Question 1

Can you just get a cup of hot water from this system?

Accepted Answer

Yes. By not inserting a K-cup into the machine, you will have the option of dispensing 4 or 6 oz of hot water. This can be very useful when brewing tea or to clean out the system after brewing cocoa or flavored coffees.

Question 2

Looking for the refillable pod for this machine. Bought one made for keurig 's and the lid would not close?

Accepted Answer

As others have stated, this machine only takes the Keurig 2.0 k-cup.  They also engineered a RFID chip into the k-cup to unlock the machine's size settings.  if you try to use the machine as a fancy water heater, with no k-cup installed, you are limited to two settings.  If you gut a 2.0 k-cup (leaving the foil top ring intact) and place it in the machine you now have access to all four size settings.  As far as I am concerned you should stick with the 1st gen models as there are more choices for those.  These new machines are an attempt to maintain monopolistic control - pretty sad for a once innovative company.

Question 3

why is there no container for this model where you can brew your own coffee?

Accepted Answer

With the Keurig 2.0 system they have implemented a DRM security feature that prevents non Keurig-Stamped K-cups or filters from working. I am unaware of an official Keurig-approved reusable filter. A quick youtube search will show you how to circumvent these protections to use a re-fillable filter. I myself have done this and can report that those methods do work. Overall, I am quite happy with this new system as they have worked out many of the bugs the old ones had.

Question 4

Are there any Keurig systems that don't require a K-cup ?

Accepted Answer

There are 3 generatlons of Keurig machines and all are still available from many sources, including here Newegg. I have found that Newegg often has the best price and always has the best terms.

1. Original: These use k-cups, but they also accept the My K-cup adapter, so that you can use any ground coffee. The original design does not check for licensed coffee pods.

2. Vue: Keurig tried to replace the K-cups with a newly designed pod in 2012 & 2013. The product did not sell well. Buyers still flocked to the K-cup, single serve brewer. Because the K-cup patent expired at the end of 2012, compatible pods appeared from a great many roasters and brands and brewers began appearing from more appliance companies.

3. Keurig 2.0. This new generation launched in September 2014 with models 200/400/500 or 350/450/550, accepts both K-cups, Vue pods and a new larger pod that makes 4-5 cup carafes. (The carafe is included)...

But the new 2.0 brewer is controversial because it uses high-tech gimmicks in an attempt to lock down the appliance and control customers. That is, it looks at each pod placed into the coffee chamber and refuses to brew if cannot find the licensed inks used on the lid of pods from Keurig and its partners. Perhaps most insulting is the incredibly parental admonishment that appears on the user control screen. In a very patronizing way, it informs the user that they must certainly have made a mistake, because Keurig has sensed that an attempt was made to brew inferior coffee, and how much happier the consumer would be if only they would restrict themselves to the companies that pay for the privilege of compatibility.

For a humorous spin on the whole fiasco, Google the words awildduck & Keurig. It's a worthwhile perspective on the new consumer-unfriendly scheme at Keurig.

Question 5

what's the voltage of it? Can it be used in China, which voltage is 220V

Accepted Answer

The Keurig 2.0 brewers are sold for specific geographic markets. Units match the power specs of their respective region. They do not include a universal power supply for use with all voltages, as you might find on a smaller, rechargeable, or all electronic appliance (like a shaver, PC power supply or smart phone charger).

My Keurig model 450 is labeled: 120v, 60Hz, 1470W. It is not safe to plug into 220v AC and I do not advise using an inexpensive voltage-only converter.

Question 6

How do I use the starter filter kit, included in the Keurig 2.0 450?

Accepted Answer

Using the starter filter kit is quite simple.  Just soak the charcoal filter for a few minutes in cool water then insert it in the plastic holder (it is a bit tough separating the plastic holder), snap the holder back together and then press it on the mounting base in the bottom of the water tank.  Don't forget to set the dial 2 months in advance as that is when you will want to replace the charcoal filter (according to Keurig, the filters last about 2 months).

Question 7

Is this Keurig 2.0 K450 a refurbished model or new?

Accepted Answer

What an embarrassing error!...I meant to say "a frequent Newegg buyer". I bought my Keurig brewers here at Newegg.

Questions & Answers