Keurig K-Classic K-50 Single Serve coffee maker: Full Review

The Keurig K-Classic K50 is an entry-level single serve coffee maker from the popular Keurig brand. First released in 2009, the K-Classic remains one of Keurig's most affordable and basic model single serve brewers.

The K50 offers simple operation with push button controls and an easy-to-use design. It can brew 6, 8, and 10 ounce cup sizes using Keurig's patented K-Cup pods. While it lacks some of the more advanced features of pricier Keurig models, the K-Classic provides fast brew times and reliable performance.

With a compact footprint and removable drip tray to accommodate travel mugs, the K50 is a suitable choice for home or office use. It offers the convenience of brewing one fresh cup at a time without the waste of traditional drip coffee makers. The K-Classic aims to deliver dependable operation and quality brews in a basic, affordable package.

Design

The Keurig K-Classic K50 has a simple, functional design that will look good in any kitchen. It has compact dimensions of 9.8" W x 12.3" H x 11.6" D and weighs just under 10 pounds, making it easy to fit on most countertops without taking up too much space. The coffee maker comes in a variety of classic color options like black, red, white and nickel to match different aesthetic preferences. The exterior has a matte finish that resists fingerprints and scratches. The water reservoir is transparent so you can easily see when it needs to be refilled. Overall, the Keurig K-Classic has a sleek, minimalist profile with intuitive controls that make it easy to operate.

The BLACK+DECKER CM618 is another excellent option for coffee lovers. This compact single-serve coffee maker is perfect for small kitchens, dorm rooms, and offices. It features a 16-ounce travel mug that fits perfectly under the dispenser, allowing you to brew directly into the mug for ultimate convenience. The CM618 also has an easy-to-clean permanent filter that eliminates the need for paper filters, making it eco-friendly. Its space-saving design and simple one-touch operation make it a practical choice for anyone looking to enjoy a quick, delicious cup of coffee.

Features

The Keurig K-Classic K-50 comes with a variety of great features that make it a versatile single serve coffee maker.

Brew Sizes

The K-Classic brews 6 oz, 8 oz and 10 oz cup sizes at the push of a button, so you can make coffee just the way you like it. It's perfect for brewing a small cup just for yourself or a larger 10 oz cup when you need some extra caffeine.

Brew Strength Control

This model has a brew strength control feature that allows you to make your coffee stronger or weaker. Choose between regular and bold strength with each brew for customized flavor. The bold setting is great when you want a more intense and robust cup.

Descaling

To keep your coffee maker running optimally, the K-Classic has an easy descaling process. Descaling removes built up mineral deposits from the internal components. The machine alerts you when it's time to descale.

Water Filter

The Keurig K-Classic includes a removable water filter that ensures pure water is used for each brew. The filter removes odors, chlorine taste and scale build-up from the water for better tasting coffee.

For those who need a more compact option, the Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker 6.11247E+11 is a fantastic choice. This model brews any cup size between 6-12 oz using Keurig K-Cup pods, and is less than 5 inches wide, making it perfectly suited for small spaces. It features a one-cup reservoir and an automatic shut-off for energy efficiency. Learn more about the Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker 6.11247E+11.

Ease of Use

The Keurig K-Classic K-50 coffee maker is designed for convenient everyday use. It has simple button controls with an easy-to-read display that walks you through the brewing process step-by-step.

The 60 oz removable water reservoir is large enough to brew 6+ cups before needing a refill. It's easy to access and detach from the left side of the machine. Filling can be done at the sink so you don't have to move the whole coffee maker.

Loading pods into the K-Classic is very straightforward. The pod holder swings out from the front center after lifting the handle. Place the pod in the holder, swing it back into place and lower the handle to start the brew. The pods drop into an internal disposal bin after brewing so there's no need to handle wet grounds.

Overall, the well-designed controls, displays, water reservoir, and pod loading system make the Keurig K-Classic one of the simplest single-serve coffee makers to operate on a daily basis. It's an excellent choice for households where ease of use is a priority.

Brew Quality

The K-Classic brews a good cup of coffee that is hot and flavorful. The Keurig brewing process produces a nice layer of crema on top that enhances the coffee's aroma.

Taste

The coffee comes out tasting smooth and rich. The K-Classic does a good job of extracting the full flavor from the coffee grounds in the pod to produce a bold, satisfying cup of coffee. It avoids the bitterness sometimes associated with single-serve brewers.

Temperature

The Keurig K-Classic heats the water to the optimal brewing temperature of 192-197°F before it passes through the pod. This ensures the coffee comes out hot without scalding or burning the coffee. Drinking temperature is around 175°F.

Crema

The K-Classic generates a nice tan layer of crema or foam that floats on the top of the coffee. This enhances the visual appeal and brings out the coffee's aroma. The crema also indicates the coffee is freshly brewed. However, the amount of crema can vary depending on the pod.

Pod Variety

The Keurig K-Classic can brew any K-Cup pod, giving you access to hundreds of coffee, tea, cocoa, and other beverage varieties. Major brands like Green Mountain, Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts and more offer K-Cups compatible with the K-Classic.

You're not limited to only using disposable K-Cup pods either. The K-Classic comes with a K-Cup Universal Reusable Coffee Filter that you can fill with your own ground coffee. This allows you to enjoy your favorite gourmet beans while saving money and reducing waste compared to disposable pods. The reusable filter is easy to fill, clean, and maintain.

Whether you prefer single-origin specialty coffees, organic fair trade beans, flavored and seasonal blends, or decaf and herbal teas, the pod options with the K-Classic allow you to customize your beverage experience.

Cleaning & Maintenance

The Keurig K-Classic requires some regular maintenance to keep it running smoothly and prevent issues like clogging or scale buildup. Here are a few tips for cleaning and maintenance:

• Descale Regularly: Keurig recommends descaling your K-Classic every 3-6 months. Descaling dissolves mineral deposits and scale in the internal parts that can affect brewing performance. Use Keurig's descaling solution or citric acid-based descaler. The descaling process takes about 30 minutes.

• Cleaning: Wipe down the K-Classic's exterior as needed with a damp, soapy cloth to remove spills and drips. Do not immerse the brewer in water. The K-Classic is not dishwasher safe.

• Drip Tray: The removable drip tray should be cleaned periodically by hand or in the top rack of the dishwasher. Ensure the drip tray is dried thoroughly before replacing.

• Water Filter Changes: If using a water filter, change it as instructed (usually every 2 months). This will keep your water fresh and can help reduce mineral buildup. Use Keurig brand water filters for optimal performance.

• Needle Maintenance: For optimal brewing, clean the exit needle inside the K-Classic Brewer every 3-6 months using the included needle cleaning tool. This removes any coffee grounds or buildup.

Regular cleaning and maintenance helps ensure your K-Classic continues brewing great tasting coffee. Follow the recommended descaling and cleaning procedures in the owner's manual.

Noise Level

The Keurig K-Classic K50 brewer operates at a reasonable noise level that is comparable to other single serve pod coffee makers. When brewing, there is some noise from the pump mechanism and water heating up, but it is not overly loud or disruptive.

Some user reviews do mention the brewer being a bit noisy. The noise seems to mainly come from the internal parts during the brewing process. It's not whisper quiet, but also not annoyingly loud either. The noise level is somewhere in the middle.

Most find the noise level acceptable and not an issue. It's not significantly louder than someone brewing a traditional drip coffee machine. The noise produced is part of the brewing process and to be expected. As long as you don't need a completely silent operation, the noise level of the Keurig K50 should not be a major problem for most kitchens or offices.

Pros & Cons

Speed and Convenience

The Keurig K-Classic offers unmatched speed and convenience for brewing a fresh, hot cup of coffee. Within about a minute of powering on and inserting a pod, you'll have a steaming mug ready to enjoy. The simplicity of popping in a pod, hitting brew, and having a single cup makes this an extremely convenient machine for households or offices where people want coffee immediately. No waiting for a whole pot to brew or dealing with grinds and filters. It's ideal when you just want one quick cup without hassle.

Pod Waste

While the pod system offers convenience, it does generate more waste compared to regular drip coffee makers. Each single-use plastic pod gets tossed after brewing. Keurig does offer reusable pods that you can fill with your own ground coffee to cut down on waste. However, for those who enjoy the wide variety of flavored and branded pods, the waste can add up over time.

Cost Per Cup

The cost per cup is higher with the Keurig system compared to regular brewed coffee. Pods are more expensive per ounce than buying beans or ground coffee in bulk. The trade-off is you get variety and convenience that would be difficult to match with a traditional coffee pot. For moderate drinkers who value ease over cost savings, the slightly higher per cup expense may be worth it. Heavy drinkers may want to calculate costs compared to their current setup.

Conclusion

The Keurig K-Classic K50 is a solid single serve coffee maker that delivers convenient brewing and a wide variety of beverage options. Its sleek and compact design takes up minimal counter space, making it great for small kitchens. The K-Classic is very easy to use - just insert a k-cup pod, choose your brew size, and press start for an effortless cup of joe.

The brew quality is quite good, producing piping hot coffee, tea, or other beverages consistently. There is a large assortment of k-cup pods available from various brands to accommodate different tastes and dietary needs. Cleaning and maintenance are straightforward by flushing water through the internal reservoir and descaling when needed. The noise level is reasonable and unlikely to disturb others.

Overall, the Keurig K50 K-Classic is an excellent choice for those seeking an affordable and user-friendly single cup brewer. Its simplicity, customization, and reliability make it a great option for brewing coffee, tea, and more. For an easy-to-use single serve coffee maker with solid performance, the Keurig K-Classic K50 is a recommended product.