Actually, the patent on the Keurig K-Cup expired so Keurig has introduced a new line of machines that don't use the old K-Cup format.
That makes me think that getting into an "old-style" K-cup brewer is the way to go, then, since avoiding lock-in was one of the reasons I got into the Senseo in the first place.
Let me start by saying I brew a bold cup of coffee, enjoy a freshly ground bean and prefer the taste of a used french press or campfire percolator to that of more convenient brewing methods.
That said, when we compromise with a countertop style coffee maker, whether heterodox or traditional, the coffee in our place isn’t typically gulped down quick enough to prevent it from caramelizing or becoming burnt. While the remaining fluid may have many uses, enjoying a cup is not one which is one reason we leaned towards a single serve style solution.
We stumbled upon The Scoop for around fifty to sixty bucks - Hamilton Beach Single Serve Scoop Coffee Maker.
Giving any K cup a run for its money, this 'lil bugga is not only essentially a demonstration of parsimony - it simultaneously, and most of all, functions non proprietarily. Any coffee you can git your hands will do, and especially the most expensive and rarest kind eva, the cheapest kind (cut w/ potting soil) or, of course, your favorite kind. Fine or coarse grind ..
The base is formed by the Cup Rest - accepting most any of your preferred cups or mugs (complete with adjustable Foot Plate), resting upon a functioning Drip Tray. As you rise up the main body above the base of the contraption you’ll find the Control Panel on the right side, consisting simply of two buttons - ‘Regular’and ‘Bold’. 'Bold' has not worn off yet.
The Water Reservoir and Showerhead are naturally perched atop the brewer with the Showerhead quickly dispensing very hot water into the Scoop Brew Basket. It earns its keep fairly quietly I might add. Hamilton Beach supplies each unit with two of these nifty 'lil scoobrewaskets - which are not only designed to be incorporated as coffee scoops, but acts as your primary filter mechanism also (though I don’t use it as a scoop cuz someone gifted me a fancy one).
Now while one Scoop Brew Basket hangs on its own hook located above and to the side of the Control Panel, the other nests within the Filter Holder, at the bottom of which you’ll find the non-disposable Secondary Filter. Lastly, they are both nestled into the Filter Well overhanging the top of your favorite cup or mug, waiting for your favorite fresh ground beans or tea bags or plain hot water for instant cocoas, noodle, oatmeals etc.. There's been no issues with leaking, spraying, etc..
While I cannot stress exactly how easily the pieces can be removed for rinsing and cleaning after each use, I've found primarily the Scoop and Filter Holder require routine, though minimal, attention. Additionally, the screens incorporated aren’t flimsy as one may think, however I recommend using care when cleaning, rather than taking advantage of their durability. As with the screens, the stainless steel Cup Rest incorporated into the housing makes for easy clean up.
The best cup of coffee consistently appears to present itself when employing a bit of a finer grind and giving it a gentle tamp before brewing. If you tamp too hard and pack it the desired effect is lost, only to be replaced with hot grindwater overflowing the sides of the scoobrewasket resulting in a half full coffee cup and some 'splainin' to do. This takes effort ..
Another added bonus not necessarily presenting itself before we adopted the Scoop became the very modest footprint it employs. Granted it may not suit everyone, however if your someone who may appreciate the right to enjoy your favorite coffees while avoiding the priviledge of being relegated to buying expensive or weak-flavored or impractical single serve contrapolutions, perhaps The Scoop may be taking up residence with you soon.
Edited by Bailey, : gr.
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