The Keurig K-75 Platinum is a mid range machine that unfortunately doesn’t overachieve much. While it’s sleek look and compact size would make it at home on any countertop, it’s a little tough to justify the price (while competitive) for a mediocre cup of coffee.
Features
The first thing that will strike you is the illuminated LCD display which glows a striking, deep blue. This primarily allows you to control the machine, but also doubles up as an attractive digital clock when not in use. Using the screen, and corresponding buttons you can adjust the size of your brew to suit your individual needs or perform routine maintenance such as cleaning and descaling. It is a simple, frills free machine with intuitive controls.
Some may be put off by the all plastic construction available in all black or silver finish, but truthfully, it feels pretty sturdy. My parents have had this machine for a few years now and it isn’t showing any signs of wear-and-tear in spite of daily use. The faux-chrome handle is sturdy and easily reveals the cup compartment. Once the k-cup is inserted, two tiny pins poke holes on the top and bottom of the disposable cup, allowing the water to flow through and brew your beverage. It’s also possible to get special reusable k-cups which will allow you to brew your favorite ground coffee or loose tea easily. All while being a little echo friendlier.
The machine features a large, 72 ounce water reservoir which provides ample water supply for even the biggest coffee drinkers. The reservoir features a convenient opening at the top allowing you to fill the machine easily in place but the reservoir can also be removed and filled in a more convenient location if you prefer. Finally, the K75 includes an expected removable drip tray which is not only convenient for cleaning, but also makes ample space to fill up taller vessels like travel mugs.
Brew Quality
Keurig suggests that before using the machine the first time you run 1 or 2 brew cycle with plain water to make sure the inner workings of the machine are clean and primed. When you initially turn on the machine, you can expect about a 4 or 5 minute delay while some of the water is drawn in from the reservoir and heated. Once the initial heating is done you can expect the brew process to take roughly 40 – 50 seconds which is right in the ballpark for machines in this price range. It offers the same temperature range as most pod machines, being 187° to 192° F. I personally find this to be low for coffee, perfect for tea, but it is only one of the problems I have with pod coffee makers.
While the machine makes a pretty decent cup of coffee quickly, it does leave a little something to be desired. It’s great for the casual drinker just trying to start their morning, but connoisseurs, or those who enjoy their coffee black, would best be advised to seek something a little better. My main gripe is that there is no customization for brew pressure or temperature beyond 192°F, meaning you’re giving up quite a bit of control over the final product. Sometimes, the standard settings just aren’t appropriate for gourmet coffee. With that said, I have had a couple of good cups from this machine and the secret seems to be to find a flavor of k-cup, whether it’s coffee, hot chocolate, or tea; which works for you and just stick with it as there is quite a lot of variability between different types.
Another big issue is that the k-cups don’t come in varying sizes. That is to say, you can adjust brew size, but not brew strength. So if you enjoy a strong cup of coffee in your travel mug on the way to work, you’re better off brewing 2 separate k-cups at the standard size, rather than use the large brew setting as this can leave you with a weak and watery final product. Personally, pod machines do not cut it for me, but K75 platinum in particular had more negatives than positives solely based on the value for dollar. Why pay more for as little control as cheaper models?
Price
This machine has been marked down considerably over the years since it first came out on the market and at its current MSRP of $130 – 170 it can definitely be an option for the casual coffee drinker who prioritizes convenience. With the machine comes a starter pack of 60 k-cups coming in various flavors which can help you start to discover your favorites.
There is also the option to buy charcoal filters for a small additional cost of about $15 for a pack of 12. These are meant to filter out impurities commonly found in municipal water supplies. With that said, you can forgo the charcoal filters but in that case it would be recommended to fill the reservoir with pre-filtered water from a Brita water filter or similar device. This can help prolong the life of the machine by avoiding buildup and wear on the inner workings of the machine. If you choose to ignore this all together, you’ll have to be more diligent about cleaning and descaling the machine.
Conclusion
This is a decent little machine that make a fair cup of coffee pretty quickly. At $130 it is a mid-range machine that unfortunately doesn’t over-deliver. It can be a decent option for a casual coffee drinker with a hectic schedule but there are other options available for just a little more that deliver way more in terms of performance. As far as Keurig models, I think you might as well stick with a newer or cheaper model. There are many alternatives.
