I’m one of those people who believes that “cold” is a flavour on its own. A plain black coffee? Meh. An iced black coffee? Yes, please!
Making one at home always takes longer than grabbing one from the coffee shop down the street. I usually have to pull an espresso shot and pour it over ice, or shake it with ice cubes to get that perfect taste — a noisy routine that often ends in a mess.
This text is a translation from Noovo Moi
But a new little appliance just changed everything. I’ve never had this many iced coffees at home before! It’s the Keurig K-Brew+Chill.
Most of us are already familiar with K-Cups — those little pods that let you brew one coffee at a time. Well, this new coffee maker is designed specifically for iced coffee that doesn’t get watered down, since ice is completely optional.
The Keurig K-Brew+Chill: How it works
The machine includes a water compartment called the ChillTank, which cools down over a few hours. Each coffee pod is brewed hot for maximum flavour, then chilled as it passes through the ChillTank using QuickChill technology — all in under three minutes.
You can choose between hot or cold coffee, with brew sizes of 6 oz, 8 oz, 10 oz, or 12 oz. There’s also a “Strong” button if you prefer a bolder, richer taste — whether you’re brewing hot or cold.
The water reservoir holds 2 litres (70 oz), so you won’t have to refill it every day. The machine automatically rinses itself after each brew, and the drip tray needs to be emptied roughly every three rinses.
My review of the Keurig K-Brew+Chill
The first time I tried my new coffee maker, I was surprised by how quickly the ChillTank cooled down. Even right after plugging it in, it produced a slightly chilled coffee — and after a few hours, the drink came out ice cold… with no ice cubes needed!
I tested two versions of a classic iced black coffee: strong and regular. Both were excellent, and best of all, because it was cold, I didn’t feel the need to add sugar like I often do with hot coffee. It’s a small thing, but it matters to me.
I also made iced lattes and cappuccinos by brewing smaller sizes and frothing up cold soy milk with my milk frother. Delicious!
Finally, I tried some Van Houtte pods made for hot brewing over ice — the new hazelnut flavour tastes just like the one from my favourite café!
After just one use, I fully understood how it worked — and this was my first Keurig ever! Everything’s simple and intuitive. The buttons blink if you forget to choose the hot or cold option or the cup size. The same happens if the water tank needs refilling.
Another big plus: the Keurig K-Brew+Chill is super quiet! Granted, after the noise of a Ninja Creami, anything seems quiet — but I brewed two coffees while my partner was asleep in the next room, and he didn’t hear a thing. Even the rinse cycle is surprisingly silent.
Things to keep in mind
First, while the machine isn’t noisy, it does make a faint humming sound to keep the ChillTank cold. I’ve gotten into the habit of unplugging it when I’m done for the day — saves energy and eliminates the sound.
Second, single-use coffee pods aren’t the most eco-friendly option. As I mentioned earlier, I’ve been drinking way more iced coffee since getting this machine, which means a growing pile of empty K-Cups to recycle (after removing the foil lid and composting the coffee grounds).
I plan to order Keurig’s Universal Reusable Coffee Filter so I can use my own ground coffee when I don’t want a specific pod flavour.
My final thoughts
I absolutely love the Keurig K-Brew+Chill! As a devoted iced coffee drinker — even when the temperature dips below zero and the wool socks come out — I know I’ll be using it daily. And having the hot coffee option is a nice bonus!
