• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Keurig / K-Cup coffee makers?

S

swbsam

Platinum Member
I'm looking to buy a small k-cup single cup coffee maker, since I routinely waste a pot of coffee in the morning for one cup. Amazon has a ton of k-cups for sale but I wonder if I have to buy a keurig. Are there any k-cup compatible coffee makers not made by Keurig?

Update Ordered the b40 + 50 "donut shop style" k-cups and 50 hazlenut k-cups, all should be delivered today- woot!

As far as bringing down the environmental impact and cost per cup, there are two options for using your own grinds:

1. Caps from ebay designed to allow you to re-use k-cups. I haven't ordered this because I'm thinking a little saran wrap will do the same darn thing, and re-using filters is kinda gross to me (especially with NYC humidity)

2. Re-usable filter from krups - refillable permanent filter. I ordered this - reviews point to a weaker cup of coffee (the water seeps through this filter too quickly, vs. the disposable k-cups), but there's a simple mod that's as follows:
Here's a tip for stronger coffee, October 10, 2008
By V. Germano (Bay Area, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
After reading many reviews about the problems with the My K-Cup and experimenting on my own, I have found an easy solution to the problem of weak coffee using this filter. As others have noted, the water goes through the My K-Cup way too fast as compared to the K-Cups. My solution was to take apart a K-Cup and use the outer plastic shell with the My K-Cup filter. Here's all you need to do:

Take a used K-Cup and cut the top foil off of a K-Cup. Cut the paper filter out of the K-Cup. It's okay not to cut it all the way off of the rim of the K-Cup because you will need to cut the top of the K-Cup (where it gets wider at the top). You need to cut the top of the K-Cup off because you need to fit the K-Cup shell into the My K-Cup holder. Once you slide the bottom shell of the K-Cup into the holder, you can add your coffee into the My K-Cup (tapping or gently pressing the coffee so that it is not loose inside the filter). Then place the My K-Cup filter into the holder and cover as normal. When brewing, the K-Cup shell surrounds the My K-Cup filter and slows down the water by making it pass through the punctured hole that the prepackaged K-Cup normally uses.

The great thing about this is that you can re-use the K-Cup shell that you cut apart over and over so once you have cut one apart you don't have to worry about it again- use the My K-Cup as you normally would.

I'm hoping Keurig will have figured this out in the near future and add a premade piece that is included the My K-Cup, but until then, I have found that this solves the problem of weak coffee.
Click to expand...

Update: First weekend with the Keurig, and it's an indispensable part of our household already! The sample pack was great but I'm glad that my favorite was also what I ordered bulk of, "Donut Shop Coffee" is insanely good. The coffee is deliciously strong if you use the smaller cup size (I can see how people can complain about the coffee being weak if they used the "large" setting), and I had my best cup of homemade tea yet. In fact, I need to order more tea k-cups because tea bags just aren't going to cut it anymore.

I tried to "hack" my own refill but that proved to be a messy mistake.. Oh, I was able to get 2 strong cups of tea out of one tea k-cup. I have the reusable filter but haven't tried that yet. Though I think I'll just stick to using k-cups.

Hot cocoa is also very good, but it's a bit expensive compared to just using syrup.

Thanks for all the advice!
 
I remember a big thread on this a while back.

My stance is that the k-cup stuff is too expensive and wasteful, but it might make sense if you're wasting coffee when you brew drip. You could always try brewing less, using a thermos or using a french press. I just find the k-cups not as strong as I'd like.
 
Originally posted by: nerp
I remember a big thread on this a while back.

My stance is that the k-cup stuff is too expensive and wasteful, but it might make sense if you're wasting coffee when you brew drip. You could always try brewing less, using a thermos or using a french press. I just find the k-cups not as strong as I'd like.
Click to expand...

They make some pretty strong blends these days (check Green Mountain).

I for one know there is absolutely no fucking way that I can operate a french press first thing in the morning without maiming/burning myself.
 
Have Keurig at home.. Love it. Use it everyday.

I get the k-cups from bed bath & beyond with their 20% coupons they come out to $8.00 a box (cheaper than amazon)
 
Originally posted by: nerp
I remember a big thread on this a while back.

My stance is that the k-cup stuff is too expensive and wasteful, but it might make sense if you're wasting coffee when you brew drip. You could always try brewing less, using a thermos or using a french press. I just find the k-cups not as strong as I'd like.
Click to expand...

I can brew as little as 4 cups, but that still feels wasteful. I have a french press but, for some reason, I never want to use it in the morning before work (not that it takes very long, I'm just involved every step of the way).

Keurig has a re-usable filter kit that allows you to use regular grinds, which seems to cut down on the per cup price.

My question is - is it a better cup of coffee, taste wise, vs. your standard $30 coffee maker and grocery store purchased grinds (usually dunkin donuts, actually)? Is it simply a convenience thing or does it brew a tastier cup of coffee?

In other words, I'm trying to justify the expense to myself 😉
 
My dad used to work for a coffee company, and for a while he had a K-Cup machine in his house. It was pretty cool, and I liked it due to the ease of use and quick coffee. At the time I thought it was a waste of time and expensive, now it has an appeal to it (if I drank more coffee at least).
 
Originally posted by: swbsam
I can brew as little as 4 cups, but that still feels wasteful. I have a french press but, for some reason, I never want to use it in the morning before work (not that it takes very long, I'm just involved every step of the way).

Keurig has a re-usable filter kit that allows you to use regular grinds, which seems to cut down on the per cup price.

My question is - is it a better cup of coffee, taste wise, vs. your standard $30 coffee maker and grocery store purchased grinds (usually dunkin donuts, actually)? Is it simply a convenience thing or does it brew a tastier cup of coffee?

In other words, I'm trying to justify the expense to myself 😉
Click to expand...

Boiling water is boiling water. Why would you want to pay $100 more for the same capability? If you're buying a Keurig its for it's specific use with K-cups and their ease. In my experience, the K-cups all taste horribly watered down and are a giant waste of materials.

If you want the best tasting coffee then use your french press. Otherwise, a $30 coffee pot is going to brew grinds coffee the same way a $100 Keurig does.
 
Originally posted by: swbsam
Originally posted by: nerp
My question is - is it a better cup of coffee, taste wise, vs. your standard $30 coffee maker and grocery store purchased grinds (usually dunkin donuts, actually)? Is it simply a convenience thing or does it brew a tastier cup of coffee?

In other words, I'm trying to justify the expense to myself 😉
Click to expand...

I'm a bit of a coffee snob and find even Green Mountain to be a bit bland for my tastes. I'd rather drink Starbucks Via than store brand or even dunkin donuts coffee. That's probably the main reason why I'd never want a keureg system. I like my coffee very dark and very strong and it doesn't seem like you could jam three cuppy things into the machine at once.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks guys - just bought the keurig b40 and 2 cases of coffee from Amazon, based on your recommendation. I'll check out Bed, bath, and beyond shortly for their k-cups.

I'll still use my french press, but it's been messy every time i use it when in a rush!
 
Originally posted by: crownjules

Boiling water is boiling water. Why would you want to pay $100 more for the same capability? If you're buying a Keurig its for it's specific use with K-cups and their ease. In my experience, the K-cups all taste horribly watered down and are a giant waste of materials.

If you want the best tasting coffee then use your french press. Otherwise, a $30 coffee pot is going to brew grinds coffee the same way a $100 Keurig does.
Click to expand...

You can cook in an open pit in your backyard too.

Why buy a fucking oven?
 
You could just add less water and less coffee grinds to the coffee maker, and produce a smaller pot

My old job had some of these machines in the office. It was a fast single cup of coffee, and it didn't taste bad.

You could just buy one of those single cup/mug coffee makers. Probably be a lot cheaper than the K-cup maker
 
Originally posted by: alkemyst
Originally posted by: crownjules

Boiling water is boiling water. Why would you want to pay $100 more for the same capability? If you're buying a Keurig its for it's specific use with K-cups and their ease. In my experience, the K-cups all taste horribly watered down and are a giant waste of materials.

If you want the best tasting coffee then use your french press. Otherwise, a $30 coffee pot is going to brew grinds coffee the same way a $100 Keurig does.
Click to expand...

You can cook in an open pit in your backyard too.

Why buy a fucking oven?
Click to expand...

I'll also add - "When it comes to coffee, yes, I'm lazy!" I just spent $130 on 125 k-cups and a brewer. At $2 a cup for McDonalds coffee, I'm already ahead...

Besides, I'm not a french press expert so I have a 50/50 chance of brewing an awesome cup, or a terrible cup (and a mess). I'm sure consistency will come with practice, but I have better things to do then practicing using a french press 🙂 I'm a klutz and have very little counter space. Let's just say that I'm the last person who should attempt french press use when in a rush.
 
Originally posted by: krunchykrome
You could just add less water and less coffee grinds to the coffee maker, and produce a smaller pot

My old job had some of these machines in the office. It was a fast single cup of coffee, and it didn't taste bad.

You could just buy one of those single cup/mug coffee makers. Probably be a lot cheaper than the K-cup maker
Click to expand...

I tried that, but the coffee always tasted burnt, even if it's just sitting for a few minutes (start before I take a shower, drink after I'm dressed).

The single cup coffee makers all seem to have dripping issues, since they're usually cheaply made. I've tried 2 myself (black and decker and mr. coffee) and they never worked as well as they should, and coffee always ended up on the counter. I suppose a higher end one would work, but then I'm approaching keurig prices.
 
Originally posted by: swbsam
Originally posted by: krunchykrome
You could just add less water and less coffee grinds to the coffee maker, and produce a smaller pot

My old job had some of these machines in the office. It was a fast single cup of coffee, and it didn't taste bad.

You could just buy one of those single cup/mug coffee makers. Probably be a lot cheaper than the K-cup maker
Click to expand...

I tried that, but the coffee always tasted burnt, even if it's just sitting for a few minutes (start before I take a shower, drink after I'm dressed).

The single cup coffee makers all seem to have dripping issues, since they're usually cheaply made. I've tried 2 myself (black and decker and mr. coffee) and they never worked as well as they should, and coffee always ended up on the counter. I suppose a higher end one would work, but then I'm approaching keurig prices.
Click to expand...

Hmm, how about Starbucks' new instant cofee packs? Have you tried those yet? I havent, although I know a few people who seem to like them
 
Is there much of a difference between this and what Senseo offers?

Both are single serve, both use the coffee pods.

I got a Senseo and it taste terrible. Never got a single good cup of coffee out of it and ended up throwing it away.

I love the idea of easy, quick and good tasting coffee but no way in hell would I want to spend this kind of money only to have a Senseo experience all over again...
 
Originally posted by: krunchykrome
Originally posted by: swbsam
Originally posted by: krunchykrome
You could just add less water and less coffee grinds to the coffee maker, and produce a smaller pot

My old job had some of these machines in the office. It was a fast single cup of coffee, and it didn't taste bad.

You could just buy one of those single cup/mug coffee makers. Probably be a lot cheaper than the K-cup maker
Click to expand...

I tried that, but the coffee always tasted burnt, even if it's just sitting for a few minutes (start before I take a shower, drink after I'm dressed).

The single cup coffee makers all seem to have dripping issues, since they're usually cheaply made. I've tried 2 myself (black and decker and mr. coffee) and they never worked as well as they should, and coffee always ended up on the counter. I suppose a higher end one would work, but then I'm approaching keurig prices.
Click to expand...

Hmm, how about Starbucks' new instant cofee packs? Have you tried those yet? I havent, although I know a few people who seem to like them
Click to expand...

Welps, starbucks instant is $10 for 12, while k-cups are as low as $19 for 50 (cheaper if you find a deal), for fresh brewed coffee. Sure, there's the initial $80 investment, but I'm hoping for a better tasting/fresh brew with the keurig.

But I'll give the instant stuff a chance. most of the times I've had instant they taste fine loaded with cream and sugar but muddy black
 
Originally posted by: swbsam
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0014CVEH6/
Click to expand...

outstanding! I already ordered a Keurig but, hell, I'll give this a try as well.
Thanks!
Click to expand...

I actually have that.

I got it from my local grocery store (Publix) for $4 IIRC, actually makes a good cup of coffee.

But I'm just to lazy to use it in the morning. I want to hit a button, go get ready, come back and have my coffee waiting for me.

This requires boiling water, putting in a paper filter, filling with grinds, placing on top of the cup/mug, pouring in the hot water, which depending on the size of the cup might require more to be poured in if the first bit wasn't enough, which requires waiting around for it to filter through, etc.

Great for the weekend if I'm dying for a cup of coffee but not fast and easy enough for my rushed mornings of taking care of a new born, getting ready for work, eating, showering, etc...
 
Originally posted by: lokiju
Is there much of a difference between this and what Senseo offers?

Both are single serve, both use the coffee pods.

I got a Senseo and it taste terrible. Never got a single good cup of coffee out of it and ended up throwing it away.

I love the idea of easy, quick and good tasting coffee but no way in hell would I want to spend this kind of money only to have a Senseo experience all over again...
Click to expand...

Amazon reviews for Senseo are usually terrible while Keurig's are well respected. Coffee review sites also point at the Keurig being better as well.
 
Originally posted by: lokiju
Originally posted by: swbsam
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0014CVEH6/
Click to expand...

outstanding! I already ordered a Keurig but, hell, I'll give this a try as well.
Thanks!
Click to expand...

I actually have that.

I got it from my local grocery store (Publix) for $4 IIRC, actually makes a good cup of coffee.

But I'm just to lazy to use it in the morning. I want to hit a button, go get ready, come back and have my coffee waiting for me.

This requires boiling water, putting in a paper filter, filling with grinds, placing on top of the cup/mug, pouring in the hot water, which depending on the size of the cup might require more to be poured in if the first bit wasn't enough, which requires waiting around for it to filter through, etc.

Great for the weekend if I'm dying for a cup of coffee but not fast and easy enough for my rushed mornings of taking care of a new born, getting ready for work, eating, showering, etc...
Click to expand...

That's exactly how I feel about french presses - too much of a hassle when my wife leaves me less than 15 minutes to get ready for work! Sure, I can wake up earlier but.. Fuck that!

 
I've got one. Use it.. love it.

Coffee is a bit weaker, but I'm ok with that. I don't like really strong coffee.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top