Keurig B60 Special Edition Gourmet Single-Cup Home-Brewing System
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Keurig B60 Special Edition Gourmet Single-Cup Home-Brewing System
Customer Review: Best. Coffeemaker. Period.
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought a Keurig after reading all of the reviews about it. I thought to myself, surely this machine has a lot of hype to live up to.
Not only did it pass the hype test, it did so with flying colors.
Let me just say that if you are doing research on this machine, you will discover that people just rave about it. Review after review say it is worth the investment.
Add this review to that list.
PROS:
It works not just as a coffee maker, there are also tea K-Cups available and it also can be used to heat water in less than 20 seconds. So if you have a tea bag and just want hot water, there is not need to use a kettle. Ever.
You can buy a filter that allows you to place your own GROUND beans in the machine and make your favorite coffee blend.
It is ridiculously easy to use. No paper filters needed. No grinds in the bottom of the cup. No wasting away of drinking coffee in the morning.
KEURIG'S CUSTOMER SERVICE ALONE MAKES THIS A BEST BUY. If you have ANY problems, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Keurig operators are at the ready. I once called then at midnight because I thought I was having an issue setting up the machine. The customer service guy (had a Boston accent) was very nice and answered all my questions. He also registered the machine (it was a "gift"- to myself :-)), so there was no need to mail in the warranty card.
The blue LED lights are the best kept secret about this machine. It is very modern and fits into any kitchen, both during the day and at night.
CONS:
The K-Cups are hard to find in stores. I have only seen Bed Bath and Beyond sell K Cups in the store. 18 k-cups for $10??? That's ridiculous. ENTER AMAZON... They sell 50 K-Cups for $19.00. That is a better deal by FAR. You would be well to do to buy a coffee variety pack so you can see which one is the best for you. You don't want to get stuck with 50 K-cups of a flavor you don't like.
If you are having a group of people over, it's definitely easier to make a 12-cup batch of coffee. Some people may not like having to use 12 K-cups (a K-Cup for each guest). But here's the thing. Every single person will comment on how good their coffee is. You can then show them the Keurig, and it's a great conversation piece.
The B60 is a good compromise among the Keurig models. You can save your money and not spend $30 for a larger water reservoir. So you get a travel mug size of 11.25(?) oz. in the B70. So what? The 9.etc oz. cup size is plenty big for most travel mugs once you mix in the creamer.
Let's be frank. It's expensive. But honestly, the investment is worth it. Trust the reviews about the machine. People are more inclined to write a review if they really love a product or it they really hate a product. Obviously, people love this machine, and for good reason.
It is economical to buy this machine if you hate wasting $2, $3 or $4 at a coffee shop for your coffee in the morning. The per-cup average is about 40 cents, and in the long term, this machine pays itself off.
BOTTOM LINE:
If you're reading this review, you obviously care about what other people think before you spend $100+ on a freaking coffee maker. Don't worry. I was in your shoes. But there is a peace of mind that comes along knowing that you made the right choice. Do as much research as you can and get as many opinions as you can. But just remember that thousands of satisfied Keurig customers can't be wrong.
Good luck.
Customer Review: The real differences of the Keurig Models B40, B60 and B70.
Summary: 4 Stars
The real differences of the Keurig Models B40, B60 and B70.
Like another reviewer stated you are probably looking at which Keurig to buy. I am just provided a slightly updated version of that review since the B70 is now an option.
The power switch on the B70 is in the back of the machine. A single serve coffee maker in the home will be turned on/off a lot more than the traditional coffee maker and therefore the power button being easily accessible is essential. The B40 and B60 have it right in front. If the machine is or office use it will likely be on all day so the power switch would likely not be an issue.
As far as reservoir size I wish they just included the larger one in the B70 for all of them and then you can just add as little as you want. With 2 adults and 1 child (now addicted to the Hot Cocoa) we find we have to fill it up about 2 times a day. We are ok with this but the 60oz reservoir in the B70 would be just right. What would be really nice is if someone made and aftermarket kit to attach it to a refrigerator type line as ours is right next to the fridge anyway this would have been perfect.
5.25, 7.25, 9.25 or 11.25 ounces of coffee? My wife and several of our friends think the 7.25 and 5.25 ounce servings produce the most flavorful coffee with k-cups. I found the 9.25oz setting does not leave enough room for cream in most standard coffee cups and is a little weak but still tastes great. The 11.25oz setting while great for travel mugs is too weak for most people. Ultimately I think the best cup of coffee comes from using the K-Cup filter device. You can then create your cup of coffee based on size and strength. I think I will invest in a couple more screen filters.
Auto On/Off feature is great. The B40 does not have this feature but they all have an Auto Off feature for safety. It is nice that we can have the machine warmed up and ready to go automatically in the morning.
As far as noise levels I think they all pretty much produce the same amount of noise. I think even though it's a little shocking at first, you get used to it. Even though they advertise the B70 as being quieter I could not notice the difference in my kitchen. I think different people say different things about this because the layout and deco of the Kitchen really make a difference in the acoustics. If having just a few guests over and your kitchen seems to get loud, this will sound loud to you.
Overall I found single cup coffee makers to be really good in homes where you all have different tastes in coffee or tea, for people who entertain guests a lot and people who RV a lot. My mother the RV'er and my Aunt have the Tassimo and I think it actually produces a better cup of coffee but is it worth double the cost? It's up to you. I did not actually use the Tassimo my mom always does and she loves it. It is really great when you are at the campground and mom brings out that nice hot Gevalia cup of coffee by a campfire. The Gevalia and Starbucks coffee's for the Tassimo are great. I wish they had them for the Keurig but at least I have my K-Cup filter. The Keurig has a lot more variety of coffee brands and different brands make for a better variety since the flavors differ across brands even if they are labeled as the same flavor.
I reserve 5 stars for the absolutely must have and this coffee maker is not necessarily for everyone. Hopefully this review helps you figure out if it is the right thing for you. We have the B60 and we love it but there are a few things that can make it better.
Customer Review: My Keurig Coffee Experience - Hot and Cold!
Summary: 4 Stars
I will start off by saying that the Keurig B60 makes excellent coffee. My advice to those in the market for a Keurig Brewer is to by THIS model (or the next step up) and buy it though Amazon or a regular "bricks and morter" retailer, not through Keurig's website. While Keurig machines are priced somewhat like Apple Computers (one price wherever you purchase it; $150 for the B60), I noticed that the retail prices can fluctuate here on good ol' Amazon, and better deals can be found! I orginally ordered mine through Keurig's website which proved to be a big mistake. My first mistake was I cheaped out and bought the lower end B40 model for $100. When it arrived, I couldn't wait to start using it. I was shocked to hear how much noise and vibration there was! It vibrated to the point that the empty cup danced across the plate and I had to hold it with my hand. The pump made so much noise that it would wake up any family member out of a dead sleep. I immediately called Keurig Customer Service. They told me to place a mouse pad under the brewer to dampen the noise, which was being caused by my granite countertop. I did that with no improvement. I called again and asked to return the unit, by upgrading to the B60 (the machine I was more familiar with and should have gotten in the first place). They gladly agreed and sent out the new machine right away. They said they would email me a return postage label within a few days. I received the B60, once again very excited about using the new toy. It's a beautiful addition to the kitchen, and has many useful features not found on the B40: On/Off timer setting (similiar to a timer on a regular coffee maker, where it turns on the heating element at a designated time, so you can immediately make your first cup instead of waiting for it to warm up. Subsuquently it will turn itself off the same way, so you are not "running" the machine all day). Excellent feature. It also has an additional cup size that the B40 doesn't have. Unfortunately, after two days the B60 started malfunctioning! It started dispensing water haphazardly, first not at all, then it would dispense too much. You never knew what exactly was going to happen with each cup. It ended up malfuntioning more than it worked. After another call to Keurig, they had me "reprogram" the machine by running plain water through the machine in a 2 small cup, 1 medium cup, 1 large cup cyle. This little excersize in futility didn't seem to fix the problem. I called again after several days and requested another return. It took a few more calls to their Customer Service to get the return authoriztion and shipping label, and they actually got somewhat argumentative with me! The Keurig machines were stacking up! Ultimately both machines got returned but it took another two calls to get my refund! They do not like to part with their money! I re-purchased a new B60 elsewhere (not directly from Keurig) at a much better price and have been thoroughly pleased with the coffee and performance of the brewer! I have a family member who insists on Dunkin' Donuts Coffee, whereas I prefer Timothy's. I have purchased several "My K-Cups" which work quite well, but that kind of blows the convenience factor, as I have to prepare several of them ahead (cleaning and refilling) and continually pop the black k-cup insert in and out. Ultimately it's a great, fun to use, machine, but I suggest buying from a retailer that offers reasonable return policy or customer service in case you get a problem machine. Also Amazon has the BEST prices on K-Cups by subscription, bar none, than any other source that I can find.Customer Review: I'm (STILL) in LOVE with a single-cup coffee brewer!
Summary: 5 Stars
I LOVE this coffee brewer! No mess to clean up and everyone can have their own favorite.
I had a Melitta one:one pod coffee brewer before this and liked the machine. But the water never seemed very hot after brewing, and the pod options were very limited. And frankly, I just didn't care for Melittas' coffee flavors.
After comparing the Tassimo and the Keurig options: available drinks (included coffees/teas/hot chocolates), brew sizes, owner reviews and product functionalities; I decided to go with the Keurig B-60 and I am not disappointed.
The machine heats the water up in under a minute. The brew cycle is less than 30 seconds for a mug of coffee. It also does an expresso size cup as well as a travel mug. The water reservoir on the side holds about a carafe's worth of water, so you don't have to fill it up between servings....something that drove me a bit nuts with the Melitta. The footprint is a bit larger than a standard coffeemaker, but it still fits nicely on my limited counter space. It's solidly constructed and the k-cup mechanism is smooth...we're talking metal parts here people!
Now for the most important feature: it brews great coffee, tea and hot chocolate! (The B-60 comes with a 18 piece variety pack to get you started...a nice bonus not mentioned in the product description!) With Green Mountain, Gloria Jeans, Timothy's, Van Houtte's, Diedrich's and now Tully's coffees available in pre-packaged k-cups, coffee has never been simplier to make or more delicious. For tea lovers, there's Timothy's, Celestial Seasonings, Bigelow's, Gloria Jean's and (new to the line-up) Twinnings. Ghirardelli even makes hot chocolate packets compatible for the Keurig! And if none of those options meet with your tastes, you can buy "My k-cup" and fill it with your own favorite ground coffee or tea blend!
So to sum it up: it brews great hot coffee, hot teas and hot chocolate; there's a great coffee/tea k-cup selection available for the Keurig; everyone can be happy and make their own favorite hot beverage; and there's no cleanup other than popping out the used k-cup.
What can be better than this?!
UPDATE: 4+ YEARS AND STILL GOING STRONG!
We have used this B60 brewer daily for 4 years and 3 months as of this update. We've had only one problem in the entire time we've had it: about a year ago the foam seal around the upper puncture point fell off as the glue failed. I contacted Keurig Customer Service and they immediately sent out a new seal. I had it in my hands only 2 days after I called.
After the first 3 months, I did begin using filtered water (Pur water carafe with a filter) and have never had to descale it, nor has it ever clogged on me.
My only complaint (really more of an inconvenience than a complaint) after all this time, is the lack of a battery back-up for the clock setting. If we lose power, even for an instant, the clock resets back to 12:00 AM. All the other settings are retained. This means if I don't notice that the power glitched during the day, the auto-on setting turns the brewer on at an odd time before I get it reset.
Great value for the money. We're enjoying the even greater selection of coffees, teas and hot chocolates than we could originally find. Tully's is our new favorite coffee company. I will definitely be getting another Keurig brewer after this one goes...hopefully in another 4 years!
Customer Review: Not All B60-SEs are the Same (12 Count Variety Pack Better!)
Summary: 5 Stars
As you read through the reviews, you'll notice most people love their Keurig, but some have four potential problems: noise, weak coffee, reliability, and cost.
1. Some report major problems with noise and vibration, while others don't. That's because Keurig recently upgraded the B60-Special Edition with the same quiet pump from the Platinum (B70). You have to be careful and make sure it comes with "Quiet Brew(tm) Technology." All say B60s say "Elite" and "Special Edition," but the new ones appear to have a 12-count K-cup variety pack, instead of an 18 count. I guarantee the silence is worth 6 K-cups!
2. Coffee strength is dependent on two items: size of the amount of water chosen and the type of coffee used. As someone who prefers strong coffees of medium roast, I've found that the 8 oz size (medium) works pretty well, but not with any of the coffees from the original variety pack. After experimenting with many favors, I've found the darks work better, as well as the medium-extra bolds (I have no idea how that rating system works). When I want a very strong coffee, I set the size to 6 oz (small) and use two K-cups. My wife prefers strong, extra dark decaf and has no problem at all with the 8 oz as long as she uses extra bold. If you try some of the stronger roasts, and the smaller size and STILL have problems, move up to the Platinum B70, which includes a 4 oz size.
3. Can't answer the reliability issue given mine works fine, but it seems given the small number of people who report this, it can't be that common. That said, I've found customer service at Keurig to be exceptional! One of my 5-packs of K-cups only came with 4 cups. I emailed and within 24 hours they emailed back, told me to keep the 4, and included a coupon for 2 free 5-packs.
4. Cost to me is not a factor. Given my drinking habits, this is by far the cheapest alternative. I drink one cup/day, I like variety but demand absolute freshness and strong clean coffee. So I only buy from local coffee houses and lean toward drips from Peru, Sumatra, and Latin American countries (or double Americanos with half the water). My wife drinks one cup/day but wants strong dark decaf (e.g., Italian and French Roasts). We tried single-serving coffee makers (the Aerobie AeroPress), but found that the coffee got stale after a week or two). Thus, this is the perfect machine for someone like us, as it is half the price (if I have to use 2 K-cups) or less than a great coffee shop.
5. One last negative I haven't heard from others, as it's not a big deal. The teas and the hot chocolates are very weak/not very good. Also, relative prices for tea bags and chocolate powders make the K-cup costs prohibitive. My kids use the instant hot water and that's it.
So, if you drink a lot of coffee, or demand coffee so strong you need three K-cups, you'll probably save money with something else. If you like good coffee and have different people in your family with different tastes, this is for you. And I haven't even mentioned the fact that clean-up is so easy you can't really call it call it clean-up. The biggest plus is the great variety of K-cups (200 now?), but that also causes some problems as you have to try a bunch to find out what you like and don't like. So far, that's been fun, too.