How Much Coffee Do You Put in a Reusable K-cup

jayimage by Jay Kang | Updated on August 3rd, 2022

Reusable K-cups offer a simple and convenient way to brew your favorite ground coffee using your Keurig brewing machine. They are a better alternative to single-serve non-recyclable pods if you are looking to keep using your coffee maker more sustainably.


universal k cup

But how do you get the most out of a recyclable K-cup? How much coffee is in a reusable k-cup? Here is everything you need to know about these reusable filters.

But first…

Before you fill up your reusable k-cup, the most important part is what type of grind you should be using!

What coffee grind should I use with a reusable K-cup?

The secret to getting a great-tasting java from your Keurig brewer is to grind your own beans. You will need a burr grinder to ensure grind consistency and a scale to know exactly how much coffee you will place into the filter. For the best results, ensure you use fresh beans, nothing older than three weeks past the roast date. 

Besides, you need to apply a little math to determine the perfect ratio of coffee to water. Allow us to explain this to you with a simple example:

Assuming your pod contains 11.5 grams of coffee, multiply that number by 16, and you get 184. The 184 grams of water are needed for a classic 1:16 ratio of coffee to water. 

Divide the 184 by 29.5, the number of grams in a fluid ounce. You get 6.2, which tells you how big of a cup you should brew with that pod. For this example, you would select the 6-ounce option or the smallest cup on brewers without ounce-per-cup settings.

 What grinds setting for reusable k-cup? Don’t go too fine.

Superfine grounds are not ideal for Keurig brewers as they clog the filter, and you might end up turning your kitchen into a swamp that you would have to drain yourself. The best part is that you can test different grinds until sure, which yields a perfect cup of joe. So, what grind setting for reusable k-cup? We could get a perfect brew by grinding our beans fairly fine.

What beans should I use with a reusable K-cup?

For the best experience, go for a dark roast. We tried light roast, which yielded a cup so under-extracted that it reminded us of tea, not coffee. We wouldn’t wish you such an experience. In fact, it is better to drink water than use a light roast. Feel free to experiment with different roasts if you choose not to take our word for it.

How much coffee do you put in a reusable k-cup?

So, how much coffee is in a reusable k-cup? If you are using Keurig My K-Cups. Keurig recommends using the lower “cup” fill line when brewing beverages below 10 ounces and the top “mug” fill line when brewing beverages above 10 ounces.

Remember the little math above? Use it if usual of how much grounds to add to brew your java and the cup size you need. 

Most reusable K-Cup holds 10 grams of coffee, equivalent to 2 tablespoons.

Tip! You need to steer clear when preparing larger amounts, as you may end up with a weaker cup.

Is it cheaper to use a reusable K-cup?

Sure, it is! For example, brewing two cups daily with a reusable K-Cup filter saves you $299.30 annually. That is a lot of money that you can use to achieve something else, right?

Is it ok to use filtered water?

To improve your Keurig output, it is recommended to use filtered water. Tap water may be drinkable, but it is often unsuitable for brewing coffee. The pH may be too high, which will lead to flat-tasting coffee, or it may be too high in sodium, which can affect how sourness or sweetness is perceived.

Buyer’s guide

Durability

The more durable the pod is, the longer you can enjoy your investment. They are also often in contact with hot water so having a sturdy build is important.

Compatibility

Of course, one of the most important things to note is if a pod you’re buying is compatible with the Keurig you have at home or the model you’re planning to purchase. Otherwise, it will be nothing but waste!

Price

To be honest, no matter what reusable pod you use, you still get to win since you’ll be saving more money than using single-use options. There are many options, and they usually don’t break the bank. Our tip is to invest in top-quality ones so you can enjoy them for a long time.

Moving parts

The more removable parts a reusable pod has, the more difficult it is to keep. Small parts are naturally easy to lose, so opt for those with lesser moving parts. If you can find a single-piece reusable pod, the better!

Look

To enjoy your brewing experience, even more, find a reusable pod you love looking at! Nothing like the littlest of things to start your day right.

The bottom line 

Reusable K-cups offer an alternative way to make a better cup of joe with your Keurig machine . By allowing you to choose your own coffee and grind, these filters give you sought-after control by most coffee lovers. Is it not satisfying to have control over the end results entirely?     

jayimage

Jay Kang

As a professional barista, it was more important for me to know the ins and out of what coffee means. So, I started this journey to unlock the appreciation and the love of coffee on my site.