Does a Keurig Count as a "REAL" Coffee Maker?!

[seoulsearch]

Hey Everyone,

With all the current talk about coffee, I am submitting the following pictures for your consideration:

Now in defense of Keurig, my parents had an original-style model they used for many years before passing it on to me. I've been using it for about 5 years on top of that, so I have to at least give them a nod for longevity!


So what do you think?

* Does a Keurig count as a REAL coffee maker? What are the pro's and con's?

* Have you had any mishaps like in the pictures above?

* What other coffee makers do you recommend, and in what price ranges?

 

[NightTwister]

My wife has a Keurig...

 

[seoulsearch]

I had a recent scare with my inherited Keurig -- it was barely drizzling, forcing me to go digging in the closet for my old Mr. Coffee 4-Cup coffee maker. I had been using those plastic filters that let you use your own ground coffee with a Keurig, but I have to confess...

Even though I got my trusty family heirloom, the Keurig, up and running -- it just needed a good descaling -- I have to admit...
I found the Mr. Coffee version to be much more flavorful -- even when using the exact same grounds.

I also have some friends who got a machine like this on a very good Christmas sale and invite me over:

Even a simpleton like me has to admit, once you've had a coffee from something like that, nothing else will compare! It quite literally knocked my socks off (as in, it kept me awake that night,) but boy, was it tasty!!

However, seeing as I have neither the $$$ nor the counter space for such an extravagance, for now, I will keep happily runhing back for a morning date with my new man -- Mr. Coffee.

It's love at first sip!

 

[RodB651]

Does a Keurig count as a REAL coffee maker? What are the pro's and con's?

Of course it does!
Its for those moments when you just gotta have a cup right now. 😀

Have you had any mishaps like in the pictures above?

Not like that. I have forgot to put my cup under the dispenser though. It was a case of needing a cup before making one.

What other coffee makers do you recommend, and in what price ranges?

Whatever makes the coffee the way you like it!
I've ordered a percolator for my propane stove because sometimes you gotta reward yourself. I'll have a drip coffee maker, a keurig, and a percolator. I'll be prepared for any emergency that comes up now!😀

 

[Lynx]

I dunno... I've seen some people get into real peeing matches over how coffee SHOULD be made. Seems to be mostly guys who do this, for some reason.

Me, I don't have a dog in the race. I don't drink coffee. But this does remind me a lot of some people who play video games a certain way, and look down on anybody who plays this game a different way. They will play ONLY on the highest difficulty, they will limit themselves to only the weakest weapon, no healing items, etc. They will brag about how hard their chosen playing styles are, and talk down to everyone else as though anybody who doesn't play their way is a lesser person. They will get out spreadsheets to prove they are right about one weapon being better than another, and Steam account logs to prove how many hundreds of hours they have played this game, which proves THEY know more about it than YOU.

Meanwhile the rest of us have already played the game, enjoyed it (or not) and moved on to something else eight months ago.

So yeah... I'm not a coffee drinker, but as someone looking in from the outside it seems to me like whatever you like is what you should do. From a k-cup to a french press, from instant "coffee" (every coffee drinker I know swears it is not REAL coffee) to italian roast, whatever you like.

 

[Lynx]

But every time a topic like this comes up, I'm reminded of that old xkcd comic...

Our brains have only one scale. We resize all our experiences to fit.

 

[NightTwister]

🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡

 

[seoulsearch]

Of course it does! Its for those moments when you just gotta have a cup right now. 😀Not like that. I have forgot to put my cup under the dispenser though. It was a case of needing a cup before making one. Whatever makes the coffee the way you like it! I've ordered a percolator for my propane stove because sometimes you gotta reward yourself. I'll have a drip coffee maker, a keurig, and a percolator. I'll be prepared for any emergency that comes up now!😀

I dunno... I've seen some people get into real peeing matches over how coffee SHOULD be made. Seems to be mostly guys who do this, for some reason.

Me, I don't have a dog in the race. I don't drink coffee. But this does remind me a lot of some people who play video games a certain way, and look down on anybody who plays this game a different way. They will play ONLY on the highest difficulty, they will limit themselves to only the weakest weapon, no healing items, etc. They will brag about how hard their chosen playing styles are, and talk down to everyone else as though anybody who doesn't play their way is a lesser person. They will get out spreadsheets to prove they are right about one weapon being better than another, and Steam account logs to prove how many hundreds of hours they have played this game, which proves THEY know more about it than YOU.

Meanwhile the rest of us have already played the game, enjoyed it (or not) and moved on to something else eight months ago.

So yeah... I'm not a coffee drinker, but as someone looking in from the outside it seems to me like whatever you like is what you should do. From a k-cup to a french press, from instant "coffee" (every coffee drinker I know swears it is not REAL coffee) to italian roast, whatever you like.

I'm always a bit relieved when I run into people who are understanding/tolerant of those of us who are just part of something for some light fun/enjoyment. We're not experts and never will be, but it would be nice to know we can still join in to our limited extent.

There are so many subjects/communities out there that I find interesting. Even though I'm not into beer, wine, or tea, I find all of those communities interesting because I'm always fascinated by the thought of how in the world humans came up with ideas for such complex beverages. I mean... was it God who inspired people to dry out grass clippings, run hot water through them, and call the now-polluted water a delicious drink?!

But I always wish that there was room in said communities for casual observers/learners.

I'm never the type of person who's going to go too gung-ho in one specific area -- I'm never going to be the connoisseur or the person who spent the most money chasing the best of the best. My attention span is too spread out, and I have strict limits on how much I'll spend on any one thing.

There are tons of groups/subjects I'd like to join or learn more about, but nowadays it seems like there isn't much, if any, room for newbies who will never go hardcore, but just want to learn bits and pieces just for fun.

 

[RodB651]

But I always wish that there was room in said communities for casual observers/learners.

Oh but but but...

@seoulsearch , I'm not in a community, I just enjoy a good coffee. 😁

There are folks out there that get their undergarments in a wad over such things. I'm not one of those folks! 😆

 

[Lynx]

I'm always a bit relieved when I run into people who are understanding/tolerant of those of us who are just part of something for some light fun/enjoyment. We're not experts and never will be, but it would be nice to know we can still join in to our limited extent.

There are so many subjects/communities out there that I find interesting. Even though I'm not into beer, wine, or tea, I find all of those communities interesting because I'm always fascinated by the thought of how in the world humans came up with ideas for such complex beverages. I mean... was it God who inspired people to dry out grass clippings, run hot water through them, and call the now-polluted water a delicious drink?!

But I always wish that there was room in said communities for casual observers/learners.

I'm never the type of person who's going to go too gung-ho in one specific area -- I'm never going to be the connoisseur or the person who spent the most money chasing the best of the best. My attention span is too spread out, and I have strict limits on how much I'll spend on any one thing.

There are tons of groups/subjects I'd like to join or learn more about, but nowadays it seems like there isn't much, if any, room for newbies who will never go hardcore, but just want to learn bits and pieces just for fun.

Just don't ever, EVER try to get me to say that h*rsh*y "chocolate" is real chocolate.

There are some quite delectable milk chocolates out there, but anything that smells like ruined milk will never get my vote, no matter how much of a connoisseur anybody claims to be.

 

[Lynx]

Oh but but but...

@seoulsearch , I'm not in a community, I just enjoy a good coffee. 😁

There are folks out there that get their undergarments in a wad over such things. I'm not one of those folks! 😆

 

[seoulsearch]

Oh but but but... I'm not in a community, I just enjoy a good coffee. 😁
There are folks out there that get their undergarments in a wad over such things. I'm not one of those folks! 😆

Such a terrible waste of good undergarments! (I joke -- as someone who's sewn boxers before... and you DO have to do some twisting, turning, and bunching up of during construction!)

But I digress!

I'm so thankful for the easy-going people who are like, "C'mon over, help yourself, have some of (whatever we're talking about,) and have it any way you like."

I mean, they might be secretly judging you (like if you're in the South and you make your sweet tea "wrong",) but at least they're outwardly friendly about it.

 

[seoulsearch]

Just don't ever, EVER try to get me to say that h*rsh*y "chocolate" is real chocolate.
There are some quite delectable milk chocolates out there, but anything that smells like ruined milk will never get my vote, no matter how much of a connoisseur anybody claims to be.

Hershey is delicious, but no, I stopped trying to convert you a long time ago.

For me, this also fits into my "I will only pay so much" rule.

One of the reasons I haven't explored "better quality" chocolate and other various edibles is because they're beyond the threshold of what I feel my budget (and pants size) allows in that category.

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

Hey Everyone,

With all the current talk about coffee, I am submitting the following pictures for your consideration:

Now in defense of Keurig, my parents had an original-style model they used for many years before passing it on to me. I've been using it for about 5 years on top of that, so I have to at least give them a nod for longevity!


So what do you think?

* Does a Keurig count as a REAL coffee maker? What are the pro's and con's?

* Have you had any mishaps like in the pictures above?

* What other coffee makers do you recommend, and in what price ranges?

Since I needed caffeine and didn't take time to make my own earlier, I used what was available at the funeral home. It was a Keurig. I wonder if the aluminum foil or chemicals making up the plastic containers go into the coffee from the boiling water and tear of the opening. I don't use hot water in any plastic cups anymore. However, since caffeine was essential on little to no sleep, I didn't look that gift horse in the mouth. It didn't really matter anyhow, but I wouldn't normally use one for that reason alone.

What I decided a long time ago when I made coffee a regular treat that goes with morning devotions, is to figure out what I liked best. I used every other method from percolator to cowboy coffee. It was all fine and I usually was content. However, why settle for mediocre. I learned about a method I had not yet tried.

I liked the fact that the coffee pot was made of glass and didn't impart flavor. It was the easiest to clean albeit fragile. The method and hardware was simple. The best part was that I had the ability to make a significantly better cup of coffee than any I ever bought or brewed.

Introducing the FRENCH PRESS !
It has a short learning curve, but once you learn how, it is THE most versatile method I know of.

There is a drawback however.
Once you get used to using one, you might find all other coffee , er disappointing.
Call me a coffee snob. You may be right. That's the only snobbery that I will own. I do like to pass it forward, so if you have any questions, just ask.
Happy to help make your day.
☕🙂👍

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

@seoulsearch

I would go with what works best for you.
Since that machine is a gift, I'd give it plenty of use to decide if it's something you'll enjoy long term.
I've given French presses as gifts to friends who like coffee and so far, they stick with whatever they've been using and have not tried the presses.

I will say that there are many benefits.
For those who grow herbs or edible flowers like roses, they can be used for hot/ cold teas. Just go with the right sized pitcher/ carafe.

All the types of coffees can be made with the press without the expensive cost of a machine. We went to a place I don't eat at, Olive Garden. Everything is gluten, so I just ordered a cappuccino coffee. $5. I like my own best from home and get a bag of single origin organic at Aldi's for around $6. My favorite.

The presses are also the same design as a coffee frother. I think higher fat milk or cream is best....No actually ice cream is best, but I digress. Here's a video on that if you or your husband like that kind of drink. There're dozens of others but they usually get more technical than necessary. Just use good quality warm high fat whole milk or higher. Only use wood in the glass beaker or it will break. A large chop stick works best .
If you look for one, there are brands with two screens. Get one of those. You can brew fine grinds that way.

 

[gb9]

my short answer-yes, it is a real coffee maker.

but, like any, you gotta use good coffee...

 

[Lynx]

Hershey is delicious, but no, I stopped trying to convert you a long time ago.

For me, this also fits into my "I will only pay so much" rule.

One of the reasons I haven't explored "better quality" chocolate and other various edibles is because they're beyond the threshold of what I feel my budget (and pants size) allows in that category.

*snort

Hey Beavis. She said "edibles."

Heh heh! Yeah! She said "edibles." Heh! Heh heh!

That brings up an interesting question though. Where do coffee flavored candies fit in here?

My grandfather used to love a candy called coffee nips. And although I don't like coffee, and although basically they taste like coffee with sugar and a bit of cream, and although the ingredients do say they are in fact just brewed coffee, with sugar and a little cream, boiled down into a hard candy... I like them.

Of course there were spin-off versions, caramel nips and chocolate nips. They were okay, but nothing special. But the coffee nips were pretty doggone good.

Does a coffee candy count as enjoying coffee?

 

[seoulsearch]

Since I needed caffeine and didn't take time to make my own earlier, I used what was available at the funeral home. It was a Keurig. I wonder if the aluminum foil or chemicals making up the plastic containers go into the coffee from the boiling water and tear of the opening. I don't use hot water in any plastic cups anymore. However, since caffeine was essential on little to no sleep, I didn't look that gift horse in the mouth. It didn't really matter anyhow, but I wouldn't normally use one for that reason alone.

What I decided a long time ago when I made coffee a regular treat that goes with morning devotions, is to figure out what I liked best. I used every other method from percolator to cowboy coffee. It was all fine and I usually was content. However, why settle for mediocre. I learned about a method I had not yet tried.

I liked the fact that the coffee pot was made of glass and didn't impart flavor. It was the easiest to clean albeit fragile. The method and hardware was simple. The best part was that I had the ability to make a significantly better cup of coffee than any I ever bought or brewed.

Introducing the FRENCH PRESS !
It has a short learning curve, but once you learn how, it is THE most versatile method I know of.

There is a drawback however.
Once you get used to using one, you might find all other coffee , er disappointing.
Call me a coffee snob. You may be right. That's the only snobbery that I will own. I do like to pass it forward, so if you have any questions, just ask.
Happy to help make your day.
☕🙂👍

@seoulsearch

I would go with what works best for you.
Since that machine is a gift, I'd give it plenty of use to decide if it's something you'll enjoy long term.
I've given French presses as gifts to friends who like coffee and so far, they stick with whatever they've been using and have not tried the presses.

I will say that there are many benefits.
For those who grow herbs or edible flowers like roses, they can be used for hot/ cold teas. Just go with the right sized pitcher/ carafe.

All the types of coffees can be made with the press without the expensive cost of a machine. We went to a place I don't eat at, Olive Garden. Everything is gluten, so I just ordered a cappuccino coffee. $5. I like my own best from home and get a bag of single origin organic at Aldi's for around $6. My favorite.

The presses are also the same design as a coffee frother. I think higher fat milk or cream is best....No actually ice cream is best, but I digress. Here's a video on that if you or your husband like that kind of drink. There're dozens of others but they usually get more technical than necessary. Just use good quality warm high fat whole milk or higher. Only use wood in the glass beaker or it will break. A large chop stick works best .
If you look for one, there are brands with two screens. Get one of those. You can brew fine grinds that way.

Thank you very much for this useful information, HH.

I love reading everyone's thoughts and comments in general, but these kinds of posts are especially interesting to me. In any kind of group or community, I like hearing from passionate people who enjoy sharing their knowledge with others in a "Hey there, how can I help?" kind of way.

I'm going to bookmark that video to watch later. I'd been thinking about buying a frother but... I'm hesitant because I know the more I got into the world of coffee, the more I would keep adding (real cream, syrups, infusions, etc.) The next thing you know, I'd be gaining 10 pounds "just" from coffee!

I have a relative who makes a morning coffee without sugar, but with enough dairy and other additives so that it has as many calories (or more) than a regular breakfast.

I try very hard to budget my calories like money (frugally if possible,) so unfortunately, I can only allot a certain amount to my morning coffee -- even though all those amazing variations out there look incredible. I don't go to coffee shops very often, but if I do, I'm guilty of getting the drinks that most closely resemble a full-on dessert.

Thank you so much for taking the time to write these posts!

I really enjoyed reading about your own coffee journey and routine.

 

[seoulsearch]

That brings up an interesting question though. Where do coffee flavored candies fit in here? My grandfather used to love a candy called coffee nips. And although I don't like coffee... I like them. Does a coffee candy count as enjoying coffee?

Sorry Lynx, I just shortened this so that people could see the questions I was responding to. You mentioned that the Nips candies are just coffee mixed with cream and sugar...

It's interesting to see how people respond differently to the same flavors but in different forms. And it also brings up the secondary controversial topic of whether anything should be added to coffee, as I am surrounded by black coffee drinkers myself.

I basically like coffee as a flavoring. I don't black coffee, though I've tried one or two that I didn't have to "doctor " nearly as much.

I've heard some people talk about "white coffee" which I guess is basically milk or cream mixed in with enough coffee for flavor -- I'm not quite at that ratio yet, but probably pretty close.

As someone who already likes coffee with a bit of "help," I would probably like the coffee candies because they already have the other "goodies" mixed right in.

Does that still count as enjoying coffee?

I'd be interested in hearing how the more well-seasoned coffee drinkers feel about that...

 

[Lynx]

Maybe it's the sugar that does it. As a candy, the sugar to coffee ratio is WAY higher than any coffee cup I've ever seen.