How much coffee to put into reusable k cup

Keurig revolutionized the coffee industry with its single-serve K cups, but this brewing breakthrough has led to serious ecological concerns. While plenty of people are attracted to enjoying a cup of coffee in seconds, some object to the environmental impact of all that plastic waste.

The solution? Reusable K cups are made of varying percentages of plastic and stainless steel with slight design variations that could appeal to your personal brewing style. Read on to learn what to look for in these eco-friendly products and why the following are considered among the best reusable K cups you can buy.

1. BEST OVERALL: iPartsPlusMore Reusable K Cups for Keurig 2.0 & 1.0
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Perfect Pod Cafe Save Reusable K Cup Pod
3. BEST MULTIPLE BREW SIZE: Keurig My K-Cup Universal Reusable K-Cup Pod
4. BEST NON-MESH: Cafe Flow Stainless Steel Reusable K Cup
5. BEST BUNDLE: Cafe Fill Value Pack by Perfect Pod
6. EASIEST TO FIT: Delibru Reusable K Cups for Keurig 2.0 & 1.0
7. EASIEST TO CLEAN: Maxware 4 Reusable Refillable Coffee Filters

Before You Buy Reusable K Cups

Standard disposable K cups are made of plastic and foil, and are single use. Once placed in the chamber of the machine, small needles perforate the foil lid and plastic bottom of the pod, allowing hot, pressurized water to go in and brewed coffee to come out. Empty pods are tossed in the trash—convenient, but not a very eco-friendly practice.

While Keurig created the original K cups, other coffee machine manufacturers quickly developed their own. Coffee makers also started making their own Keurig-compatible K cups, sometimes referred to as pods. Today, makers of reusable K cups strive to make their products compatible with as many coffee machine models as possible. Although, some coffee maker brands may not be compatible with these eco-friendly cups.

Reusable K cups must be filled with ground coffee before inserting them into the machine. A bit more work, but once a reusable K cup is filled it offers the same single-serve convenience and gives each user the opportunity to make their favorite blend. Properly cared for reusable K cups can last for years, depending on how often they’re used and whether you opt to hand-wash or use a dishwasher.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Reusable K Cup

Reusable K cups vary in their capacities, materials, and accessories, among other aspects. Keep the following features and factors in mind when choosing reusable K cups.

Capacity

Reusable K cups generally hold 2 teaspoons to 2 tablespoons of ground coffee, enough for a single serving. Some K cups offer different fill lines, so you can brew different-sized cups of coffee. However, the standard for a typical 8-ounce serving is around 2 teaspoons.

Just don’t be fooled into thinking that the more grounds you can fit in the K cup, the stronger the coffee. In fact, overfilling a reusable K cup can actually lead to weaker coffee because the water cannot penetrate the grounds to release as much flavor. It can also cause a big, wet —literally—hot mess.

Material

K cups are made of stainless steel and plastic. Look for plastic models that are BPA-free and eco-friendly to avoid exposure to unwanted chemicals.

The greatest variation comes in the percentage of stainless steel to plastic. Some models have a lid and frame made of plastic with stainless steel mesh in the K cup’s basket. Others comprise a stainless steel basket with perforated holes rather than stainless steel mesh. Though these models do have a partially plastic lid, they are more metal than plastic. Either kind, whether mostly metal or mostly plastic, can work well.

Models with stainless steel baskets cost more, but they withstand the heat of dishwashers better than the models with a higher plastic content. However, either type can last for years, especially if they’re gently hand-washed.

The coffee machine also plays a significant role in how well the K cups work; some stainless steel basket cups simply fit better into certain machines. Reusable K cup manufacturers usually list the machines with which their products are compatible, increasing the chances of optimum performance.

Mesh Size

The mesh size of the K cup affects the grind—coarse or fine—and ultimately the flavor of the coffee.

• A fine mesh works with finer grounds, resulting in a stronger flavor. A finer mesh also does a better job of preventing grounds from getting into the coffee.
• A wide mesh works well with coarse grinds and coffee machines with longer extraction times. A coarse grind requires more time for the water to penetrate the grinds and extract the full flavor. A machine with a shorter extraction time would require a finer grind. Consequently, the choice of mesh size comes down to the machine being used. For a standard generic coffee machine, a medium grind works well, but a fine to medium-size mesh would also be appropriate.

The final flavor still depends on a number of factors beyond mesh size, including grind, extraction time, extraction temperatures, and the coffee itself. Making the perfect brew takes a bit of practice, no matter the K cup’s mesh size. However, if you already know your preferred roast and grind, you can get a mesh size that complements it.

For example, if the machine has a short extraction time, choose your favorite dark roast coffee or espresso beans, as these offer better flavor in shorter extraction times, and pair with a reusable K cup with a fine mesh. The fine grind combined with the fine mesh keeps grounds out of the coffee and still extracts the right amount of flavor. In this case, the result is closer to espresso in flavor than a traditional cup of coffee.

Accessories

Reusable K cups sometimes come with accessories, most often paper filters or a coffee scoop. Paper filters prevent grounds from sneaking into the coffee, while a scoop allows for precise measuring. Keep in mind that while neither paper filters or a coffee scoop is necessary, reusable K cup bundles that include these extra accessories may offer a better bang for the buck.

Compatibility

Keurig started the K cup craze. However, even among Keurig models, not all reusable K cups fit every machine. In fact, even among a single manufacturer, some reusable K cups that work with one machine may not fit another. Reusable K cup manufacturers list the machines with which their cups are compatible. Check this list carefully to prevent a package of reusable K cups that don’t work with your machine.

Our Top Picks

Whether you are looking for a more sustainable way to make coffee at home or need a gift for your favorite coffee-lover, the reusable K cups on this list fit a wide range of coffee machines. They are all easy to use and have excellent durability.

Our Verdict

For most standard K-cup coffee makers, we recommend the iPartsPlusMore reusable K cups. These BPA-free cups are suitable for a standard-size cup of coffee with a 2-teaspoon capacity and there are 4 cups included with purchase. Alternatively, for a budget-friendly option, the 6 Perfect Pod Cafe K cups will last for years to come and have a recessed design for easy brewing.

How We Chose the Best Reusable K Cups

We researched the most sought-after reusable K cups in their respective categories and discovered that the best options are determined by their quantity, capacity, materials, mesh size, and other special features included by select brands.

To ensure our list included the best reusable coffee pods on the market, we included options that include 1 to 6 K cups per order to ensure your coffee maker is covered for years to come. Each of the options included in our list makes a standard cup of coffee with a 2 teaspoon capacity, while select options can make larger coffees with a 3- or 4-teaspoon volume.

All of the above reusable K cup pods are made with BPA-free plastic and fine-mesh stainless steel for durability, safety, and proper filtration. Plus, each can be put in the dishwasher for easy clean-up. As for special features, select K cups included above are made with recessed bottoms, thumb-controlled lids, and compatibility with Keurig coffee makers as well as other brands.

FAQs

Reusable K cups are better for the environment yet still offer fast, convenient, single-serve coffee. If you’re new to reusable K cups and want more info, read on for the answers to some common questions.

Q: Can you use any coffee in a reusable K cup?

Unlike standard K cups, reusable K cups can be filled with any coffee you want.

Q: How much coffee should I put in a reusable K cup?

Reusable K cups generally hold 2 teaspoons to 2 tablespoons of ground coffee. Some models have more than one fill line to offer two cup size options. However, these varieties are usually only for specific machines.

Q: Do you need filters for reusable K cups?

Paper filters aren’t required. But depending on how fine the coffee is ground, you may have better results using a paper filter in some reusable K cups, as the filters can keep grounds from infiltrating the resulting brew.

Q: How do you get grounds out of reusable K cups?

It is not uncommon for coffee grounds to get stuck in the nooks and crannies of a reusable K cup. Sometimes, these grounds can’t even be removed in the dishwasher. So, there are a few things you can do to get them out.

1. When your K cup is dry and cool, flip it upside down over a sink or garbage can and tap the bottom with a spoon to release any loose grounds stuck in the plastic and mesh. If your K cup has multiple compartments or filters, clear each out this way individually.
2. For smaller grounds that are stuck, rinse the K cup upside down in warm water. If your K cup’s filter is sealable with a plastic cover, insert the filter into the plastic casing, fill with warm water, and shake to release any stuck-on coffee grounds. Then, empty out and clean the interior of the filter and the plastic covering with a paper towel or cloth.

Q: How many times can I use a reusable K cup?

Reusable K cups have excellent durability, offering months’—and potentially years’—worth of use.

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