Recommendation for Oppo: Hamilton Beach FlexBrew

"fhrblig" (fhrblig) 02/04/2019 at 19:26 • Filed to: None

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Our Keurig 2.0 started behaving weirdly a couple months ago , so we were keeping an eye out for replacements when I spotted this. We bought it, and I love it.

This is what Keurig machines should have been from the start: t he ability to brew an entire pot, but the ability to use K-cups when you want a single cup. One of my pet peeves about the Keurig machines is that the water never seems to be hot enough except on the commercial models. On the FlexBrew it is perfect. Also, you add the water (up to 14 oz.) for each individual cup every time rather than a reservoir, so no de-scaling. Another good feature is that it can use K-cups, but it also comes with a little do-it-yourself K-cup with a bit higher capacity than some of the other DIY K-cups out there.

I’m very happy with this thing. Plus we got it for $70 during the holidays, while  I think I paid $130 for the 2.0 when we bought it.  

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > fhrblig 02/04/2019 at 19:30

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I’ll have to keep that in mind if my Keurig ever craps out. I don’t drink an excessive amount of coffee but occasionally I have to entertain so the extra capacity would be nice.

fhrblig > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 02/04/2019 at 19:31

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I usually only have one cup, but on weekends I like to have a couple so the pot is handy.  My only complaint is that both ways seem to take longer than other coffeemakers, but the end product is the right temperature and that makes up for it in my book.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > fhrblig 02/04/2019 at 19:40

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I’ll keep an eye out for it. Having to add water every time though seems annoying. 

fhrblig > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 02/04/2019 at 19:44

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Given that my old Keurig put out coffee that wasn’t ever hot enough, it doesn’t bother me at all.  And I think the biggest cup it could make was 10 ounces where this one is 14 ounces is a big plus.

Chariotoflove > fhrblig 02/04/2019 at 19:47

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My daughter talked me into buying a Keurig Mini on sale.  I thought the convenience of it would offset the expense of the pods.  Only, the coffee isn’t strong or good enough in most pods I’ve tried so far.  I tend to like my Nespresso much better.  Now, if I could add extra grounds into my pod, that would make it better, but then I’m back to essentially a regular coffee machine.

The Dummy Gummy > fhrblig 02/04/2019 at 19:50

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I’m surprise the Keurig’s still have a business with the movement to removing single use plastic. 

fhrblig > Chariotoflove 02/04/2019 at 19:58

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The DIY pod that comes with this one holds more coffee than the other DIY pods.  I haven’t used it yet because I have a bunch of K-cups I need to get rid of.  Because the water is hotter, the coffee out of the K-cups is much improved.

Chariotoflove > fhrblig 02/04/2019 at 20:33

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I think I need to find better k cups. 

MrDakka > fhrblig 02/04/2019 at 21:17

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I love the smell of coffee in the morning, but hate the taste. I can barely drink it with a bunch of cream and sugar.

Any recommendations for that?

Stopcallingmesir > Chariotoflove 02/04/2019 at 21:21

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I dont leave rhe house without almost a whole pot of coffee in me, but I know you can get cafe bustello (my jam) in keurig. Might be satisfying.

404 - User No Longer Available > Chariotoflove 02/04/2019 at 21:57

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Well to be fair a drip maker (Keurig) won’t be comparable to a pressurized espresso machine (Nespresso)...

sefeing, actually bought an E46 > fhrblig 02/04/2019 at 21:58

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I’ve been DYING to see some first hand reviews of this - we want more than just our keurig mini for when guests are here, but ideally only make 1 or 2 cups a day at home

404 - User No Longer Available > fhrblig 02/04/2019 at 22:00

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I still have the original Mini (the one before the 2.0 DRM nonsense) but never really bought K-cups ever. Bought a set of Ekobrew DIY cups , I grind my own beans (Kicking Horse) before brewing and it works great.

And not exactly true about the descaling, my machine is also the “pour a cup brew a cup” type, but the manual still recommends descaling. Maybe not as frequent.

404 - User No Longer Available > MrDakka 02/04/2019 at 22:04

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Believe it or not... try some sea salt. It neutralizes the bitterness. Also try different coffee grounds, bean mixes can vary the taste greatly.

Chariotoflove > Stopcallingmesir 02/04/2019 at 22:12

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Never heard of it, but I’ll look it up.

Chariotoflove > 404 - User No Longer Available 02/04/2019 at 22:16

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That’s true. It’s a different animal. I just thought it would be a better cup, and I realized when I tried it that I’d spoiled myself with the Nespresso. I need one and a half strength now (not caffei ne, flavor). Still, I may just need to get better K pods. They can get  so expensive.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > fhrblig 02/04/2019 at 22:38

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Oddly enough we’re thinking about replacing our Keurig 2.0 with that same model. We had hoped when we got the 2.0 years ago that it would do a decent job with carafes but they are basically weak garbage.   I was looking at all the ones that do both and that Hamilton Beach seems pretty much the best.  After reading this I’lol probably pick it up.  Pouring water in for every cup seems a little annoying but maybe I’ll just get a kit to plumb it into the water tap behind my fridge. 

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Chariotoflove 02/04/2019 at 22:46

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The brewer makes a difference too. I don’t know if the mini has it but the higher end Keurigs have a “strong” button that takes longer to brew but makes a real difference. As for the k-cups generally the “extra bold” ones are better. I mainly buy the Starbucks now - it’s nothing all that special and it certainly doesn’t taste like in-store but it’s better than the cheaper pods and the 60-packs are on sale  often enough.  Caribou is OK but it’s been clogging my brewer - need to toothpick out the needles and brew a cup of water after sometimes.  Probably I should update my calendar to February.

MrDakka > 404 - User No Longer Available 02/04/2019 at 22:47

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Hmm, i'll give that a try. 

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 02/04/2019 at 22:48

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Someone makes a kit to plumb your coffee maker into the tap behind the fridge.  It does involve drilling a hole in the coffee maker and it’s about $50 but I’ve been thinking about it for my Keurig and maybe for this one if I get it. 

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 02/04/2019 at 23:20

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You know, it never occurred to me to do that. I bet I could figure out my own kit for less than $50, just some flexible tubing and a float. 

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 02/04/2019 at 23:23

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Don’t forget a few o-rings. But yeah definitely you pay for convenience. The one I saw didn’t even have a float it was just a button you held until it was full so you didn’t have to fill a cup/pitcher  and pour it in.

Chariotoflove > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 02/04/2019 at 23:35

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Thanks for the info. I have a simple Keurig Mini. Very basic. 

fhrblig > sefeing, actually bought an E46 02/04/2019 at 23:45

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It works well.  It’s definitely worth it.

fhrblig > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 02/04/2019 at 23:49

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Yeah, I used the carafe once and it was beyond disappointing.

I don’t think you can add the plumbing to these because the reservoir is just like a standard cheap coffeemaker; it has a plastic door on the top that you open to pour the water in.  Honestly, I was used to it by the 3rd time and it doesn’t bother me at all anymore.  The quality of the finished brew is so much better.

fhrblig > 404 - User No Longer Available 02/04/2019 at 23:51

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My partner prefers tea to coffee, and also likes flavored coffees. K-cups work well for him. I have an Ekobrew cup but the one that comes with this model is better and can hold a bit more coffee.

fhrblig > The Dummy Gummy 02/04/2019 at 23:52

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I’m sure it will go away, which is why I like this design with its better reusable pod.

sefeing, actually bought an E46 > fhrblig 02/05/2019 at 06:13

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Funny enough, I think our keuig mini may have just shit the bed. 

The Dummy Gummy > fhrblig 02/05/2019 at 11:26

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Awesome! Enjoy! I love coffee ha

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > fhrblig 03/13/2019 at 11:22

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Took your advice and bought this one. Pro tip - the carafe is important:

But yeah when I use it properly it is pretty awesome.  I’m happy replacing my old Keurig with it.  

fhrblig > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 03/13/2019 at 17:52

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I haven't done that yet, but it's only a matter of time. Glad you like it!