[4HiMarks]

I started a new job, and they have a Keurig coffeemaker. It seems pretty convenient, and I see now that there is a refillable filter cup so I wouldn't have to purchase those expensive k-cups if I didn't want to. So I'm thinking of getting one for home. I looked at a few in Kohl's last weekend and the less expensive ($100) ones look like cheap plastic crap, while the substantial ones are well over $200. Online reviews of many models seem to indicate trouble with needles clogging and pumps breaking, so I was wondering about the real-life experiences of people on this board.

Are they worthwhile spending the money on? We would only use RO water in it.

 

[hdtvfan0001]

The Keurig technology is also licensed to other manufacturers....so the K-cups can be used by brands other than Keurig alone.

One example is Cuisinart.

We purchased their high-end unit on sale ( a terrific price) during this past holiday season. There are sales on various units all the time...so watch for those - but in the end - the more expensive units bring a couple of things to the table over the cheaper ones:

1) Greater capacity water storage containers - this impacts how often you have to refill them.

2) More coffee (or other product) cup size support - large mugs, medium mugs, etc. The smaller Keurig-compliant units tend to only support 1-2 cup sizes.

3) Reliability. With the unique opportunity to know a local retail store manager, we got the "inside information" on K-cup device returns. That helped steer us toward Cuisinart, but there are other good units. The simple lowdown was that the cheaper units break down more often (not a real surprise there).

4) Warranty - the more expense units (some brands) come with longer warranty terms than the cheaper ones.

Ironically - I don't and never have been a coffee drinker. My wife and daughter are. But I do love the hot chocolate and apple cider these units can also produce with K-cups.

One last thing - we have had great success buying K-cups online, especially when you get them in quantity packages. The price can be 1/2 or less in large boxes when compared to smaller ones found in your local grocery store.

Enjoy.

 

[heathramos]

I have a couple K-cup coffee makers (I buy a lot of coffee makers for some reason).

The coffee is somewhat weak and expensive per cup but has a lot of flavor options, is super convenient and at least you don't waste coffee.

As for the makers themselves...

I have the cheaper one and the more expensive one (I had points from buying coffee so didn't pay full price). The only issue I had with the cheaper one is the plasitc started to wear out and it became difficult to open it fully to insert the k-cup. I later replaced the coffee maker because I found it annoying. The expensive one had an issue with the pump but it was under warranty and they shipped me a replacement coffee maker.

I bought an expresso maker so don't use it at home anymore but still use it at work.

Also...keep in mind that not all of their coffee makers can use the refillable filter cup (my expensive one can't).

 

[Herdfan]

That helped steer us toward Cuisinart, but there are other good units.

Our experience with the Cuisinart is the opposite. We bought one at Bed, Bath and Beyond and after a couple of months it started to not pull water. We used nothing but filtered water in it. Took it back and exchanged it for another. Couple of months later, same issue. Took it back again and got the high end Kuerig and have had no issues with it. The clerk at BBB did say they have not really had any returns of the Cuisinart so maybe our experience was unusual.

As for the ordering online, absolutely the way to go. Orders from Kuerig.com over $35 get free shipping. Plus you can make sample boxes so you can try other flavors without having to buy a box.

Several Dr.'s offices here have them in the waiting rooms so my wife will take her own pod (she likes the Donut Shop when she runs out of the Dunkin Donuts (expensive and hard to get if you don't have one nearby)).

 

[Cholly]

You might want to check Costco or Sam's - they carry some of the better models. Also, the other day I was in Walmart and noticaed several brands, including Cuisinaart.

 

[hdtvfan0001]

Our experience with the Cuisinart is the opposite. We bought one at Bed, Bath and Beyond and after a couple of months it started to not pull water. We used nothing but filtered water in it. Took it back and exchanged it for another. Couple of months later, same issue. Took it back again and got the high end Kuerig and have had no issues with it. The clerk at BBB did say they have not really had any returns of the Cuisinart so maybe our experience was unusual.

I suspect it was. We know 5 people with them now, and all are trouble free and really enjoyed. That said, you can always get a "bad one" in almost anything you buy these days.

There was one model that had the problem you described in 2011 for a batch manufactured in July. Those got replaced for free to anyone with them. Other than that, I have only read, seen, and experienced good things with Cuisinart units.

The one key point that impacts ALL BRANDS I suspect is that the cheaper ones simply don't hold up like the higher-priced units.

We really lucked out and "double-dipped" on a sale price deal (coupon and sale)...so the top end unit cost only $47 more than the lower end unit. My advice is to find an expensive one on sale and go that route. The $50 - $70 price difference will be well worth it in reliability and features.

 

[dmurphy]

I absolutely adore my Keurig. Wouldn't be caught without one these days.

I have two of the "Platinum" brewers and I'm pretty happy with them. Just make sure to descale them as the manual says!

As for the coffee itself - I buy mine online from www.shoffee.com - they're a local business here in NJ and do a great job. Very friendly staff too.

 

[4HiMarks]

I was absolutely thinking of other brands. In addition to Cuisinart, I know that Mr. Coffee, and Breville also make them. We have a Breville Smart Grill that we absolutely love, having replaced a Food Network model in which the plastic base disintegrated after only two years. It seems to be really well built, but the k-cup unit did not get very good reviews. A lot of people have indicated the pumps stopped pumping in a relatively short time.

I know that reviews can often be skewed negative as people like to complain more than they like to brag, but so many claiming the same problem could point to a manufacturing or design defect.

 

[hdtvfan0001]

I was absolutely thinking of other brands. In addition to Cuisinart, I know that Mr. Coffee, and Breville also make them. We have a Breville Smart Grill that we absolutely love, having replaced a Food Network model in which the plastic base disintegrated after only two years. It seems to be really well built, but the k-cup unit did not get very good reviews. A lot of people have indicated the pumps stopped pumping in a relatively short time.

I know that reviews can often be skewed negative as people like to complain more than they like to brag, but so many claiming the same problem could point to a manufacturing or design defect.

I suspect you are right - the squeaky wheel is normally the only one heard.

The Keurig "design" is patented and licensed to other manufacturers, including the "K-cup" format. After running well over 200 of the K-cups through are unit, things are running just like new.

These units do have a cleaning process which keeps the system flushed from plugging up...and I suspect some folks are not as diligent at doing that as others....contributing to "issues".

One thing that we have also noticed is that there are certainly differences in coffee, chocolate, cider, and other blends...in terms of flavor. It typically comes down to personal taste - I like one kind of hot chocolate, for example, much more than others. We never buy them at the grocery store - too expensive there. We keep a dispenser of 50 k-cups right next to our unit...also nice to have.

 

[Laxguy]

What's the cheapest price per cup of coffee or espresso using these pre-filled cups?

 

[4HiMarks]

What's the cheapest price per cup of coffee or espresso using these pre-filled cups?

The cheapest I was able to find online was about $0.60 per cup, although I saw 12 packs of Green Mountain k-cups on sale at Safeway for $5.99.

 

[hdtvfan0001]

What's the cheapest price per cup of coffee or espresso using these pre-filled cups?

It depends on where you buy it, how big a package you buy (quantity lowers the price), and what brand and type of coffee.

We've gotten good brands (in bulk) online with sale prices at about 39 cents per cup. But you have to really shop to get things at that level. The average is more like 55-60 cents a cup.

By the way...there is also one nice added feature in our higher-end unit...

We can use any brand coffee, including freshly ground from a bag, and use it with a substitute filtered container in place of the K-cup. This container came with the unit....but you have to buy a new filter for it about every 4-5 cups.

 

[Laxguy]

Thanks, Gents, Ladies, boys and girls.

I'm a grind my own, direct into the portafilter, pull the lever kinda guy. Or French press pot. One of these days I will figure out the per cup bits!

 

[sum_random_dork]

Check out Amazon for cheaper coffee, they carry the San Francisco Bay Coffee. They developed their own packaging that works with the K-cup but they don't have to pay the fees for the technology. It seems to work well and people that have tried it said it's good coffee. I believe Costco also carries it at some of their locations. If you sign up for the Amazon Subscibe and Save you can get even a better deal.

 

[SayWhat?]

My Mr. Coffee 10 cup does all I need. Don't need no Yuppie maker.

 

[hdtvfan0001]

Thanks, Gents, Ladies, boys and girls.

I'm a grind my own, direct into the portafilter, pull the lever kinda guy. Or French press pot. One of these days I will figure out the per cup bits!

Then THIS is for you..... (also for anyone with K-cups).....

http://www.my-kap.com/MYK/

 

[BattleScott]

I was absolutely thinking of other brands. In addition to Cuisinart, I know that Mr. Coffee, and Breville also make them. We have a Breville Smart Grill that we absolutely love, having replaced a Food Network model in which the plastic base disintegrated after only two years. It seems to be really well built, but the k-cup unit did not get very good reviews. A lot of people have indicated the pumps stopped pumping in a relatively short time.

I know that reviews can often be skewed negative as people like to complain more than they like to brag, but so many claiming the same problem could point to a manufacturing or design defect.

It was definitely a design issue. The original Keurig units had a traditional mechanical pump that was very noisey, the problem started in '09 when the switched to a quieter impeller type of pump that fails with even the slightest buildup of scale. It is my understanding that they have since switched back to the original pump design (i believe around early 2011) so any newer units should be fine. But i'd be happy to sell you a non-funtional platinum B68

I will probably end up buying another one at some point, but for now the old HB "The Scoop" is working just fine, $49.99 and I can use my own grinder or pre-ground coffees.

 

[hdtvfan0001]

The Cuisinart issues were back in 2010...

http://www.singleservecoffeeforums.com/trouble-with-my-cuisinart-ss-700-t7413.html

That happened soon after they bought the rights to the Keurig holder assembly design...and a 3rd party pump that caused hiccups/stops.

All that went away in 2011, with the exception of a July batch that happened to use the old pumps. Bottom line - old news.

When it comes right down to it...there were comparible experiences with Mr. Coffee units having problems (for a while), as well as other brands.

The newer units seem to be much improved on multiple fronts.

 

[Nick]

Guess I'll stick with my old reliable Cuisinart tanker.
A big 16oz cup of steaming hot joe runs me about 5¢.

 

[Laxguy]

Guess I'll stick with my old reliable Cuisinart tanker.
A big 16oz cup of steaming hot joe runs me about 5¢.

Coffee type and roast? How much a pound?