Single Cup Coffee Brewers... Which One??? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

polak · 12-11-2012, 04:10 PM

So I guess it's about time to start planning some Christmas gift ideas and I'm thinking of buying my parents one of those Single Cup Coffee Brewers but I don't really know which one to get them...

My parents are super lazy when it comes to stuff like this so it needs to be convenient, not just to make, but to also buy the coffee and what not. It should also be able to make Tea, Lattes and Cappuccinos (preferably with actual milk and not just faux-flavored crap). My budget is around $100

Going off that and a quick google search, it seems like Tassimo is the best bet but the only problem is the lack of Starbucks, which troubles me as my dad almost exclusively drinks starbucks when he's not home.

On the flipside, the Verismo (starbucks equivalent) doesn't seem to have very many options as far as flavors go. Basically a few brewed coffees and one type of latte. My dad orders some disgusting concoction that would never be possible to replicate in a simple disc anyways, so I'm hoping that's not a sticking point.

The Keurig is the one I have at work and the complete lack of milk steaming pretty much eliminates it.

Is there anything that I'm not taking into consideration that I should? I heard there were some other ones that were out there but you needed to order the discs online, which my parents would never do. Any thoughts? Reviews? Comments?

P.S. I know there were some Tassimo threads on here but I kind of want an opinion on all the options, not just Tassimo specifically.

psyang · 12-11-2012, 04:23 PM

If milk steaming is important, I think your options are very limited - even more so at $100.

In fact, I think only Tassimo and Nespresso are the only options I know of, and I'm not sure how Nespresso makes their cappuccinos.

The other two single-serve coffee systems around $100 would be Keurig and coffee pods. I'm a fan of the latter, but they don't do cappuccinos as far as I know.

Nage Waza · 12-11-2012, 06:10 PM

I have had many different types and the VERY best version is the Cuisinart Keurig. Buy your starbucks at Costco to save $.

http://www.cuisinart.ca/cuisinart_pr...333&cat_id=102

DownhillGoat · 12-11-2012, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nage Waza

I have had many different types and the VERY best version is the Cuisinart Keurig. Buy your starbucks at Costco to save $.

Keurig doesn't do lattes and stuff like that though. I prefer the Keurig, but if you're looking for anything other than coffee/tea/cider/hot chocolate, it's a no-go.

Maritime Q-Scout · 12-11-2012, 06:16 PM

I have a Keurig and use the refillable cups at home. At work I use the k-cups. That said I don't drink cappuccinos or use any milk products.

By the sounds of it you're looking for a Tassimo. Possibly look into getting the disks delivered, I'm sure websites will give you the option to send them automatically every month, or find out who provides for your office. That'd be the simplest thing.

Nage Waza · 12-11-2012, 06:30 PM

I just never really enjoyed the Tassimo cups, the taste never was quite right for me. Besides the machines seemed to break down. That could have been simple bad luck.

Street Pharmacist · 12-11-2012, 06:35 PM

Keurig has been great with replacing our broken one. Hardly any questions asked

DropIt · 12-11-2012, 06:41 PM

Ive had my Tassimo for a while and it has held up quite well and makes a tonne of specialty coffees.
It doesnt make Starbucks, unfortunately but I believe they did just get into Tim Hortons if that helps.

Zulu29 · 12-11-2012, 07:56 PM

I have a breville machine that uses keurig cups. I love it, the coffee is fantastic and as another poster mentioned you can get Starbucks cups at Costco for a good deal.

Table 5 · 12-11-2012, 08:32 PM

Although we got ours as a wedding gift, we tried out a few of them beforehand as we were in the market. If you're somewhat serious about your coffee (ie, think Tim Hortons is dish water, but don't want to invest in a 1k espresso machine/grinder), the Nespresso was heads and above the other single-cup brewers I tried. I'm no coffee expert by any means, but I just don't take a coffee maker seriously when it takes Folgers capsules.

The only issue with it that some might have is that it doesn't necessarily make a LOT of coffee....so if you like your larger-quantity North American style drip coffee, it's probably not going to be enough. I like my coffee concentrated, and thick as motor oil, and for that it's pretty great. There is better coffee out there if you want to spend the money, but honestly, for the amount of work you put into it (ie. all 5 seconds worth) it's awesome.

The other issue is that it's kind of addictive.

Yamer · 12-11-2012, 08:35 PM

I have a Tassimo, but I find the cappuccinos and lattes taste awful.

The only good steamed milk product it makes, IMO, is the Cadbury Hot Chocolate...which is delicious.

oilyfan · 12-11-2012, 09:52 PM

If you want good lattes and cappuccinos then Nespresso is the way to go, but way above the $100 mark

Flames in 07 · 12-11-2012, 09:54 PM

My $0.02 is to get one where you can use generic replacements. They are starting to remind me of inkjet printers 15 years ago. The printer doesn't' cost much but they ding the crap out of you on the ink. I've started to see 3rd party refillable coffee pods. I'd look those up and see what units those can be used with.

Violator · 12-11-2012, 10:30 PM

I have a Nespresso the GF got it free through work(think she said it was worth 600) for learning how to use it to demonstrate through work it makes fancy espressos that are pretty good but well above the price point you want to spend.Bought my mother a keurig for Christmas it was on sale at superstore a couple week ago.

Nage Waza · 12-11-2012, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

My $0.02 is to get one where you can use generic replacements. They are starting to remind me of inkjet printers 15 years ago. The printer doesn't' cost much but they ding the crap out of you on the ink. I've started to see 3rd party refillable coffee pods. I'd look those up and see what units those can be used with.

The cuisinart I posted has that feature, I rarely use it but I can in a pinch. It also has instant hot water if you want to make a tea (filtered water as well).

FLAME ENVY · 12-12-2012, 12:08 AM

The T-Fal / Krups Dolce Gusto is an excellent machine that can be had for about $130 (London Drugs). If you enjoy Latte's / Cappuccino it is vastly superior to the Keurig and Tassimo units. The Dolce produces 15 PSi and both the Keurig and Tassimo produce 3 PSi. The Nespresso produces up to 19 and is excellent but significantly more expensive.

Hack&Lube · 12-12-2012, 08:13 AM

Keurig sells a separate milk steamer that will probably do a better job than one built into a multi brewing system.

psyang · 12-12-2012, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilyfan

If you want good lattes and cappuccinos then Nespresso is the way to go, but way above the $100 mark

I think I mistook the Nespresso for the Dolce. Thanks for the correction. Yes, Nespresso is way out of the price range.

polak · 12-12-2012, 08:28 AM

Ah alright. This is going to be a harder decision then I thought.

bradster57 · 12-12-2012, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLAME ENVY

The T-Fal / Krups Dolce Gusto is an excellent machine that can be had for about $130 (London Drugs). If you enjoy Latte's / Cappuccino it is vastly superior to the Keurig and Tassimo units. The Dolce produces 15 PSi and both the Keurig and Tassimo produce 3 PSi. The Nespresso produces up to 19 and is excellent but significantly more expensive.

I had a Dolce Gusto but it kept leaking. Maybe it was just that I had a crappy one but I traded it for a Tassimo.