 32.5 cm. It has a fairly compact footprint, so it won't take up too much space. The KP1A0840 weighs about 3.2 kg, making it relatively lightweight and portable.

This particular Dolce Gusto model only comes in black, so there are no other color options available. However, the black finish gives it an elegant look that is easy to match with any kitchen decor. Overall, the KP1A0840 has an attractive contemporary design with a relatively small size and modest weight.

In contrast, the Nespresso Vertuo Pop offers a vibrant color palette and a unique curved design that can elevate any kitchen aesthetic. With its convenient one-button operation, you can brew a variety of coffee sizes with ease. The machine’s innovative brewing technology ensures a rich and creamy coffee experience, tailored to your preferences. Compact and stylish, the Vertuo Pop is perfect for those who want both functionality and flair in their coffee-making process.

Beverage Types

The KRUPS Dolce Gusto KP1A0840 coffee machine offers a wide variety of hot beverage options beyond just coffee. With the included NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto pods, you can make espressos, lungos, cappuccinos, lattes, chocolates, and tea.

The machine is compatible with NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto's wide range of coffee pod flavors, allowing you to enjoy classic coffees, as well as seasonal and limited-edition flavors. It can produce a smooth, balanced espresso or a longer, mellower lungo depending on your preferences.

In addition to coffee varieties, the KP1A0840 allows you to make rich and foamy cappuccinos and lattes using the milk frother attachment. Simply add cold milk to the frother and the machine heats and whisks it into a light, creamy froth to add to your coffee.

For chocolate lovers, this Dolce Gusto machine can make delicious hot chocolates using the chocolate pods. The machine produces a rich, velvety chocolate drink topped with dense foam.

You can also brew a variety of teas using NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto's tea pods, which contain premium tea leaves to produce flavorful black, green, or herbal tea. The hot water from the Dolce Gusto ensures full-bodied tea flavor in every cup.

So whether you're a coffee aficionado, chocolate lover, or tea drinker, the KRUPS KP1A0840 has you covered with its wide beverage menu. With a simple push of a button, you can enjoy café-style specialty drinks from the comfort of home.

Another excellent option is the PHILIPS LM9012/60. This single-serve coffee machine provides a user-friendly experience along with customizable brewing options. Its built-in milk frother allows you to create creamy lattes and cappuccinos just like your favorite café. The sleek design and fast heating ensure you can enjoy a delightful cup of coffee in moments. Plus, its compatibility with a variety of coffee pods gives you the flexibility to explore different flavors.

Ease of Use

The Krups Dolce Gusto KP1A0840 is very easy and intuitive to operate. It has a simple interface with just two buttons - an ON/OFF button and a start/stop button to begin the brewing process.

The ON/OFF button does exactly as it sounds, powering the machine on and off with a single press. The start/stop button allows you to start and stop the flow of coffee or tea on demand. This gives you control over the beverage strength.

The Dolce Gusto has an LED display that shows you information like the selected beverage and the water level. The display is bright and clear. It makes the brewing process straightforward by indicating the next steps needed, such as adding water or inserting a capsule.

Overall, the simple two-button operation coupled with the informative display screen make this an exceptionally easy to use single-serve coffee maker. Even first-time users should have no trouble operating it.

Brewing Process

The Dolce Gusto coffee machine uses patented smart capsules that contain the perfect amount of roast and ground coffee, or other beverages like hot chocolate. This allows the machine to brew a wide variety of drinks with ease.

To brew a beverage, you simply insert a capsule into the top of the machine. When you close the lever, the capsule drops down into the brewing unit. Hot water is then injected through the capsule at high pressure, extracting maximum flavor.

One of the benefits of the capsule system is speed. The Dolce Gusto can deliver coffee, tea, or hot chocolate in as little as 15 seconds. The high-pressure extraction quickly brings out the aromas and flavors locked inside each capsule.

Once brewing is complete, the capsule is ejected into a holding bin. This self-contained system means there is no coffee grinds or filters to clean up after use. The capsules provide a fast and convenient way to enjoy barista-quality drinks at home.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The Dolce Gusto KP1A0840 requires regular cleaning and maintenance to keep it operating optimally. Here are some tips:

Descaling - Over time, mineral deposits from water can build up in the internal parts. Dolce Gusto recommends descaling the machine every 1-2 months depending on usage and water hardness. Use the Dolce Gusto descaling liquid and follow the steps in the instruction manual. Descaling helps remove any mineral buildup and ensures great tasting drinks.

Cleaning - Wipe the exterior with a soft damp cloth to clean dust and spills. Never immerse the machine in water. The drip tray, water tank, and pod containers are removable and dishwasher safe. Rinse under water and clean periodically.

Needle Cleaning - Coffee grounds can clog the injection needle over time. Dolce Gusto recommends cleaning the needle once a month. Remove the needle, soak it in hot water for 5-10 minutes, then use the cleaning pin tool to clear any blockage. Reinsert the needle back in place.

Regular cleaning and descaling is quick and easy. Following the manufacturer's recommendations helps maintain your KP1A0840 for optimal performance and great tasting beverages.

Accessories

The KRUPS Dolce Gusto KP1A0840 comes with a few handy accessories to help you get the most out of your coffee maker. It includes a cup stand that attaches to the front of the machine to hold your cup while brewing. This is useful for catching drips and preventing splashes.

The coffee maker also comes with a water level indicator that sits inside the water tank. This makes it easy to see the water level at a glance while refilling. No more guessing if you've added enough water!

Some other accessories included in the box are measuring scoop and cleaning pin. The scoop ensures you use the right amount of coffee pods for optimal flavor. And the cleaning pin helps keep the nozzle free of clogs.

Overall, the included accessories are simple but practical additions that improve the brewing experience. The cup stand and water level indicator in particular are much appreciated for their convenience.

Pros

The KRUPS Dolce Gusto KP1A0840 coffee machine comes with several excellent features and benefits that make it a great choice for your kitchen.

• The thermoblock heating system only heats water when needed, delivering a perfect temperature in seconds. This means you can make coffee fast without waiting for it to heat up.

• It has an adjustable drip tray to accommodate different cup sizes, allowing you to brew into your favorite mug. The drip tray is removable for easy cleaning.

• With over 40 bar pressure, it extracts the perfect amount of flavor from coffee pods to produce an authentic espresso or lungo.

• The automatic pod ejection system makes cleanup effortless by disposing of spent capsules into the bin after brewing.

• It has simple, intuitive controls with just 3 buttons - power, espresso, and lungo. This machine is incredibly easy to operate.

• The compact, sleek design takes up minimal counter space in your kitchen. It also comes in 8 stylish color options to match any decor.

• At just 4 pounds, this single-serve coffee maker is lightweight and portable. Perfect for small kitchens, offices, dorms, or travel.

• It has auto-off and eco modes that help conserve energy when not in use, keeping electricity bills low.

Cons

The Krups Dolce Gusto KP1A0840 coffee machine does have some drawbacks to consider:

• Limited beverage selection - It can only make coffee, espresso, and chocolate drinks. Other single serve machines offer more variety like tea, specialty drinks, etc.

• Pod availability - Dolce Gusto pods aren't as widely available as Nespresso or Keurig K-Cup pods. You'll need to order them online directly from Nescafé or Amazon.

• Pod disposal - The plastic pods aren't recyclable and must be thrown away, contributing to plastic waste.

• Small water reservoir - At just 0.8 liters, the water tank is quite small. You'll need to refill it frequently if making multiple drinks.

• No temperature control - You can't adjust the brew temperature, which is preset by Nescafé. This could impact taste for coffee purists.

• No reusable pod option - Dolce Gusto doesn't offer reusable pods, so you're limited to buying proprietary Nescafé pods.

• Messy drops and spills - Some users report drips and spills when removing and disposing of used capsules.

• No auto-off feature - It doesn't automatically power off after a period of inactivity. You'll need to remember to turn it off yourself.

• Limited customization - Aside from drink volume, you can't personalize temperature, strength, etc. It's a simple 1-button interface.

Conclusion

The Krups Dolce Gusto KP1A0840 is a compact single serve coffee maker that produces a variety of hot and cold beverages. It's easy to use - just pop in a pod and push a button. The machine heats up quickly and has an automatic shut off feature.

The coffee it produces is decent but not exceptional. The machine struggles to extract bold, intense flavor from the pods. It excels more at milk based drinks like cappuccinos and lattes. For a simple, no fuss single serve machine it gets the job done. But coffee aficionados looking for a rich, artisanal brew should consider other options.

Cleaning the Dolce Gusto is straightforward with removable, dishwasher safe parts. Descaling regularly is important to keep the machine in good working order. The accessory market is somewhat limited but offers a few handy additions like a milk frother.

Overall the KP1A0840 is a convenient machine for those seeking an affordable, low maintenance single server. It offers simplicity and versatility. But it falls a bit short in producing a truly satisfying black coffee. For gourmet results, higher end models may be preferable for die-hard coffee lovers. The Dolce Gusto KP1A0840 is best suited for casual coffee drinkers who value convenience and ease of use.