[highlight]We’ve made no secret [/highlight] that we really don’t like Keurig coffee machines. But people keep asking me about them so I’m letting loose. This post might be a bit snarky and if you’re 100% committed to your Keurig machine, you’d best stop reading here. If you’re willing to listen to why I don’t like them, then read on. And if you still like your machine after you read this, don’t fret, we still like you.
It definitely seems like the K-cup camps are about as divided as Democrat and Republican these days. Some people love them and others hate them.
There are a ton of issues with the Keurig machine but, for whatever reason, people love the convenience above all else and I’d have to agree. Keurig definitely wins in the convenience department. When you get up in the morning, popping a pod in the coffee pot and pressing a button is about as easy as it gets. But that’s where the benefits stop.
Recently, the inventor of the Keurig machine, John Sylvan, has been in the news. In an interview with The Atlantic he mentioned that he doesn’t use the very machine he invented.
I don’t have one. They’re kind of expensive to use…Plus it’s not like drip coffee is tough to make.
There you go. The guy who invented the Keurig and sold the company for $50,000 doesn’t use the thing.
So…Why Don’t You Like The Keurig?
Let me rant a bit here, because I do have a couple of thoughts about this particular machine. If you still use one, we don’t hate you, but we’d love for you to consider another coffee brewing method. If you absolutely can’t move away from it, then why not consider using the refillable MyKCup while you can? (hint – it’s not compatible with the new Keurig 2.0 machines).
9 Reasons why you should not use a Keurig
[tweetthis twitter_handles=”@FGRoast”]9 Reasons you should not use a Keurig[/tweetthis]
- Expensive Equipment – Mid range it averages around $100. We could get you set up with a really nice Chemex for that price. Or a french press and hand grinder that you can bring with you to work.
- The machines are only made to last 2-3 years. My mom’s $2 Melita pour over lasted over 20 years and made great coffee the whole time.
- The pods are expensive. Average of 10 grams of coffee (0.325 oz) per cup. Average price 75¢ per cup. Do the math and you’re talking in the $35-$40 range per pound of coffee even with the least expensive pods.
- You’re brewing hot water through plastic and then you’re ingesting it. Unless you’re Elasti-girl I can’t see a scenario where this is good.
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Keurig 2.0 error message when you try to brew with a non-Keurig 2.0 pods.
The new Keurig 2.0 Machines. Your current Keurig machine will die (see #2). When it does, you’ll be forced to buy a Keurig 2.0 machine. In that machine you will only be able to use Keurig licensed pods (read: $$$$). Yes – that includes that leftover stash of pods you just got at Costso when your current machine died.
- You can’t recycle the cups. Keurig sold 9 BILLION cups LAST YEAR! That’s BILLION with a “B”. Enough to circle the planet 12 times. That’s 9 billion non-recyclable non-biodegradable plastic cups. Think on that for just a moment.
- It brews bad coffee because the water isn’t hot enough. Even the adjustable temperature one only goes up to 192 degrees.
- It brews bad coffee because it uses pre-ground beans that have been sitting around forever.
- It brews bad coffee because you can’t make half a cup, a full cup, and then 2 cups with the 10 grams of coffee.
If you can’t find 5 minutes in your day to brew a good cup of coffee (seriously! 5 minutes!) then maybe, just maybe, you’re scheduling your life a bit too tight.
Bottom line – please PLEASE consider moving away from these machines. Even the worst drip coffee pot on the planet is going to be better than this. Sign up for one of our brewing classes and we’ll get you set up with a brand new Aeropress, Chemex or V60 pour over that’s a breeze to use!
In the meantime, check out what could happen to the world if you continue to use those non-recyclable plastic pods: