Keurig’s Latest Invention: the K-Brew and Chill Coffee Maker

Keurig has just launched a new coffee maker into the market which promises to change how one enjoys iced coffee. The K-Brew and Chill, otherwise known as the K-Iced, is Keurig’s response to the growing demands for cold brew coffee from the comfort of one’s home. This appliance promises to make iced coffee, just like the ones you enjoy at your favorite cafe, in minutes. Will it, though? Let’s see.

The K-Brew and Chill boasts two major technologies. QuickChill Technology flash-chills coffee in 3 minutes or less. This means less ice melt and a full-flavored iced coffee. MultiStream Technology insures even saturation of the coffee grounds. The result? A richer, more aromatic cup of coffee whether it’s hot or cold.

It’s not for iced coffee lovers only; instead, it works with any K-Cup pod, brewing hot and iced beverages. It does not require special iced coffee pods. The Strong Brew option allows you to amp up the intensity of your drink. With four brew sizes-6, 8, 10, and 12 ounces-you’re able to customize your coffee experience.

But one of the real talking points of the coffee maker is its 70-ounce removable water reservoir. Easy to refill, easy to clean, it makes the brewing process less of a chore than it might otherwise be. The machine also deploys a reusable filter-a nod in the direction of sustainability.

One of the early customers, Just a Dad, posted his review after buying the apparatus for 200 dollars. He said it was a bit tricky to figure out for the first time, and it’s different from the rest of the Keurigs. For example, the chill tank, which takes 6 hours to charge completely, is able to pull out the coldest brew on the first use. Later brews aren’t as cold.

The K-Brew and Chill is on the larger side, at 15.36″D x 9.8″W x 12.41″H. It’s also quite heavy at 4.5 pounds. This may be something to consider if you have limited counter space.

The only tester who thought the hot coffee of this brewer was actually hot was Only a Dad. He did like that the cold coffee was refreshingly cold, and even strong. However he wished that smaller brew size options were available; he found that 6 ounces of cold brew were too much liquid.

At two hundred dollars, this is not a cheap machine. More than that, Just a Dad couldn’t quite see its clear market placement. For some buyers, this high price point may be problematic.

The reviewer felt that Keurig could have done a better job explaining how this machine works, given the new technologies involved. Some people may get frustrated with this not-very-clearly explained situation. Consumer Reception

Despite some problems, the K-Brew and Chill generally received positive customer reviews. Currently, the brewer is rated 4.4 out of 5 stars from 39 customer reviews on Amazon. It ranks #29 in Single-Serve Brewers, meaning it is gaining traction quickly in the market.

The Keurig K-Brew and Chill brings innovation to the home coffee market. No other machines, save the one falling in the class of a cold brew coffee maker, can make a cold brew as fast. The hot and cold brewing of any K-cup pod it offers are additional points of appeal.

Of course, it does have its not-so-nice sides, too: the size is large, the price is high, and some factors in its usability may raise eyebrows. Additionally, there is the long charge time of the chill tank and inconsistent coldness after successive brews.

For the serious coffee drinker who would enjoy both hot and iced coffee with some frequency, this is a paradigm-changing machine. What’s truly impressive here is that this will make coffee shop-quality iced coffee at home. The casual coffee drinkers, however, may find this a little hard to justify.

Admittedly, the K-Brew and Chill was an interesting step forward in home coffee brewing technology. Not perfect, perhaps, but a serious statement from Keurig that it will innovate in the increasingly competitive coffee maker market. And like most new technologies, it can only get better with the next versions. For now, it offers a unique solution for those willing to invest in their home coffee experience.