The TRUTH About Coffee Pods

Coffee pods are part of a whole class of consumer products that have found a way to always keep you buying more. What do you think: coffee pods - convenient or cash-grabbers?

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Script: Holly Conklin
Editor: Reid Valaitis
Animator: Zachary Kastrukoff
Project Manager: Lurana McClure Rodríguez
Host: Levi Hildebrand

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[alyssaprzywara]

I use my older model Keurig every single day, but I buy regular ground coffee and use it in reusable pods. Super easy and convenient and I dont have to worry about generating all the pod waste.

[mary]

We stopped subscribing to HPs subscription for ink and they literally locked our printer so we couldn’t use it. We literally had to add our updated credit card to use it again. We had plenty of ink and that was never the issue. But the expired credit card was. That should be illegal.

[chris]

Fun fact about printer ink. During the pandemic Canon couldn't obtain the microchips for their ink cartridges. So they had a tutorial on how to bypass their own drm so customers could still buy the ink cartridges without the microchips.

[jakobbergen]

A guy who filled the ink cartridges in a mall told me the proprietary cartridges had a chip that kept track of how many pages you printed. After a certain number, you are told the ink level is too low. It doesn’t matter how much ink you still had left

[MrMGN]

After years without a printer I finally got round to buying one again the other day. I was surprised that most companies had released an "eco" version with refillable affordable tanks. I think they're business practice came back to bite them when everyone stopped using home printers and now they're trying to stay relevant.

[theirisheditor]

I was recommended a Philips Senseo from a German friend that is totally against those destined plastic pods. This machine uses widely available cheap ESE pods that resemble tea bags and can go into the garden compost bin after use.

[MattNeisinger]

The first thing I bought with my Keurig was a reusable pod. Not for the money issue, but the environmental one.

[DTWave]

The thing I hate about current ink cartridges is that after a certain time period they won't let you print either. The cartridge could still be half full but it won't let you print until you replace it.

[a.ramosakadrumgrl]

I use reusable pods for my Keurig, I have used them for years. When the 2.0 first came out; it was impossible to find something as an alternative for the coffee pods. Truth on the hacks! I watched tons of videos! I’ve had my 2.0 for about 6 years now, I still love it because I am using reusable pods & filters.

[ATM]

When I moved into my apartment I said "I need a Keurig" and my boyfriend suggested a timer coffee maker instead, I felt so silly, why didnt I think of that? Better coffee, less waste, and my little coffee maker makes me 2 cups, one for breakfast and one to go! So happy with my 2nd hand coffee maker!

[MissingSofeeAnna]

We went thru the kuerig thing. Then I heard about mold (I think it was) building up in the water tank and at that time you couldn't take it out and clean it. So we bought a fancy coffee machine on sale for $300-400. We ended up paying for it in 3 months because we no longer needed the pods. The coffee is way better, plus I can have a cold or hot latte whenever I want one. And as to the printers I just put new ink in. Told hubby when they were used up in about 4 months I'm getting a tankless Canon. I have used most all printers out there and Canon does the best for color photos, they are dependable, and their ink dispersion is the best out there. Thank for the vid. .

[MichChief]

Microchips and microprocessors...it is absolutely incredible how we have managed to overcomplicate the simple act of pouring hot water over some ground, roasted beans.

[Dcook]

I had an original Keurig. We liked it for sure. Bought a 2.0 and it tasted like melted plastic the whole time. Also the proprietary requirement for coffee pods was a deal breaker. Sent it back for a refund and bought a $20 coffee pot at Walmart. Haven't looked back since.

[Tatortots-dh]

Using a Keurig machine just made me realize how much easier it is just to brew a coffee myself

[technoHippieGuy]

Those pods make great little seed starters in the spring. Had about 200 pods last spring with seedlings growing. And since a lot of the pods are straight plastic, they can be reused every year. If someone's gonna use Keurig, they should look for ways to reuse the pods.

[huhwhat]

You should talk about disposable vapes vs the “traditional” vape, with refillable tanks and rechargeable batteries compared to the former without either of those things. Essentially throwing away lithium batteries on a weekly basis.

[specialopsdave]

I partially disagree with the idea that the coffee from disposable pods tastes bad, but I absolutely think that the plastic waste is horrible. Reusable filter pods are better, every time. And strangely, it works fine in my 2.0 model Keurig.

[lisaspikes]

My Keurig came with a re-useable insert that you can use regular ground coffee in. It’s an older model, but it still works well. I run vinegar through it occasionally to keep it from getting calcium deposits. We have hard water here!

[murali-alive]

Wow by raising awareness you are a nightmare to these consumer rip off companies, keep up the good work.

[chrismitchell]

They are convenient for the "I want A coffee" but they are absolutely more expensive than the alternative old school coffee makers. I have a Keurig and a standard coffee maker. I use both somewhat regularly.