I used to get up every morning and brew a half of a pot or pot of coffee and be bored with it after the first cup.  I whined to my wife about it and kept bugging her to ‘let me’ get a k-cup brewer.  “We have a coffee pot already … why do you need another one?” she’d say.  Well, after enough prodding, she gave in and we brought home a Keurig B40 machine.  I immediately plugged it in, filled up the reservoir and brewed my first cup (and a cup for my wife, of course!).  It was fantastic and to boot, my second cup was a different brand and a different blend altogether.  I knew (and so did my wife) that my coffee (and tea) drinking days would never be the same.

Features

So now, I still get up every morning and brew coffee, only this time, I can choose whatever I want, without wasting a whole pot.  The B40, like many of the other Keurig home brewers (B30, B60 and B70) has many features, including a 48-oz water reservoir and two cup settings (7.25 and 9.25) to start.  Depending on what mugs are in the dishwasher that morning, I can choose to brew a slightly different size each morning.  The reservoir is great as well.  I don’t have to worry about filling it up each morning.  It brews close to 6 cups before having to be refilled.  There are also a plethora of indicator lights telling you things like whether water needs to be added, or it’s simply heating and getting ready for the next brew – a very ‘at your service’ machine!

Makin’ Coffee

I’m not sure how many of you have already had a k-cup cup of coffee yet, but this is a relatively straight forward process.  As long as you have enough water in the tank, and the machine is plugged in, you’re pretty much ready to go.  First, choose your k-cup.  The machine doesn’t talk, but I can hear a faint whisper as I approach, “What are you in the mood for this morning, Jason?” I open the cupboard and choose my favorite flavor or blend.  I open the k-cup hatch, drop in the k-cup, and close it.  The machine registers and starts to blink at me … saying ‘Pick your brew size.’  Essentially, the two cup sizes (7.25 and 9.25) blink in blue for you to choose.  I slide my mug under the k-cup and hit the button.  30 seconds later, steam is rising from my mug and my coffee is ready to go.

The Specs

The B40 11″x13″x13.5″ and when opened is 16.5″ tall.  It’s a pretty standard size for any kitchen appliance and fits nice and neatly under your cupboard.  You can brew a 7.25 or a 9.25 cup of coffee.  There is an auto shut-off button which tells the machine to turn off after 2 hours – if you want to save some/go green.  It has two other indicator lights, one that tells you when to add water – this is also quite visual since the 48 oz. resevoir tank is clear and you can see when the water is low.  The other is for when the machine is heating the water – you can’t brew a cup at this time, but if you wait a few seconds you’ll be good to go.

The Quick Video

Check our our short video which gives a quick overview of the Keurig B40.

Minor Gripes

The B40 is not unlike the other Keurig brewers in that they are a bit loud when the pump comes on to prepare itself to brew and for the next brew.  While some have blogged about it as being that of a freight train, I think that’s way over the top.  It’s certainly noisy, but it quiets down in less than 10 seconds and you move on with your day.  (Freight trains can go on and on!).

Final Thoughts

We at qwowi.com don’t hide our preference for k-cups and our Keurig brewers.  We simply love them.  We enjoy the convenience and the variety.  Being that I work mostly from home, I don’t pass a Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts or Ma-n-Pa Diner on the way to work.  Instead, I pass through the hall, my living room couch and the pile of dishes I need to put into the dishwasher on my way to get a great cup of coffee.  I used to spend a few bucks a day on coffee when I worked outside of my home.  I’d walk with my colleagues to the cantina and decide on whatever generic brew of the day was, sugar it up and gulp it down.  It was more for the social aspects than anything.  With the brewer at home, I can say that I’m enjoying coffee a bit more; it’s not just a means to wake up in the morning.

Even though the Keurig B30 has entered the scene, I still consider the B40 the entry-level Keurig home brewer.  It offers many of the same features as its older sibling models, but comes at a different price point and brews coffee just the same.  My wife and I thoroughly enjoy the brewer, whether we are in the mood for coffee or tea, it always brews a great cup.

Shameless plug

Where can I get a B40, you ask? Qwowi highly recommends Green Mountain for Keurig Brewers.  In addition to Keurig Brewers, and just about anything else coffee-related, Green Mountain offers a couple of fantastic programs for K-Cup lovers.  First there’s the Cafe EXPRESS program which brings no fuss, K-Cup delivery to your door, and save you $2 on every box you order.

Green Mountain has also very recently introduced a Refer A Friend Program. If you refer a friend to Green Mountain and that friend buys a Keurig Brewer, you’ll both get two free regular variety samplers.

Please do consider Green Mountain for all of your K-Cup needs.

While you’re here at Qwowi.com check out our review of the newest addition to the Keurig line up, the B30 and our growing list of reviews that make up the K-Cup Challenge.