Can I use coffee pods in a Keurig brewer?

by Deb Leone
(Boston Ma USA)


QUESTION:

Can I use coffee pods in the Keurig machine? I have seen a little bit of information claiming that you can use the pods in the Keurig machine. I am wondering how you can do this? The pods are on sale in my local store and they have an espresso with froth I wanted to try. Any suggestions?

ANSWER:

The answer is no. As you know, Keurig brewers take K-Cups, whereas coffee pod brewers use pods.

The thing is, the brewing chambers in each kind of brewer are totally different.

In your Keurig brewer, both the top and bottom of each K-cup is pierced when you use it, and the water is pumped, under pressure, into the K-Cup itself. The K-cup contains both the ground coffee and the filter.

In a coffee pod brewer the water is sprayed over the full surface of the coffee pod.

So...if you did stick a coffee pod in your Keurig brewing chamber (don't), the water wouldn't be sprayed across the surface of the pod in the same way. So you would end up with a weak, yukky brew.

Update: See comments below for information on using the Perfect Pod Holster, which does enable you to use coffee pods in a K-Cup brewer.

As for the espresso with froth…unless you are using a single serve espresso machine, rather than a single serve coffee maker, the best you will get is a "faux espresso", with a froth and not a crema.

You can learn more about this on our single cup coffee brewers page.

Comments for Can I use coffee pods in a Keurig brewer?

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Nov 18, 2023
 Beaniac pods in Keurig Barista
by: Raymond D

Beaniac pods work well in my Keurig Barista. The pod pouch is not pierced by the bottom spike, so no grounds get into my cup. The Beaniac pods work well on a "shot" setting or any of the 8-12 oz settings.
Nov 12, 2023
 McDaniels coffee pods
by: MB

I I could not get a McDaniels Pod to work in my Keurig 2.0. The box says it's compatible with Keurig.
Aug 07, 2022
 You're right
by: Anonymous

I've tried the Slim version and had to return it because it does not work when you use the compostable pods with the soft mesh bottoms, at least not with the Cameron or Wide Awake varieties. I'm about to try the K-Compact, which looks more like my full size Keurig, which brews the soft pods very nicely. Fingers crossed.
Aug 07, 2022
 Can't use 8/o clock coffee pods in a Keurig brewer!
by: Anonymous

I absolutely could not get the 8 o'clock coffee single serve to work in the Keurig. The pods don't fit properly, the result is a mess, and you just can't get a cup of coffee!
Apr 09, 2021
 Keurig K-Supreme Plus C Single Serve Coffee Maker
by: JPH

I had the same. I went to the hardware store with an old pod. Bought a O Ring for .59 cents. 3/32 x BOUT 1 7/16 ID. Placed the ORing underneath the bottom edge of a new pod and brewed a fresh cup and it worked fine. Just remember to take the O Ring off before your dispose of the pod. It's a bit of a hassle but it will work. I also used a rubber band before going to the O Ring. Good luck.
Feb 29, 2020
 New Kerug
by: Wanda

I am no so confused and regretting my new purchase. I think the K cups are too expensive. I wanted to use the adapter for my own coffee so hubby and I can have what we each like. Now I read that you have to remove the original holder to use the universal one and then have to purchase filters in addition. If you want a K cup you have to reverse the process. Also I keep seeing that you can't choose you coffee cup size and the grounds are hard to remove. This seems to not be any cheaper. Most of the comments have been negative. I wish I had searched this before my purchase. Isn't there an easier way to use your own coffee
Nov 29, 2019
 Pods
by: Anonymous

You can do it but..... Coffee grounds everywhere! including the bottom of your cup.
Nov 15, 2019
 pods work in the older mini model
by: Anonymous

just FYI, the SF Bay pods work in the older version of the Keurig mini, but not in the new narrow tall model. Thankfully, the older model K-15 is still available.
Nov 03, 2019
 agree with Bob
by: Anonymous

The Chock full of nuts coffee tastes better than any coffee i ever had from keurig!
I accidentally bought them as well!
Wife says i can't use them. ):
Oct 02, 2019
 Pods vs kcups
by: Manontherun

My Keurig coffee machine is 5 yrs old. In this day of anti-plastic, why not use pods. I buy/use McDonald's pods at Costco. Work excellent. But, Melita pods will not work.
Jul 30, 2019
 one cup pods
by: Anonymous

The "one cup" pods as in SF Bay coffee brand work fine in a regular Keurig brewer, but I would like to buy a Keurig mini and have heard they do not work in the minis. 6 mo ago someone commented the mini does not generate enough pressure for the pods.

It is way too expensive to buy the mini or mini plus, then find it will not work with the One Cup pods. If you have not tried a One Cup pod-- they have a flat top that gets pierced during use, and the coffee is in a fine mesh pouch attached to the top. they make great coffee and pods are compostable. These are not like the refillable pods-you buy SF Bay brand or other brands already filled.

Anyone tried them in a mini?
May 28, 2018
 Pods brewed in Keurig
by: Bob

I just bought Chock full o' Nuts pods by mistake. They were on sale and stacked at the end of the isle where Shoprite often sells K-Cups on sale.
I put them in the Keurig and the coffee was delicious.
Feb 05, 2018
 Very Scientific
by: Anonymous

Yukky? Are you a shill for Keurig cups? Seems like. Pods can be used in a K style brewer without a problem.
Jan 31, 2018
 Using Pods
by: Jojo

I use pods in my keurig. My coffee taste great! No problems. I have a keurig 2.0
Jan 13, 2018
 Pods work fine!
by: Laura

I've been using pods, not K-cups, in my Keurig for years. They work flawlessly. (My Keurig is an older model. Not sure if that might make a difference).
Aug 03, 2017
 Fals
by: Anonymous

I use the Sunspun coffee pods in my Keurig all the time and no trouble with the taste. Love their brand of coffee and an easy way to make it. Been doing this for a couple of years
Jun 21, 2017
 Krug OVER RATED/ TRY this
by: Gin

I own a Hamilton Beach Flex Brew & thankfully can use any version I desire, whether it be brewing a full potential, or using a single serve Kcup, pod, even bagged or fresh grounds 2 my specified desired amount! Have even learned that it also perfectly brews tha Stanger new nespresso capsuleso I just learned about! I have also used the frothy pods you are referring too & they are amazing! Personally I absolutely adore the fact that I never have limitations with my Hamilton Beach Flexible Brew & an capable of having a variety of coffee selections at my disposal within one machine & not limited to just a select variety of flavors & limitations in machines abilities like with every expensive Krug coffee maker I have ever seen!
May 15, 2017
 KEURIG PODS IN OTHER MACHINES
by: SWILLS

Is it possible that Keurig Coffee Pods will work in a machine like a Tassimo ? Id love to have a Kuerig, but they do not do European versions of the K15 etc
Jan 04, 2017
 coffee pods
by: Anonymous

As long as it says on the box that they are compatible with the Keurig, you can most certanly use them.
Dec 05, 2016
 Yep, we just tried it. But...
by: RDraper

We found this post and then tried it, it worked fine for us. We were using a slightly older Keurig, and the pod used was relatively shorter than the K-cups.

It seems that as long as the filter mesh at the bottom of the pod isn't punctured, it should work fine. Puncturing the filter would cause grounds to leak into the cup.

I brewed a smaller cup so as not to have watered down coffee, but it would've worked fine with a larger cup because mine turned out a bit stronger than I usually prefer.

Hope this helps!
Apr 14, 2016
 PERFECT POD HOLDER ISSUE
by: Anonymous

I PURCHASED THE PERFECT POD HOLDER. i GET AN ERROR MESSAGE ON MY KEURIG. DOES NOT WORK
Jul 08, 2015
 pod holster does work with filter pods
by: Anonymous

I have been using the holster and making my own pods for several years and it works well. Not easy to find the best filter papers at the right price. One brand was a flat round filter with cover that had to be shaped with a "pod maker" and an iron was used to seal the pod. This works very well and the filter were around eight cents each but hard to find. Another was one that was sold like an envelope and it could be folded over or sealed with an iron. These are also about eight cents and also hard to find. Last resort is the latest one out, that I have not yet tried and it is "preformed pod and cover" which also fit the pod holster. Why the "leader" of this board is saying "don't use them" or "they don't work" has not expended enough effort to find out. I have not used commercial pods that contain coffee but they should work. The key to the "pod" system when using the "holster" is that water enters the pod from the top and exits from the bottom, forcing the water through the pod. I never liked any of the "holders' that have screens on the sides, as it allows water to NOT penetrate the entire pod, filter paper, or screen.
Mar 12, 2013
 pods in keurig machine
by: Anonymous

Works good is you think that costs half the price i use senseo pods Walmart 4.99 and use the adaptor that came with machine coffee is a litle weak but tasty !
Jul 30, 2012
 KiennaKUP option
by: Crim2k

Kienna brewers have similar pods, and they have a K-Cup adapter that for the most part works extremely well, as long as you follow the directions on the box precisely.

If you loosen the pod too much on your way to putting it in the pod adapter, you'll end up just making coffee-flavoured tea.

So far, in about 25 uses, I've brewed 3 bad cups. The rest have been consistent.
Oct 22, 2011
 Pods work
by: Gutti

Senseo pods are cheaper then K-cup and the perfect pod holder works well with them. the downside, don't double brew. 6oz or so you're good per pod.

if you go with "other" pods, odds are extremely high they have more coffee in them (hint: check the grams) the more grams per pod, the stronger or larger a brew you can make.

either way, i use k-kups, and pods in my keurig all the time.
Aug 25, 2011
 Coffee Pods in Keurig
by: Anonymous

I stayed in a hotel that had single cup pods in the rooms to use with the single cup coffee pots provided. I took two home to try in my Keurig. I simply placed one into my Keurig to see if it would work. I had no problem brewing a delicious cup of coffee by just tossing the pod in. Given they are half the price of K-Cups, I will be purchasing them to use in my Keurig.
Sep 28, 2010
 Pods will work
by: Anonymous

If using the Pod Holster or the My K-Cup adapter for the Keurig Home brewers, you can use pods with your system. On the My K-Cup filter you have to pour the coffee out of the filter paper pods right into the adapter. If you dont you are double filtering and loose the extraction. This might sound like more work, but you have the variety, cost savings and less plastic waste.
May 27, 2010
 The editor is a nut
by: Bennyc

If you are going to edit a board like this then at least do the detective work before you say it won't work. I have a "perfect pos holster" it it turns a pod into a K cup and makes a perfect cup of coffee if you use good 55mm pods.

Editors Note: That value of a board like this is that readers can fill in the gaps I miss. Others were quick to add comments providing links to the Pod Holster. : )
Jan 27, 2010
 Amazon has them
by: Anonymous

Here is a link for the Perfect Pod Holster at Amazon. It has many positive reviews and a few negative. I'm about to buy one.

Perfect Pod Holster
Nov 11, 2009
 Using coffee pods in Keurig brewer
by: Anonymous

Coffee pods do not work well at all even with the 'My K-Cup' accessory fo Keurig Brewers. I have tried the Perfect Pod Holster with the Keurig with 2 Senseo pods and it works well;However it will not work with the Senseo Cappuccino pods. I understand that the pods have to be 55m or greater (and I understand that it will not workwith 'discs',Tassimo,etc. but I'm confused about other pods. In particular what are 'flat-top' pods and will they work in the 'Perfect Pod Holster' with the Keurig brewer?

Thank You
Aug 12, 2009
 Pods in a Keurig
by: Anonymous

There is a device called "Perfect Pod Holster" which claims to be able to brew a cup of joe with a 55mm pod.
You place the pod in the holster, holster in the Keurig then brew.
It is available on Ebay for about $ 12.95 + shipping.
I have not tried it.

Editor's Note: I don't think that would work. The K-Cup holder is really not the same as a pod holder at all. Totally different design.

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