With its drip coffee pitcher on one side, Nespresso machine on the other, and a milk-foaming arm that can spring from the side, the Ninja Prestige DualBrew System is a pretty odd-looking machine, but after a week of testing it’s become my new best friend in the morning.
I love the meditative process of making espresso – grinding the beans, tamping them down, pulling the shot of espresso, foaming the milk, then trying to achieve the perfect pour – but not first thing in the morning. I’m neither a night owl nor a lark, and prying myself out of bed is always a challenge (even with the Philips Hue Play Wall Washer offering a simulated sunrise to make the experience less jarring).
That’s where Ninja’s new machine comes in. Whether I want my first coffee of the day in drip or espresso format, this is the quickest and easiest way to get it brewed and into my sluggish system.
Drip coffee is always an easy option first thing, particularly when your machine has a timer so you can prep everything the night before. The DualBrew System offers exactly that, and it’s refreshingly easy to use. When you power the machine on for the first time, you’ll be prompted to set the current time by turning the dial on the front. Prime the machine by running it without coffee, as described in the quick-start manual, and you’re ready to brew.
The machine is packed with thoughtful touches that make getting started a breeze. For example, for drip coffee, you’ll find a two-ended measuring scoop clipped into the left-hand side of the machine, which is labelled with rough estimates for how much coffee you should use for different brew sizes and strengths. If you use whole beans you’ll probably find it easiest to weigh them before grinding instead, but for anyone using pre-ground coffee it’s a very nice touch.
Rather than an insulated carafe, this machine has a glass jug with a hotplate underneath to keep your brew warm. An insulated pitcher is better for the flavor of your coffee (keeping it on a hotplate too long can affect the taste), but the glass has the obvious advantage of letting you see how much of your brew is left. It also has a certain old-school appeal, being the type of pitcher you’d get in a diner.
(Ninja sells a version with an insulated jug for a few extra dollars in the US, but this doesn’t currently seem to be available here in the UK.)
If (unlike me) you only want a modest amount of drip coffee first thing, you can set the machine to brew a single cup, and raise the drip tray accordingly. It’s a nice touch, and means you don’t have to wash both your pitcher and coffee mug if you’re brewing for one.
Another feature I particularly like is the drip-stop function, which closes off the filter basket when the machine has finished brewing so you don’t end up with errant drops of coffee landing on the hotplate when you take the carafe away.
What if you prefer your morning coffee short and strong? Well, the right-hand side of the machine houses a Nespresso machine that can brew in three sizes, with a drip tray that you can move up and down to accommodate different sized cups. To move it, just unhook it and replace it in a different set of holes.
The machine would have a more premium feel if you could slide the tray up and down instead, but that’s a minor quibble. It gets the job done, and the tray has a ring of grippy silicone on top to prevent your cup sliding, which is a nice touch.
The machine takes Nespresso Original capsules – the ones shaped like a top hat – so I picked up a pack from a local coffee roaster to try it out. (Pro tip: Nestlé no longer owns the patent to this type of capsule, and an increasing number of speciality indie roasters are getting in on the action. Take a look – the choice is amazing and it tastes so much better than the pods you can get in a supermarket.)
Load your pod sideways into the top of the machine (it’ll only fit one way), press down the lid, then use the buttons or dial to select your drink size and press ‘Start brewing’. The Dual-Brew System will pre-heat the appropriate amount of water, emit a slightly strange whine as it pierces the capsule and forces water through, and your drink will be ready a few seconds later.
Lift the lid of the pod-container up, and the used capsule will drop into a bin to be emptied later, just like with any other Nespresso machine. Groundbreaking? No, but it’s very convenient to have right there beside the drip brewer, and it does its job well without adding another appliance to your kitchen counter.
Finally we have the milk frother, which is nice to have, but not the same as a steam wand. It’s basically just a little whisk that’s activated by pressing a button on top; it doesn’t heat your milk, so you’ll need to microwave that first if you want to make a hot cappuccino or latte. Helpfully, Ninja has provided a ‘recipe guide’ on the side of the machine, which lists how long you’ll need to microwave and then whisk your milk for various drinks.
The frother might not look super stylish, but it’s handy and can be tucked away when not in use. Just be careful to use it while standing to the left of the machine. Ninja warns against reaching over a hot part of the machine to reach the frother, and it’s good advice.
A real steam wand would work better, but would require a boiler and pump that this machine simply doesn’t have. If you want to steam your milk and create proper microfoam, take a look at the Ninja Luxe Café instead, which will fit the bill better.
I’m currently in the process of writing my full review of the Ninja Prestige DualBrew System, but so far it’s making a very good impression. Check back soon to see whether it can earn a place in my roundups of the best drip coffee makers and best Nespresso machines.
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