Keurig K-Slim 5000365009 Single Serve coffee maker: Full Review

The Keurig K-Slim single serve coffee maker offers an efficient way to brew fresh, personalized cups of coffee, tea, hot cocoa and more. Part of Keurig's K-Mini line, the K-Slim model features a slim design with adjustable cup sizes while still providing the convenience Keurig brewers are known for.

The K-Slim allows you to brew between 6-12 oz cups using K-Cup pods in under a minute with the simple touch of a button. Its compact size and sleek profile make it ideal for small kitchens or offices where counter space is limited. Despite the small footprint, it can accommodate travel mugs up to 7" tall.

This single cup coffee maker aims to provide a quick, mess-free brewing experience in a minimalist, easy-to-use package. Read on for a more in-depth look at how the Keurig K-Slim performs and stacks up against competitors.

Design

The Keurig K-Slim Single Serve coffee maker has a slim and sleek design that saves counter space without sacrificing features. It measures 10.5 x 10.5 x 12.6 inches and weighs just 6.6 pounds, making it one of the most compact Keurig models. The K-Slim comes in 3 color options - black, red, and white - featuring a matte plastic exterior that fits into any kitchen decor.

Despite its small footprint, the K-Slim doesn't feel flimsy or cheap. The plastic housing feels sturdy and is fingerprint resistant. The top lid flips open with the push of a button, allowing you to easily fill the 40oz removable water reservoir. Overall, the slim and lightweight design makes the K-Slim an excellent choice for smaller kitchens, dorm rooms, offices, or anywhere you want a full-featured single serve coffee maker without taking up much space.

Features

The K-Slim offers a good range of features for a single-serve pod coffee maker at this price point. Some highlights include:

Brew Sizes

You can brew coffee in 3 sizes with the K-Slim: 12 oz, 10 oz, and 8 oz. The 12 oz brew size is great for making a full large mug of coffee. While the 8 oz size lets you brew a smaller cup if you don't need as much.

Strength Control

There are 2 strength settings on the K-Slim: regular and strong. Use the strong setting if you want a bolder, more intense cup of coffee. The regular setting gives you a standard strength brew.

Auto-Off

An auto-off feature turns the K-Slim off automatically 2 hours after the last brew. This helps conserve energy when you forget to manually power it off.

Ease of Use

The Keurig K-Slim is designed to be simple and intuitive to use. The control buttons are located on top of the brewer and include power, brew, and brew size selection.

The 60oz removable water reservoir slides out from the back of the brewer for easy filling. The max fill line is clearly marked inside the reservoir.

Inserting a coffee pod is straightforward - simply lift the handle, place the pod in the K-Cup pod holder, and lower the handle to close. The brewer will pierce the pod once the brew begins.

Overall, the brewing process is seamless. There's no complicated menu to scroll through or buttons to decipher. Just insert a pod, select your brew size, and hit brew for effortless coffee on demand.

Brew Performance

The Keurig K-Slim brews coffee, tea, hot cocoa, and iced beverages in under a minute. The brewer heats water between 192-197°F, which is within the ideal temperature range for proper coffee extraction.

The K-Slim produces a good, consistent cup of coffee that is comparable to other Keurig brewers. The brew is smooth and flavorful without any bitterness or overextraction. The coffees and teas have a nice aroma and retain their natural flavors well.

The brewer fully saturates and extracts the coffee grounds in the K-cup pods during the brew cycle. It wets all of the grounds evenly and the water flows through the pod smoothly without channeling or bypassing. This results in a flavorful, full-bodied cup of coffee.

While not as customizable as a traditional drip coffee maker, the K-Slim offers sufficient options to brew coffee and tea the way you like it. You can choose cup size, strength, and temperature settings. The brewer also supports K-cup pods of all types and brands, so you have a wide selection of beverages.

Pod Compatibility

The Keurig K-Slim is compatible with K-Cup pods from all major brands including Keurig, Green Mountain, Peets, Starbucks, and more. This gives you a wide variety of coffee, tea, and other beverage options to choose from.

The machine does not come with a reusable filter, but you can purchase one separately if you want to use your own ground coffee. The Keurig My K-Cup Universal Reusable Coffee Filter is designed to work with the K-Slim and other Keurig brewers. It allows you to fill the filter with your favorite roast and grind for a fresh, customized cup of coffee. The reusable filter is easy to use, dishwasher safe, and helps cut down on waste compared to using disposable K-Cups.

One downside is that the K-Slim is not compatible with oversized travel mugs or reusable pods. You'll need to stick to standard sized K-Cup pods to brew. But with hundreds of pod varieties available, you'll still have plenty of options to enjoy.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The K-Slim requires occasional cleaning and descaling to keep it running smoothly. Descaling helps remove mineral deposits that can build up in the brewer over time.

To descale the K-Slim, you'll need to purchase Keurig's descaling solution or a compatible descaling product. Follow the directions to run the descaling solution through the brewer. This process takes about 20 minutes. Allow the brewer to cool down afterward before brewing coffee again.

The drip tray is removable for easy cleaning. The K-Slim does not have a water reservoir, so you don't have to worry about cleaning that component. However, you should clean the pod holder, exit needle, and surrounding areas periodically to prevent buildup. Wipe down the outside of the brewer as needed with a soft damp cloth.

Overall, the cleaning process is straightforward. Just remember to descale every 3-6 months and give the brewer a quick wipe down occasionally. This will help prevent mineral buildup and keep your coffee tasting fresh.

Noise Level

The Keurig K-Slim produces minimal noise during operation. There is no loud brewing or fan noise like some other single serve coffee makers.

The brewing process itself is relatively quiet. You'll hear some minimal water pump noises and sounds of the pod being punctured, but nothing too intrusive. The noise level is comparable to a standard drip coffee maker.

Unlike some competitors, the K-Slim does not have an internal fan for cooling. This helps keep noise to a minimum. There is no bothersome fan humming or whirring in the background while brewing.

The machine is designed for quiet operation. Keurig engineered it to efficiently heat water and brew without requiring excess mechanical noise.

So if you're looking for a peaceful, quiet brewing experience, the K-Slim fits the bill. It won't disrupt conversations or disturb someone still sleeping. The noise level is low enough for an office, dorm, or shared living space.

Overall, the K-Slim keeps brewing noise to a minimum. It's one of the quieter single serve pod coffee makers available.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Sleek and slim profile takes up less counter space
• Simple one-touch operation with auto-off feature
• Accommodates travel mugs up to 7.2" tall
• Fast brew time of under 1 minute
• Energy efficient with automatic power-off
• Cord storage for neat countertop
• Compatible with both K-Cup pods and refillable filters
• Easy-view water reservoir with handle
• Dishwasher safe removable parts for easy cleanup

Cons:

• Small 40oz water reservoir requires frequent refilling
• Only 5 cup sizes to choose from
• No strength or temperature control
• Pod holder unable to accommodate larger 3rd party pods
• No descaling alert
• No digital screen
• Limited color options
• Noise level can be loud when brewing

Verdict

The Keurig K-Slim K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker is a solid single serve coffee maker that delivers convenience and quality at an affordable price point. Its slim, space-saving design makes it a great option for small kitchens or offices. The brewer heats up quickly and brews a cup in under a minute. The multi-position drip tray accommodates travel mugs up to 7" tall.

The K-Slim brews a wide variety of K-Cup pod brands and sizes. The removable 46oz water reservoir is easy to fill. Controls are simple with push-button operation. The auto-off feature helps save energy. And maintenance is straightforward with descaling and cleaning alerts.

Overall, the K-Slim provides a quality brewing experience comparable to pricier Keurig models but at a more budget-friendly cost. It's a great choice for coffee lovers who want single-serve convenience without breaking the bank. The slim design also makes it ideal for small spaces.

Other good options in a similar price range are the Keurig K-Mini and K-Compact. The K-Mini is even more compact but doesn't accommodate travel mugs. The K-Compact has a larger water reservoir and screen display but a bigger overall footprint. For those willing to spend more, Keurig's K-Supreme Plus model offers premium features like temperature control and iced coffee setting. But the K-Slim hits the sweet spot of affordability, convenience, and quality for most single-serve brewing needs.