I wanted a coffee maker that would: a) make one cup at a time; b) allow me to use my own coffee (and not expensive pre-packaged "cups" or "pods"); c) be reasonably priced; d) not take up a lot of counter space. The Hamilton Beach Hot Beverage Center fits these criteria perfectly, although there are a few things I don't like.The first problem I encountered was the power cord--it's too short, only about 1.5'. Because of the way my kitchen is laid out I have to use an extension cord, which bothers me because I worry about spilled liquid. This thing seems big enough that they could have made the cord longer and incorporated a way to store extra cord in the base.
I don't like the permanent filter. The first cup of coffee I made had a layer of mud at the bottom. To be fair this is not a problem with this machine, but with permanent filters in general. I bought some Melitta #1 paper filters and use one inside the permanent filter, which works great. This has the added benefit of making cleanup easier between cups.
It says that you can use coffee pods, and since I had some left over from my previous machine I tried it but was unhappy with the results. The coffee was too weak. The pod sits in the bottom of the permanent filter and I think a lot of the water flows out of the side of the filter without going through the pod. There is an included pod holder, but that's only used if you want to use two pods at once. If what you want is a coffee maker that uses pods, look elsewhere.
Incidentally, if you buy one and can't find the pod holder, it's hiding in the base of the cup rest. (It would be nice if the manual told you this.)
These problems aside, overall I am quite pleased with this machine. The coffee tastes great. There's no carafe to clean. The spout is high enough to handle those tall travel mugs, and the pull-out platform lets you use smaller cups without splashing. I spent an extra $5 and got the brushed metal version, which looks great. This could be a 5-star machine if they just improved a few things.
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Product Description:
From fresh-brewed coffee to tea and hot chocolate, this single-serve three-in-one hot-beverage center makes them all--directly into the cup and in less than two minutes per cup. The versatile unit can drip-brew coffee grounds or coffee pods, steep tea bags or leaves, and make hot water for instant hot chocolate, cereal, and soups. It can even make iced tea and coffee. Configured to offer the ultimate in flexibility, the appliance accommodates any size travel mug, cup, or bowl, and its two-level cup stand reduces splatter. The unit also comes equipped with a removable 14-ounce water reservoir, which slides out like a drawer and offers measurement marks for easy filling at the sink. Providing added convenience, its compact design takes up minimal space on the counter--great for the home office, college dorm, or for anyone short on kitchen space. Other highlights include a stainless permanent filter with a built-in pod adaptor, automatic shut-off after brewing, and dishwasher-safe parts for quick cleanup. The hot-beverage center measures 8 by 7-1/2 by 12 inches and carries a one-year warranty.
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