This review is for:
Famiworths Single Serve Coffee Maker for K Cup & Ground Coffee,
With Bold Brew, One Cup Coffee Maker, 6 to 14 oz. Brew Sizes,
Fits Travel Mug, Classic Black -- (Amazon Item: B0BC8PYLQC)
==================================================
BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)
This turned into a long review so I'll summarize it here:
* I'm happy with the machine and if asked, would recommend it to friends and family. And you. *
---------------------------------
• MY EXPERIENCE
For many years I used a (carafe-type) Keurig coffee machine along with a third-party Eco-Carafe filter so I could use my own choice of loose grounds. That combination also allowed me to use over twice the amount of grounds found in a K-cup, making for a very strong single cup of coffee. When the Keurig machine died I started using an Aeropress, which makes an excellent cup of coffee. I'd recommend the Aeropress to anyone who enjoys their coffee and wants a full-flavored cup. Although I very much like my Aeropress I switch back and forth between it and this machine when I want a cup of brewed coffee faster or with a little less fuss.
That brings me to this Famiworths Single Serve Coffee Maker. I've been using this machine along with my Aeropress for several months and am happy with the purchase. On most days I make my first cup of coffee with the Aeropress and make any subsequent cups with the Famiworths machine. There's a distinct difference in flavor between the coffee produced by these machines. Coffee from the Aeropress is similar to that produced by a French Press, and allows you to let the grounds steep to your liking. Using the same amount of grounds, I've found the Famiworths makes A DARNED GOOD CUP OF COFFEE but does not extract quite as much flavor as the Aeropress. However, I expected that as the grounds spend much more time in contact with the hot water when using the Aeropress.
• OPERATION & POINTS OF INTEREST:
1. As stated, the Famisworths brewer does not extract as much flavor as the Aeropress but it's pretty darned good - and since I use my own favorite grounds, it produces coffee at least 2 heads and 4 shoulders above any Keurig-type pod-only brewer you'll find.
2. It has a very small footprint, so occupies minimal counter space in my small kitchen.
3. I have a collection of short to tall coffee mugs and travel mugs, and all of them easily fit under the brew basket of this machine.
4. The water reservoir is emptied each time a brewing cycle is completed. So, the water reservoir should be filled according to how much coffee you want to brew. There are measurements inside the reservoir so you know how much water you have poured in.
5. To brew your cup of coffee, there are two interchangeable... 'modules' I'll call them. First, there's a removable filter basket to hold your loose grounds. The other module is a removable K-cup holder. Both work well for their intended purpose.
6. The filter basket has a 'maximum' line marked inside. I found that 2.5 rounded Tbsp of grounds just about reaches that line, and is what I use for a 14 oz. cup of coffee.
7. It's simple to operate. Just add a pod or coffee grounds, add water, then press one of the brew buttons.
8. There are two brew buttons. One is labeled 'Regular' and the other button is labeled 'Bold'. The difference between them is how fast water is pumped through the grounds.
9. What happens when one of the brewing buttons is pressed (14 oz. water in the reservoir):
a.) When pressing the Regular button -
Water is pumped through the grounds at a steady rate until the water reservoir is emptied.
0:00-3:10 - Water in reservoir is heated
3:10-4:13 - Heated water is pumped at regular speed until the reservoir is emptied
b.) When pressing the Bold button -
Water is pumped through the grounds at perhaps half speed for about 45 seconds before switching to regular speed until the reservoir is emptied.
0:00-3:10 - Water in reservoir is heated
3:10-3:55 - Heated water is pumped at slow speed
3:55-4:45 - The remainder of the heated water is pumped at regular speed until the reservoir is emptied
10. Button Lights -
The two buttons are located on the side and are situated vertically, with the Regular button situated above the Bold button.
- One White Button: When either button is pressed to start a brew cycle, that button will flash while the water is heated, stop flashing but stay lit while water is being pumped, and turn off when the brew cycle is completed.
- Two White Buttons Flashing at the Same Time: Indicates the coffee grounds chamber lid is open.
- Two Buttons Flashing Red Alternately: This occurs every 150 brew cycles and serves as a descaling reminder. The buttons will continue to flash whenever the brewer is plugged in - until a descaling cycle is run.
11.Descaling -
- Pour 14 oz. of descaling solution into the water reservoir.
- Press both brew buttons for 2 seconds to start the descaling process.
- After the descaling process is completed - Run 14 oz. of plain water through the brewer (3) times to ensure all of the descaling solution is removed.
=====================================
• TIPS TO CONSIDER:
1. Reducing splatter during the brew cycle
If you've previously owned a drip coffee maker you know that dropping a small stream of coffee into a cup results in accumulating coffee splatter on the front of the brewer. I found that a small can of tuna fits nicely in the depression of the drip tray of this brewer, and that will raise my coffee mugs enough to reduce splatter.
Also, the shape of the tuna can bottom prevents it from easily sliding around or off of the drip tray. And the lip on top keeps the mugs from sliding off. (All of my mugs fit inside the raised ring on top of the can.) It's almost a perfect solution, but I may remove the label and spray paint the can black in the near future.
2. Containing drips and splatter after the brewing cycle has completed
From what I understand all K-cup brewers follow the Keurig design of pushing air through the K-cup at the end of the brewing cycle. The air helps to push out the last few drops of water from the K-cup, as well as helping to clear and dry the needle and other parts. This brewer is no exception, ending every brew cycle with a short period of forced air. That works great for K-cups but has little to no effect when you're using the brewing basket for loose grounds. So like all drip coffee makers, occasional drops of water will continue dripping from the grounds for several seconds after completion of a brewing cycle. I never use K-cups and usually switch out the full cup of coffee with an empty cup to catch those last few drops. This prevents the drops from hitting the drip tray and producing a light splatter.
At the end of the brew cycle I also open the front lid and bounce the coffee filter up and down a few times to help the last of the drops to pass through the grounds.
3. Simplifying the task of adding water to the reservoir
I'm over 6 ft. tall but I still got annoyed at having to lean over the top of the brewer - peering into the water reservoir to see how much water was in the reservoir - every time I wanted a cup of coffee. To eliminate this small annoyance I marked a plastic water bottle with a 14oz line so I can measure the water out of the tap and then blindly pour it into the reservoir.
=====================================
• OBSERVATIONS:
As stated above, I like and recommend this coffee maker, but here are some additional observations that may be of interest to you.
1. Third-party baskets for loose grounds won't fit.
I love my stainless steel Ekobrew reusable filter which fit two Keurig machines I've used previously, but it will not fit in this machine.
Why? On the module that accommodates K-cups, the sharp needle that pierces the K-cup tops is not in the 'standard' center position, which (as far as I'm aware) prevents the use of all after-market reusable filters/baskets for K-cup machines.
2. Errant flavor
Comparing the flavor of coffee brewed in my Aeropress to coffee from this machine, there's more to the story than just how long the grounds are steeped. There's something else subtle in the flavor - and I think it's the very faint taste of plastic. Either I'm becoming accustomed to the subtle flavor, or it's slowly dissipating. I believe it's the latter. Keep in mind that since it's subtle and I can't definitively identify the rogue flavor, I could be wrong as to the source.
* UPDATE, One month later
After daily use that faint errant flavor has disappeared.
3. BPA FREE (I didn't base my purchase on BPA content, but just wanted to check.)
Based on responses to posted questions, the product description used to state the machine is BPA-free but I could not find that info on the product page. It seems the product materials have changed, and to ensure the brewer is still BPA free I sent an email to the seller/mfr. Here is part of their response:
"All plastic parts in contact with food are free of BPA and other toxic chemicals."
Based on that response it's reasonable to assume there is BPA in some of the brewer's plastic, but not in any of the plastic that contacts water or coffee grounds. But since every bit of plastic on this brewer appears to be the same material, I'd feel better if their response was more detailed and that the BPA-free claim was still part of their public product description and specifications.
4. Auto Shutoff for an Empty Water Reservoir
Like most coffee drinkers, I sometimes make coffee when I'm half asleep. And in those instances I have very occasionally forgotten to add water to the water reservoir. So I asked the seller if there is an auto-shutoff to protect the heating coils when no water is present in the reservoir. The response I received seems to indicate there is indeed an auto disconnect to protect heating coils when no water is present. Still, I wouldn't want to make a habit of testing this fail-safe feature. Here is the seller's full response:
"Our unit working in the state of no water 15-40S temperature controller will be disconnected, the heat pipe will no longer continue to heat. After the temperature of the thermostat returns to normal, the user adds water and starts the machine again, and can continue to work."
Famiworths Mini Coffee Maker Single Serve, Instant One Cup for K Cup & Ground Coffee, 6 to 12 Oz Brew Sizes, Capsule Coffee M
4.1 | 9,895 ratings
Price: 37.99
Last update: 07-13-2024
About this item
2 Way Coffee Maker for Pod and Grounds: This single brew coffee maker comes with a K-pod holder and a permanent filter, giving you two options for brewing coffee either using standard American coffee pods or using up to 20g of freshly ground coffee. The brew basket with a stained steel filter net makes it reusable and longer lasting. Best of all, the accessories, including the brew basket and capsule holder, are dishwasher safe.
Water Level Indicator & Multiple Brew Sizes – Equipped with a clear water window that displays measurements from 6 to 12 oz, this single cup coffee maker makes it easy to fill the water reservoir to the desired level for a smoother experience. Featuring a matte surface and BPA-free materials, the individual coffee brewer is not only safe, but also sleek and modern.
2-Mins Instant Brew Technology & 1-Button Operation – Requiring no complex processes, this personal coffee maker quickly brews a cup (12 oz) of coffee in just 2 minutes with the push of 1 button. Fast but hot, the coffee temperature reaches up to 180°F, allowing you to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee every busy morning.
Easy to Carry Mini Coffee Maker: The compact design of this small coffee maker (4.3" D x 7.8" W x 9.4" H) makes it is well-suited for small places like RVs, offices, dorm rooms and small apartments. The conveniently small size of this portable coffee maker allows you to travel with it and enjoy a cup of homemade coffee anywhere.
Descaling Reminder & Self-Cleaning: When the drip coffee machine needs to be cleaned, the built-in descaling reminder will alert you by lighting up red. Simply add some descaling solution and press the buttons for 2 seconds, and the single coffee brewer will start the cleaning process. This feature can avoid clogging problems and effectively prolong the life of this k pod coffee maker.
Usage tips: For the first use, run a brew cycle with just water, without adding coffee. This will help clean the 1 cup coffee maker and better extract the essence of the coffee. It can ONLY be used under US standard voltage 110V-120V, a voltage converter is needed if used in other countries.
NOTE: 1) It is essential to use genuine, non-expired K-pod capsules. 2) Before using the product, check the puncturing needle of the capsule holder. If coffee grounds blockage is observed, it can be cleaned using a needle. 3) Prior to brewing coffee, inspect the top cover of the coffee maker to ensure it is securely closed and latched before initiating the coffee brewing process.
Water Level Indicator & Multiple Brew Sizes – Equipped with a clear water window that displays measurements from 6 to 12 oz, this single cup coffee maker makes it easy to fill the water reservoir to the desired level for a smoother experience. Featuring a matte surface and BPA-free materials, the individual coffee brewer is not only safe, but also sleek and modern.
2-Mins Instant Brew Technology & 1-Button Operation – Requiring no complex processes, this personal coffee maker quickly brews a cup (12 oz) of coffee in just 2 minutes with the push of 1 button. Fast but hot, the coffee temperature reaches up to 180°F, allowing you to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee every busy morning.
Easy to Carry Mini Coffee Maker: The compact design of this small coffee maker (4.3" D x 7.8" W x 9.4" H) makes it is well-suited for small places like RVs, offices, dorm rooms and small apartments. The conveniently small size of this portable coffee maker allows you to travel with it and enjoy a cup of homemade coffee anywhere.
Descaling Reminder & Self-Cleaning: When the drip coffee machine needs to be cleaned, the built-in descaling reminder will alert you by lighting up red. Simply add some descaling solution and press the buttons for 2 seconds, and the single coffee brewer will start the cleaning process. This feature can avoid clogging problems and effectively prolong the life of this k pod coffee maker.
Usage tips: For the first use, run a brew cycle with just water, without adding coffee. This will help clean the 1 cup coffee maker and better extract the essence of the coffee. It can ONLY be used under US standard voltage 110V-120V, a voltage converter is needed if used in other countries.
NOTE: 1) It is essential to use genuine, non-expired K-pod capsules. 2) Before using the product, check the puncturing needle of the capsule holder. If coffee grounds blockage is observed, it can be cleaned using a needle. 3) Prior to brewing coffee, inspect the top cover of the coffee maker to ensure it is securely closed and latched before initiating the coffee brewing process.
Product information
| Brand | Famiworths |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 12 ounces |
| Color | Black |
| Product Dimensions | 7.79"D x 4.33"W x 9.48"H |
| Special Feature | Auto Shut-Off, Auto Clean Function, Permanent Filter |
| Coffee Maker Type | Drip Coffee Machine |
| Material | Stainless Steel, Plastic |
| Filter Type | Reusable |
| Style | Mini |
| Specific Uses For Product | K-pod, Ground Coffee |
| Recommended Uses For Product | Portable use, Office use, Dorm room use, Traveling |
| Item Weight | 2.2 Pounds |
| Exterior Finish | Matte |
| Included Components | Filter |
| Operation Mode | Fully Automatic |
| Wattage | 1000 watts |
| Voltage | 120 Volts |
| Model Name | Coffee Maker |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Human Interface Input | Buttons |
| Item Weight | 2.2 pounds |
| ASIN | B0BV33R2C7 |
| Item model number | 2 |
| Customer Reviews |
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars
9,067 ratings
4.1 out of 5 stars |
| Best Sellers Rank | #661 in Home & Kitchen (See Top 100 in Home & Kitchen) #3 in Single-Serve Brewers |
| Date First Available | May 18, 2023 |
Top reviews from the United States
J Grant
Small Footprint, Easy to Use, Great Cup of Coffee
Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2023Will Zhang
One of the best coffee machine I have ever used.
Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2024
Will Zhang
Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2024
The intuitive controls and simple interface make it easy to brew a perfect cup of coffee every time. Despite its small size, the machine delivers rich, flavorful coffee at just the right temperature. Cleaning is straightforward, and maintenance is minimal. Overall, this coffee machine is perfect for anyone seeking a compact, easy-to-use, and efficient coffee maker!
Images in this review
Bernadette Vines
The perfect size, the perfect cup
Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2023
Bernadette Vines
Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2023
I love my mini so much I had to come back to do an update on cleaning.
My red light finally came on so I ordered my descaler pods to clean the machine. The most important thing to remember is HOLD THE POWER BUTTON FOR 2-3 SECONDS to start the cleaning process. If you don’t do this, you’re just brewing the cleaning solution. I figured this out on my second pod because the red light didn’t go off once brewing stopped. Second pod, I saw the light go off. Both the red light and the power button will flash during the cleaning process.
I’ve seen some scary comments but I live alone so only my hands touch the pot and I’ve had absolutely no trouble what so ever. I’m about to start a new job and if I have my own office, I’ll definitely have one of these there for hot coffee, tea, cider, or just hot water.
I couldn’t be happier with this purchase.
My old coffee pot died and I was desperate need of a new one. I’m not very impressed by the pods because I get tired of having to empty other people’s ’leftovers’. It’s not hot people, empty your pod when you’re done! However, after seeing some of the flavors of coffees, teas, hot chocolate, and even cider, how could I not become excited. Then when I saw I can get a dual function pot why not.
It fits perfectly in my coffee station I’ve set up at home. Now I can continue to use the rest of my ground coffees try some pods as well.
The coffee is made quickly and the pots shuts itself off. The coffee/beverage is good and hot.
I love that there’s a window on the outside to see the water level.
I love that the power button is on the top making very easy to reach.
It is very light weight if I needed to move it around.
The only con is that there is no hot plate to keep the brewed drink hot. If you get caught up and don’t have the coffee right then, you have to reheat it or brew another cup.
The only other con, remove the pod before you remove the cup. If not the last few drops will drip down on the plate. It’s easy enough to wipe away so not a big deal.
I haven’t had to to descale yet so I can’t speak on cleaning.
I definitely would recommend and gift this product.
Images in this review
