Elite Gourmet EHC117M Single Serve coffee maker: Full Review

The Elite Gourmet EHC117M is a single serve coffee maker designed for brewing one personalized cup of coffee at a time. This compact machine delivers a freshly brewed cup of coffee, espresso, tea or hot chocolate using soft pods or hard capsules.

The EHC117M features a stainless steel brewing chamber, 1200 watt heater, adjustable cup tray and auto shutoff function. With the touch button controls, you can choose between 6 oz, 8 oz, or 10 oz brew sizes. The EHC117M is compatible with most Keurig K-Cups including brands like Green Mountain, Starbucks and Lipton.

Overall, the Elite Gourmet EHC117M provides an affordable single cup brewing solution for home use. This review will cover the key features, performance, design and usability of the EHC117M coffee maker.

Design and Build Quality

The Elite Gourmet EHC117M has a sleek and modern design that will look great on any kitchen counter. It has an attractive stainless steel exterior that not only looks nice but also makes the machine easy to keep clean. The machine feels very sturdy and durable thanks to its metal housing. There are no plastic parts that feel flimsy or weak.

The water reservoir is made from BPA-free plastic which is safe and durable. The drip tray has a removable grill which allows you to accommodate taller travel mugs if desired. The buttons have a nice tactile feel and seamlessly blend into the front of the machine.

Overall, the Elite Gourmet EHC117M features solid construction with an elegant stainless steel design. It's built to last and has a nice uniform aesthetic that won't look out of place in your kitchen.

The Keurig K-Classic K-50 is another popular coffee maker known for its reliable performance and user-friendly design. It features a large 48-ounce water reservoir, which allows you to brew multiple cups of coffee before needing a refill. The K-Classic K-50 also offers a simple button interface, making it easy to operate, even for those who are not tech-savvy. Its removable drip tray accommodates travel mugs, adding to its convenience. The sturdy build and sleek design ensure that the K-Classic K-50 will be a stylish addition to any kitchen countertop.

Brewing Performance

The Elite Gourmet EHC117M delivers consistent and customizable brewing thanks to its intelligent extraction system. The water is heated to the optimal coffee extraction temperature between 192-208°F, hot enough to extract the coffee flavors properly without burning it.

You can choose between a 6, 8, or 10 oz cup size. The Elite Gourmet brews a full cup in around 1 minute, while a smaller 6 oz cup takes only 30-45 seconds. This is quite fast compared to most single serve brewers.

The intelligent extraction system and optimal brewing temperature also ensure the coffee comes out with a balanced, nuanced flavor. Each cup has a nice crema layer on top. The brewing is very consistent, with repeatable results cup after cup.

Overall the brewing performance is excellent for a budget single serve machine. You get fast brew speeds along with great customization options, optimal brewing temperatures, and consistent flavor extraction.

If you are looking for a compact and efficient coffee maker, consider the Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker 6.11247E+11. Despite its small size, it offers great performance and convenience. The K-Mini allows you to brew any cup size between 6-12 oz with Keurig K-Cup pods, and it features a one-cup reservoir for easy water addition. The Keurig K-Mini's sleek design makes it perfect for confined spaces and it is ideal for a quick and hassle-free coffee experience.

Ease of Use

This single serve coffee maker from Elite Gourmet is very simple and intuitive to use, making it a great choice for those who want an effortless coffee experience. It has a one-touch operation button to start the brewing process with the press of a button. The controls are straightforward with buttons for power, 1 cup or 2 cup size selection, and start/stop.

The LED display clearly shows which brew size is selected and illuminates when brewing is in progress. It's easy to monitor the brewing status at a glance. Cleaning is also simplified with a removable drip tray and water reservoir for fast cleaning. The capsule holder is detachable as well so you can thoroughly clean all parts regularly. Overall, it's a breeze to use this single serve coffee maker on a daily basis.

Coffee Customization

The Elite Gourmet EHC117M offers a good amount of customization when it comes to your coffee. You can choose between a 6, 8, or 10 oz brew size by pressing the designated button on the front of the machine. This allows you to brew anything from a small espresso to a large travel mug.

The strength of your coffee can also be adjusted between regular and bold. The bold setting slows down the flow of water through the capsule to extract more flavor. Those who like a richer, more intense coffee will appreciate having the bold option. The regular setting provides a standard brew that is not too weak but not overpowering either.

Overall, the brew size and strength adjustments allow you to dial in your preferred coffee profile. The ability to go small or large, mild or bold gives you plenty of flexibility.

Capsule Compatibility

The Elite Gourmet EHC117M is compatible with K-cups, giving you the flexibility to brew from a wide variety of coffee brands and roasts. The single cup brewer works with standard K-cups from popular brands like Green Mountain, Folgers, Dunkin' Donuts, and more. This makes it easy to enjoy your preferred coffee flavor without being locked into using pods from a certain manufacturer.

Whether you like light, medium or dark roasts, there are plenty of K-cup options to choose from. You can sample different coffees from around the world or stick with your everyday favorite. The single serve design allows you to brew a fresh cup of coffee in under a minute. Just pop in a K-cup, select your cup size, and let the Elite Gourmet coffee maker do the rest.

Extra Features

The Elite Gourmet EHC117M has a few extra features that add convenience and versatility.

• Removable drip tray: The drip tray slides out, allowing you to remove and empty it easily after brewing. This is useful for avoiding spills and keeping the brewer neat and tidy.

• Auto-off function: An auto-off function shuts the brewer down after 2 hours of inactivity. This helps conserve energy when you forget to turn off the machine.

The drip tray and auto-off make the Elite Gourmet a user-friendly single serve brewer. The drip tray prevents messy spills, while the auto-off avoids wasted energy if you forget to power down the machine. These extras enhance the overall convenience and experience.

Noise Level

The Elite Gourmet Single Serve coffee maker operates at a reasonable noise level that is comparable to other single serve coffee makers on the market.

When brewing a cup of coffee, the machine produces a hum from the pump and some noise from water flowing through the brewer. However, it is not excessively loud or disruptive. The noise level is similar to a basic drip coffee machine and should not be an issue in most home or office settings.

Some user reviews mention the machine being slightly louder than expected, but most find the noise level acceptable and not a deal breaker. The pump and brewing sounds are relatively quiet and do not last for more than a minute or two while preparing a serving.

Overall, the noise produced during the brewing process on the Elite Gourmet single serve coffee maker is moderate and on par with comparable models. It may not be the quietest option available, but the noise is reasonable for a home appliance of this type. Most users should have no problem carrying on conversations or watching TV while making their morning coffee with this machine.

Warranty

The Elite Gourmet EHC117M coffee maker comes with a 1 year limited warranty. This covers defects in materials and workmanship for 1 year from the date of purchase.

The warranty is fairly standard for single serve coffee makers in this price range. A 1 year warranty provides peace of mind that the machine will work properly for at least the first year of ownership. If any issues come up during that time period, Elite Gourmet will repair or replace the defective parts.

However, the warranty is limited and does not cover any damage caused by improper use, accidents, alterations, or lack of maintenance. It's important to read the warranty details and follow the manufacturer's instructions to keep the warranty valid.

Overall, the 1 year limited warranty offers basic protection in case of early device failure. But buyers should be prepared to pay for repairs or replacements if issues occur outside the warranty period.

Pros and Cons

The Elite Gourmet EHC117M single serve coffee maker has several notable pros and cons to consider:

Pros:

• Brews coffee fast, in less than 2 minutes
• Simple to use with just 1 button operation
• Compact size takes up minimal counter space
• Can brew cups from 6-12 oz
• Accommodates travel mugs up to 7 inches tall
• Allows you to customize coffee strength
• Works with both soft coffee pods and hard capsules
• Drip tray is removable for taller cups
• Auto shut-off and overheat protection
• Affordable price point

Cons:

• Reservoir only holds 14 oz of water
• Needs filter cleaned frequently to avoid mineral buildup
• Pod holder cannot be removed for cleaning
• No programmable features
• Only compatible with Elite Gourmet's own reusable filter
• Does not have a milk frother
• Single temperature, no option to change brew temp
• No descaling function