While I thank the heavens for the existence of Keurig and K-Cup pods, I still understand the pains they can bring. For one, you might have a favorite coffee brand, but it may not be available in K-Cups. But then, we all know that the more coffee you need in a day, the cost may pile up.
Did you know that Keurig sold more than nine billion K-cup pods in 2015 alone? 29.9 percent market share for Keurig in 2017. On top of that, in 2019, 42 percent of consumers in the United States owned a single-cup coffee brewing system. While there are no new reports on how many K-cups were sold recently, you can imagine the exponential growth.
That doesn’t even include the pod’s other companies sell. Imagine the blow that is caused by our environment. It takes 150 to 500 years for a single pod to break down in a landfill. But fortunately, a solution is here now in the form of refillable K-Cup pods.
A refillable K-Cup pod is a reusable pod where you can put your favorite coffee grounds to brew them in your Keurig. To do so, throw in your coffee grounds, ideally in the medium grind, and brew your cup as usual. It’s extremely easy to use! Here’s our article on how much coffee to put in a reusable K-Cup.
Best of the best reusable Keurig pods
There are different reusable Keurig pods out there. Check our list because you might find the one for you!
Keurig My K-Cup Reusable Coffee Filter
Keurig released this as their official reusable filter for their classic machines, so this wasn’t made for Keurig 2.0. The filter has three primary parts: the filter mesh, filter hold, and lid. This is ideal for brewing 12-oz cup size.
EkoBrew Refillable K-Cup
This reusable filter from EkoBrew is a single piece with an attached lid. The build is made of BPA-free plastic with a micro-mesh stainless steel filter and is compatible with most Keurig models.
Froz-Cup 2.0 K-Cups
Froz-Cup 2.0 K-Cups were made for Keurig 2.0 brewers. Like the previous filter, this one’s also made of BPA-free plastic with a stainless-steel micro-mesh filter. It comes in a 4-pack filter set and works well for brewing coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.
Fill N Save K-Carafe Reusable Filters
This filter from Fill N Save is a Keurig 2.0-compatible and works best for brewing a whole carafe. It comes in a 2-pack set.
Fill N Save Elite Stainless K-Cup Filters
Another one from Fill N Save is a stainless steel option making this an extremely durable filter. Because of its material, this can produce hotter coffee than plastic filters.
Maxware Reusable Coffee Filters
Maxware’s reusable coffee filters come in a set of two and are our recommended option if you like your coffee strong since they can house more grounds than others. You can also use it for other beverages such as teas and hot chocolate. The mesh is metallic in build, and coarsely ground coffee works best to produce the best possible taste. However, this is not dishwasher-safe. Some also complained about these being flimsy and leak-prone.
Keurig My K-Cup Universal Reusable K-Cup Pod Coffee Filter
This one from Keurig is compatible with all Keurig home coffee makers. You can brew normal cup sizes or travel mugs with the help of the two fill lines that act as indicators. The filter is BPA-free and sturdy, yet it is reasonably priced. But, it takes quite a learning curve to fit this into smaller brewers such as the K-Mini.
Goodcups 7 Reusable Rainbow Colors
This is a set of 7 vibrant rainbow-colored reusable filters to brighten your day. It has a stainless steel micro-mesh and a hinged lid for easy storage. It is also leak-proof due to the O-rings found in the lid. Plus, it is 100% BPA-free, so you’re sure it’s safe.
Need filters for your reusable K-Cups?
Why should you use reusable K-Cups?
Waste reduction
Again and again, this should be enough reason to ditch the single-use K-Cup pods. Imagine the impact we can make on our environment with this one thoughtful switch.
Save money
When the cost of single-use pods piles up over time, you will spend more money. This is especially true if you need more cups than one per day. Having to keep restocking K-Cups is not cost-effective. K-Cups cost 4 times more than ground coffee of the same brand. Imagine that.
Better coffee
Utilizing single-use pods limits your options. Plus, grounds in pods tend to lose their freshness because they were pre-ground months or years before. With reusable pods, you can grind your coffee to ensure its freshness and delicious taste. Also, with reusable pods, you can easily brew your favorite single-origin coffee or higher-quality beans and save more money.
Buyer’s guide
While Keurig invented the first K-cups, other coffee machine companies immediately followed suit. Coffee roasters began producing their own Keurig-compatible K-cups, often known as pods. Reusable K-cup manufacturers aim to make their goods compatible with as many coffee machines as possible.
The capacity, materials, and accessories of reusable K-cups differ, among other things. Therefore, when purchasing reusable K-cups, keep the following characteristics and aspects in mind.
Capacity
Reusable K-cups generally carry 2 teaspoons to 2 tablespoons of ground coffee, which is adequate for a single serving. Different fill lines are available on some K-cups, allowing you to brew different-sized cups of coffee. However, 2 teaspoons are the norm for an average 8-ounce portion.
Remember that overfilling a reusable K-cup might result in weaker coffee since the water cannot penetrate the grounds as deeply to release as much flavor.
Mesh dimensions
The coarseness or fineness of the grind and the flavor of the coffee are affected by the K-cup’s mesh size. A finer mesh produces a richer taste when combined with finer grinds. A finer mesh also performs better at keeping the grounds out of the coffee.
Beyond mesh size, various other elements, including grind, extraction time, extraction temperatures, and the coffee itself, influence the final flavor.
Material
Stainless steel and plastic are used to make K-cups. To reduce exposure to harmful chemicals, look for BPA-free and eco-friendly plastic products. The most significant change is in the stainless steel to plastic ratio.
The lid and frame of certain variants are made of plastic, while the K-cup’s basket is constructed of stainless steel mesh. Instead of stainless steel mesh, some use a stainless steel basket with perforated holes.
Accessories
Accessories, like paper filters or a coffee scoop, are occasionally included with reusable K-cups. Paper filters keep the grounds out of the coffee, and a scoop enables perfect measurement.
Compatibility
Keurig launched the K-cup fad. However, not all reusable K-cups are compatible with all Keurig models. Even within the same manufacturer, certain reusable K-cups designed for one machine may not fit another.
FAQs
Are filters required for reusable K-cups?
There is no need for paper filters. However, depending on the coffee’s fine, putting a paper filter in some reusable K-cups may yield superior results since the filters can prevent grounds from penetrating the final brew.
Is there a limit to how many times I can use a reusable K-cup?
Reusable K-cups are extremely durable, lasting many months or even a year with regular usage.
Is it worthwhile to invest in reusable K-cups?
You’re certainly aware that Keurig offers its own reusable My K-Cup, but other choices in a similar price range are worth exploring. They’ll bring your favorite coffee beans to life in Keurig’s trademark short brewing time, and a reusable K-cup is a sustainable, environmentally responsible option for making your favorite coffee.
You may play around with different bean types and grind sizes. However, it may take some practice to make a delightful, out-of-the-ordinary cup of coffee regularly. Although reusable K-cups are more expensive than disposable K-cups, you will save money in the long run since you will not need to buy additional K-cups.
When you utilize reusable K-cups, you will reduce coffee waste. In addition, after each usage, they’re a breeze to clean.
Is filtered water acceptable?
It is advised that you use filtered water to optimize the production of your Keurig. Although tap water is drinkable, it is frequently unsuitable for making coffee. For example, the pH may be too high, resulting in flat-tasting coffee, or the salt level may be in excess.
What is the best way to clean a reusable k-cup holder?
The reusable cup is simple to clean. The cup may be washed in the top rack of the dishwasher. That is how you can clean it. First, we clean the holder with warm soapy water and brush the filter mesh holder after emptying the coffee grinds. After that, we rinse it under cold fresh water and hang it to dry for the next time.
Finally
We truly urge you to avail these reusable pods and ditch the single-use capsules for good. We cannot stress enough how much you’ll be helping our environment and how much money you’ll be able to save in the long run. It truly is a no-brainer!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using these links. Remember to support us by purchasing through the Amazon/Walmart/Impact Radius links provided. Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Disclosure: No compensation or free products were received in exchange for writing this review.
Editorial Staff
The editorial staff at Crazy Coffee Crave is a team of coffee enthusiasts & Baristas who enjoy the one thing we all think about as soon as we get up in the morning. Trusted by thousands of readers worldwide.
