How to Refill Nespresso Vertuo Capsules

You can't buy empty Vertuo capsules. Nespresso's Vertuo capsule design is protected, so no one sells an empty compatible base. Instead, you reuse the capsules you've already brewed.

The barcode printed on the base of each Vertuo capsule tells your machine how much water to use, what temperature to brew at, how long to infuse and how fast to spin the capsule. That's why the base has to be a genuine Vertuo one — and why every reusable Vertuo product on the market is a lid rather than a whole capsule.

Save a handful of empties and you can rotate them indefinitely.

The lid needs to come off cleanly, without tearing or distorting the rim — the rim is what your new silicone lid seals against, so a mangled one will leak.

The easiest way is the REVU Nespresso Vertuo Recycling Tool ($16.48). Drop the used capsule in, twist, and it separates the aluminium lid from the body in one motion. It handles all five Vertuo sizes — 40 mL espresso, 80 mL double espresso, 150 mL Gran Lungo, 230 mL mug and 414 mL Alto.

It was designed as a recycling tool, and it still does that job: the aluminium goes in with metals and the grounds go in the compost. But it's the same motion either way, so it's the tidiest way to prep a capsule you intend to refill.

You can also peel the pierced foil off by hand. It's slower, and you'll want to take care not to bend the rim.

1. Tip out the spent grounds — they can go straight in the compost.
2. Wash the empty capsule base in warm water with a little dishwashing liquid.
3. Rinse and dry thoroughly, paying attention to the rim.
4. Check the barcode on the underside is still clean and readable — that's what your machine reads.

Vertuo capsule bases vary in size, and the barcode on each one dictates the volume of water flow, temperature, infusion time and speed of capsule rotation. The type of brew you make is determined by the capsule base you reuse — not by what you put in it.

For optimal results, we recommend using the Short Espresso base. If you're using a larger size, run a 40 mL shot and then press stop. That gives the ideal amount of water to extract the best elements of the coffee.

Grind size: we recommend an espresso grind. If you're not grinding at home, ask your favourite cafe to grind the beans for you — or grab a bag of our Bespoke Blend in espresso grind, which doubles as a handy grind reference to take to your local roaster.

Grinding at home: we recommend a burr grinder. Blade grinders create an inconsistent grind as well as too much dust.

Blend: coffee beans are an agricultural product — naturally, they differ, and roasting has a big impact on the final cup. As pure coffee beans have no added flavours, we suggest a strong, dark roast. One of the beauties of filling your own pods is that you're no longer restricted to the blends the big brands offer, so try something new each time you buy a bag.

More in our guide to selecting the perfect coffee for reusables.

Machine prep (recommended before you start): give your machine a thorough descale so it's running at normal brewing pressure.

Fill the clean, dry capsule with ground coffee, leaving a little space at the top, and tamp lightly. Brush the rim to remove loose grinds — grounds on the rim are the most common cause of a poor seal.

Seal with your silicone lid, pressing evenly all the way around.

Brew as normal. If there's resistance when you close the handle, reopen and try again rather than forcing it.

Want to fill ahead? Seal as usual and store the prepared capsules in a cool, dark, dry place.

Both seal the capsule rather than fitting the machine, so both work right across the Vertuo range — Pop, Next, VertuoPlus, Up and the original VertuoLine.

WayCap Vertuo Lids — from $29.95, rated 4.5/5. Food grade, BPA and BPS free. WayCap questions and brewing steps ›

Sealpod Vertuo Lids — from $29.99, rated 4.3/5. Heat resistant to 230°C, dishwasher safe, tested for hundreds of uses. Sealpod questions and brewing steps ›

Or see the full Nespresso Vertuo compatible range. Free shipping Australia-wide on orders over $90.

Nine times out of ten this is the machine, not the pod. Descaling clears mineral scale from the water path but doesn't reach coffee oils and residue in the brewing chamber — and that's what usually causes slow flow, weak crema or warning lights that won't clear.

Caffenu Cleaning Pods for Nespresso Vertuo ($21.99, rated 5/5) run through the chamber like a normal capsule and clear that residue.

Still stuck? Send us a photo of your machine and we'll point you in the right direction.

Our Vertuo machine comparison covers the current range, and the model code guide will help you identify an older one.