I'm on my second Tassimo and I think it's starting to act a little 'tired'. Seems like they last about 2 years on average around here and I don't use it every day. Tassimo used to be the only one that had real milk discs which is why I purchased that brand. I don't know if that is still true. The milk comes in a variety for cappacino, latte, low-fat, etc. It's nice not having to separately froth your milk for a latte, the machine does it for you. The discs are not as easily to find as the k-cups. Target stocks some, but the biggest variety and supply as Bed Bath & Beyond (over-priced though) or on line. I think the espresso for the cappacinos and lattes is very good. Kids love the hot chocolate and the chai latte. Its also great for heating water for tea (tea discs are available too). When this one dies (which seems to be soon)I will have to re-evaulate the k-cup though.

They have one of these units at my kids' orthodontists office. Lots of variety, even tea, but it is pretty expensive for psudo-instant coffee, around $30 per pound, IIRC. For that kind of cash, you can get some of the TOP rated coffees in the world. I use the TMM that Rhome mentions. I have used one for several years and am very satisfied, but that's just my opinion. Down and dirty cheap is a pour over cone with paper filters as mentioned by sfjeff. You can get a herkin' big one and brew directly into a thermos or carafe (try sweet maria's website). The Keurig offers convenience. Coffee is mediocre and expensive. But if you don't drink it often, maybe the expense isn't an issue if you're having to throw out stale coffee. Have you tried the coffee? Do you like it? If so, go for it. You can buy a "pod" that let's you use your own coffee when you've got the time and inclination. BTW, coffeegeek.com has a forum of consumer reviews for all types of coffee makers.

Hi Monica, Does one need both hands to lift that mug? Daughter gave me one with "A-R-I-Z-O-N-A" on it in large letters that go all around the large mug, a "leftie" like her getting to see the "A-r-i-" and a "rightie" like me getting to see only the dregs of the word, "-o-n-a": don't ask me the number of ounces of its capacity but it's about half as much again as an average sized mug. Such mugs need to be microwaveable! I'm a bit concerned about using it for coffee too often, for fear that it might make me squirrelly. Probably one of those unnecessary worries to which we sometimes subject ourselves. I hope that this week is bringing good things with it for you. ole joyful

I am addicted to coffee....No.. Maybe its even worse than that because the only liquid I drink is black coffee from the moment I get out of bed in the morning to my last cup on the nightstand when I turn in. As a consequence all my friends and family feel some sort of compulsion to keep me supplied with all the latest bells & whistles in the coffee pot market. Last xmas I got three coffee makers and on my birthday in April I got two more, and what do you suppose I got for Fathers day? You guessed it, another da#@ coffee maker. This has been going on or about 6 or 8 years so you can imagine how many coffee makers I have piled up around here, and these are not cheapies either, one of those machines has a retail price of over $900. Would I pay that? Not even if I won a million in the lottery. As if that was not bad enough, every time ppl come to my house the drag in a bag of the latest gourmet blend or some off the wall blend that even common sense should tell you not to buy, by example, have you ever tried French Garlic Blend? As a courtesy, while the guests are still here I generally set up the new machine and make a pot of their super blend just to try it, but alas, I am like Glenda, when all is said and done, I always go back to my Mr.Coffee, which I bought at the dollar store for the whopping sum of $12. Now in regards to coffee grounds. Out of curiosity I just checked in my pantry. I presently have 29 bags of Gourmet blends, Light roast, med roast, dark roast, French Vanilla, Irish cream, Austrian Mocha, Turkish, Egytian, Cherry blend, peach blend, apple blend, Southern Comfort blend, Cajun blend (boy that one is an acquired taste) French Garlic blend........ Garlic blend? What were they smoking when they invented that one? Japanese blend, German Breakfast coffee, and the list goes on and on and on....... As my brother would say, I like my coffee like my women, Hot, Black & Strong! Don't even think about putting cream, milk, non dairy creamer, sugar or artificial sweetners in my cup. A good tasting cup of coffee will stand for itself and doesn't need all that help. I like a fresh brewed cup of coffee that has a rich full bodied coffee flavor, but is not harsh or bitter and God forbid I should be stuck with that ink black, acidic mess that some folks call coffee. The only thing worse than that is when ppl leave a couple cups in the pot overnight, then nuke it in the microwave in the morning, but then they usually add so much milk & sugar they end up with a mocha shake instead of a cup of coffee. My absolute first choice of coffee grounds is 8 o'clock coffee that comes as roasted beans in the bag and you grind it fresh at the store, or even better, at home if you have a coffee grinder. My second choice, although it is nearly impossible to get where I live now is "Community Coffee" which is made in Mobile, Ala. (It should be noted that Community Coffee rated #1 on a blind taste test of 100 brands of coffee by consumer reports) Then its; Folgers-original roast Maxwell House-original blend. Occassionally I like to drag out my tiny Espresso Maker and make a cup of Espresso using Folgers which I have ground down to espresso powder. NOW A WORD OF CAUTION FOR ANYONE PLANNING A TRIP TO NEW ENGLAND....... The first time I went into a local coffee shop in New England I ordered a cup of coffee. Waitress says "regular coffee?" When she said regular coffee I was imagining all the nasty gourmet blends that are out there and I said, "Yes, regular coffee" A minute later she returned with a cup of coffee with cream and sugar in it. I said, "What the he## is this, I didn't order a milkshake" She laughed and said, "Your not from around here are you? In New England "Regular coffee" has cream & sugar, "Light coffee" is cream only, "Sweet coffee" is black with sugar, and "Black Coffee" is Black coffee, although nobody drinks that...LOL)