!8: Coffee Makers Senseo Grand Sale: November 2011

!±8± Senseo Single Serve Pod Coffee Maker Review (a Bust)

I got the Senseo single serve pod maker about 3 weeks ago. I tried it soon after (within a few hours) and have avoided the issue ever since.

The machine was easy enough to use. Clean the machine by filling the reservoir in the back with cold water and using the 2 cup brew setting once the unit has heated the water. You're set once that is done.

The unit came with one bag of medium roast pods (there was the first mistake :: medium roast) and you have the option to either use the one pod or two pod holder. First off, you'd better get the pod/s in exactly perfect or you're going to have a big mess to clean up when you try to brew. The water will leak profusely from around the pod holder. And if you do not want water running all over your counter, you had better make certain to empty the reservoir before you put it away and slide it back under the counter.

A major complaint that I have is the amount of coffee it brews. One cup... ok. It definitely means one cup. Like, about 3 ounces. The one cup setting fills my demitasse cup. I have to use two pods for that too. The coffee is weak and watered down. I'm up the river without a paddle if I want a two cup serving with using only two pods. No more than two will fit in the 2 pod holder. That will nearly fill a 6 ounce cappuccino cup. I'm more serious than that about my coffee drinking.

Clean up is simple. Wipe it down. Make sure the catch tray is empty. Pour out remaining water from the reservoir and you can even run the parts through the dishwasher if you prefer.

The coffee pods. That may be most of the problem. The coffee tastes old and stale. Almost as if it were ground some years ago. I know that sounds harsh but you do not even get a fresh ground scent once you open the bag holding the pods. I went so far as to go out and buy more of them just incase it was a fluke. No, it was not an isolated incident. Sadly.

I did cut the edge from one of the pods. Empty the contents and replace it with a bit of fresh grind Ethiopian. Aside from the small amount that it brewed, (on the single cup cycle) the taste was great. Fresh and even though I find the froth the machine produces to be bogus, all in all the replacement was a huge improvement. Maybe the machine would be more successful if they found a better coffee company to produce the pods.

Overall: I do not recommend the Senseo single serve pod coffee maker. You can do much better. It will cost you quite a bit more to step up but you will not regret it in the long run. If you enjoy a small amount of weak coffee, then this one is for you.

They charge you about .00 for this unit.

Their claims:

Each cup is perfectly brewed and topped with a rich, frothy coffee layer
Quick and easy one touch brewing system brews a cup in 30 seconds.
Convenient, no worry auto shutoff after 1 hour
Clean up is simple with dishwasher safe removable parts
1450 watts of power