Keurig-Type Coffee Makers

[WAYNO]

The ads have finally caused me to take notice of the K-Cup type coffee makers. Looks like many companies are producing these machines, and the sky is the limit on price, from very inexpensive to more than I'd care to spend.

So, who actually has experience with these?

A recent coffee thread on this forum has shown that most people are not as picky as I am about good coffee. I prefer really dark roast, and I'd hope these new-fangled machines would do well with dark roast coffee.

WAYNO

 

[Diamondtreo]

We have a Keurig. It is ok, but limited to 3 choices of how to brew by the amount of water it dispenses at one time. I usually run one bold and one medium (two separate pods) into a large mug for my morning coffee. I do like the fact that I'm not left with half a pot to throw out with the drip system. I saw in Costco last Sat that the new Keurigs brew into a 4-cup carafe using larger pods. Seems to me just another marketing ploy - once you get hooked on the pod brewing system & get rid of old pots, you are dependent on the pods. We have tried the refillable pod but it always spills over & dribbles coffee & grounds all over the counter during the brewing cycle. Normal choice in our household is French Roast or some other strong stuff.

 

[MADDOG 521]

My daughter gave me a Keurig and I used it off and on for about a year. I didn't like the coffee it made and I sure didn't like the price of the K-cups. I gave it to my other daughter. My wife brought another one home from her office and I cleaned it up and gave that one away also. I bought a 2 cup drip maker and it's working out very well. I only drink those 2 cups a day. The coffee is better and the price is better also. Works for me.

 

[WAYNO]

My daughter gave me a Keurig and I used it off and on for about a year. I didn't like the coffee it made and I sure didn't like the price of the K-cups. I gave it to my other daughter. My wife brought another one home from her office and I cleaned it up and gave that one away also. I bought a 2 cup drip maker and it's working out very well. I only drink those 2 cups a day. The coffee is better and the price is better also. Works for me.

The price of the K-Cups is a concern for me too. If I had to pay a dollar each, I would not even consider it. But, in our world of patent infringements, there are a lot of options for these bootlegged K-Cups for 30-cents apiece. That's cheaper than making a full pot and throwing most of it away. :mrgreen:

And your dislike of the finished product mirrors what many consumer reviews say.

Thanks for the input fellers. Keep it coming.

WAYNO.

 

[No-1]

The regular Kcup only makes 7oz of coffee - after that it's pretty thin. Lots of different coffees at http://www.keurig.com/Beverages/c/beverages101?text=&show=Page&layoutStatus=grid&categoryCode=coffee101&q=%3Arelevance%3APackageType%3AK-Carafe&terms=%3APackageType%3AK-Cup&selectedFacets=%26selectedFacetsSeperator%3BPackageTypeK-Cup%3AK-Cup&cm_mmc=pdsch-_-HQ-_-gog-_-HQ_Trademark-Core&utm_source=gog&utm_medium=pdsch&utm_term=HQ&utm_campaign=HQ_Trademark-Core

 

[WAYNO]

The regular Kcup only makes 7oz of coffee - after that it's pretty thin. Lots of different coffees at http://www.keurig.com/Beverages/c/beverages101?text=&show=Page&layoutStatus=grid&categoryCode=coffee101&q=%3Arelevance%3APackageType%3AK-Carafe&terms=%3APackageType%3AK-Cup&selectedFacets=%26selectedFacetsSeperator%3BPackageTypeK-Cup%3AK-Cup&cm_mmc=pdsch-_-HQ-_-gog-_-HQ_Trademark-Core&utm_source=gog&utm_medium=pdsch&utm_term=HQ&utm_campaign=HQ_Trademark-Core

And that should be a concern too. A feller'd have to make a double batch just to have enough coffee for a road trip. Thanks.

 

[Heliman]

My Kuerig has an adapter for using regular coffee grounds as apposed to the K cups. Either way, I like mine.

Dave

 

[tookalisten]

I got my wife one last Christmas. She drinks a lot of coffee through the day; but ended up pouring out a lot of coffee as she could never drink up a whole pot at the time and liked fresh coffee. So, the Keurig is the perfect option. She loves it.

Also got some hot chocolate cups for the kids and they are really good.

I like to use it for instant hot water only and drop a tea bag in from time to time.

We also have an adapter that you can put regular coffee ground in - it works great too.

I would buy another.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

Don't have one myself but friends and family have several. It's about 50-50 with them between "This is absolutely wonderful..." and "The new wears off fast." Some of them have bought the little "fill your own" basket/cup thingies, and the ability to use one's favorite coffee at reasonable cost is a plus.

Rick C

 

[gramps]

I don't have one, but I have used them extensively at hospitals that had them. I like the breakfast blend, with a hot chocolate in my large travel mug. I can sip on it for a couple hours. . At home I use instant. Fast, economical, etc. I only drink one maybe two cups a day. Others have mentioned the exorbitant price of coffee for the Keurig. That turned me off for home use.
gramps

 

[ChiefMuzz]

If you like strong, dark roast you have to be particular about the k-cups you use. My wife wanted one for Christmas a couple years back. I bought it and told her how much of a waste it was. Well, I use it more than her...
I get my k-cups at Sams and pay 0.50 each. I also have the adapter to use my own grounds. I like strong coffee and I can get some strong enough for my tastes, but it does brew a smaller cup. When I take the thermos on a trip I brew two cups. No big deal. Also the keurig company has pretty good CS from all I've heard.

 

[Ruger1441]

We have one at the office. I am cutting way back on the amount of coffee I drink so having the ability to just brew one cup when I want it is very nice. Have tried various blends and it seems you can get just about any to suite your taste. The office has been pleased with it.

 

[eric conrad]

We have one and like it. We use bottled water because the water here ( Colo. river) is so hard it will plug up in a few weeks.
Eric

 

[crewdog05]

I have had one for 4 yrs now, there is a large variety of brands, from Starbucks to Duncan Doughnuts, so you should find the taste you like with some sampling, I buy my coffee at Costco for $38.00 for 80 cups. My unit has 5 sizes of serving, but the larger the serving the weaker the cup. Very convenient with no waste. I used to use the Mellita single cup maker but this is much easier.

 

[Robes]

We had one and it took a dump after about 18 months. The K cups are good coffee, but very pricey. I am a coffee snob anyway, so I like to use the add-your-own coffee accessories. I am very disappointed in the Keurig coffee maker though. I expected better and paid for "better". I now have the Mr. Coffee version, for half the price and has been working fine. YMMV....

 

[Cooperhawk]

No way do I pay a dollar a cup. http://www.keurig.com/Beverages/Coffee/French-Roast-Coffee/p/French-Roast-Coffee-K-Cup-BPC

I buy all my coffee from them on their web site. They deliver quickly and if you order forty five dollars or more of their product the shipping is free.

I drink one cup a day and that is in the morning while I read the Forum. No need to brew a big pot and throw away most of it. I too have the adapter that lets me use regular coffee if I choose.

 

[Major E.A. Sterner]

I have one with a water reservoir on it and I can brew a cup from 4 to 12 ounces I can set it for temp and to turn on and off at what ever time I want.I use it mostly for Tea but it also gets used for coffee if friends come over.I get the k-cups from SAM's or check grocery store for sales.It came with the adapter for loose grounds.Was one of the best investments ever.

 

[mohavesam]

I'll bend the thread just a little... We gave away a single-cup maker (Costco bought) and then gave away the one we received as a gift. Hated it for the work it created, seriously. why should I subject myself to the extra work and mess? Its a trend driven by marketing, does not improve over the Bunn that sits on the counter now, and besides, I like all my cups in he morning to taste the SAME! I think that Bunn maker will outlive me, it's built like a Packard!

As for coffee, think of it like Saudi Arabian oil - Unless you're buying Puerto Rican coffee (which BTW is some of the best coffee available!) you're contributing to drug cartel economies. PR is at least a US trade market dealing in US economy.

 

[Colonialgirl]

We have one and like it. We use bottled water because the water here ( Colo. river) is so hard it will plug up in a few weeks.
Eric

Eric,
The Colorado River "fluid" you get ISN'T Water, it's a liquid ROCK that some how manages to flow while cold. I forget what the Hardness rating is on it, BUT it's quite high.
My water has a high iron content and in some areas of Florida they have a high Sulpher content too which STINKS.

 

[Colonialgirl]

I'm a Tea Drinker, so I brew THAT one cup at a time and if I want Stronger tea, I use two bags. I switch between Twinings Earl Grey, Various Green Teas, Typhoo brand and **PG Tips** tea (English, Not the grocery store). If I get the hots for a cuppa coffee I have a jar of Nescafe "Clasico" Dark Roast and a heaping teaspoon of that along with a NON-sugar sweetner and a healthy dash of 1/2 & 1/2 takes care of it.

** OOPS; :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: Edited; NOT "A&P", brain Fart, It should have been "PG TIPS" and is now corrected in the paragraph.
Colonialgirl :wink: :wink: :wink:

 

[Kevin]

I think they have plastic inserts that you can fill your own K cup holders right? Some people have mentioned that. I don't have one because of all the waste involved. Those single serving containers create so much unnecessary trash.

 

[WAYNO]

Well, looks as many folks who tried to talk me out of it was balanced by the folks who said they liked these coffee makers. So...I just had to try for myself.

I know ya get whatcha pay for, but I took a cheaper route. Bought the Hamilton Beach product for fifty bucks. I've ran three batches, and I think I will be okay with this machine. This one also will run with just grounds without extra baskets or accessories, so that was one of my experiments. I think it'd work fine for this use, but the quickly deteriorating canned-grounds do not do any machine justice. The coffee tasted just like I made it in a drip machine, including the rancidness of the cheap canned coffee.

I tried two cups with the K-Cups, and they turned out pretty good. An 8-ounce cup was pretty strong, so I think a 10-ounce cup will be better. And I know there are huge differences in coffees, but what I started out with is Victor Allen Dark Roast. It works out to 25-cents per serving, bought in a case of 80 cups. Never heard of that brand before, but when I googled them, their website indicated they've been around a while. Guess I've just never seen them out West.

Thanks for the input and ideas. I knew I could count on you all.

WAYNO.

 

[Paul B]

I'm the only coffee drinker in the house so I've stuck with my Melitta for a very long time. In fact, I've been trying to find a replacement as it's developed a small crack that leaks on occasion. My cup holds the equvilant of two normal cup and I like coffee that fights back, not the dishwater I find at resteraunts. I make what I call semi-instant coffee. Starbucks French Roast ground very fine, two heaping teaspoons in the Melitta and the hot water. If I'm not awake and up and running when I start that cup, I sure am when it's done.
I don't think I'll change over any time soon. :lol:
Paul B.

 

[wolfsong]

All these innovative and revolutionary ways and means to brew coffee. :roll: To me, it's nothing more than trying to re-invent the wheel. Drip this, press that, half cup, one cup, four and a half cups, timers, grinders, slicers and dicers. All in the name of advancement and convenience, for a price, of course. And still no real improvement.

For me, percolating your coffee is still the best method. Yeah, it takes more time. Yeah, there's somewhat of an art to it. But electric percolating machines are inexpensive and foolproof. Or you can do what I do - use your old and trusty camp coffee pot. Nothing like the strong smell of fresh coffee wafting through the house. And you can brew as much or as little as you like. Works just fine for me.

Peace and God bless, Wolfsong.

 

[Colonialgirl]

All these innovative and revolutionary ways and means to brew coffee. :roll: To me, it's nothing more than trying to re-invent the wheel. Drip this, press that, half cup, one cup, four and a half cups, timers, grinders, slicers and dicers. All in the name of advancement and convenience, for a price, of course. And still no real improvement.

For me, percolating your coffee is still the best method. Yeah, it takes more time. Yeah, there's somewhat of an art to it. But electric percolating machines are inexpensive and foolproof. Or you can do what I do - use your old and trusty camp coffee pot. Nothing like the strong smell of fresh coffee wafting through the house. And you can brew as much or as little as you like. Works just fine for me.

Peace and God bless, Wolfsong.

Got TEN thumbs up from me for the old camp percolator coffee pot Wolfie. They DID make delicious coffee, Maybe I should go shopping for one to make my tea, I remember my Favorite Uncle Russell was a tea drinker and used one of those on the old wood burning kitchen Range to make his pot of tea. It sat on the back of the range to keep it drinking temp ALL day.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I have been drinking instant coffee since I was a kid and I am not about to change. I've tried all the others and nothing is more convenient or suits me better. The big improvement was heating water in the microwave.

 

[Jeepnik]

Been using a Keurig brewer since they came out. Liked it so much when the Revo (makes espresso and such) I bought one of those.

 

[Rumrunner]

We have one at home along with a Bunn coffee pot. Use the Keurig more in the afternoon or when we dont want to brew a full pot.

I have a Keurig ant work because I dont have running water in my pilot house. Company has 10 oz bottled water which is perfect for it. Clean up is simple and I dont have to go outside and down a deck to get water or clean out grounds.

 

[HawkEyeEarl]

I like this a lot. Instead of brewing a pot and throwing most away, I make 1 cup when I want it right in the cup.
I pick a few brews that make it strong for me in 6 oz of water and get a consistently good cup of coffee.
It is fast and every cup is fresh. It is more expensive but I drink every cup I make. Other make it to their strength desire.
I generally drink a cup or sometimes 2.

 

[Rick Courtright]

If I get the hots for a cuppa coffee I have a jar of Nescafe "Clasico" Dark Roast

Hi,

Is that the "Mexican" variety? A number of my Mexican clients never brew their coffee: they always use instant. Nescafe is the favorite brand, and I think it's packaged south of the border. What they use has Spanish labels, and it's certainly not the same stuff we get in the supermarket on this side. It's actually pretty good especially for instant--might even fool a couple of people in that old TV commercial, too!

Rick C