Keurig K-Duo Plus Coffee Maker, Programmable Carafe

We bought this coffee maker do to our last 3 glass carafes broken on our duo Keurig coffee makers. These carafes are VERY individualized and will not work with different duo systems.
The carafes cost as much as a new coffee maker. The glass carafes always drip when you pour the coffee.
This stainless pot, will not crack, break and most importantly it does NOT drip when I pour coffee.
My coffee stays warm for several hours with out burning.
The water reservoir is very nice. I have moved mine to the back. This makes a smaller footprint on my counter.

I am very happy with our new coffee maker.
I threw away the other 2 duo coffee makers that needed new carafes.

I studied coffee makers for 7 months while we were renovating. I wanted a coffee maker that I could easily fill up the reservoir and not have to use the pot. I previously had one with a water line but could not find a really good one at a reasonable price anymore. This was the next best thing. We love the versatility of the size of the Brew you can do and then also being able to use the pods when you just need a quick cup of coffee. Being able to move the reservoir from the right side to the left side makes it work no matter where you want to place it in your kitchen. Also, being able to set a timer the night before was important and it works great. Easy to keep this one clean because you just put the grinds in the filter and the basket is easy to remove and wash or put it in the dishwasher. Coffee tastes good and stays hot for a couple of hours in the carafe

I purchased both of these pots at the same time (Keurig here on Amazon and the FlexBrew from our local big-box store). Here is my analysis:

Things these two share in common:
* They make great coffee!
* They both make a carafe or a single serving with a K-cup or with your own grounds in a k-cup adapter.
* They both make a carafe with up to 12 cups, or 60 oz (you lose some fluid in the brew process, achieving more like 56 to 57 oz).
* They are both programmable for an auto-brew.
* They both have an option for strong/bold coffee and the option applies to both the carafe and the single-serving side.

Keurig K-Duo Plus pros:
* Attractive.
* Small footprint good for smaller kitchens.
* Has a reservoir to hold water for multiple cups.
* Comes with a thermal carafe.
* Comes with a gold filter and water filter.
* Has easy-to-read push buttons for size options.
* Carafe and single cup options come out of the same spout – less cleaning involved.
* Fast brew process.
* Little to no steam escaping the top, so it seems safe to place under cabinets. And because of the separate removable reservoir, it can be used just fine beneath cabinets without pulling it out to fill.

Keurig K-Duo Plus cons:
* Expensive.
* Size options limited. For a carafe, you can choose 6, 8, 10, or 12 cups. For a single cup, you have the same choices (in ounces). There are no in-between sizes, and the maximum K-cup size you can make is 12 oz.
* Coffee filter basket is a bit hard to pull out and push back in.
* Gold filter does not have a handle.
* To use a “My K-cup” adapter with your own grounds requires fully pulling out the coffee basket, reaching up inside, and popping out the piece that punctures the K-cup. So switching between K-cups and your own grounds for a single brew is super cumbersome.
* Does not include a “My K-cup” adapter for your own grounds. That must be purchased separately.
* Height is quite tall and it can be difficult to see the button controls if your cabinets are low or cast a shadow. Could be difficult to insert a K-cup for some.

Hamilton Beach FlexBrew pros:
* MUCH more affordable.
* Less buttons to push as water output is based upon how much water you put in at the time of brewing.
* Single serving side will do up to 14 ounces.
* Single serving size is dependent upon how much water you put in, thus making the size more customizable – so you can do a small espresso cup, for example, with only 4 ounces.
* Carafe sizes are also customizable up to 12 cups, based upon how much water your put in.
* Slightly shorter than the Keurig.
* Includes a mesh filter for the single-serving side, for using your own grounds.
* Storage for the single-serving mesh filter is beneath the single-serving drip tray which is quite handy.
* Coffee is really hot, so you can add liquid creamer and not feel like you have to microwave it.

Hamilton FlexBrew cons:
* Not as attractive as the Keurig. Bulkier.
* Does NOT include a gold filter. That must be purchased separately.
* Does not have a reservoir that stays filled and ready to go. It must be filled each time you brew.
* Takes longer to brew than the Keurig.
* Two separate spouts for carafe and for single serving. Therefore, two spouts that need cleaning/descaling.
* No thermal carafe included (They have that as another model, but it only does 10 cups).
* More difficult to fill the reservoirs since they are at the back of the machine. If placing this beneath cabinets, one would probably need to pull the machine out when using in order to reach and fill the reservoirs.

Final decision: in the end, I went for the FlexBrew, as I decided I preferred the ability to make up to 14 ounces on the single-serving side, so it fully fills my cup. While the instructions say not to exceed 10 ounces for actual K-cups, I have been putting in 14 ounces, selecting the bold brew, and it seems to work just fine. I also like that it’s easy to switch between K-cups and using your own grounds on the single-serving side. Plus, there’s storage for the mesh filter right on the pot, so I don’t have to go searching for the accessory. The better price tag is a big factor too, of course. I did end up buying a gold filter and a separate thermal carafe for those days when needed, although we usually drink the full carafe pretty quickly. Even with the purchase of the thermal carafe and gold filter, the price tag on this is still significantly less than the Keurig. I didn’t need to place this beneath a cabinet, so that issue wasn’t significant for me. If you need yours beneath a cabinet, I would probably recommend the Keurig.

I am absolutely thrilled with the Keurig® K-Duo Plus™ Single Serve & Carafe coffee maker! This versatile machine has revolutionized my morning coffee routine and has become an indispensable part of my kitchen.

The dual-functionality of the K-Duo Plus is a game-changer. Whether I’m in the mood for a quick cup of coffee to kickstart my day or brewing a full carafe for weekend gatherings, this coffee maker delivers every time. It’s like having two coffee machines in one, saving both space and time in my kitchen.

The single-serve option is perfect for those busy mornings when I need my coffee fix in a flash. The process is incredibly easy; just pop in a K-Cup® pod of my favorite flavor, and within moments, I have a hot and delicious cup of coffee ready to go. The coffee tastes rich and flavorful, just the way I like it.

On the other hand, the carafe option is a true blessing when I have guests or need a large volume of coffee. The convenience of brewing up to 12 cups at once is fantastic, and the thermal carafe keeps the coffee hot for hours without sacrificing its flavor.

The control panel is user-friendly and intuitive, allowing me to customize the brew strength and size according to my preferences. The adjustable drip tray is a thoughtful addition, accommodating various cup sizes, including travel mugs, without any mess.

Cleaning the K-Duo Plus is a breeze, thanks to the removable water reservoir and drip tray. The machine also includes a helpful descaling reminder, ensuring that it maintains peak performance over time.

I can’t praise the K-Duo Plus enough for its consistent and reliable performance. The quality of the coffee it produces, combined with its versatility and user-friendly design, makes it worth every penny.

In conclusion, the Keurig® K-Duo Plus™ Single Serve & Carafe coffee maker is a 5-star delight that has truly enhanced my coffee-drinking experience. Whether it’s a quick cup on busy mornings or a carafe for gatherings, this machine delivers exceptional results every time. If you’re a coffee enthusiast like me, I highly recommend adding this fantastic coffee maker to your kitchen. It’s the ultimate coffee companion that won’t disappoint!

Love that I can set a morning timer. Carafe keeps coffee hot for hours without having a coffee pot being actively heated. Water is easy to fill. Easy to clean. Would buy again