Frequently Asked Questions

Check our compatibility guide for your Nespresso® machine, Aldi K-fee Expressi machines and MAP Caffitaly machines.

Absolutely. We have tested it on Cadbury drinking chocolate and it works great. Just don't pack your pod too tightly. Enjoy!

No, our stainless steel capsule has been designed not to touch any of the piercing prongs within your coffee machine. If used correctly the stainless steel capsule will not damage your machine.

Yes, please remove the green silicone o-ring before placing it in your dishwasher if you are washing your Nespresso® capsule. For the Aldi K-fee / Caffitaly capsules simple put them on your cutlery basket.

We recommend a minimum of 2 capsules for Nespressp®. The capsules hold slightly less coffee than disposable capsules and for a good strong coffee, using 2 filled capsules is best. The Pod Star Double pack is cheaper than buying two Pod Star Single packs.

Our coffee is commercially supplied as fine-to-medium grind. We recommend buying our ground coffee first so that you get to use your Pod Star capsules right away, or buy a Pod Star grinder when you get your Pod Star capsules so that you can grind any coffee beans you buy. 

Remember, too coarse and the water will flow too fast through the pod, too fine and it will flow too slowly. Coffee sold as 'Espresso' grind, which is most of the ground coffee sold in supermarkets and cafes is too fine for a capsule machine.

Customers have also had a lot of success with coffee's bought online ground to a "Stove Top" grind.

Yes. Here is a fantastic article on composting with coffee grounds.

Did you know:

1. Coffee grounds impoves drainage to soil.
2. They attract earthworms.
3. Many gardeners use coffee grounds as a mulch for their plants.
4. It keeps slugs and snails away from plants.
5. Keeps cats away from using your vegie or flower garden as a littler box.
6. Worms love coffee grounds.

Yes, we now sell an Aldi K-fee / Caffitaly capsule

Please make sure your lid and the back of the pod are screwed on properly. Leaving them loose increases the length of the capsule which could result in the capsule getting stuck in your machine.

Over filling the pod with coffee can make it hard to screw the lid on all the way. Please make sure that you fill the capsule to just below the thread which will leave enough room for you to screw the lid on properly.

Unfortunately we cannot be held responsible for incorrect use of our capsules.

This only applies to our first Generation K-Fee pods (purchased before January 2020)

If your lid has become misaligned with the thread it may be difficult to screw off. There is an easy solution. Grab a bread board and place it on your kitchen counter top. Place the pod face down with the back facing up. Now pick it up and give it a quick bang on the bread board (with the lid facing down). This will re-align the thread and allow you to screw the lid back off easily.

2nd Generation Pods (purchased after January 2020)

Try soaking the pod in cold water overnight. We do recommend that you slightly turn the lid counter clockwise once you have screwed the lid on to avoid a vacuum being created with the pod while brewing.

1. Doesn’t fit in my machine.
   Have you checked our compatibility guide, please have a look by clicking this link to see if your machine is listed. https://podstar.com.au/pages/compatability

2. I can’t pull the handle down.
   Some machine can be a bit stiff in the beginning, if your having trouble try removing the green o-ring from the pod and you should be able to close the handle.

Having trouble inserting your Pod Star into an Essenza mini - watch this quick video to see how. https://youtu.be/KsJ8MgswNZA

Please check our compatibility guide to make sure your machine is on our list - click here

If you have a Nespresso DeLongi or Essenza mini please watch our video on how to insert the capsule correctly - click here

All our machines listed on our compatibility guide have been tested. If it is tight pushing down the handle, it's ok. With a medium amount of pressure it will close. After a few uses it will loosen up and be easier too close. If you have a Nespresso machine and are worried about adding pressure to the handle try removing the green o-ring. This will make it easier to push the handle down. Once you are confident you can add the o-ring back onto the pod.

Start by watching our:

How to Video (Nespresso) https://youtu.be/vLQay-QC0mk

How to Video (Aldi K-fee / Caffitaly) https://youtu.be/IHZK6-cTrEM

It will take a few attempts before you perfect the Pod Star, but hang in there, when you get it worked out you will love making your Pod Star coffee, and you will be saving money, drinking your best coffee, and helping to save the environment with every coffee you drink.

Also check out our video on making a great milk coffee https://youtu.be/nK6r6KGrCI8

If the water flows too quickly it means you packed Pod Star too lightly or the grind on your coffee is too coarse. We recommend grinding your beans to a fine-to-medium coarseness if you're using a grinder. If the grind is correct and water is still flowing too quickly, then pack your Pod Star tighter. Don't forget you can buy your Pod Star ground coffee from us, and we have ground it to the perfect capsule machine grind for you.

Check out this Trouble shooting video https://youtu.be/CqCuahICdNI

If it flows very slowly to the point of dripping, the pod is packed too tight or the coffee is too fine. If you have packed it really tight it may stop the flow altogether. We recommend grinding your beans on to a fine-to-medium grind if you're using a grinder. If you're using the correct grind and the water still slowly drips out, pack your Pod Star capsule a little lighter. Don't forget we sell Pod Star coffee which we have ground to the perfect capsule grind for you.

Check out this Trouble shooting video https://youtu.be/CqCuahICdNI

Depending how you like your coffee, you may need a second shot, especially if you have milk. You can also try a stronger coffee blend, but we prefer to fill 2 capsules per coffee and run each one a little shorter than normal.

Also check out our video on making a great milk coffee https://youtu.be/nK6r6KGrCI8

Absolutely. If you are buying from your local cafe ask them to grind their beans to a fine-to-medium grind - better still let them know you want a "Stove top grind", which is a little coarser than the fine grind of espresso coffee they would use through their commercial espresso machine. The coffee from the supermarket should be bought as whole beans and ground yourself to a fine-to-medium grind. If you find a pre-ground, supermarket coffee that works well in Pod Star please let us know so we can list it here.

Customers have also had a lot of success with coffee's bought online ground to a "Stove Top" grind.

You can also buy fresh roasted coffee ground to Pod Star perfection through our website.

Do you have coffee dripping into your pod basket? Try this easy test to find out what the problem might be.

Put an empty Pod Star capsule into your machine. Press the short shot button on your machine. Does the water flow freely through the pod? If yes, now fill your pod up with coffee and press the short shot on your machine. Is the coffee coming out in your tray with very little coming out into your cup?

If so, your coffee is ground too fine and the water cannot penetrate through the coffee inside the pod. Single use capsule pods use coffee that is ground coarser so the water can flow easily through the pod. We recommend a "stove top grind" or try our Star Eco Coffee which is ground specifically to give you a great coffee.

You can also buy a grinder, either manual or electric. This will allow you can buy any roasted beans which you can grind fine to medium at home.

The Pod Star Grinder is very easy to use - watch this quick YouTube video.

How to use your Podsta grinder

2 level spoons of roasted beans using our stainless steel scoop equals 2 Pod Star Capsule fills. Grind 2 spoons of coffee beans per capsule.

Then fill your freshly ground coffee to the top of the Pod Star capsule, gently pressing with the back of the scoop to compress the coffee.

If you pull the grinder away from the metal coffee catcher there is a black 5 star dial on the base of the top half. If you turn it clockwise this will make it finer, turn it counter clockwise and it becomes coarser. Grinders are set roughly at the correct position when they are packed but sometimes move when being shipped.
 
Only move the dial slightly in each direction until you have the correct grind. Do a few test coffees until you have the grind right. Once it is set it rarely needs readjusting again. You will know when you have the correct grind by watching our video https://youtu.be/GU00aWUW49A

Grinder adjustment dial

3-5 business days in most major cities in Australia  

7-12 business days for anywhere else in the world. 

We send you tracking notification and you can log in and see where you parcel is at any stage of it's journey to you.

Yes, we delivery anywhere in the world. 

We accept all major credit cards including AMEX, Visa & Mastercard. We also accept PAYPAL and easypay.

We will exchange an item if you receive damaged goods. Unfortunately we do not give refunds on any items that have been used or for change of mind.

Please view our return policy here - Returns