Hamilton Beach The Scoop Single Serve Coffee Maker & Fast Grounds Brewer, Brews in Minutes, 8-14oz. Cups, Stainless Steel

I originally bought one maybe 10 years ago, after our first $200 Keurig died. It cost $40 at a small kitchen store. It made excellent coffee and was far cheaper to operate and far more eco-friendly than Keurig/Pod based coffee makers, that exist only to generate plastic waste and dissolve plastic into your coffee, whether or not you can taste it.I had a job where I sometimes lived alone during the week, so I got a second one for the rented house I lived in as making a full pot of coffee seemed excessive. We got a second home somewhere in there, so I got a third one. One of my sons stole one, so I got a fourth one to replace it. I've given a couple away as gifts. I LOVE this coffee maker.To make coffee you take the STAINLESS STEEL pan (dry) and scoop up some ground coffee. With experience, you can easily eyeball the right amount for your tastes. You put the pan into the machine on top of the secondary screen, add water, put your cup underneath, and hit one of two buttons that nominally alter very slightly the brew temperature/pattern. You can vary the amount of coffee relative to the amount of water to the regular/bold button results to get at least some degree of optimization to your own tastes, but honestly, if you use good , fresh coffee to make coffee, the coffee that comes out is going to be good, hot coffee for almost any reasonable permutation in its range.To make a second cup, you take the pan, rap it sharply on the side of your garbage can to remove the grounds, rinse it, and rinse the little filter that sits under it to keep the coffee grounds-free. Put back the small filter, and either dry the pan and scoop etc or use a second pan (I generally keep two to rotate them) or refill the wet pan with a secondary scoop. Literally a minute, with no non-biodegradeable waste. You can even compost the grounds if you are eco-fanatic enough and generate NO waste. If you are a coffee essential oil fanatic, you can use a small piece of coffee filter paper in/under the pan to absorb the "bad oils" and further improve the cup it makes, but I rarely bother as I don't use paper filters at all even in full pot machines -- too much waste, too little gain. Good coffee beans make good coffee, stale ones make bad coffee, simple as that, no point in trying to make good coffee out of bad coffee grounds/beans.A simple trick makes this coffee maker even better. It has (for reasons that escape me) a big hole in back above the tank intended to keep you from overfilling it with water. This hole limits the size of the coffee cup you can make at one time pretty substantially. If you leave the hole open, you can use an Ozark stainless steel cup that holds 16 oz of coffee and has a snap-shut lid (available at Wal-Mart, usually near camping) to make a perfect thermos cup of coffee if you add water to the very edge of the spill line. If you COVER this hole -- which I routinely do now -- you can add enough water to fill their LARGER stainless thermos cup with a snap-shut lid and basically end up with around 22-24 oz of coffee in a single brew, ready to safely carry to your car -- say, 1/3 of a 12 cup pot. Obviously, you fill the pan a bit more if you do this, but there is plenty of room to make coffee that is still plenty strong enough if you do, especially with "bold". So you can in ONE PASS make enough coffee in a single stay-hot stainless cup to get even a fanatic/addict through the morning and well-launched on a day, or you can (of course) just make two 16 oz stainless cups. Either way, these "travel" mugs/cups are double walled and insulated and can keep coffee warm to hot for hours when snapped shut.This coffee maker does need to be cleaned/descaled periodically, and you should use soft water or clean more frequently, just like any other, but my ORIGINAL purchase is still running after years of service cleaning it with vinegar as usual a couple of times a year. You do need to rinse off the brew head (where the water comes out to hit the grounds) a lot more frequently, especially if you (over)fill the pan, but you can actually hold it upside down in the sink and run water over it to do so and at the same time hose out the water reservoir etc as need be.A second thing to note is that if you own this machine on a decadal time scale as I have, you have to either replace the pan or periodically clean off any coffee that sticks to the pan screen or the holes will close up and your brew will back up into the head or overflow onto the secondary filter. Soaking in cleaning vinegar or "the Works" toilet bowl cleaner (basically hydrochloric acid) and then washing/scrubbing rinsing will revive it for a few more years, but at some point it will probably need replacing (when the screen wears through, for example:-). Wearing a coffee maker OUT, of course, is something that never happens in the planned obsolescence world of today, but with this single cup maker, it is possible. The ones I own just might actually last the rest of my life, except for the pan, if I can keep the guts descaled. There just isn't much else to go wrong.Could it be improved? Maybe, a tiny bit. It's brew temperature is a hair colder than "perfectly optimum" -- fresh-brewed coffee comes out at maybe 150-160F, a good drinking temperature but a bit cooler than the 180 coffee fanatics insist on as the ideal brew temperature. Still makes a damn good cup, though. They could either leave out the hole or at least, put it up where it NEEDS to be, right before the point where water overflows down into the brew head and makes a mess, not down there at least 4-5 oz short of the true maximum brew capacity. But overall, as I said, I LOVE THIS COFFEE MAKER. It has already outlived generations of 12 cup makers on the side and I'm thinking of buying another spare just in case they ever stop making it.

The Hamilton Beach The Scoop Single Serve Coffee Maker emerges as a contender, promising a quick yet customizable coffee brewing experience. With the ability to brew 8-14oz. cups, this stainless steel marvel aims to cater to the diverse preferences of coffee lovers. In this comprehensive review, we'll explore the features, performance, and overall user experience to help you decide whether The Scoop is the right addition to your morning routine.Design and Build Quality:The first impression of The Scoop is undoubtedly positive. Clad in stainless steel, the coffee maker exudes a sleek and modern aesthetic that seamlessly integrates into any kitchen setting. The build quality is robust, instilling confidence in the durability of the appliance. The minimalist design is complemented by a user-friendly control panel, making it accessible even to those who may not consider themselves tech-savvy.Brewing Options:The versatility of The Scoop stands out prominently in its brewing options. Whether you prefer a quick single-serve cup or desire a larger 14oz. portion to kickstart your day, this coffee maker accommodates a range of preferences. The adjustable cup rest allows users to use various mug sizes, providing a customized experience for every coffee lover.Speed and Efficiency:One of The Scoop's most touted features is its impressive speed. The coffee maker is designed to brew your favorite cup of joe in a matter of minutes, making it an ideal companion for busy mornings. The fast grounds brewing technology ensures that you can enjoy a steaming cup without sacrificing taste or quality, providing a perfect solution for those on the go.Single Serve Versatility:The Scoop's single-serve functionality is a game-changer for individuals who relish the simplicity of brewing a cup tailored to their exact preferences. Users can choose the coffee grounds of their liking, allowing for a personalized and fresh experience with each brew. The freedom to experiment with various coffee blends and roasts adds a layer of excitement to the morning routine.Ease of Use:Navigating The Scoop is a breeze, thanks to its intuitive control panel. The simple yet effective interface allows users to select the brewing size and start the process with minimal effort. The removable drip tray and cup rest make cleaning a hassle-free task, ensuring that maintaining the appliance is as easy as enjoying your morning coffee.Customizable Brewing Strength:For those who appreciate a more nuanced coffee experience, The Scoop offers a customizable brewing strength feature. By adjusting the coffee-to-water ratio, users can tailor the strength of their coffee to match their individual preferences. This level of customization sets The Scoop apart, providing a satisfying cup for both casual coffee drinkers and aficionados.Positive Points:Sleek Stainless Steel Design: The modern aesthetic enhances the kitchen decor and adds a touch of sophistication.Versatile Brewing Options: Accommodates a range of cup sizes (8-14oz.) to suit various preferences.Impressive Speed and Efficiency: Brews coffee in minutes, catering to those with hectic schedules.Single Serve Versatility: Allows users to choose their preferred coffee grounds, providing a personalized brewing experience.Ease of Use: Intuitive control panel and easy-to-clean design make The Scoop user-friendly.Customizable Brewing Strength: The option to adjust brewing strength adds a layer of customization to the coffee-making process.Negative Points:Limited Capacity: The single-serve nature of The Scoop may be limiting for households with multiple coffee drinkers or for those who frequently entertain guests.No Built-in Grinder: Lack of a built-in grinder may disappoint those who prefer freshly ground coffee beans for each brew.Conclusion:The Hamilton Beach The Scoop Single Serve Coffee Maker impresses with its blend of speed, versatility, and customization. Its stainless steel design not only adds a touch of elegance to the kitchen but also ensures durability. The ability to brew various cup sizes, coupled with the option to choose your preferred coffee grounds, caters to the diverse tastes of coffee enthusiasts. While the single-serve nature may not suit larger households, The Scoop excels as a reliable, efficient, and customizable coffee-making companion for individuals who appreciate a quality cup of coffee without the fuss.Positive Points Summary:Sleek Stainless Steel DesignVersatile Brewing OptionsImpressive Speed and EfficiencySingle Serve VersatilityEase of UseCustomizable Brewing StrengthNegative Points Summary:Limited CapacityNo Built-in Grinder