You can run a used Nespresso® pod through your machine a second time, but you won't like the cup. The coffee in the pod has already given up most of its flavour, so the second run comes out thin, watery and often bitter.
If the goal is to get more out of each pod, there's a better way. Use a reusable pod and fill it with fresh coffee each time. You keep the convenience of your machine, and every cup is a first cup.
What happens when you run a pod twice
A pod holds a small, measured dose of coffee, ground and packed for one extraction. The first run pulls out the oils, sugars and acids that give espresso its body and crema. By the time the cup is full, most of the good stuff is gone.
Run that pod again and the water passes through grounds that are already spent. Three things happen:
- It's weak. There's not much flavour left to extract, so the cup tastes watery.
- It's bitter. What does come out is mostly the harsh compounds that the first run left behind.
- There's no crema. The fresh oils that build crema are used up on the first pass.
Don't leave a used pod sitting in the machine and run it hours later, either. Damp coffee grounds go stale quickly and can grow mould, which is not something you want in your cup or your machine.
Does it work differently on Original and Vertuo machines?
The answer is the same for both, but the machines handle a used pod differently.
Original Line (Essenza Mini, Inissia, Pixie, CitiZ, Lattissima, Creatista): the machine pierces the foil lid and pushes water through. A used pod already has holes in it, so the second run often goes through too fast, and the cup comes out even weaker.
Vertuo (Vertuo Next, Vertuo Plus, Vertuo Pop): the machine reads the barcode on the rim to set the brew, then spins the capsule. A used Vertuo capsule will usually brew again, but the spent grounds give the same thin, bitter result.
The good news for Vertuo owners: you don't have to throw those capsules away. With a silicone lid you can refill the capsule you already have with fresh coffee (more on that below).
Why a reusable pod is the better option
Re-running a pod is trying to get two coffees out of one dose. A reusable pod fixes the real problem: you fill it with a fresh dose every time.
- Every cup is a first cup. Fresh grounds, full flavour, proper crema.
- You choose the coffee. Any beans you like, from your local roaster or the supermarket, not just what comes in a capsule.
- It costs less per cup. You're paying for ground coffee, not a capsule and its packaging, every time.
- Nothing goes in the bin. A stainless steel pod is used again and again, so there's no stack of used capsules to throw out or recycle.
Tips for a great cup from a reusable pod
- Use a fine espresso grind. Coffee ground for a plunger or filter is too coarse and will taste weak. Ask for an espresso or pod grind.
- Fill to the top and tamp lightly. A full, even dose gives the water something to push against, which is what builds body and crema.
- Wipe the rim before sealing. Stray grounds on the rim stop the lid sealing properly.
- Rinse after each use. Knock out the grounds and rinse the pod so old coffee doesn't flavour the next cup.
- Clean and descale the machine regularly. Coffee oils and scale build up whichever pods you use, and a clean machine brews better coffee.
For more detail, see our guides on how to use reusable coffee pods and making a stronger coffee with reusable capsules.
Which reusable pod fits your machine?
It depends on whether you have an Original Line or a Vertuo machine. They take different capsules, so check which one you own first.
| Your machine | What to use | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Original Line | Bluecup, SealPod or WayCap stainless steel pods | Fill with fresh coffee, seal with a lid, brew, rinse, repeat |
| Vertuo | WayCap or SealPod silicone lids | Refill the Vertuo capsules you already have, seal with a silicone lid, brew |
Not sure which machine you have? Our Vertuo guide walks through the models.
Crema Joe is a Melbourne family business and the exclusive Australian distributor for Bluecup, SealPod, WayCap and Caffenu. You'll also find our range in more than 60 stores, including JB Hi-Fi. Orders over $90 ship free.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use a Nespresso pod twice in one cup?
Some people run a pod twice into the same cup to get a longer drink. It adds volume, not flavour, so you end up with a bigger, weaker coffee. A fresh dose in a reusable pod gives you more coffee and more flavour.
How many times can you use a Nespresso pod?
A standard single-use pod is designed for one cup. A stainless steel reusable pod can be refilled and used for years if you rinse it after each use.
Can you refill Nespresso pods?
Yes. Original Line owners can use a stainless steel reusable pod. Vertuo owners can refill their existing capsules with fresh coffee and seal them with a silicone lid.
Can you reuse Nespresso Vertuo pods?
Running a used Vertuo capsule again gives a weak cup. Refilling it with fresh coffee and a silicone lid gives you a proper one.
Crema Joe products are compatible with but not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Nespresso®. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.