Keurig 2.0 vs. Hamilton Beach FlexBrew

This Christmas I asked for a Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Coffee Maker … and I wish I hadn’t.

I was so excited to get this coffee maker for one reason: its versatility.  It brews a 12 cup carafe with regular grounds, a single cup with regular grounds, and a single cup using Keurig K-Cups.  It was perfect for when I have a number of people over, and for when it’s just me drinking one cup.  I was so looking forward to showing it off during our annual New Year’s Eve bash.

Instead, I discovered that the FlexBrew has a serious technical issue going on.  The coffee it brews tastes like melted plastic.  I wish I were exaggerating, but I’m not.  It’s nasty.

I flushed the brewer through several times according the instructions, and the taste didn’t go away.  I looked it up online and found out that this wasn’t an isolated experience – many people have found the exact same thing when it comes to using the HB FlexBrew.  I could have used one of the many diy cleaning options that were “supposed to” get rid of the awful taste, but I couldn’t bring myself to go to that much trouble for a coffee maker that shouldn’t even have this issue.  So, I took it back.

Instead, I bought the Keurig 2.0 K200.  The difference is night and day.  I bought a Thermal Carafe separately, and had to buy a Soloclip so that I could use older k-cups with the K200, but it was very much worth it.  Take a look at my review in this video:

Here’s a comparison of the two machines:

Hamilton Beach FlexBrew

• 12 cup carafe
• single serving size using regular grounds
• single serving size using k-cups
• programmable timer with 2 hour auto shut-off
• Pause and Serve on carafe side
• coffee tastes like plastic

Keurig 2.0 K200

• 4-5 cup carafe (not included)
• single serving size using k-cups
• using reusable k-cup, can use regular grounds (not included)
• touch screen
• 40 oz. reservoir
• coffee tastes great

We had a blast using the Keurig for our New Year’s Eve Coffee Bar!  It made wonderful coffee, hot chocolate and even tea.

 

Have you ever had a bad experience with an appliance?  What did you do?