You can purchase re-usable k-cups YOU fill now.

It appears a patent has run out.

I've used a few Keurigs and owned both Platinum and Cuisinart branded Keurigs. I recommend the higher end units because:

1) More brew size options are useful, esp for filling up larger travel mugs with multiple servings. I generally use 6oz; anything over 8oz is hot water to my taste. I also really like the 4oz option for making iced coffee.

2) The larger the reservoir, the less you'll be filling it.

3) The premium models are a LOT quieter than the lower end which can be obnoxiously loud, at least the ones I've used.

Beyond that, general thoughts on the system:

- It makes decent coffee. I've yet to find a pod that makes great coffee.

- Buy it somewhere that's great on returns (BB&B, Costco, etc.) because these ARE disposable appliances despite their cost. Hence being on my third Keurig in just a few years. (Yes, I maintain it, no, I don't have hard water.) The Cuisinart one comes with 5 year warranty, this being my main reason for spending a few more bucks on it.

- I've not had much success with the reusable filter. This could very well be due to the beans or the grind I've tried, but regardless, having to grind, measure, clean, etc. defeats the purpose of a nearly instant coffee maker. If I'm going through all that, I'd rather use a Melita, Aeropress, French press, etc. and brew a good cup at a proper 200-205 deg rather than Keurig's 192 deg max.

Sam - Thanks for the link; I'll check it out.

I bought a Tassimo for my inlaws about 6 months ago. It brews real coffee or Tea.
I have heard the K-cups used by Keurig and others are like a syrup or instant coffees. My inlaws were really picky about wanting brewed coffee.
So far they love the machine and the selections.

I just googled K-Cup and it seems they have coffee grounds with some and powders with other.

I did find a comparison video on you tube

Here is a link that might be useful: You tube comparison

We have owned a Keurig for about 4 years now.
Between the one we bought for my mother and the one of ours we have gone through I think about 8+ of them in that 4 years.

I personally would not buy one of these UNLESS I can buy it from Costco, PERIOD!
Buying it from Costco you have zero problems taking it back, in fact I almost look forward to it because we get about 54-72 Kcups for free each time and a brand new unit.
All of the ones that we went though were all the basic Keurig "Platinum" (B70) units which would last anywhere from 30 days to 8-9 months each.
The last 2 when they died, I replaced each one with the Cuisinart Keurig which is a slightly better unit as far as features etc and also apparently made better because we have had one of these almost a year now which is a record and the other one for about 9 months.
Neither show any signs of giving up.

I think they make a great cup of coffee myself, I like the Sumatra reserve, Primo Barista Italian Roast, Newmans Own, Mahogany and the Island Coconut.

So I would buy the Cuisinart one and ONLY from Costco and you are good to go.

I have the Platinum Keurig. I had a few problems with my first one, purchased at Macy's. With one call to the Keurig 800 number they sent another out, no questions and no need to return the defective one.

I bought a larger reservoir for it, which I believe is now standard.

I have had it for about 3 years now. It takes longer to brew a cup, closer to 30 seconds instead of 12 as it did in the beginning. But I admit I don't descale it anywhere near as often as they direct, and I use tap water instead of bottled or filtered.

The filter they sell as optional equipment is useless. It makes the machine work so hard to pull water thru that it shuts down.

I like it otherwise; I make Nantucket Blend and Donut Shop most often. While there are some coffees and hot chocolates that are instant style, most are regular filtered coffee.

We have two types of "fill your own" pods. The Keurig brand pod is a pain to use, because you have to remove the K-cup receptacle from the machine and replace it with a separate unit. I have an off-brand pod that works better and drops in just like a regular K-cup. Frankly, if I'm going to get out the coffee grounds, I may as well use a regular coffee maker instead of carefully spooning into a tiny pod. In fact, my husband makes a regular small pot of drip coffee every morning because he doesn't like the cost of K-cups.

I buy six 24-packs at a time from keurig.com and get 15% off, free shipping, and a free 5-pack with each order.

We have one of the oldest most basic keurigs. Works great after 5 years...love it.

I have had the Elite model for around 4 years. I think k cups are expensive. I was buying the 50 count boxes from amazon but those went up in price too The. I discovered the ecojava pods they are refillable and work well if you don't over fill them with coffee grounds. You don't need to remove the K cup holder just put it in so it is seated properly down in and close the machine. If you do fill it over the fill line the pump will strain and the cup will take too long to brew

I drink only a cup a day sometimes less so this way is less wasteful than making even a small pot and tossing half. Plus I can buy what ever coffee I like in small batches

I had a love/hate with my Keurig. I had the platinum and after a month or so, it started short-cupping. It took a few phone calls, some trouble shooting, a detailed description of exactly how I had descaled it (really, they made me do this!) and first sending out a new piece (didn't fix the problem). Finally they sent me a new machine, which worked great for nearly 2 years and then just died without warning. Keurig offered to send me a new Platinum for $80, which I am considering doing once our kitchen is done, but now I'm leaning towards the Cuisinart one from Costco. Gotta love Costco's return policy! I think the coffee is so-so, but I too only drink one cup a day, so it's the most efficient for me.

i had the b70 for just over 1 year then the water pump died. Keurig wouldnt replace it since it was out of warranty but offered the updated model at about 50% off, $80 i think. If you replace ask for some coffee voucers too i got about $40 worth of k-cups.

I'm a big Nespresso fan, for an espresso style coffee. The foil sealed capsule and high pressure pump produces a fresher, more flavorful coffee than the Keurig's I've tried. It is way pricier but imho worth it.

I bought my husband a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (CBTL) single cup coffee maker. It's easy and quick to use, and reasonably priced. The coffee is truly outstanding, every time, as good or better as coffee house coffees. The espresso is made supposedly under higher pressure, and it is great. Still going strong after one year of use. Also get the milk frother, which makes professional froth in seconds. Now I sound like a commercial! Really, though, it's an outstanding machine at a good price.

Gooster: does the nespresso make only espresso coffee (small, potent coffee shot) or can it do regular "American" coffee as well?