I'm lazy, like K cup coffee and my Keurig died for good!

[Chuckanut]

As I've said before, there is a very thin line between frugal and cheap. I'll leave it to others to decide whether Taster's Choice crosses that line or not.

A while back I returned from overseas with a few packets of instant coffee I bought at a supermarket a few blocks from the hotel. IMO, the stuff is noticeably better than the instant coffee in the USA. Beats the heck out of Taster's Choice.

Maybe its just the "Relax and enjoy the vacation" effect. I don't now. But, I will try a taste test later using the few precious packets of overseas instant coffee I have left.

 

[pb4uski]

I don't have any useful advice to add, but will pile on, that I've learned to embrace the K-cup, or single-use, or whatever they call it. I used to think they were a waste of money/time/resources, but then between the housemate and myself, we usually go through a pot of coffee every morning.

However, a couple years ago we got one of those single use things, and it's great, for when you just want a single cup here and there. So I can definitely see the charm.

I started renting out my spare bedroom to a friend late last year, and he brought his own single-use thing. It's a Cuisinart, and pretty big, with a larger water reservoir than the one that housemate #1 bought.

Housemate #2 usually only drinks one cup a day, so the arrangement works out pretty well. But, I guess if counter space is at a premium, our way isn't so hot, since we have both a regular coffee maker and the Cuisinart sitting on the counter.

That is why we like the Keurig Duo... it combines a drip coffeemaker and single-cup Keurig into one unit. The footprint is 12"x12" and if fits under the counter though you have to pull it out a bit to use it or refill the water resevoir.

We typically have a 8 cup pot first thing in the morning and DW uses the Keurig to make hot water for tea later in the day. The best of both worlds IMO.

 

[audreyh1]

Once we got our coffee selections figured out for Keurig (mostly our own beans ground at home) we liked it so much we picked up a quite compact one that we take on the road. It also can accommodate the reusable filter although we use more K-cups while traveling.

It’s called the K-Mini and you can usually find one for $60. Ours has held up well over many years of road trips. Up to 12 oz. The version we have came with a container for K-cups that tuck neatly under the brew spout. Even comes in several different colors.

 

[GenXguy]

I'll admit to being both frugal and cheap but in this case I simply like the taste heavily laced with French Vanilla creamer which is probably another sin to real coffee drinkers. I grew up in the UK where instant coffee was more popular.

As a kid, I used to drink instant coffee. But as of a few decades ago, I started drinking drip coffee and couldn't drink the instant anymore.

 

[aja8888]

Well, Prime Days are over and I bought the inexpensive Sifene coffee maker based on reviews and price. It's the same unit that Bobandsherry recommended but sold under a different name (sale price of $48).

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09QQNZDRW/ref=sw_img_1?smid=ALE5I891RH4MK&psc=1

If I don't care for it, then back it goes (thanks, Amazon for the generous return policy).

I found an old Mr Coffee in the house still packed away that I bought a while back and that will have to handle the task until the new machine arrives next week. I do need to go and buy some coffee for it, though.

Next grocery run, I plan to buy a small container of Taster's Choice instant and see what I think. It may make a good back up. (or not)

If all this falls apart and I am still without a decent K cup machine, I could go to goodwill and see what they have or wait until the next Amazon Prime Day sale (November?).

Thanks for all the replies!

 

[djsander]

Gave up on the keurig a couple years ago as they all started having a strange plastic taste. Cleaned the machine and it just wouldn’t go away. I guess my taste buds changed. Went to a 4 now 5 cup Mr. Coffee and I’m satisfied and it’s really cheap.

 

[folivier]

Don't like instant coffee and won't drink it except in an emergency.
I've tried a few brands of concentrated coffee liquid and they're ok, much better than instant.
But our favorite by a long ways is Community Dark Roast. Either Hazelnut or Breakfast blend if available but regular is good also. Brewed strong in a cheapo coffee maker, served black and hot. I won't drink warm or cold coffee.

 

[Luvtoride]

We have Keurig Duo at each of our homes. We can brew 6, 8, 10 or 12 cup pots of coffee or 6, 8, 10 or 12 ounce cups of coffee using K-cup pods.

I think the water reservoir is 12 cups, so I end up filling it every second or third day by drawing filtered water from the nearby refrigerator in-the-door water and ice dispenser and pouring it into the reservoir. That is easier for me than removing the reservoir.

My sister has it plumbed into the water supply for her refrigerator.

We sometimes use the reusable k-cups with paper filters instead of regular k-cups.

+1. We’ve had the Duo for years and love the convenience and versatility of making single cups or a pot from one machine.
If you are “cheap” and drink more than 1 cup of coffee a day, using the pot with ground coffee is cheaper than using 2-3 k-cups / day. So easy to use and clean and coffee tastes great and you can use ANY type of ground coffee not just what comes in k-cups.

 

[Andre1969]

That is why we like the Keurig Duo... it combines a drip coffeemaker and single-cup Keurig into one unit. The footprint is 12"x12" and if fits under the counter though you have to pull it out a bit to use it or refill the water resevoir.

We typically have a 8 cup pot first thing in the morning and DW uses the Keurig to make hot water for tea later in the day. The best of both worlds IMO.

Wow, that's pretty cool. At first I was thinking something like that must cost a pretty penny, but I looked it up and found Keurig Duos as cheap as $79 at Walmart. What'll they think of next!

 

[target2019]

Well, Prime Days are over and I bought the inexpensive Sifene coffee maker based on reviews and price. It's the same unit that Bobandsherry recommended but sold under a different name (sale price of $48).

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09QQNZDRW/ref=sw_img_1?smid=ALE5I891RH4MK&psc=1

If I don't care for it, then back it goes (thanks, Amazon for the generous return policy).

I found an old Mr Coffee in the house still packed away that I bought a while back and that will have to handle the task until the new machine arrives next week. I do need to go and buy some coffee for it, though.

Next grocery run, I plan to buy a small container of Taster's Choice instant and see what I think. It may make a good back up. (or not)

If all this falls apart and I am still without a decent K cup machine, I could go to goodwill and see what they have or wait until the next Amazon Prime Day sale (November?).

Thanks for all the replies!

Just completed the morning wake-up ritual.

Grind some Colombe Special Dark beans. Fill the water reservoir, pop in a filter, and Hand over the rest of the job to Mr. Coffee. I get a relatively-inexpensive model from Walmart when the old one breaks in some way.

It is amazing to me how many coffee grounds we generate in a week. We compost the filter and grounds with leaves and other dry waste.

 

[audreyh1]

+1. We’ve had the Duo for years and love the convenience and versatility of making single cups or a pot from one machine.
If you are “cheap” and drink more than 1 cup of coffee a day, using the pot with ground coffee is cheaper than using 2-3 k-cups / day. So easy to use and clean and coffee tastes great and you can use ANY type of ground coffee not just what comes in k-cups.

I hope folks realize that you can use your own ground coffee instead of k-cups. The Keurig reusable filters work very well. We use those and our own fresh ground coffee from beans at home.

 

[pb4uski]

Wow, that's pretty cool. At first I was thinking something like that must cost a pretty penny, but I looked it up and found Keurig Duos as cheap as $79 at Walmart. What'll they think of next!

What can I say, we're [-]cheap[/-]frugal.

 

[pb4uski]

I hope folks realize that you can use your own ground coffee instead of k-cups. The Keurig reusable filters work very well. We use those and our own fresh ground coffee from beans at home.

We use those k-cup filters as well. It makes it so much easier to clean out the reuseable k-cups... just dump it into compost or trash and a quick rinse.

ETA: When I add an image is there anyway to make it smaller?

 

[pacergal]

WE use the reusable k cups also, grind beans fresh.

Reading about the Folgers instant reminded me of an instant coffee we bought at a German restaurant nearby that went out of business when owners retired. It was called Jacobs Kronung Gold. Large granules, it was very tasty is I recall.
I may need to find some on the internet, I had forgotten all about it!

 

[audreyh1]

We use those k-cup filters as well. It makes it so much easier to clean out the reuseable k-cups... just dump it into compost or trash and a quick rinse.

We prefer no paper filters, don’t mind a teeny bit of sludge in the bottom of the cup - lots of flavor there! We find if we tap the Keurig reusable filter against something shortly after brewing the grounds come out easily and cleanly. Quick rinse and done.

 

[MC Rider]

We use a percolator. run vinegar through every now and then to keep it clean. Followed by 2 or 3 loads of water until the vinegar smell is gone.

 

[mpeirce]

We use a percolator. run vinegar through every now and then to keep it clean. Followed by 2 or 3 loads of water until the vinegar smell is gone.

Same with Keurig. DW's ritual is to run a little vinegar through it every Sunday and gives it a good going over.

 

[wannabefire]

Nothing meaningful to add

As someone who leans more towards "coffee snob", I find this conversation fascinating!

I will just sit back and take this in. I have nothing to add to the K cup, instant coffee discussion.

Sorry to interrupt, had to note my fascination. Please carry on.

 

[Montecfo]

We use one of these, very easy and love it.



https://tchibo.us/products/the-tchibo

That looks tempting.

 

[Rustic23]

I have aKurig express, about $60. Makes 8,10, or 12 Oz cup. Water reservoir is 42oz. Works well for me. Heats water almost instantly.

 

[aja8888]

I have aKurig express, about $60. Makes 8,10, or 12 Oz cup. Water reservoir is 42oz. Works well for me. Heats water almost instantly.

Thanks.

I like that model because it will allow a travel mug to fit under the discharge. I may just order one.

 

[SVHoper]

K-Elite (K90) Ebay open box in perfect condition about $85

I really like it for its large reservoir and multiple sizes. I drink all day so leave it on, but can be programmed not to.

 

[Tuirc]

After a trip to Italy 8 years ago we switched to the Moka pot and haven’t looked back. Cheap, efficient ,fairly quick. Might be too much trouble for you, but I’ll let you decide.

 

[f35phixer]

French Press, Yes ya need a grind/ whole beans etc...

 

[Rustic23]

I use this for a travel mug. Cheap. I popped the spot welded carabiner off.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Tr...-17-fl-oz/721812427?athbdg=L1600&from=/search