Wow....what great response and so many opinions! Thanks for everyone's advice. The reason I decided upon a built-in coffee unit is that the developer for the high end condo unit that I am purchasing has allowed me input into the kitchen design, errorously put a microwave cabinet on the wall over the built up breakfast bar...no one noticed that the planned microwave oven door would have opened the wrong way!! You would have to walk around the breakfast bar to open the microway door! (The adjoining condo because it is the reverse of mine doesn't have the problem as the door opens into the kitchen.) It seems that no one makes microwave doors that open to the right not the left!! Because the glass tile backsplash and outlets were already installed it was easier/cheaper to install another microwave wall cabinet elsewhere in the kitchen. that allows me to install a unit like the Miele coffee system in the space formerly designed for the microwave oven. But the Keurig coffee maker sounds like a great idea as I can put it in that cabinet space (not built in) for a few months while I decide if I like the coffee pod idea. I'm single so having a single cup of coffee is appealing as I throw away so much unused coffee. If I like the unit, it can help me make the decision. Or I could put the Keurig unit on the counter and install a steam oven in the space instead which is also another option I've been thinking about. So many decisions as I want this kitchen to be special. I'll post pictures when it is done. A built in microwave plus a built in coffee maker or steam oven really could really look great. Here is a link to the Miele coffee systems. thanks all -- additional comments are welcome Here is a link that might be useful: Miele Coffee Systems (Capsule)

Yes, BBB carries the kcups too, Tina. My bf figured out the average $/cup of the keurig vs. regular coffee .. because he's that kind of a guy. I don't remember what they differences were (because I am that kind of woman!).. no, really it depends on what kind of coffee beans you are buying and how strong you make your coffee. I just checked amazon and it has a deal for one of my favorite coffees at $63.96 for 96 pods.. that's $.67 for a cup of coffee if you only use a pod for one cup. Some people do run 2 cups through a pod...making the second cup smaller. If I buy the same coffee beans (Caribou Mahogany) at $9.99/12 oz, I can expect about 50 cups of coffee from the bag (your results.. and mine will vary based on how finely you grind your beans and how strong you make your coffee. I am using the avg reported by Joe Internet) so the cost, on average, for a cup of home brewed coffee is $.20. Yes, that's a big difference.. $.47 per cup; $3.50 a week. However, as Tina mentioned.. it's much cheaper than a cup of coffee from Starbucks, McDonalds or your corner gas station. It also doesn't figure in the waste if you don't finish a pot of coffee (I have waste at times.. sometimes a full cup of coffee or more in the pot. Sometimes I will reheat.. often not). I think that's a valid reason to stick with brewing-- particularly if you brew a less expensive kind of coffee. I also think there's validity in the waste produced with Kcups (though they have made some changes and continue to look at more environmentally-friendly kcups). On the flip side, the simplicity and convenience is undeniable. You want a cup of coffee-- just put a pod in, push the button and dispense. It's always an easy, quick, consistent and good cup of coffee. I don't use the keurig as my daily coffeemaker-- partially because of the number of cups I drink and the amount of waste in the discarded Kcups.. and partially because not ALL of my favorite coffees are available in Kcups. The price wasn't a big consideration-- though it is a valid reason. I don't know what yaya read but I can say my coffees have never been instant--or flavored! Blech... but there are plenty of brands and varieties of kcups so perhaps some are little more than that. Again, the keurig may not be the best option for you-- my own family is split. My sister, SIL and grandmother would fight you for theirs -- the nieces and nephews too because they love that they can make their own hot chocolate! My parents, other sis and I both use regular brewers day-to-day, however my parents use the keurig for holidays and in their motorhome. I use mine in my upstairs office. There is definitely a place for them in some homes and in some lifestyles. Hope the cost and lifestyle summary help some of you evaluate clearly what will work for you!

Well when my coffee maker died a couple of weeks ago, I decided to try the new dual machine. The verdict is still out and luckily Sur la Table has a very generous return policy. The coffee and espresso are both very good (I have an older Nespresso so wasn't concerned about quality). I also like not having a grinder, plus the stray grounds, on my counter. My biggest complaint about the machine is that the coffee is not as hot as I would like it and I generally zap it in the microwave for a bit after brewing which is a hassle. I plan to use it a bit more and then decide to keep or return.

I had a Keurig years ago and hated it quickly - the pods drove me nuts. It's nice for "quick and go" or dinner parties but my husband and I drink a lot of coffee so Keurig didn't work for us. We use a regular coffee maker now and go through 8-12 cups every morning. I've been dreaming of an espresso maker and while visiting Williams-Sonoma the other day a nice lady made me a cappuccino from a Nespresso machine and I feel in love. It was so quick and easy. But I didn't buy the machine that day because I didn't like the idea of using those pods.... Then I found the same machine at Best Buy for $150, it includes the milk frother (which retails for $65-$99) and a $50 gift card was included (so I got a waffle maker at no charge). http://www.bestbuy.com/site/nespresso-inissia-espresso-maker-titan/4277900.p?id=1219736143757&skuId=4277900 It's the best deal I could find and so far I love it!! I enjoy an afternoon cappuccino almost every day now. The milk froths so quickly along with the machine going - so in less than a minute I have a delicious drink. I will add that I use to be a Starbucks junkie - I went every day for a year. They knew my name, drink, etc... And then my "gold" card came in the mail and I quit going cold turkey lol. I still love SBs and the Nespresso hasn't made the exact latte but it's very close so I'm happy with it.