Keurig K-Mini Plus: A Petite and Portable Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Published on Sept. 23, 2023, 2:51 p.m.
Keurig’s Path of Innovation: From K-Cup to K-Mini Plus
Keurig, a leader in the single-serve coffee maker market, has always been known for its innovative and convenient coffee solutions. Their iconic K-Cup technology revolutionized the way people enjoy coffee at home, allowing them to brew a fresh cup in minutes with just a single pod.
The Keurig K-Mini Plus is one of the newest additions to the Keurig lineup, embodying Keurig’s spirit of innovation by combining convenience with a compact design. This coffee maker is not only perfect for coffee lovers with limited space but also caters to those seeking a simple and quick coffee experience.
Overview
The Keurig K-Mini Plus was released on August 26, 2018, with an MSRP of $109.99. As Keurig’s slimmest single-serve coffee maker, it measures less than 5 inches wide, making it ideal for small kitchens or spaces with limited counter space. The K-Mini Plus utilizes K-Cup pods and can brew 6-12oz of coffee, featuring a removable one-cup water reservoir for easy refilling and cleaning.
Target Audience
The Keurig K-Mini Plus is primarily targeted towards space-conscious, convenience-seeking coffee lovers. This includes young professionals living in small apartments, dormitories, or with limited office space, as well as individuals who travel frequently or enjoy outdoor activities. They seek a quick and easy single-serve coffee solution without compromising on quality and taste.
Design & Appearance
True to its name, the K-Mini Plus sports a petite frame that fits almost anywhere. The modern aesthetics come in a range of stylish matte colors to match any décor. Thoughtful touches like neatly wrapped cord storage enhance the streamlined profile. The Keurig K-Mini Plus is available in a variety of colors, including: * Matte Black * Cardinal Red * Cool Aqua * Evening Teal * Misty Green * Studio Gray * Matte White
Ease of Use
The Keurig K-Mini Plus is renowned for its user-friendly design. It features only two buttons: a power button and a strong button, making operation incredibly intuitive. For first-time use, simply follow these easy steps:
- Plug In: Connect the coffee maker to a power outlet.
- Add Water: Open the water reservoir lid at the top and fill it with the desired amount of water (up to 12oz).
- Preheat: Press the power button, and the power light will illuminate, indicating it’s preheating.
- Insert K-Cup Pod: Once preheated, lift the handle, insert your K-Cup pod into the pod holder, and then lower the handle.
- Start Brewing: Choose your desired cup size (6-12oz) and press the brew button. In about a minute, your delicious coffee will be ready.
For daily use, simply repeat steps 2 and 5 to effortlessly brew a cup of coffee.
Coffee Quality
Users praise the K-Mini Plus for delivering flavorful, satisfying coffee. The 1500 watt heater ensures optimum brewing temperature for rich extraction. The Strong Brew setting boosts intensity to your liking. Quality and consistency will vary based on your preferred roast and grind in the K-Cup pods. But overall it competently produces delicious coffee.
The core of the K-Cup technology lies in its sealed coffee pods, which maintain the freshness and flavor of the coffee during brewing. Each K-Cup pod is designed to be opened only at the time of use, ensuring optimal coffee concentration and taste with every brew. This design effectively prevents air and humidity from affecting the coffee grounds, thereby delivering consistently high-quality coffee. Keurig is also making strides in improving the recyclability of its K-Cup pods, introducing a range of recyclable K-Cup options to reduce environmental impact and cater to the eco-conscious consumer.
Technical Specifications and Setup
The Keurig K-Mini Plus measures 4.5”D x 11.3”W x 12.1”H, weighs 6.6 pounds, and operates at 1500 watts with a single-cup water reservoir capacity. To set up for first-time use, follow these steps:
1. Power Up: Connect the coffee maker’s plug to a grounded outlet.
2. Add Water: Open the water reservoir lid at the top and fill with water up to the maximum line.
3. Preheat: Press the power button to begin preheating; the power light will illuminate during this process.
4. Insert K-Cup Pod: After preheating, lift the handle to insert a K-Cup pod, then close the handle.
5. Start Brewing: Choose your desired cup size and press the brew button. In about one minute, your delicious coffee will be ready.
Simple Operation, Fast Brewing
The Keurig K-Mini Plus is incredibly easy to use. Simply insert a K-Cup pod, add the desired amount of water, and press the brew button. The coffee maker will preheat and brew your coffee in just a few minutes.
K-Cup Pods: Innovation and Variety
K-Cup pod technology is one of Keurig’s core innovations. Each pod is packed with pre-measured, finely ground coffee, ensuring that every brew delivers freshness and flavor. This single-use design not only offers convenience but also provides a variety of flavors and blends to meet the personalized tastes of different consumers. The introduction of K-Cup pods has significantly changed coffee consumption habits, enabling the enjoyment of high-quality coffee anytime, quickly. Moreover, with increasing demand for environmental sustainability, Keurig has introduced recyclable K-Cup options to reduce environmental impact.
Brewing Technology Explained
The Keurig K-Mini Plus utilizes a high-pressure brewing method similar to traditional espresso machines. When the brewing process is initiated, the machine forces hot water through a pressure pump into the K-Cup pod. Both the top and bottom of the K-Cup have fine openings; as pressure builds, the top is punctured by a needle, allowing hot water to enter the pod, pass through the coffee grounds, and extract the flavors and aromas of the coffee. The brewed coffee then flows out from the bottom, directly into the cup. This process is not only quick but also ensures consistent quality in every brew, maintaining the taste and aroma of the coffee.
Adjustable Coffee Strength
For coffee lovers who prefer a bolder brew, the K-Mini Plus offers a “Strong” button option. When pressed, the coffee maker slows down the flow of water through the coffee grounds, extracting a more intense flavor.
Removable Water Reservoir, Easy Cleaning
The K-Mini Plus features a removable water reservoir, making it easy for users to refill and clean. Simply remove the reservoir from the coffee maker and rinse it thoroughly with clean water.
Removable Drip Tray for Travel Mugs
The drip tray of the Keurig K-Mini Plus is removable, making it easy to clean. Additionally, removing the drip tray allows you to place travel mugs up to 7 inches tall under the coffee maker, so you can brew your coffee directly into your favorite travel mug.
Travel-Friendly, Enjoy Coffee Anywhere
Thanks to its compact and lightweight design, the K-Mini Plus is perfect for travel or outdoor use. You can easily pack it in a suitcase or backpack and enjoy a fresh cup of coffee wherever you go.
K-Cup Storage, Convenient Access
The K-Mini Plus has a built-in storage compartment that can hold up to 9 K-Cup pods. This design not only saves space but also allows you to conveniently access your favorite coffee flavors.
Auto-Off, Energy-Saving
To conserve energy, the K-Mini Plus is equipped with an auto-off feature. The coffee maker will automatically shut off 90 seconds after the last brew, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
Noise Level
The brewing process emits some expected noise from water heating and pumping, but it’s not excessively loud. The streamlined design keeps noise levels reasonable. You can carry on a conversation nearby. Some users note it’s slightly noisier than previous models but not a dealbreaker.
Cleaning
Keeping the K-Mini Plus clean is quick and hassle-free. The removable reservoir allows easy access for rinsing and cleaning. Drip tray and pod holder come out for washing too. Descaling every 3-6 months maintains performance. With no carafe or brew basket, cleaning is simple. To maintain optimal performance, it is recommended to descale the machine every 3-6 months.
Sustainability
The Keurig K-Mini Plus is designed with not only ease of use in mind but also environmental considerations. This model features an auto-off function that automatically shuts down the machine 90 seconds after the last brew, effectively saving energy. Additionally, Keurig is working to enhance the recyclability of its K-Cup pods, supporting consumers in more easily recycling these pods after use, thus reducing environmental impact.
Usage Scenarios
The K-Mini Plus is a perfect personal coffee maker for individual use in compact, crowded spaces like tiny kitchens, apartments, dorm rooms, RVs or campers. It’s easy to toss in a suitcase or bag for traveling or bring to the office or classroom. The quick on-demand brewing is great for serving guests too.
Value
With an MSRP of $109.99, the K-Mini Plus offers solid value given its performance, durability and versatility. While pricier than some basic drip coffee makers, it’s an affordable entry point for single serve convenience. Per cup costs compare favorably to coffeeshop drinks. Overall, an excellent value purchase.
Conclusion
With its space-saving design and straightforward operation, the Keurig K-Mini Plus is an ideal personal coffee maker for small settings and on-the-go use. Its diminutive size belies its mighty brewing capabilities, making it a smart choice for tiny kitchens or travel bags alike.