Use PT’s coffee in your Keurig!
Keurig B60 Brewer
For those who are not already familiar with Keurig, it is the latest in single cup brewing technology for home use. It delivers a cup of coffee in less than a minute, using pods called “K-cups” that hold a pre-dosed amount of ground coffee. While they have selections from a handful of roasters on their site, they have made an accessory available that allows the user to try any coffee they like in their Keurig. This attachment is called “My K-Cup” and is available at various online retailers for about $15.00 on average (some higher priced and some lower, some used and some new). The attachment is user friendly and allows you versatility in your dose, depending on what size brew you are doing. This offers more precision of flavor than using the pre-portioned K-cups from other roasters. I weighed a few different coffees from various K-cups I received with the brewer and the doses ranged from 10-12 grams depending on brand. Since the brew sizes are 6, 8 and 10 ounces the flavor will vary using the prefabricated k-cups from size to size. I played with the My K-Cup doses at all three sizes to find the best flavor balance for each, something an ordinary K-Cup cannot offer. Here’s the run down of how I used the attachment to make a pretty tasty cup of coffee with our Ethiopian Sidama Ardi Natural…
For the best results you will want to weigh out your dose. Scoops can get you in the ballpark, but are not a completely accurate way to measure your coffee, as a darker roast will weigh less per scoop than a lighter roast (due to weight lost during the roasting process). On the B60 model, the sizes and doses came out to the following-
6oz size (”small cup”)- 8 grams coffee
8oz size (”small mug”)- 12 grams coffee
10oz size (”large mug”)- 15 grams coffee
If your coffee is whole bean you will want to grind it a little finer than the automatic drip setting. It will end up being a little finer than sugar in the raw. The setting I used on our grinder was for the Melitta style (conical filter) brewer. I recommend grinding into something pliable so that you can funnel it into the My K-Cup filter basket (I tapped the basket as I filled it to settle all the coffee in). To retrieve the basket take the My K-Cup attachment and unscrew the lid and pull it out. Once you have filled it, place it back in the holder and screw the lid back on.
Now you’ll want to pop out the K-Cup holder, which is very easy. Open the cover and then push up on the K-Cup holder (where you put your normal K-Cups) from underneath. Now you should be able to place the My K-Cup housing into the same spot that you removed the holder from. Once it’s in you just shut the lid and press the button for the brew size you dosed for. While it’s not as simple as placing a plastic predosed pod in the machine, it’s still very easy and took me no more than 2 minutes to accomplish.
All in all I was impressed with the result. I wasn’t sure what to expect with a shorter extraction time and a little bit lower temperature, but it was pretty tasty. I tasted it against another Ethiopian K-Cup from a name brand company and the difference was astounding. Ours was lush, sweet and juicy while theirs was heavy bodied and lacked the expected sweetness usually associated with Ethiopian coffees. I will be doing a few other comparative tastings between pre-made K-cups and our comparable alternatives. Keep a look out!
Step By Step Instructions-
Step By Step- Using the "My K-Cup"
1- Remove the K-Cup holder and set aside
2- Retrieve the filter basket from the “My K-Cup” accessory
3- Weigh your dose of PT’s Coffee according to your brew size:
6oz size (”small cup”)- 8 grams coffee
8oz size (”small mug”)- 12 grams coffee
10oz size (”large mug”)- 15 grams coffee
4- Grind your coffee for a conical filter (a little finer than auto drip)
5- Put your grounds into the “My K-Cup” filter basket
6- Reassemble the “My K-Cup” accessory (put filled filter basket back in and screw on lid)
7- Place “My K-Cup” in Keurig brewer
8- Select Brew
9- Wait for coffee…
10- Enjoy!
November 6th, 2010 at 11:19 am
I have been trying the k-cup accessory filter today. After two cups of coffee it is still weaker than I prefer. I am using a coffee that I love (Dunkin Doughnuts) that comes pre-ground for drip machines. I am beginning to think (after two cups) this may not be the right accessory for me. I am going to keep playing around with it though. I do think I may need to grind my own beans and a little finer than drip ground. I do appreciate Keurig making the effort with this accessory, thanks.
June 10th, 2011 at 2:33 pm
Thanks so much for the detailed instructions. I wasn’t sure how to get the K-cup assembly out and found your site more helpful than Keurig’s!
August 13th, 2011 at 5:53 pm
I haven’t tried the k-cup filter yet but it seems to me that opening a used one should reveal the type of grind and the quantity of coffee required.
October 10th, 2011 at 8:38 am
I took Tedd’s advice but I opened a new one as a used one would have the grounds compacted. I opened a new one (Green Mountain Colombian)and poured the grounds into the My K-Cup filter and discovered that they come right about up to the top set of lines that is engraved into the filter. (I brewed it rather than throw it way.) Repeated this with some Dunkin Donuts coffee and was satisfied with the results.
December 1st, 2011 at 8:41 am
My first K Cup let out both a stream of coffee and a stream of clear water. I bought a second K Cup and obtained the same result, a diluted cup of coffee. I use Peet’s coffee because of the taste and the bouquet. Both are diluted an unacceptable when the K Cup is used.
Additionally, I have tried several different grinds with the same result. I will purchase another coffee maker rather than allow Keurig to me to buy their coffee “pods.” Is this a purposeful design flaw by Keurig?
December 25th, 2011 at 10:40 am
I have tried My K Cup and doesn’t matter what I do it overflows. Not sure if the coffee grind is to fine. I tried different levels and still overflows. I am dissapointed in the My K Cup.
January 7th, 2012 at 2:54 pm
I tried my K Cup filter and every time, the water comes out over the sides after a few seconds of brewing. I have to keep a paper towel handy for overflow of water. I put the lid on the filter, so I don’t know why this is happening.
January 8th, 2012 at 12:13 pm
This is turning into a real pain. Coffee is decent, but I think I am losing the time I thought I was saving. Still dont know what grind to use.
January 15th, 2012 at 12:58 pm
Out of the Folgers plastic container I put 3 scoops in our drip coffee maker for 6 - 8 cups of water. This little filter will hold almost the same amount. So I reduced the amount of coffee and it came out looking like tea. I don’t want to use the same amount of coffee I normally use for a pot to make one cup. Is my math off?