Coffer Lovers? Mr. Coffee or Keurig single serve brewer?

[D.T.]

You get scale even using distilled water?

I’ve never de-scaled any of our equipment, but we mostly use water from the main kitchen supply which passes through a pretty robust, inline 2-stage filtering system. I do occasionally grab water from the main fridge which has a really good filter too, but probably the “cleanse” from the 2-stage keeps it super clean.

Heck, our little single serve upstairs is 6 years old, and never de-scaled and has been heavily used.

Again, YMMV, following the prescribed maintenance process will keep any equipment functioning as good as possible.

Neither make enough coffee for me.

Well, you can only drink one cup at a time, and a big K will make like 6-8 large cups without a refill.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Well, you can only drink one cup at a time

Pish!! Speak for yourself!

 

[D.T.]

Pish!! Speak for yourself!

Hahaha, I have made a cup, abandoned it upstairs, came down, made a cup, found the other one later ...

I’ve also been swapping flavors without completely finishing the previous cup (the K-cup convenience introduces all sorts of crazy).

This morning I had a L&L, added to the 1/4 left a Pumpkin Spice (on sale from Amazon for $10.99/24 count, limited to one per customer, good thing we have 4 accounts )

Pumpkin Lake? Spicy Lodge?

 

[Shrink]

Pish!! Speak for yourself!

A two fisted drinker if ever there was one!

Hahaha, I have made a cup, abandoned it upstairs, came down, made a cup, found the other one later ...

I’ve also been swapping flavors without completely finishing the previous cup (the K-cup convenience introduces all sorts of crazy).

This morning I had a L&L, added to the 1/4 left a Pumpkin Spice (on sale from Amazon for $10.99/24 count, limited to one per customer, good thing we have 4 accounts )

Pumpkin Lake? Spicy Lodge?

I'n not being facetious, but do they have just plain, unflavored, coffee?

Just curious...have any of the Keurig users also used Nespresso...and how do they compare?

 

[D.T.]

I'n not being facetious, but do they have just plain, unflavored, coffee?

Yes! Dozens (hundreds?) of non-flavored options from different vendors, different roasts, origin, blends, etc.

The L&L (Lake and Lodge) I referenced above is just that:

http://www.greenmountaincoffee.com/Coffee/K-Cup-Lake-Lodge

Tasting Notes

The flavors of this rich, darker roast blend reflect hearty West Coast style roasts. Dark roasted Indonesian coffees offer bountiful sweetness and syrupy notes. A touch of East African beans adds an element of berry-hued brightness to the blend's bold flavor foundations.

We usually have something medium-to-dark, plus a flavor or two on deck. That’s also a perk of the Keurig, you don’t have to commit to other than a cup, and changing your coffee between cups is zero effort.

Another favorite of ours, through the wife thinks it’s a touch too “intense” :

http://www.greenmountaincoffee.com/Coffee/K-Cup-Dark-Magic-Extra-Bold

 

[Shrink]

Yes! Dozens (hundreds?) of non-flavored options from different vendors, different roasts, origin, blends, etc.

The L&L (Lake and Lodge) I referenced above is just that:

http://www.greenmountaincoffee.com/Coffee/K-Cup-Lake-Lodge




We usually have something medium-to-dark, plus a flavor or two on deck. That’s also a perk of the Keurig, you don’t have to commit to other than a cup, and changing your coffee between cups is zero effort.

Another favorite of ours, through the wife thinks it’s a touch too “intense” :

http://www.greenmountaincoffee.com/Coffee/K-Cup-Dark-Magic-Extra-Bold

Thanks for taking the time to answer my question.

I'm just curious about different kinds of coffee production. I'm pretty pleased with my set-up, but sometimes I'm asked for suggestions about different systems, so I'm always out to learn stuff.

 

[D.T.]

Thanks for taking the time to answer my question.

I'm just curious about different kinds of coffee production. I'm pretty pleased with my set-up, but sometimes I'm asked for suggestions about different systems, so I'm always out to learn stuff.

Note my response time to overcompensate for my previous lackluster performance

Yeah, we dig on the Kuerig. As I mentioned above, we have some nice gear for a more exotic (time consuming) preparation, but the convenience factor is _hard_ to beat.

When the Bunn died (stellar drip maker), about the time we were expecting company for Christmas last year, we scored this K75 on sale, like $60 off - almost a present for the company, we stocked up on various K-cups, it was a big hit.

I got so used to using it, I can’t go back Our original from 6 years ago is a single, doesn’t have temp or size control, or preheat, so it was kind of a draw vs. something like a drip maker.

Funny, we originally scored the little single maker when our daughter was born, so we could operate upstairs (also picked up a mini-fridge that’s also still chugging along).

 

[Southern Dad]

Funny, we originally scored the little single maker when our daughter was born, so we could operate upstairs (also picked up a mini-fridge that’s also still chugging along).

We used our Mr. Coffee as a bottle warmer and our Keurig to make the java.

 

[Huntn]

My impression is that the single cup brewers are rip offs. I've used my son's frequently and dislike it. Much prefer a plain old, limited feature brewer. Of course as a coffee connoisseur, my credibility goes out the window when I tell you I brew 2 pots of coffee at a time and store it in the fridge until I finish it off a couple days later.

 

[balamw]

Just curious...have any of the Keurig users also used Nespresso...and how do they compare?

Haven't used the newer Nespresso that makes a bigger cup, but the regular ones make a very consistent mostly-expresso demitasse.

The Keurigs make a decent cup of drip.

Two different things.

B

 

[quagmire]

My impression is that the single cup brewers are rip offs. I've used my son's frequently and dislike it. Much prefer a plain old, limited feature brewer. Of course as a coffee connoisseur, my credibility goes out the window when I tell you I brew 2 pots of coffee at a time and store it in the fridge until I finish it off a couple days later.

Yeah K Cups are more expensive than the typical drip machines on a per cup basis. But, still cheaper than a typical cup of coffee from Starbucks.

Though my favorite coffee, Marley Coffee Jamaica blue mountain coffee is really expensive at about $1.20 a cup( it's the only way I can drink coffee without drowning it in creamer to take the bitter taste out). Where the cheaper K Cups are at about $.60 a cup.

 

[D.T.]

My impression is that the single cup brewers are rip offs. I've used my son's frequently and dislike it.

Do you mean you dislike the brewing process or the coffee itself?

The process is _so_ simple, I actually find myself knocking out a cup in the afternoon on occasion. I mean, I can go from wanting a cup to a hot cup in hand in like 60 seconds.

Yeah K Cups are more expensive than the typical drip machines on a per cup basis. But, still cheaper than a typical cup of coffee from Starbucks.

Though my favorite coffee, Marley Coffee Jamaica blue mountain coffee is really expensive at about $1.20 a cup( it's the only way I can drink coffee without drowning it in creamer to take the bitter taste out). Where the cheaper K Cups are at about $.60 a cup.

Yeah, I’ve kind of drawn a line in the sand so to speak at $0.50/cup. I keep an eye out on Amazon and Coffee Cow, and quite often score 24 count boxes for $10.99 (usually free shipping).

 

[Southern Dad]

I generally draw my line at 50¢ a cup. I get my coffee at Big Lots or other discounting type places. One that I love is Kroger Cappuccino. There are three varieties so far; French Vanilla, Caramel, and Hazelnut.

 

[Huntn]

Do you mean you dislike the brewing process or the coffee itself?

The mechanics are straight forward. The coffee, I've tried several kinds just does not taste all that good and it's definitely more expensive than my method. If I was brewing a pot and drinking just two cups and tossing the rest, well that would be more expensive. My first choice is to buy beans and grind them but the local Kroger's sells a can of pre-ground Colombian (which I love) for about $9. It's about 2/3 the size of a normal gallon size can of coffee. After it is opened, I store it in the freezer as I consume it. I also use filtered water to make my coffee. The tap water where I live is rather harsh.

 

[D.T.]

The coffee, I've tried several kinds just does not taste all that good and it's definitely more expensive than my method. If I was brewing a pot and drinking just two cups and tossing the rest, well that would be more expensive. My first choice is to buy beans and grind them but the local Kroger's sells a can of pre-ground Colombian (which I love) for about $8. It's about 2/3 the size of a normal gallon size can of coffee. After it is opened, I store it in the freezer as I consume it.

Ahh, OK, I was thinking maybe you hated putting the little cup in the brewer

There are definitely some _bad_ K-cups. Almost all those multi-brand samplers throw in some stinkers. I also haven’t had any of the teas I like too much, I just get a cup of hot water from the Keurig and steep my own from good ol’ tea bags.

To be honest, we almost exclusively use Green Mountain, very occasionally picking up Starbucks at the grocery of we run out and haven’t order (or it’s in route).

As far as beans/ground, you just can’t beat that option in terms of price (and in some case for the best taste).

Geez, all this talk of fresh ground makes me want to bust out the grinder, score some beans, press up a pot

 

[rdowns]

I buy my k-cup of choice in 100 count boxes at 41¢ a cup.

 

[D.T.]

Yeah, I’ve kind of drawn a line in the sand so to speak at $0.50/cup. I keep an eye out on Amazon and Coffee Cow, and quite often score 24 count boxes for $10.99 (usually free shipping).

I generally draw my line at 50¢ a cup. I get my coffee at Big Lots or other discounting type places. One that I love is Kroger Cappuccino. There are three varieties so far; French Vanilla, Caramel, and Hazelnut.

----------

I buy my k-cup of choice in 100 count boxes at 41¢ a cup.

Where do you get yours?

 

[rdowns]

Where do you get yours?

Amazon. This is my current favorite.

http://www.amazon.com/Caza-Trail-Si...WBW6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1400197347&sr=8-4

 

[D.T.]

Amazon. This is my current favorite.

http://www.amazon.com/Caza-Trail-Si...WBW6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1400197347&sr=8-4

OK, yeah, same here, Amazon or CoffeeCow (you can sometimes score great deals from CoffeeCow with promo codes plus sales).

Never tried that brand before, maybe I’ll give it a shot. Thanks!

 

[Shrink]

Haven't used the newer Nespresso that makes a bigger cup, but the regular ones make a very consistent mostly-expresso demitasse.

The Keurigs make a decent cup of drip.

Two different things.

B

Ah...thanks for the information!

Keurig = drip

Nespresso = espresso

Got it! and thanks again...

 

[Don't panic]

Coffer Lovers?

i love this one

 

[Emma24]

Looking at coffee makers for a Mother's Day gift, it's all she drinks. She never had a single serve coffee maker like a Keurig and I don't drink coffee so I don't know what I'm buying. What do you recommend? I saw a Mr. Coffee single serve for $80 compared to the the $100+ Keurigs, people said it's pretty similar? Also, she loves her Folgers coffee, can she use that too or do these machines just allow the cups?

Keurig are great brewers, and as long as you descale your brewer & clean it will last for years. Folgers defiantly comes in k-cups, my husband favourite k-cup http://www.keurig.ca/coffee/morning-cafe-coffee-k-cup-flg you can find them online for sure.
They carry the classic roast, Colombian, Black silk, Mocha, Vanilla Biscott & caramel drizzle all from folgers Gourmet selections "

 

[sk1wbw]

I have a Keurig and it’s okay. If I had to do it all over again, I’d get a Bunn.

 

[maflynn]

I found the traditional drop coffee makers are better then Keurig from the simple fact of cost. If you have one or two coffees a day, then the Keurig is fine, but anything more, then the cost can get excessive.

I moved back to a drip coffee maker as I can by my ground coffee in bulk - I'm sure this makes SandboxGeneral and Shrink shudder at the thought of buying huge amounts of no name coffee

 

[Kurwenal]

Haven't used the newer Nespresso that makes a bigger cup, but the regular ones make a very consistent mostly-expresso demitasse.

The new Nespresso line (VirtuoLine) claims to produce a significant amount of crema with each cup. Viz:

The problem is, it isn't crema. Once it pulls the "shot," the VL spins the coffee at a high speed and uses a little metal fork to whip the coffee, which produces a prodigious amount of foam, which you can see in the picture above, but it is not crema. It is just lots of tiny little bubbles that lack the fat/oil emulsification that is crema's most important ingredient.

Beyond that, I don't really care if they call it crema or not, but (and I will try to say this without violating Shrink's Law) to me everything about that foam is off-putting; the flavor, the consistency, everything just generally unpleasant. I'm sure it is a good marketing technique vs. the K cup line, and you have to believe they tested the stuff in consumer focus groups and the like, but even given the general lack of appreciation for fresh and properly made coffee in the US, I will be very surprised if the new line takes off. But, of course, I am usually wrong when it comes to calling popular tastes.