Keurig single cup coffee maker

[sammy]

I got the Keurig single cup coffee maker for Christmas.

The brew-one-cup-at-a-time concept is wonderful. This makes the whole coffee experience so much more convenient:
-- Not only can I make a separate flavor from my husband and guests,
-- one of us can also have tea or cocoa instead,
-- we can drink as many or as few cups a day as we choose and have each and every one brewed fresh,
-- makes HOT coffee and also has brew temperature options,
-- we can change the strength of the coffee in a few different ways - either picking smaller brews or using as your own freshly ground beans in the K cup filter.

There are several drawbacks, thou:
-- does not filter water - you need to filter beforehand or use bottled water,
-- about an inch of water sits there unused even when the machine says empty so you have to dump that out each day. Just adding fresh water mixes in with the old stuff, so I take off the water resevoir and dump the old water each morning.
-- does not brew enough. My version brews up to 9.25 oz. I use A LOT of cream and I still have to brew 2x to fill a small travel mug which I use even when at home to keep my coffee warmer.
-- I have found inconsistency in the coffee in the Kcup pods.

Any other thoughts on this single cup brewer or others? Does another brand address the limitations on this Keurig?

 

[wackymother]

Thanks for your thoughts on the Keurig. I love the water reservoir and I was thinking of getting one for my DD when she goes away to college next year. It's good to hear a report on how it really works on a day-to-day basis. Do you have to use filtered water? Or can you use tap water if you're not a connoisseur?

 

[xnavyss]

Have had the Keurig over a year now and we both love it. I buy the coffee and K-Cup Tea for my wife from coffeewhiz.com. I think it's cheaper and no shipping charges when you spend over $50.00.

I just add tap water to the canister when it get's low and do a Very Good cleaning at least once a week.

Joe

 

[sammy]

wackymother -- You do not have to use filtered - just a matter of preference. Our tap water doesn't taste too good so I choose to filter first.

xnavyss -- How do you clean your machine?

 

[xnavyss]

xnavyss -- How do you clean your machine?

About once a week I do a Good hand cleaning of the water canister and run two or three brews without the k-cup.

About every 3 weeks in addition to the hand cleanings, I fill the canister up with half water and half vinegar and run it through the machine with no K-cup. I then run a least one canister of just water through to get make sure there is no vinegar taste.

Joe

 

[Jestjoan]

Thanks, Joe, that might be the missing link (coffeewhiz site) DH couldn't find.
I think he ordered his last pods from drugstore.com.

 

[wackymother]

They have the pods at Bed Bath & Beyond now, too. I don't know how the prices compare, but you can get 20 percent off with their store coupons.

 

[MOXJO7282]

I got my wife a Starbucks 16 oz single cup coffee maker, I think its called the Barista. Programmable machine that makes the coffee in a thermal cup that keeps the coffee hot for up to 2 hours. She really loves it.

Regards.
Joe

 

[Kittykatz]

I know this is totally off the subject and the Washing/dryer has been brought up several times... I tried to send a private message to Sammy but I'm not sure how.. I'm on the verge of buying the Whirlpool Cabrio, I wanted to know how Sammy's was doing. I'm not sure if I should go with the bigger washer - no agitator or the smaller one with the agitator, just thinking the bigger one is the reason that clothes get tangled and come out more wrinkled. The bigger one got rave reviews from consumer reports and the smaller one got good reviews but uses alot more water... Also the dryer received very good and fell in the middle of the pack in Consumer Reports. I've also considered the Kenmore version.. for some reason the dryer got better reviews.. I'm just afraid of buying something and having problems.. The bigger capacity thrills me as does the quicker drying times. I keep reading reviews, some love it some have had problems... so if Sammy or anyone else could help...

Just to put my 2 cents in on the Keurig.. My husband bought one for his office they just love it! We bought my in-laws one for the holidays at their request.. they love it too. They sold it at Costco's just before Christmas but it's not there anymore. I actually bought it cheaper at Linens and Things using the 20% discount card. It's good at Bed Bath and Beyond too.

Lisa

 

[sammy]

Kittykatz --

What specifically would you like to know about the w/d? Mine are doing just fine. I am certain my first one was just a dud.

I love the fact that they top load. I don't think I'd care for the front load on the floor and putting it on that raiser pedestal just wastes too much room.

I also like the see thru doors, using less soap, the faster dry time (due to better spin on wash or dryer itself I don't know.)

I do, however, have my doubts as to whether I'd buy it again. Not because of anything I have proof of, I just have this feeling that it really does not clean as well as it could (my kids don't get that dirty any more) and I think it does a lot of tangling. I just did an enormous load of towels and while they seemed to clean fine, they were so twisted up inside and, this has happened 2x before, one bath towel was kind of wrapped on top of the whole load encircling it like a package. So when you go to get the clothes out one towel is fastened around the whole bunch like a trampoline tarp.....getting them out takes a few good tugs. I think the super spinning (and the required tugging to release) probably wear the items that get stuck in that position out very quickly. I'd guess a front load would not do this, but I don't know.

All in all, I am happy with it. I am very particular and I'd probably have comments no matter what I had. I'd feel comfortable with you buying the cabrios if you like those features.

Anything else specific?

 

[Kittykatz]

cabrio

Do clothes get that tangled as well? How does is it handle sweaters? Do you think the tangling is more about the spinning than about the agitator? Front loader is not an option since I don't have the space, the Cabrio dryer is going to be a tight fit as it is. I just not sure.. Kenmore, Whirlpool, Agitator or not.. What about the dryer, is it really much faster drying a heavy load of towels as compared to the older type dryers? Kenmore makes a dual motor dryer I wonder if that one is better...Ugh, it's got to be easier than this.
Lisa

 

[sammy]

Do clothes get that tangled as well? How does is it handle sweaters? Do you think the tangling is more about the spinning than about the agitator? Front loader is not an option since I don't have the space, the Cabrio dryer is going to be a tight fit as it is. I just not sure.. Kenmore, Whirlpool, Agitator or not.. What about the dryer, is it really much faster drying a heavy load of towels as compared to the older type dryers? Kenmore makes a dual motor dryer I wonder if that one is better...Ugh, it's got to be easier than this.
Lisa

I do not have a lot of problems with tangling. Occasionally I'll get than long sleeve T with one sleeve tangled all through the load and a few inches longer than the other sleeve! But would that happen in any washer? I do not know for sure, but I think it all has to do with how full it is and the small amount of water. If you are getting it to do the huge loads of things more delicate than towels and such I'd say go with a highly rated basic model and save yourself a ton of money on the machines. If you are willing to do normal size loads this one will work great. I went from a gas dryer to this electric and it does work quicker; I think it is a combination of coming out so much dryer from the washer and having the extra capacity to get more air flow. Keep in mind these new machines require the HE detergent as well which may be a factor. I have not calculated cost so I don't know it is more or less expensive.

Sorry Kittykatz I cannot be more decisive for you.