Comments on: Keurig Ultra B50 Gourmet Single Cup Home Brewing System

By: Wayne Schulz

Wayne Schulz — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 10:05:20 +0000

Excellent point.

As you might be able to tell – I’m not a big coffee drinker. I think this is definitely a device for people who aren’t heavy coffee drinkers like me. It cuts out the prep, and cleanup.

By: Chris Davies

Chris Davies — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 09:55:30 +0000

Nice review, Wayne. I just can’t get past the fact that you’ve generally got no idea when the coffee in the pods was roasted & ground, though; having tried supermarket ground, supermarket beans, so-called ‘premium’ high-street beans and, now, a mail order specialist roaster (who’ll overnight you beans they fresh roasted that day, for comparible cost to the ‘premium’ people), the difference to even my wonky untrained taste-buds is incredible.

I use an AeroPress (http://www.aerobie.com/Products/aeropress.htm), a seperate grinder (nowt too special: an Iberital that cost about the same as your B50 did) and the freshest beans I can get – not a complicated setup, maybe takes a little more time than the B50 (I’ve got it down to 3mins including clean-up) but I’d wager the results taste much better than those prepackaged pods. Plus the slight extra effort means I drink less coffee, so get fewer caffeine jitters!

I guess it all comes down to choice – I’d rather spend a few minutes making a really decent cup than drink lots of relatively easy ordinary cups. No big criticism of your Keurig, I just don’t want you to miss out on the taste-related fun

By: n0doz

n0doz — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 19:43:04 +0000

I think a large part of the snobbery goes away when people see how it works.. they just have to try it for themselves!
Oh, and the coffee’s pretty darn good, too.

By: Aura Mae

Aura Mae — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 17:44:20 +0000

We put one in the salon almost a year ago and have found it a good match for us. Rarely would we use a full pot before it went stale. It is nice to be able to offer clients a cup of coffee without all the hassle of brewing a pot. I was pleasantly surprised that our Seattle coffee snobs were fine forgoing their usual fancy coffee beverage for a simple cup of joe.
I haven’t gotten one for home use because we usually go through a full pot each morning and everyone is content with the same type. I could see how this would be nice if your household had people with varying preferences.

By: n0doz

n0doz — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 16:30:30 +0000

The Signature Flight Support terminal where I work has the commercial version. This thing is like coffee heaven! It makes an excellent cup for all the effort it takes to place a cup and insert the pod. I LOVE the fact that the comm’l version also dumps the emptied pod into a “trash can” concealed in the back of the machine. Beyond cool! But it definitely helps that they bought the machine… and pay for the coffee.
The Keurig machines are definitely a good alternative to spending $3 for a cup of coffee…but they don’t make lattes. Definitely a niche-market item, for those who enjoy the technology as much or more than the end result!

By: mchinsky

mchinsky — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 15:24:32 +0000

Nice job Wayne. Didn’t realize it was so loud.