<p>DH and I do not drink coffee, but DD does and we plan to buy her a coffee maker for Christmas. We would like to get her one of those single cup machines, but we’re torn between two of them … the Braun Tassimo system and the Keurig B60 single serve brewer. Does anyone out there in CC land own either of these machines? If so, would you be kind enough to give the pros and cons of each? Both use the pod system, but the Keurig comes with something called a “K-Cup” that allows you to use your own coffee versus one of the pods. Can either machine be used simply to dispense hot water for cocoa, if desired? Any info you can share would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>One word: Instant!</p>
<p>From what I’ve heard about coffeemakers, once you have used them once for making coffee, ever after the water you heat in them tastes like coffee. I’d strongly suggest getting your child’s input or at least a coffee drinker’s (I don’t touch the stuff myself, sorry). Instant sounds pretty good to me.</p>
<p>splashmom - I’m not a coffee drinker, but my husband is a fanatic. We own a Keurig and have given them to my mom and my in-laws for Christmas gifts. My husband was actually turned on to the Keurig by his doctor who keeps one in his office. He orders his K-cups online and you can get all varieties of coffee and teas. We haven’t tried our own coffee in the "my k-cup’ filter…my husband is too enamored with those Green Mountain coffees…lol! The following describes the Ghirardelli hot chocolate which sounds sinfully good. It is made using a packet and directly dispensing hot water into the cup.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.keurig.com/gh.asp?mscsid=7E312DL9FXJ18NHW0RST64S7KD9N2W9D[/url]”>http://www.keurig.com/gh.asp?mscsid=7E312DL9FXJ18NHW0RST64S7KD9N2W9D</a>
Since the water vessel is separate, I don’t think you would get flavor cross-contamination; but I’ll ask my husband. Helpful hint…don’t bother with the upgraded models that have timers. When you are shootin’ out a cup of coffee in seconds, it’s kinda silly to program the thing. Spend the extra $50-$100 bucks on coffees/teas/cocoas.</p>
<p>I own a Tassimo. The coffee, espresso, hot chocolate packets are good, and now that you can buy them at Target, Linens & Things, etc., are not too pricey. The teas are terrific—perfect every time. My only problem is with the processed milk used for the cappucinos and lattes. Because it is the stuff that doesn’t have to be refrigerated (and I’m a former dairy farm girl) I can’t get used to the fake taste. But my daughters don’t mind a bit. So they make them all the time. The machine is easy to use, but it is quite noisy, so it doesn’t work if you’re trying to make a cup early in the morning without waking anyone else up …</p>
<p>If I just need a cup, I use the following seen at the bottom of the page. Cheap and makes a great cup depending on the beans you use.
<a href=“http://www.sweetmarias.com/prod.swissgold.shtml[/url]”>http://www.sweetmarias.com/prod.swissgold.shtml</a></p>
<p>Oh yes, and the price is right.</p>
<p>DS has this one. <a href=“http://coffeegeek.com/holiday/under25/melittaone[/url]”>http://coffeegeek.com/holiday/under25/melittaone</a></p>
<p>It works pretty well, and was pretty inexpensive at Target.</p>
<p>Here’s my favorite - I use it several times a day!!! It shows it with a travel mug, but it works fine with a mug too.</p>
<p>Black & Decker, Brew 'N Go.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Black-&-Decker-DCM18S/dp/B00005MF9C[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/Black-&-Decker-DCM18S/dp/B00005MF9C</a></p>
<p>this one costs $4 and it makes better coffee because the water is heated up to a higher temp
<a href=“http://www.coffeedetective.com/one-cup-coffee-maker.html[/url]”>http://www.coffeedetective.com/one-cup-coffee-maker.html</a></p>
<p>My daughter has the Keurig B50 which is now discontinued, but you might be able to find one cheap. We found hers at Dillards for like $70 and she loves it! She has it in her dorm room and loves to be able to make a cup and go.</p>
<p>I agree there is no need for a model with a timer. Also many reviews found the Tassimo to be loud, so if you are looking for a dorm setting, the Keurig might be better even though it isn’t a silent machine.</p>
<p>Check out: <a href=“singleservecoffee.com - singleservecoffee Resources and Information.”>singleservecoffee.com - singleservecoffee Resources and Information.; There is a forum on this site also that you might find helpful.</p>
<p>Get a French press; makes much better coffee, much more easily, more more cheaply, needs no electricity, and is easier to clean.</p>
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<p>I clicked on this one–the melitta looks like something out of Star Trek!</p>
<p>snowball - I agree… our Keurig is very quiet…hadn’t even considered how important that would be in a dorm/roommate situation. Re: Melitta, don’t know how the coffeemaker fares, but a good friend’s family owns several Greek restaurants and they swear by Melitta-brand coffees. </p>
<p>My husband has tried many, many machines and methods, and he claims the Keurig makes the best tasting coffee. He says what makes this machine superior is also the fact that the K-cups are produced by many, many coffee and tea manufacturers. Many single-serve coffeemakers only use their own product. With such a wide variety of choices, a consumer is bound to find something they love.</p>
<p>Thanks to all for the wonderful suggestions. DH always does extensive research and then we have to look at and touch the actual item to “see how it feels”. Y’all have shared some great information. Now, sit down and enjoy a good cup of coffee … or tea, or a cola. :)</p>
<p>Don’t forget the Mr. Coffee 4 cup maker- cheap and uses regular coffee, you can buy many different brands and kinds and make just enough for one; I don’t drink coffee so we downsized for husband, he likes it.</p>
<p>My college sophomore asked for a coffee maker for Christmas. I got him a Mr. Coffee 4-cupper. Very inexpensive and low tech. By the time he realizes he’ll need to keep milk, sugar, coffee, and filters in his room, and keep the carafe clean, he may decide to just get his coffee in the caf. I went with the 4-cup so as not to encourage too much caffeine intake.</p>