Do you need a new coffee machine and are wondering how good the Hamilton Beach Flexbrew Coffee Maker is? As lovers of coffee and convenience, we’re excited to give you our Hamilton Beach Flexbrew review, specifically the Flexbrew 2-way coffee maker, and give you all the facts you should know before you decide if this is the coffee maker for you.
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Overview
In the Hamilton Beach Flexbrew line, there are a couple of coffee machines to choose from, they all have a couple of different features but essentially boil down to a single-serve coffee machine and a 2-way coffee machine that includes single-serve coffee and a 12 cup coffee pot. In this review, we are going to talk in detail about the 2-way coffee maker since we think it has the best bang for your buck.
With the 2-way coffee maker, Hamilton Beach combines a single-serve coffee machine with a carafe drip coffee machine to make one machine that does it all. It will save you money, counter space, and the headache of having to deal with two machines.
Features & Benefits
It Has the Ability to Brew a Full Pot of Coffee or Just One Cup.
Since it’s built to be versatile, one side of the coffee machine is designed for single-serve coffee. You’re also able to remove the bottom tray and fit a to-go mug to fill up.
On the other side of the machine is your 12 cup coffee pot for those days when one cup just isn’t going to be enough or you’re making coffee for more than one person.
You Can Use Keurig K-Cup Pods or Coffee Grounds in the Single-Serve Compartment.
Another feature on the Hamilton Beach Flexbrew 2-Way Coffee Machine is you’re able to use K-Cups and coffee pods as well as coffee grounds on the single serve side. So, if you’re a fan of K-Cups but also want a 12 cup coffee machine, this versatile machine is perfect for you.
Each Brewer Comes With Its Own Separate Water Reservoir.
It depends on your preference if you are going to like that there are two separate water reservoirs or not. There is one for the carafe side and one for the single serve side.
Some people like that they know they have to fill up the reservoir before they can make their coffee every time, instead of starting the machine to brew and finding out halfway through that it ran out of water and you have to start over usually with a new K-Cup or batch of ground coffee.
But on the other hand, some coffee drinkers get annoyed at the fact that they have to add water every time they make coffee, especially on the single-serve side instead of having it pull from one big reservoir.
It’s all about your personal preference but this is definitely a feature that you should keep in mind before you purchase the coffee maker!
The Single-Serve Side Fits a Cup or a Travel Mug.
What’s awesome about the single-serve side of the coffee machine is that it not only will fit most coffee mugs, but it will also fit your tall travel mug!
It has a removable tray that makes fitting your to-go mug simple and easy.
The Carafe Side Has a Programmable Timer and 2-Hour Auto-Shut Off.
However, the single-serve side does not. If you’re planning to make a pot of coffee in the morning, you can program it to start brewing at a set time so you can wake up to the smell of coffee brewing.
It also will auto-shutoff after 2 hours so you won’t have to worry about turning it off.
Both Sides Let You Select Your Brew Strength.
One awesome feature the Flexbrew has is the option to choose your brew strength for both sides of the machine. You can choose either “bold” or “regular”.
We’ll dive deeper into more detail on what these mean below in the “pros” section. But in short, “bold” is more caffeine, and “regular” is just brewing it like normal.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
Options
It Has the ability to brew K-Cups or ground coffee on the single-serve side.
This is a big pro. If you are a fan of coffee pods/K-Cups but also love grinding your own beans or buying ground coffee, this is the perfect machine for you. Having options is extremely nice if you are looking to invest in a good coffee machine.
For the 2-Way coffee machine, we also LOVE that you have the option to brew one cup of coffee or 12 cups. Some days you might want to make a coffee-to-go or make several cups to drink while at home. With the Flexbrew you can do that which is what makes this machine special and one of our favorites.
Auto-Shutoff Feature
We love that the carafe side auto shuts off after two hours and the single-serve side will shut off automatically after it’s done brewing your coffee.
You’ll never leave your house worried you didn’t turn off the coffee machine, you’ll just be able to relax and enjoy your cup of coffee and continue on with your day without a second thought.
Easy to Disassemble and Clean
Nothing is worse than spending a ton of time trying to disassemble and clean a coffee machine that you swear was designed to make cleaning difficult.
You need to clean your machine often to keep it running well and in good condition, however, it shouldn’t be a chore you dread doing.
The Flexbrew is super simple to disassemble and clean so you’re able to get it done quickly and move on with your day.
You Can Choose Coffee Strength
Another pro is the ability to choose your coffee strength. Both sides of the 2-way coffee machine come with the option of bold or regular brew strength.
The “bold” option is best for when you want more caffeine and a stronger brew. It does take longer to brew than the “regular” option but it may be worth it if you need an extra kick in your cup to wake you up.
The “regular” option is not as strong as “bold” and is perfect if you don’t need or want a strong cup of coffee. There will be less caffeine, so if you’re sensitive to caffeine or want a cup of coffee after dinner, this brew-strength would be well-suited for you!
Simple Interface to Make Coffee
It’s quite simple to make a cup of coffee. On the 2-way coffee machine, you have the option to start brewing, program the machine, choose the brew strength, set the time, and choose which side you want to make coffee on. Note that you can’t program the single serve side to start brewing in the morning, you’ll have to manually start it.
Cons:
The K-Cup Needle Needs to Be Cleaned Regularly
One con is the K-Cup needle tends to get clogged over time, however, it is an easy fix. To maintain the quality of the piercing needle, make sure you clean it regularly. It’s easy to remove, clean, and put back in the machine. Just don’t forget about cleaning it so you don’t have to worry about getting anything that builds-up on it off.
Comes With a 2-Foot Power Cord
Depending on where you want to put your coffee machine, 2 feet might be a bit too short. Some users have complained about the length not working in their kitchen and believe it should be 3 feet. So this is definitely something to take into consideration.
You Have to Add Water Every Time You Want to Brew
On the 2-way coffee maker it has two seperate water reservoirs. So, you will need to fill it up every time you plan to make a pot or cup of coffee.
This can be an inconvenience for those who want to use the single-serve side more often and would prefer for it to pull water from a bigger reservoir and only replace the water in between a couple of cups of coffee.
Only the Carafe Side Has a Programmed Timer
For the 2-way coffee maker, only the carafe side has a programmed timer which can be a con for anyone who is wanting to program the single-serve side to start brewing in the morning.
If you don’t mind starting it yourself and waiting a couple of minutes for it to brew this shouldn’t be an issue. But if you are looking for a machine that has this convenient capability, you won’t find it with the Hamilton Beach Flexbrew.
Who Is This Best Suited For?
The Hamilton Beach Flexbrew 2-Way Coffee Machine is best for anyone who wants the best of both worlds.
You get a single-serve option with K-Cup capabilities and the option to brew an entire pot of coffee. There are a lot of great features this machine has and is perfect for anyone who is looking for a coffee machine that is a step-up from a cheap basic machine but isn’t ready to invest in something super-advanced that comes with a hefty price tag.
If you’re a Keurig fan but also like making 12 cups of coffee, you’ll be able to save yourself some counter space and money with the Flexbrew.
We recommend it for coffee lovers, people who are new to the world of coffee, and anyone looking for a coffee machine that is customizable.
Pricing
The Hamilton Beach Flexbrew 2- Way Coffee Machine is around the same price as other 2-way coffee makers on the market. How it compares in quality and features is a different question. However, pricing wise, it’s competitive and around the same.
You won’t break the bank with a Hamilton Beach Flexbrew, however there are cheaper coffee machines on the market, we believe the pricing is consistent with the quality of the machine.
Final Verdict
We recommend the Hamilton Beach Flexbrew because it’s a good price for what you’re getting. It’s a versatile machine and with the 2-way coffee maker we love that you have the option to brew 12 cups or a single cup as well as the option to use K-Cups or ground coffee in both the single serve side and the single serve coffee machine.
We think this is a great machine for anyone who wants to be able to have options with their morning coffee and is a step up from a basic coffee machine.
Brief History of Hamilton Beach
So who even is Hamilton Beach? Hamilton Beach is a household name that you are probably already familiar with but don’t know their background. They specialize in small household appliances ranging from blenders, to bread makers, air purifiers, and coffee machines, just to name a few.
The company was started in 1910 by two friends who previously worked together for an electric device manufacturer. They first started producing and selling universal motor-driven appliances and then started expanding their product lines from there.
In 1990 Hamilton and Proctor-Silex, another appliance company joined companies and became the largest U.S. manufacturer of small kitchen appliances. Since then Hamilton Beach has expanded internationally and its products can be found all over the world.
If you want to read more in-depth on their history, you can find that info by clicking here!
FAQs
Can you use K-Cups with Hamilton Beach FlexBrew?
Yes! You can only use it on the single serve side, you won’t be able to make an entire pot of coffee with K-Cups.
Can this coffee maker only use the K-Cups or just put regular coffee in the small filter cup?
This coffee maker can use K-Cups on the single-serve side of the machine and ground coffee on both sides. The filter works for both K-Cups and ground coffee for the single-serve coffee, you don’t need to separate filters.
Does it have auto shut off?
Yup! It shuts itself 2 hours after brewing your coffee on the carafe side and immediately on the single-serve side. You won’t have to worry about turning it off at all!