Instant Pot 140-6013-01 Espresso coffee machine: Full Review

The Instant Pot Single Serve coffee maker is one of the latest models in Instant Pot's lineup of multicookers with a coffee brewing function. This model comes with 7 preset programs designed to brew different types of coffee and tea beverages. With its compact design and versatile brewing options, the Instant Pot coffee maker aims to provide an affordable and convenient single serve brewing solution for homes and offices.

Unlike typical single serve coffee makers that use coffee pods, the Instant Pot model brews both ground coffee and loose leaf tea. It has a 14 oz water reservoir capacity and is compatible with K-cup pods as well as reusable coffee and tea pods. The coffee maker can brew a cup under 3 minutes and has adjustable brew size and strength settings. Overall, the Instant Pot single serve coffee maker brings speed and flexibility to manual brewing.

Design

The Instant Pot Single Serve has a sleek, modern appearance that will look great on any kitchen countertop. It has a rounded square shape with smooth curves and measures 10.24 x 7.87 x 10.24 inches. The Single Serve comes in both black stainless steel and silver stainless steel color options, featuring a glossy metallic exterior with black accents.

The top of the machine has a large circular opening for inserting the single serve pod, surrounded by a plastic cover that flips up for access. There are also two dials on the front - one for selecting the cup size and another for choosing the brewing temperature. The dials have a clean, minimalist look that matches the aesthetic of the machine.

On the side is a dispensing nozzle and tray that can accommodate mugs or cups up to 7 inches tall. Despite its small footprint, the Single Serve has a substantial feel thanks to its durable stainless steel housing. The design gives it the versatility to blend into a contemporary or more traditional kitchen decor.

What Features Does the Instant Pot Single Serve Coffee Maker Offer?

The Instant Pot Single Serve coffee maker comes with several notable features that make it stand out from other models:

• Brew Sizes: The machine can brew 6, 8, 10, and 12 oz cup sizes. This allows you to brew anything from a small espresso to a large travel mug.

• Strength Control: There are two strength options - regular and bold. Choose regular for a standard cup of coffee or bold for a more intense, concentrated brew.

• Hot Water on Demand: A handy feature is the ability to dispense hot water on demand for americanos, tea, instant foods, and more.

• Automatic Shutoff: For safety and convenience, the coffee maker automatically shuts off after 2 hours of being idle. You don't have to worry about accidentally leaving it on.

• Pre-Infusion: The machine utilizes a pre-infusion cycle to soak and saturate the grounds before full extraction. This helps produce a more flavorful cup.

• Programmable Brewing: You can program the Instant Pot to automatically brew coffee up to 24 hours in advance. Just load it up the night before and wake up to fresh coffee.

Easy to Program and Clean

The Instant Pot Single Serve has an intuitive control panel that makes programming a breeze. There are just two buttons - one to choose the brew size (6, 8, 10, or 12 ounces) and another to start brewing.

Programming your desired brew size takes just a couple button presses. The display clearly shows your selection, so there's no guesswork involved. Making your morning coffee takes under a minute thanks to the simple controls.

As for cleaning, the Instant Pot is quite forgiving. The removable water reservoir and coffee grounds filter basket conveniently pop out for a quick rinse under water. Descaling is recommended every 2-3 months to keep the machine fresh, which involves mixing white vinegar and water then running a brew cycle. Overall, maintenance is quick and hassle-free.

The control panel and brewing chamber have no nooks or crannies that collect dirt or coffee drips. Just a simple wipe down keeps everything looking clean. The Instant Pot Single Serve scores points for an intuitive, low-maintenance design.

Brew Quality

The Instant Pot Single Serve Coffee Maker brews coffee that is on par with many premium single serve coffee machines.

The taste of the coffee is rich, balanced, and flavorful. The brewing process evenly extracts the coffee oils and solids, resulting in a smooth cup of coffee without any bitter or burnt notes. The temperature of the brewed coffee is ideal, not too hot to drink right away but hot enough to enjoy for an extended period.

The machine is able to produce a nice layer of crema on the coffee. The presence of crema indicates that the coffee was brewed properly and under pressure, and traps in the aromas. The crema produced is smooth and persistent.

Overall, the brew quality of this single serve Instant Pot coffee maker is excellent. It makes coffee that is comparable to more expensive brands in terms of balanced taste, optimal temperature, and crema production. For the price, it delivers an impressive cup of coffee.

Versatility

The Instant Pot Single Serve coffee maker offers impressive versatility for a compact single cup brewer. It can brew 6-12 oz cups, accommodating travel mugs, as well as 4 oz espresso shots. The removable water tank allows you to brew directly into your favorite cup or mug.

In addition to brewing coffee, this machine makes tea, hot chocolate, and iced beverages. There are 5 brew size options and 3 brew strength settings to customize your drink. The Instant Pot coffee maker can produce everything from a bold cup of coffee to a refreshing iced latte. It even has settings for brewing specialty drinks like cappuccinos and macchiatos.

The versatility of brew sizes and options makes this an ideal single serve for households with different coffee preferences. You can make a small espresso for one person and a large travel mug for another. With its compact design, the Instant Pot single serve doesn't take up much counterspace while still delivering customized drinks for everyone.

Value

The Instant Pot Single Serve coffee maker provides excellent value for the price. At around $80, it is very competitively priced compared to similar single serve coffee makers.

Considering its versatility and quality, the Instant Pot single serve represents a good value purchase. It includes the major accessories you need like a single serve pod adapter, reusable filter, and travel mug. So there are no extra accessories to buy just to get started brewing.

For a relatively affordable price, you get a durable and well-designed coffee maker that can brew K-cups, ground coffee, and tea. The Instant Pot single serve produces coffee shop quality results at a fraction of the cost. So you get gourmet coffee at home without the expensive price tag.

Overall, the Instant Pot single serve coffee maker provides tremendous value. With its versatile brewing options, quality construction, and included accessories, it's a bargain at its price point compared to other models. You get an excellent single cup brewer with useful features at an affordable cost.

Downsides

While the Instant Pot coffee maker has many benefits, it does have some potential drawbacks to consider:

• Smaller Capacity - It only brews one to two cups at a time. This can be inconvenient for larger households or having multiple guests over. You'll need to brew back to back cups.

• Longer Brew Time - Compared to typical drip coffee makers, the Instant Pot brews more slowly at around 10 minutes per cup. This is because it uses a combination of immersion and drip brewing for optimal flavor.

• No Programmability - There are no options to program auto-brew start times. You have to manually operate it each time you want coffee.

• Cleaning Hassle - While clean-up is relatively easy, the machine does require more cleaning than a simple pod-based maker. There are more parts like the reusable filter basket that require hand washing.

• No Temperature Control - The brewing temperature is pre-set and not adjustable, which could be an issue for coffee perfectionists.

• Price - It is more expensive than basic single serve pod coffee makers. The extra versatility and quality comes at a cost premium.

So in summary, the downsides are mostly related to small batches, slow brewing, lack of programming, and higher maintenance. But many reviewers considered these acceptable trade-offs.

Comparable Models

The Instant Pot Coffee brewer stands up well against other popular single serve coffee makers. Here's how it compares:

• Keurig K-Mini: The Keurig is more compact and has a shorter brew time, but it offers less customization since it only brews K-cups. The Instant Pot brews both ground coffee and pods, allowing more variety. The Instant Pot also has a larger water reservoir and adjustable cup sizes.

• Nespresso Vertuo: The Nespresso makes espresso and coffee through proprietary capsules with bar code technology. It offers a stylish, premium design but less versatility than the Instant Pot's open brew system. The Instant Pot allows use of any coffee type and grind size.

• Hamilton Beach Scoop: This budget single serve coffee maker is simple to operate with no frills, but it doesn't have the Instant Pot's array of features like built-in milk frother, adjustable cup sizes, or espresso option. The Scoop only brews ground coffee, while the Instant Pot brews both ground and pods.

• Cuisinart SS-15: The Cuisinart is comparable in functionality with built-in milk frother, single serve and carafe options, and brew size customization. The Instant Pot edges it out with easier operation, more brew types like over ice and espresso, and dishwasher safe parts. The Cuisinart must be hand washed.

Overall the Instant Pot single serve coffee maker holds its own against competitors with an optimal balance of quality, customization, and value. Its versatile open brew system sets it apart from single use pod machines.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Instant Pot Single Serve coffee maker is a highly versatile and convenient single-cup brewer that produces consistently delicious coffee, espresso and more. Its compact design and one-button operation makes it incredibly easy to use, while the adjustable cup sizes, strength control and altitudinal settings ensure you can customize your beverage to your preferences.

The Instant Pot Single Serve punches above its weight in brew quality and versatility for its price point. While it may lack some of the bells and whistles of higher-end single-cup makers, it more than makes up for it in convenience, consistency and value. Its simple maintenance and dishwasher-safe accessories also minimize the cleaning hassle often associated with K-Cup brewers.

For anyone seeking an affordable, versatile single-cup coffee maker that's easy to use and makes consistently great-tasting coffee, the Instant Pot Single Serve is a great option worth considering. Its simplicity, customizability and quality brews make it a great daily driver for all your coffee needs.