Keurig K40 Elite Brewing System Single Cup Coffee Maker Review

There are loads of reasons people drink coffee – not only does it give you a fantastic kickstart to your day, but it also has many other potential benefits! There are plenty of ways to enjoy coffee. However, the best way – hands down – is in the comfort of your own home. And using the Keurig K40 is a great way to do just that.

When it comes to single-serve coffee machines, there are many things to consider before you purchase one. For a lot of die-hard coffee fans, pod coffee makers are the bomb. You can play around with flavor, strength, and roast without the extra mission of having to grind beans or remember to put in the filter.

About The Keurig K40

Keurig K40 Elite Brewing System

Brews a perfect beverage in under one minute
Choose from three cup sizes with a removable Drip Tray to accommodate travel mugs
6 count K Cup Variety Pack; Brews coffee, tea, hot cocoa, specialty, and iced beverages; Brews 6 ounces, 8 ounces, and 10 ounce sizes, Always ready and brews in under a minute, Removable 48 ounces; Water Reservoir
Auto On Off feature, Indicator lights
Includes a K Cup variety pack, Removable Drip Tray

View on Amazon

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

When it comes to coffee, single-serve makers have a horde of perks. Arguably, the best benefit is the freshness of the coffee brewed. For this reason, the Keurig K40 Elite Brewing System is also perfect for small homes or offices. If you make a big pot of coffee, you either end up wasting some of it or drinking a brew that has been standing for a while.

You might be brewing for a bigger group of people, of course. In this case, you might want a french press with a large capacity, or a drip coffee maker. A great thing to note is that this product comes with a one-year warranty. This is indicative of the companies confidence which is always a positive to see.

By adding this model to your routine, your morning can run like a well-oiled machine. Get up, flip the device on, and get breakfast going while your coffee is whipped up for you. The great thing about this great model is the insanely short time frame your java can get made in – approximately one minute!

If you take into account that everything happens in the machine for you, it’s a pretty good way to start the day off. No more spilling boiling water on yourself during the transfer from the kettle to the cup, and no more bean grinding hassle with potential knock-overs. Hey – mornings can be rough for everyone, we’re not judging you!

This machine comes equipped with a water reservoir, removable drip tray, and a lovely addition of K-Cup pods. It works just like a drip-coffee machine, without the stress of having to pour everyone around you a cuppa joe at the same time!

Standout Features

Let’s get a better idea of this coffee maker, and take a look at some of its standout features.

Capacity

This is always a really important feature to look at before purchasing a coffee machine. As mentioned above, the Keurig K40 is a single-serve coffee maker. This ensures a fresh cup every time you need one, which isn’t something you’ll find with larger capacities.

In addition to the brew being fresh, you’ll be able to consistently have the kind of coffee you want, as you won’t need to grind the beans or watch the water temperature. The water reservoir for the K40 is 48-ounces, which can get you a few cups before having to refill.

Just how many cups you can get out of this depends on which cup-size option you’re prone to choosing. This device offers you three options – 6-ounce, 8-ounce, and 10-ounce. The water reservoir is super easy to remove and refill, so even if you run out of water, it’s not a mission to top up.

The removable drip tray comes in handy if you choose to use a travel mug, or if you want to get the best out of the 10-ounce option. This is a breeze to slide out of the machine, be it for cleaning, emptying, or making way for an especially big caffeine craving.

Another great thing about having a single-serve coffee maker is that your coffee won’t get cold – you’ll have snatched it up before there’s any time for that. The Keurig K40 heats the water to 195 degrees, which is optimal for coffee taste, according to the National Coffee Association.

Style and size

In terms of style, the brand has always been a front runner. Sleek and sexy is the best way to describe the K40. Available on Amazon in black, this appliance slots in well with every kitchen aesthetic. The style of this coffee maker also makes it very functional to use.

Indicator buttons alert you to anything you may need to do, such as add water and de-scale the machine. There is an auto-off function, which is good for energy saving. These buttons will light up when necessary, which is great, as otherwise, you might not remember to refill your reservoir on a busy morning!

At around 13 inches tall, and 10 inches wide, this device will make an easy addition to your kitchen, if you have some counter space available. If you have cupboards or shelves above your counter, just remember to measure the distance between it and the counter before purchasing one of these.

They weigh about 12 pounds, which isn’t hard to move around if you decide your kitchen needs a change.

K-Cup pod variety

Note – this section is definitely applicable to all Keurig models, which is fantastic. The K-Cup pod is the brainchild of Keurig – and boy oh boy was it a good one. These are compatible will all models, and come in the form of hot chocolates, teas, and, of course, coffees.

With the K40, you’ll receive a K-Cup variety pack. If you haven’t tried these before, you’ll be hooked. There are over 100 varieties out there and this company works with some big names to bring you the best flavors. Some of the brands with their own K-Cup pod flavors are Dunkin’ Donuts, Starbucks, and Green Mountain.

Having a lot of flavors available is great for those amongst us who are experimental. If you already know what you want, then you can make sure you get just that every single time you feel the need to make some java.

What We Like

Less than a minute brew time
Single-serve machine with three cup size options
Purchase includes a variety 6-pack of K-Cup pods
One year warranty

Minor Drawbacks

Due to the small capacity, you can’t use this for a big family or office
This product takes up a lot more table space than, say, a French Press

How To Use and Maintain This Coffee Maker

The cleansing brew

The first time you unpack your machine, we get it – you’re enthusiastic and ready to go. But the setup phase is really important, and you need to get this right before you progress with your coffee making.

Once you’ve placed the machine on your counter and plugged it in, remove the water reservoir. Do this by lifting the lid, and pulling the reservoir up. Give it a quick rinse, and fill it up with water (preferably filtered) until the max fill line. Place it back in its position – making sure it locks, and press the power button. If you haven’t done this properly, the ‘add water’ light will be blue.

Remember that you’re not using a K-Cup pod just yet. This initial process is just used as a cleansing brew – we’ll get to the real stuff soon. When you’ve turned the machine on, the power button should light up green. For this first time, the water should take about four minutes to heat up, and the heating light will be red.

It’s normal to see some water dripping out of the reservoir, so don’t worry if you see that. Lift and lower the handle after the water has heated, and press the small mug button. Now you can start with your first brew!

The brewing process

Now let’s give it a go with a pod! Ensure there’s water in the reservoir, and power up the machine. Lift the handle and place your desired K-Cup pod straight in the holder – foil covering and all.

Close the handle, and select which cup-size you’re jonesing for. After the initial cleanse, brew time will be about 40 seconds. After filling your cup, the Keurig K40 should be ready for use in the next 15 seconds. The water will start heating again and might make a vibrating sound – this is normal.

Cleaning

It’s recommended that you clean the components regularly. However, don’t put any of the external components in the dishwasher. Use a damp cloth, and leave them to dry (you wouldn’t want lint in your water reservoir).

The K-Cup holder can be placed on the top rack of a dishwasher, along with the funnel.

De-scaling

Different water has different mineral content, which can lead to calcium deposits, or ‘scale’, building up in your brewer. It’s not dangerous, but it can hamper the brewing process.

You’ll need to descale your Keurig K40 about two to four times a year to optimize the brewing process, or when the de-scale light illuminates.

Final Thoughts

It’s the perfect single-serving coffee machine for anyone. Whether you need a pick-me-up at work, or a cuppa joe to start your day off, you can have one in under a minute. A huge selection of teas, hot chocolates, and coffees can all be yours with the push of a button.

This Keurig K40 is easy to clean, efficient, and will look great in any kitchen. Remember to brew your first cup by following the instructions closely to make sure everything is working properly. After that – sit back, and sip the day away! See it now and get free shipping to your home.