Hi msrose! Consider getting your Keurig at costco. I am on my 3rd one (as the other two have failed within a year/18 mos. of purchase). Costco's return/exchange policy is very generous. When/if this one fails and I don't get at least two years out of it, I'm done with the brand. Sad to say, because I love the concept: many choices and no wasted coffee. Not the cheapest, but the convenience is unparalleled and everyone can have what they like.

Do you drink Hot chocolate? Hot tea? COld Tea? We have been thinking of getting a Keurig and only visitors drink Coffee. :) I love the english breakfast tea at work from the Keurig hot and cold. they also have hot apple cider there. never tried it.

We've had our Keurig for 6 years with almost no problems! About a year ago it started acting a little wonky so we ended up buying a Nespresso machine, but then the Keurig just started acting normally again so we now have two machines. I found that the coffee from the Nespresso was messing up my stomach, so now I use the Keurig and DH uses the Nespresso. We also have a Keurig at our beach cottage and have had no issues with that for 2+ years. I like the Donut Shop Coffee for Keurig but sometimes I buy Starbucks too.

When I was thinking of buying a Keurig I also looked at Mini Brewer but I read that there are many issues with them. If you google you will find out. So I went with the next level up, Keurig� Elite 40 Brewing System. Reviews were good on this model. I bought mine at Walmart for only $88.

I like Green Mountain coffee and belong to their club so it is shipped free if you order four boxes. My daughters like strong coffee and there is Barista Prima which is strong coffee. We use the K cups for both.
I agree about the Keurig. We love this system but after 2 years it started acting up. My husband called and was able to clear out the spigot. Now it stopped working and we were able to send it back, free shipping. We are scheduled to get a refurbished replacement. We purchased ours in Bloomingdales.
As much as I am disappointed, I will keep getting this machine repaired or buy another one. We do not drink coffee all day long and even if I tried freezing the coffee or making sure it is in an air tight container, it still went stale.
Also when measuring out, I did not always get it right. The k-cups are fool proof. Also fun for gatherings where you can have a variety and everyone can step up and make there own cup.

>Are there any downsides to doing it that way?

Just that it's a bit tricky to get the right amount of water the first couple of times you try. And the planet will thank you for all the plastic k-cups you're not using.

My late MIL made one of the best cups of coffee I've ever had. It was Gevalia (back when it was still only available by mail order). I should've paid attention to exactly what type she bought, all I know is she got whole beans & ground them. Lately I'm seeing Gevalia on local store shelves. I've bought a couple of the small ground bags & tried to replicate her coffee (have the same coffee maker brand). I've come close but it's just not quite exactly like hers. Guess I need to try whole beans next. That was some rich, smooth coffee!

>Are there any downsides to doing it that way?

"Just that it's a bit tricky to get the right amount of water the first couple of times you try. And the planet will thank you for all the plastic k-cups you're not using."

And all those electrical appliances made in China that end up in the landfill. It is really the perfect way to making a single cup, if you like good coffee. If you like Starbucks coffee (which is generally stronger than something like Folgers), then I think you'd be very happy. I do buy larger than one cup filters because it is easier to keep it all in the cone. You could try it and for less than $5 if you aren't pleased, you can then try the more expensive options.

The same brand of coffeemaker may not be the same type of filter. I've found that the cone type filters make better coffee & will not buy one that uses the Mr Coffee type filter.

Moonshadow My late MIL made one of the best cups of coffee I've ever had. It was Gevalia I've bought a couple of the small ground bags & tried to replicate her coffee (have the same coffee maker brand). I've come close but it's just not quite exactly like hers.

We also use the Melitta and buy our filters at Target in the 100-pack for $3.

I'd suggest you put your money into a coffee grinder instead of a Keurig and buy whole beans. Shop where you can measure out the beans, and try the varieties until you hit on a winner. You can grind the beans in the store, but I buy enough for a week and grind fresh every morning.

Try the "Blonde" roast from Starbucks. Its much "less strong" than the medium or dark roast and they have two to try from. Veranada is one and I can't racall the other but I like the Veranda better. If you do get it, get it from a Starbucks store not the grocery store. I don't know why but its never quite the same. You can have it ground but you will need to tell them if the filter is a flat bottom or cone shape. Each takes its own "grind."

Roselvr

I've had both types of Keurigs. We have the single like you posted, in our motor home, with zero problems. I like it because it doesn't have a reservoir and can be put into a cabinet when we hit the road.

But for home use I would choose the most simple Keurig with a reservoir. If you have a Kohls and get coupons, you can get one cheap when you get a good coupon.

Love the Breakfast Blend K-cups. Can't remember the brand off the top of my head. I stock up when I have a Kohls coupon. They are in a green box.

I get the Starbuck's Verona in a very large box at Costco. It is for the Keurig.

I think if you adore Starbucks, you should certainly try their coffee! We only make 5 cups a day in our big coffeemaker for the two of us each morning. That will after ground adsorption, make two moderately sized mugs of coffee.

We have been drinking Eight O'clock Colombian bean for decades. We grind it fresh each morning and when we have company, someone always comments on the coffee.
I watch for bogo sales and then stock up and use coupons. I can get it down to $2 a bag but each bag is only 11.5 ounces. I usually buy 20 bags or more at a time and keep them in the pantry but that's only a couple months supply at most.

While there may be a Keurig coffee maker style that makes good coffee, the half dozen different times I've had it, the coffee was too weak for me. I like it strong but smooth.

MsRose, my husband uses the Hamilton Beach single serve that you linked. I bought it for him last year for Christmas. He only drinks one cup a day. After carefully considering the Keurig, I decided against it (for one, he likes strong coffee and I heard from several people the Keurig coffee wasn't strong enough and two, I didn't like the trash that accumulates from k-cups). The HB has worked out really well for him. I don't even know what kind of coffee he drinks - sometimes he buys beans and grinds them himself, and sometimes he buys it already ground. He keeps it stored in an air-tight container that he got at Starbucks. Even though he only drinks a cup a day (and sometimes not), it has never gone bad for him. He does not like flavored coffee (another reason the Keurig wasn't attractive).

I know he does buy Starbucks French Roast, and I think that Pete's from Seattle (not sure exact name). I'm not much help there in terms of brand of coffee but wanted you to know that the HB Single Serve has worked out very well for him. Easy to use and easy to keep clean.

What mboston said about Starbuck's Blonde Veranda blend, that's pretty good too. Smooth, no bite to it.

Thanks roselvr :) Bunn is the brand, I got mine because of hers. But her machine though pristine was much older, it actually looked almost like a commercial model.

writersblock - You were right about the 4-cup coffee makers. I saw a 5-cup at Target today and it was really small. It would take up even less counter space than the Keurig and HB. I'm so undecided now!

My son manages a local Starbucks. He says the "Blonde" roast has been a real success for those that didn't care for the stronger roasts. We drink Verona, which is a Medium roast, I think but I like the Veranda, if I am having more than a morning cup or if I'm brewing it for others who might not like the other roasts. Plus I don't make it as strong as they do in the cafes.

We live in the coffee brewing center of the nation, so we are a bit of coffee snobs. Starbucks is ok, but we like Pete's better. We tried Dunkin' Donuts for a while, but it was too-generic-for our taste.

I love the coffee by a local roaster called Allen Brothers. In my opinion that coffee is far superior to Starbucks.

I second buying a grinder and grinding up your own as you go. If you can find bulk coffee, you can buy a small amount of beans of different varieties to suit your tastes. I think the dark roasts tend to be bitter, and the columbian blends are a little weak, but probably closer to Taster's Choice/Folgers.

Seal up your coffee in zip lock bags and store in the fridge, it will stay a bit fresher. Whole bean will last a lot longer than ground. One thing I didn't like about the Gevalia that I tried was that it was not oily-that is a better bean, much fresher. I have a friend who roasts his own-oh...that is sooo good. Also, the type of water you use is a big factor. Use filtered if you can.

Every once in a while DH will order some Kona from Hawaii-and oooh yumm. THE best!

Oh, and just a bit of trivia...Starbucks has a proprietary method for making their coffee. They prefer to hire inexperienced barrista's to train them in their methods. I think that might be why I wasn't so pleased with their brew-your-own coffee as I am with the in-store stuff.

We recently purchased an Aeropress coffee maker & it works great for small amounts of coffee. You can use an insta hot or an electric teakettle or regular tea kettle to warm the water. They are not $$, and can be found at kitchen stores, some groc. stores, etc. You can check it out online, and they even have videos. So easy to use.

As far as coffee, we are in the PNW, Starbuck's country, so we usually buy their coffee and have it ground espresso grind for the aeropress. I need a bolder coffee than the Blonde, so usually get Verona or Gold Coast. You can also grind your own beans if you'd like.

Have you considered getting a french press to make your coffee?

It is a low tech approach to be sure, but allows you to make it very hot, which is a big complaint about many drip coffeemakers.

Basically it is a pyrex cylinder that you put the loose coffee in the bottom. Then you boil water in a kettle. So it is really hot. Pour the water just off the boil over the grounds, and allow to sit for about 3 minutes to steep. Then your stir, and you put in the presser...it is a round flat type of screen that fits perfectly in the cylinder. It presses down the grounds to the bottom, and holds them there so that aren't in the coffee, which is above the screen. Then you pour and enjoy.

Benefits are that the coffee is super hot. And you can add your milk to the coffee before you press down, having it "pre mixed". It doesn't plug in, so you can pick it up and take with you to the coffee table or patio. And all parts go into the dishwasher.

Cons are that it isn't automatic, and you have to shake loose the spent grounds out of the bottom for cleaning, which can be a bit messy. I do it over the sink into a doubled up paper towel, and then discard.

They come in different sizes. I have seen them at Starbucks if you wanted to look at them.

Here is a link that might be useful: French Press

Don't bother with buying a grinder unless you get a burr or mill grinder, however they are expensive. Blade grinders are way cheaper but they just don't do the coffee justice, possibly leaving it bitter due to not grinding the coffee to a uniform size. Just go where you can get freshly ground. Remember that the darker the roast the less acidity.

The most important aspects of a coffee maker is the temperature of the water and extraction time. Love a maker with a thermal carafe but not necessary if you immediately transfer coffee to one. My favorite brand is Capresso. We've had the same one for eight years and I've given them as gifts to three different people and all have loved it. It's an expensive brand but they have a couple of models under $100.

Enjoy your coffee!!

Here is a link that might be useful: All About Coffee

I disagree about the grinder. I have read that, of course, but we have been using an inexpensive Krupps grinder for 30 years and it does make a huge difference (we've had 2). The coffee is very good and we get lots of comments on it. However, to a true coffee aficionado, it might be less than exquisite. I don't buy fresh roasted, for instance.

Here is a link that might be useful: This grinder

A French press might be a good choice, but only if you really plan to make a single cup and drink it right then, or transfer it to something thermal. The problem for me with a FP is that the coffee gets stronger and stronger as it sits. If you like Starbucks this might not bother you, though. To me, the only advantage of an electric over something like the Melitta is that if I get interrupted I can pour the coffee back into the pot and keep it warm for a while. That may not be a factor for you.

I have a cheap grinder, too, and while it's not as excellent as burr ground coffee, it's fine for me. Still way better than buying ground coffee.

Thanks for the info on the French press. I noticed one at Target and wondered about it compared to the Melitta.

BTW, I will never, ever, ever buy Febreeze!!!!!!

I borrowed a French Press and used it for a while. I did everything right, used freshly ground beans, used a thermometer to make sure the water was the right temperature (205 degrees F), and I used spring water. All that, and all that work, and I could not say the coffee tasted better. I am back to using my Eight O'Clock, tap water, and a percolator from the 1970s that I bought on eBay.

The aeropress is similar to a french press system, except it has a little disc paper filter & you push the coffee thru that into your cup. Then add hot water to the espresso-like coffee liquid, to make a full cup of coffee or you can drink it as an espresso. I have made a double batch & added more water, then put in a large thermal cup.

You also push the filter & grounds right into your compost (or trash), so you don't have to scoop out the grounds like in a french press. I do love french press coffee, too!!

Graywings.. I LOVE those old percolators. I was very close to buying one when I couldn't find a suitable replacement for my capresso. I like french presses well enough but I don't enjoy the mess and didnt find the coffee to be better.

I agree with Kellyeng, the old capressos with built-in burr grinders were great! It was the only coffee maker I'd found that made and kept my coffee hot enough and it was truly the best coffee I've had at home. It also brewed VERY quickly. Unfortunately, the company was bought out and the quality and customer service went very much downhill. I bought the newer model when my last one died.. it's not as good, it's loud and it died only 3 months after I bought it. Yes, I understand that sometimes things have faults.. but the very poor customer service turned me off to them forever. They refused to replace the pot-- and would fix it but I had to pay the shipping both ways and either buy a new coffee maker or go without. On top of it, they were very rude. That cinched it for me.. no more capressos.

Ugh, Funky, I didn't know that! I bought a Capresso coffee maker and grinder for my son for Christmas since he got his own apartment last month. Hopefully it holds up to his heavy coffee drinking.

oh, I hope so, Kellyeng. I very well could have gotten a dud--but it was their customer service that sent me over the edge. Hopefully neither of you have problems!

I got a Keurig for Christmas, but haven't used it yet. I'm almost afraid since i've been drinking Yuban for years, LOVE it, and an afraid it won't compare! For some reason it's become more difficult to find over the last couple of years, so I better get that Keurig out of the box!

You are in luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: Yuban pods at Amazon

The Yuban at Amazon is not in stock; found another page that says

Yuban Coffee pods
NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Here is a link that might be useful: Pods not available

I've only ever had Keurig-made coffee a couple of times, both in the last week. I have to say, it was pretty lousy coffee. We have a French press and really like it. We usually buy coffee locally, and have it ground at the store. Recently, after a hiatus of a few years, we've ordered from a place in New York again. The thing I like about this place is that in addition to ordering whatever beans or blends you like, you can specify the roast, i.e., what they ship out to you is freshly roasted and, if you like, freshly ground coffee. Even with shipping costs, the total is about the same as or a little less than the little gourmet food store where we usually shop.

This thread was great for stocking stuffers next year! Especially the melita cups and filters!

On a related net, what decaf coffee is good? I quit caffeine in spring, but occasionally enjoy a cup of coffee.

kiki - Glad it was helpful!

If I decide to go with the Keurig, where's the best (cheapest) place to get the k-cups? Do you buy locally or order online?

A coupon from Bed Bath and Beyond helps a lot and they have a big selection. Local grocery stores often have sales for a dollar or two off a box and you can buy online from Keurig. Walmart has a limited selection but their prices are pretty good.

I've found that Kohl's is the most expensive, even with a coupon or sale: still more expensive than local supermarket.

Costco sells the Keurig pods. I love the Green mountain light roast. I saw that Kirkland made a light roast. I was dissapointed as I thought the Kirkland brand coffee tasted watery. I returned it with no problems. Waiting for the green mountain restock.

I buy big bags of Starbucks French Roast whole beans at Costco. They are 2.5 pounds and cost $21, I think. I love really dark coffee and I drink it black. Buying bags of Starbucks at the stores or the grocery is very expensive.

I don't like using a french press because it leaves so much residue in the cup. I love coffee.

Just kind of skimmed above answers, so I hope I'm not being repetitive.

My coffeemaker recently went kaput, so I settled on the Hario method (Japanese pour-over) "Hario Japan" -- mostly bc I loved the kettle. "Hario VKB-120HSV V60 Coffee Drip Kettle Buono"

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I'm not a fan of Amazon, but I do buy my filters there in bulk - here's a link for that: "Hario Paper Filter Misarashi for 02 Dripper 100 sheets" Here's a link for the dripper too: "Hario VDC-02W Dripper V60 Size 02 White Ceramic Funnel" All of this stuff is available elsewhere (like Williams Sonoma), you'd just have to search. I liked reading the Amazon reviews.

If you do read some of the longer reviews on Amazon, you'll find detailed directions as to how to make the coffee. I have to admit that I'm not that patient, and I just pour the water in the filter. I really like this method, though, because it allows me to make one fresh cup at a time. I do LOVE my coffee.

Here's a video, too: "Williams Sonoma Hario Video"

Just be careful to get the correct size when matching filters to dripper. And also be careful when using the kettle. While I love that it makes pouring so easy, I don't fill it up too high, and I make sure the spout is not hanging over the side of the stove, because hot water can spit out of the spout when the water really gets boiling.

You know, that video made me shun the Hario for a long, long time. Unless you're a total coffee snob (I can tell! This coffee was made with water at 195 degrees instead of 200!), it doesn't have to be that complicated at all.

Uh, Writersblock, are you calling me a coffee snob?

Nope, just saying that you don't have to make a Hario into as much a production as they do in that video. Can heat water with normal teakettle, for instance. I even manage to make coffee without multiple consults with a timer.

After all, if msrose is also considering a Keurig, that's not like my brother who travels with a burr grinder in his briefcase to avoid the possibility of being confronted with pre-ground coffee sometime, someplace.

On the other hand, if coffee for you is all about the ritual, feel free to knock yourself out. I just wanted to make it clear to msrose that you don't have to have such a complex coffee experience, even with a hario or melitta, if you'd rather not.

This post was edited by writersblock on Mon, Dec 31, 12 at 18:13

Wow...just watched the Hario video....that's some kind of crazy....I mean I have a life and it's just a cup of coffee. I think there's less rigamarole to transubstantiation!

French press issue with all the loose grounds, we had someone using it at work and then cleaning out his machine....all the grounds that didn't end up in the trash ended up gathering in the trap of the sink which led to a back up and a need to call the plumber....

Well, like I said above:
I have to admit that I'm not that patient, and I just pour the water in the filter.

You can take away from the video what you want, I guess. I put some grounds in a filter and pour water over them. It's really not that complicated.

To each his own. I wouldn't spend half as much time doing, much less posting about, some things written about ad nauseum on this forum. Nor would I be critical of box wine or Veuve Clicquot, neither of which appeal to me.

I'm with you Miz, except I use the Melitta cone, because it's just so easy and unbreakable, like when I knock it off the cup before I've had my coffee. For one cup, it is the easiest, low tech way to get a delicious cup of real coffee. I didn't watch the video, but I do wet the grounds and let them swell (for about 15 seconds or less) then pour the rest of the water over them. I have a cup of the best coffee possible in less than a minute (not counting the heating time in my electric water pot, which might be 2 minutes or so). Nothing to clean, the filter and organic coffee grounds go into the compost (I buy unbleached filters).

If I am making a whole pot in a thermos carafe for guests, I do wash the grounds off the sides of the filter (a larger one I use for that) a time or two, after the initial wetting. Then I discard the grounds and fill the rest of the carafe with hot water and shake it up to make sure the plain hot water isn't sitting on top of the stronger coffee below. Everyone raves about the coffee served here. We are a very "good" coffee appreciative community. I don't know anyone with a Keurig or electric coffee maker. We all make it with a cone.

I have no problem being called a coffee snob. Unless I can have good coffee, I'd rather not have any.

ha! Well I guess that complicated thing is what I do, now that I take in the pictures with Oly's post. One cup drip. Easy as can be and a real good cup of coffee. (Did not watch the video.)

Coffee is an important morning ritual and a treat for a lot of people. Although I'm glad I've gotten off it.

Just wanted to let you know that I bought a Keurig yesterday. I took redlover's advice and waited until I had a coupon from Kohls. I was lucky and got a 30% one, so it ended up costing me $84.

My son said a friend of his has one and uses each pod 3 times. Does anyone else do that?

I tried using one pad twice, the second cup was too weak. However it was a mild blend to begin with so maybe a medium blend or darker blend would work twice