Keurig K55 Review (K-Classic Single Serve Coffee Maker)

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The Keurig K55 is a very popular single-cup coffee maker among coffee aficionados. This is a premium machine designed for anyone who wants a great cup of Joe without having to break a sweat when preparing it.

Its compatibility with Keurig and non-Keurig K-cup pods and ease of use are some of its key highlights. However, before making your order, let’s take you through a few things that we believe you need to know about it.

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The Keurig K55 is best for:

• Coffee lovers who don’t have enough time in the morning to prepare coffee manually– this model heats water in 2-3 minutes. So, you get your cup real quick.
• Those who don’t have barista-style coffee-making skills– preparing a hot cup of coffee with this machine is as easy as adding water into the reservoir and hitting a few buttons.
• People who take a few cups of coffee in one sitting– this model has a 48-ounce reservoir capable of brewing several cups before the need to be refilled.
• Coffee lovers who appreciate different brands– this machine can take coffee pods from Keurig-affiliated manufacturers as well as 3rd party brands.

Straightforward Assembly and Set up

The Keurig K55 comes nicely packaged and includes;

• The coffee machine
• A charcoal filter holder
• 2 charcoal filters
• A manual

This coffee maker comes fully assembled out of the box. Actually, you can go ahead and brew some coffee right away. However, if you don’t have filtered water already in your kitchen, then you might want to install the optional activated charcoal filter in the reservoir first. This filter helps in removing toxins that may alter the taste of your brew. To do this; 

1. Prepare one of the charcoal filters- this involves soaking it in clean water for 5 minutes
2. Lock the filter in its compartment in the filter holder      
3. Lastly, snap the filter holder in the reservoir

Classic Design and High-Quality Build

This coffee machine boasts the classic, attractive design that Keurig coffee makers are known for. Available in 2 colors (black and rhubarb red), this is one of those coffee makers that you’ll comfortably leave on your kitchen tops.

This model is made from the same material that Keurig uses for most of its coffeemakers- reinforced plastic. It feels well built, but remember that longevity will highly depend on how well you take care of it and maintain it.

Will it fit on your kitchen tops? 

The Keurig K55 is among the biggest units in this manufacturer’s K series. It measures 9.8’’ (w) by 13.3’’ (d) and has a height of 13.0’’ when closed. It also demands an additional 3’’ when you open the top to insert a fresh pod. This is an important consideration, especially if your kitchen has limited counter space, and if you have lower cabinets.

The K55 weighs 10.2 pounds. In our opinion, this is a good weight to ensure its stability on your kitchen tops, and to allow easy lifting should you want to store it away.

Convenient and Easy to Use Controls

This model has the hallmark of Keurig coffee makers, that is, convenience. This is what makes it so popular with coffee lovers who are in so much hurry to brew coffee manually.

The K55 K-classic has a basic control interface with a total of 5 buttons. 3 of these are the cup-size buttons that let you choose between 6oz, 8oz, and 10oz brews.

While Keurig was after making this control panel as simple as possible, we appreciate that they included an auto-off button. This will turn off the coffeemaker automatically 2 hours after the last brew. This not only cuts down on power usage, but it also means that you’ll have one less household gadget to worry about as you rush to work in the morning.

Large and Removable Reservoir

The Keurig K-classic boasts a very large reservoir with a capacity of 48 ounces. If you are a lover of strongly brewed coffee, this reservoir can offer you at least 7 six-ounce cups before the need for refilling.

We also appreciate that this water tank is removable. You’ll find this very convenient when refilling since you can carry it to the faucet. Although the tank is transparent, the control panel also has a light to alert you when the water level is low.

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Unlimited Pods Compatibility 

The K55 coffee machine comes from Keurig 1.0 product line. Although these products are regarded as outdated, they remain so popular thanks to their compatibility with other non-Keurig coffee pods. This makes a lot of sense since Keurig pods are generally pricier compared to competitors.

Besides the price factor, this universal compatibility allows you to brew with a pod from any of your favorite brands.

Perhaps the best part about this coffee maker is that it takes My K-Cup filter too. This is a universal reusable filter that allows you to use your freshly ground coffee. This is an excellent option, especially if you want some control over the coffee variety.

Keep in mind that you are not limited to coffee only with this machine. You can brew pretty much anything from tea to cocoa and hot chocolate.

3 Brew Cup Sizes and Mug Compatibility

This model offers 3 brewing sizes; 6oz, 8oz, and 10oz. If you prefer a strongly brewed cup of coffee with a bold body and robust flavor, the 6-ounce cup size might be what you need. On the other hand, if you prefer coffee with a mild body and less pungent flavor, the 10-ounce cup size will interest you.

Importantly, this machine’s drip tray can be removed to allow you to fit a large mug (up to 7.5’’ tall) for coffee on the go.

How the Keurig K55 makes your coffee

This model follows the same concept that most single-serve coffee machines use. When you place the K-cup pod in the compartment and reposition the handle, 2 needles (one at the top and another at the bottom) will pierce through the pod on either side.

When you switch the machine ON, a pump at the bottom sucks water and pushes it through a heating chamber. Once the water has been heated to the required brewing temperature, the 3 cup-size buttons will start blinking, prompting you to press your desired strength of coffee.  

After choosing your desired brew strength, hot, high-pressured water goes through the needle at the top and saturates the ground coffee beans. Lastly, it flows out through the hole at the bottom, into your cup or mug.

How to maintain the K-Classic 

Regular maintenance is an integral part of ensuring that your coffeemaker brews excellent coffee all the time. The major preventative maintenance that you’ll need to do on the Keurig K-Classic is to descale it.

Descaling involves removing calcium deposits (also known as scale) that may have built up in the coffeemaker over time. Although calcium isn’t toxic, it can hinder the performance of your machine and even lead to a total breakdown if left for long.

Keurig recommends descaling after every 3 months. A ‘descale’ light on the control interface will light up when it’s time.

You’ll also need to replace the charcoal filter every month for maximum benefits. These filters are relatively cheap and are sold in packs of 6 and 12.

Warranty – This coffeemaker comes with a 1-year warranty against manufacturer defects. Worth noting, Keurig states that the use of non-Keurig pods may void the warranty or cause a service charge.

The Pros & Cons

Review Verdict

The K-Classic is a great coffeemaker with a lot worth going for and a few flaws too. All in all, if the thought of not being tied to the expensive Keurig pods is interesting to you, then this unit demands your attention. The K55 actually also allows you to use your own freshly ground coffee, and it’s straightforward to use.