You can use your own coffee with this optional filter. Just pop out the pod holder that comes with the machine and when you buy the K cup Universal multistream filter separately, you just pull off the little gray adapter that comes with it ( you won't need it with this model K cup machine, in fact the filter won't fit if you try to use the gray adapter with this model). I like strong coffee so I tap the refillable mesh filter after I add each measure of coffee, this way I can get in almost as much as I would use in my Procter Silex, I do hit the strong button for a more potent cup. Also, If you are using a 12 ounce cup, touch the 10 ounce button on your machine or you might be cleaning up a little bit of a mess as I quickly discovered. I am going to buy some of those little paper filters to use with this refillable filter, the coffee seems to have a bitter edge and dregs in the bottom of your cup if you don't and I am brewing Starbucks Cafe Verona. The machine quickly brews each cup but it doesn't seem to brew up extremely hot, so I did nuke it when I took too long to drink it. The machine also seems to want you to have more than a half full reservoir. When I tried to brew at the half way level, it said to add water. I was going to use spring water because I have hard water and I was going to try to avoid descaling it but after using half a gallon to fill the tank, my cheap side said to just use tap water and I will use white vinegar when it's time to descale. I live in an efficiency apartment with a tiny kitchen and not much counter space. This sleek coffee maker actually fits in front of my microwave so I just brew my days coffee and move this lightweight machine to a storage rack when I have finished. I don't know why they call it violet, it is really lavender. Sorry to make this review mainly about the filter but I hit the key points about the machine.

As you can see in the photo, this Keurig is basically as wide as a mug, which is perfect for smaller kitchens, or when you're already tight on space. If you're wondering whether this Keurig will fit, just place a mug in your kitchen so you can eyeball it, but if you need specifics, it's just under 5 inches in width. This smaller model doesn't have the bells and whistles of the bigger models, like a touchscreen, etc., but at the end of the day, it's a coffeemaker that works just as well. Instead, it only has 5 buttons and two indicator lights for when it needs more water or when you need to descale/clean the coffeemaker (instructions on that process are included). Using it is as simple as lifting the top, putting in your pod, choosing the ounces (and whether you'd like it strong), pressing the main button to start, and it begins brewing in seconds. I remember using a much bigger Keurig years ago, and I was not a fan of the flavor. But this time, I tried different pods/flavors, and I ended up liking the coffee it brewed. You can also remove the plastic piece at the bottom (under my mug in the photo), so that you can put in a travel mug instead for when you're on the go. From start to finish, it brews in just a couple minutes, so it's quick enough for those times when you're rushing to work. If you like Keurigs and are tight on space, then this model is perfect for your kitchen.

My family gifted me this for my birthday and it's my first Keurig coffee machine. I've had it for about a month now and love it. I like that it's small which means I can take it on road trips and other travels if I wanted. You have to fill the water reservoir for each cup of coffee you make and the requirements are anywhere between 6-12 oz. The water reservoir has markers so you don't have to premeasure. One time I filled it right at the 6 oz (minimum) line and no coffee came out so now I make sure to fill it a little above the minimum line (the next cup of coffee had the extra 6 oz that never brewed). The coffee is very hot which I prefer, much hotter than my Nespresso Vertuo machine which to me is more like very warm. The only downside to this machine is the splatter. Definitely use taller cups so you don't have a mess to clean. I've never had this problem with my Nespresso Vertuo but I'm guessing that's due to the crema the Vertuo creates and in turn, prevents splatter. That's the only reason I deducted a star - the splatter comes from both the coffee going into the cup (bounces out) which is inevitable but also from the dispenser. It's by no means a deal breaker, it just caught me by surprise.

I can’t figure out what the deal is with Keurig single serve coffee makers. Here’s why: my mom has had the same model working just kosher, no issues, since—my gosh I can barely remember—AT LEAST 2008?! It’s a pretty big size but like I said, this was one of the originals, before they started trying to make them smaller & smaller. I, on the other hand, have gone through SIX Keurig models (including this one here) in only 7 years! This K-Mini was bought in early September and by January 16th, it was taking upwards of 15 minutes to make one cup of poor tasting coffee because it was barely capable of literally just one drip at a time! And I always made sure to only use water from my Pür pitcher since we have hard water where I’m from. I even used the keurig branded rinse pods every month, and did a vinegar/water cleansing mixture TWICE each week! But it still crapped out in less than 4 months?! These are NOT cheap, and neither are the pods obviously, so I think Keurig has some explaining to do and REALLY needs to go investigating into the many complaints similar to mine to figure out what they’re doing wrong when building these. Clearly it’s far more than just me. It’s a disgrace!