Senseo coffee maker equivalent?

[Sparkly]

When I was in Switzerland, there was an old single-cup coffee (espresso) machine that used little round pods, kind of like teabags.

We do have a fancy schmancy automatic espresso maker, but this thing made stronger coffee, which I love. To get that with our machine, the beans have to be so dark -- and thus oily -- they clog up the machinery.

The one in Switzerland was so little and simple, I was sure that if I could find one, it'd be relatively cheap. When I started looking around online, I realized it was probably an older model Senseo. Then I looked at the prices -- YIKES!! They're about $500.

There are used ones on eBay, but those seem slightly yucky or very pricey.

(It seems the American-market "equivalent" is a Hamilton Beach drip machine, like the ones in hotels. Not the same at all.)

Any suggestions for a) a similar but less-expensive machine, or b) dark but not-so-oily beans for the automatic one?

[rdharma]

1. How about a Keurig?

They use the single serve K-cups.

I really like mine...... and I'm kind of a coffee "snob".

[Warpy]

2. Not only that, you can get refillable k-cup knockoffs

that drop the price of the brew while opening up the possibility of using different blends.

Keurig sounds about the closest the OP will get to the Swiss machine.

[Sparkly]

4. Is that the one that uses little cups?

I'm hoping for one that uses the little teabag-type round pods.

[rdharma]

6. Yes. They use the little "K-Cups"

Last edited Sat Aug 17, 2013, 02:25 PM - Edit history (1)

(As mentioned above) They also make the little refillable/reusable K- Cups that you fill with your own ground coffee.

I know what you're talking about when you refer to the round pods. Also you don't have the wide variety of coffee varieties to choose from that you have with the K-Cup machines.

[Sparkly]

9. Here's a picture...

[japple]

12. I saw a new display at Kroger with some of their Private Selections

brands and noticed it included coffee pods. Might be worth investigating.

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

3. I use a smallish French Press, which will give me one cup of coffee, just as I like it.

[Sparkly]

5. Those do make good coffee.

[rdharma]

7. They sure do!

The only problem is they require a little more effort and time to prepare and clean.

I have a Ti Snow Peak "Café Press" that I originally bought for back packing. I love it.

[japple]

8. I am a bit of a coffee snob and the only thing I will use is a

Melitta. I don't drink espresso, but I do love dark, rich and full-bodied. Grind my own beans and drink it straight--no chasers!

[spinbaby]

10. I love my Melitta

I make one cup at a time, so I always have a fresh cup as strong as I like it. The little plastic cone takes up no counter space and the filters are dirt cheap at Costco.

[Emiliajarmon]

11. Try this for substituting the senso coffee maker

I understand what you're looking for but I think ebay or good thrift stores are going to be your best bet because that kind is not too popular anymore. Here are some coffee makers that you can buy online http://www.dailycuppacoffee.com/coffee-maker-machines. Look through them. I'm sure that you had a good experience that you want to recreate but you might just have to fly to Switzerland for that!

[Sparkly]

13. Thank you (and welcome to DU!)

The one I loved in Switzerland was an old, beat-up, tiny thing in a student kitchen. Not really sure it was actually a Senseo, but that seems the closest.

I finally did buy a Senseo HD7810 on eBay. Seems they've discontinued that model now! It's not exactly the same, but pretty close!