Keurig 2.0 brought a new change to Keurig machines with the ability to brew carafes, single-serve style. Brewing a full carafe, rather than the single cups Keurig is best known for presented an excellent choice to users.
Since they’re designed to fill a coffee pot, K carafe pods are larger than conventional K cups. These pods hold 26 grams of coffee and brew up to 30 oz, which is the top limit for Keurig Plus brewers. The pods were designed to work with Keurig machines and Keurig Carafe, whose placement with the machine was necessary for brewing.
Top K Carafe Reusable Pods To Consider
- DI ORO – MaxBrew 24K Gold Reusable K-Carafe Filter
- Housewares Solutions Refillable Carafe K Cup Filter
- TekDeals Keurig 2.0 K-Carafe Reusable Filter
- EZ BREW Reusable Carafe Coffee Filter
- Perfect Pod ECO-Carafe Reusable Filter
1. DI ORO – MaxBrew 24K Gold Reusable K-Carafe Filter
This is my top choice for this category and I think it makes all the sense. DI ORO – MaxBrew 24K Gold Reusable K-Carafe Filter has quality construction and a proven record Di Oro’s Reusable K cup has earned a solid reputation for its qualities, and the K-Carafe filter is pretty much the same.
Its body is largely plastic, but the filter here is metal and plated in 24K gold. The filter is crafted in DiOro’s honeycomb pattern. The company says that the pattern allows better extraction and taste for the coffee. I doubt the authenticity of claims like these since patterns affecting taste is a bit tough to swallow.
In any case, the coffee brewed is excellent. Gold-plating the filter certainly helps, since the metal is inert and stubbornly refuses to add (or absorb) flavors or aroma from the coffee. I’ll take a well-built metal filter over cheaper plastic or poorly-built mesh filters any day of the week.
DiOro says that the MaxBrew Reusable K-Carafe Filter is free of BPA, lead, and DEHP. It is dishwasher safe and compatible with practically all Keurig 2.0 brewers.
DI ORO – MaxBrew 24K Gold Reusable K-Carafe Filter carries a higher price tag than its competitors. It’s not that expensive though, and the build quality pretty much makes up for the cost.
Reusable Coffee Filter Highlights
- Quality construction
- Gold-plated metal filter
- Top-rack dishwasher safe
- Free from BPA, lead, DEHP
2. Housewares Solutions Refillable Carafe K Cup Filter
Housewares Solutions Refillable Carafe K Cup Filter comes at a price point that’ll make you do a double take and say “hey, might as well give it a shot!” Unfortunately, the price point is the only draw to this reusable K carafe pod. It does try to get everything right, but there’s only so much you can do at that low a price.
Theoretically, they get everything right. The mesh is made from 18/8 food-grade stainless steel, the plastic is BPA-free, and the compatibility goes without a hitch.
Practically, they’ve got problems. The mesh is a bit flimsy and you might have to use paper filters to keep grinds out of the brew. Its construction quality is okay at best.
And it has an odd compatibility relation with 2.0 brewers. Some machines will flat out reject it, while others will work happily. It doesn’t seem to be an issue with individual models, but an issue with the reusable K carafe cups.
If it works, it works like a charm. If it doesn’t, it’s pretty much a dud. Perhaps that’s an acceptable risk at its price point.
Reusable Coffee Filter Highlights
- Attractive pricing
- Uses 18/8 food-grade stainless steel mesh
- Random compatibility issues with Keurig coffee makers
- Average brew quality
3. TekDeals Keurig 2.0 K-Carafe Reusable Filter
TekDeals Keurig 2.0 K-Carafe Reusable Filter walks a fine line between low pricing and quality. It’s priced on the lower side of things but tries to hit it right and get some quality components moving.
The filter mesh here is made from 18/8 stainless steel and the lid gets a silicone ring for a better fit. To be honest, the mesh does look a bit flimsy, but it manages to hold up just fine. The quality angle is somewhat acceptable. It doesn’t quite measure up to the DiOro filter, but it isn’t terrible either.
As for convenience, the filter is dishwasher safe. It’s also free from lead and BPA, so you can use it without worry. Thankfully, it doesn’t seem to have trouble with compatibility, though some Keurig DRM models will cause problems. In that case, you might have to use a hack to get around the problem.
Reusable Coffee Filter Highlights
- Good balance between quality and pricing
- Uses 18/8 food-grade stainless steel for filter
- Acceptable brew quality
4. EZ BREW Reusable Carafe Coffee Filter
Another option to consider for K Carafe reusable pods is the EZ BREW Reusable Carafe Coffee Filter. It has a better build quality when compared to cheaper options, but it isn’t completely problem free.
The biggest problem with these filters is the poor quality of the joint for the lid. It comes off easily and can be a huge problem when you brew a carafe. There are also some random compatibility issues where the machine will refuse to work with these pods, but accept them sometimes.
Its filter mesh is made from stainless steel and the body is reasonably sturdy. The filter is dishwasher safe and easy to maintain.
Reusable Coffee Filter Highlights
- The filter mesh is sturdy
- Top rack dishwasher safe
- Random compatibility issues
5. Perfect Pod ECO-Carafe Reusable Filter
Reliably good construction and performance make this a great pick for reusable Keurig 2.0 carafe pods. Perfect Pod ECO-Carafe Reusable Filter is a well-built reusable pod that works well with Keurig 2.0 coffee makers. Compatibility issues are rare, which is great, given that the Keurig 2.0 line is notoriously crazy about compatibility.
As for filter construction, the micro-etched stainless steel does its job remarkably well. The filter is sturdy and is built to last a long time. Plus, the quality construction avoids any transfer of flavor and odor between the filter and coffee.
The easy-to-use filter is top rack dishwasher safe. It’s also free from problem elements like BPA and lead. It’s a reasonably good pick with a proven track record.
Reusable Coffee Filter Highlights
- Excellent build quality and construction
- Minimal compatibility issues
- Top rack dishwasher safe
- Free from BPA and lead
A Guide To Choosing Your K Carafe Pods
Reusable Filters Or Regular K Carafe Pods?
If you’re shopping for Keurig K carafe pods, pick the reusable filter over regular pods. Keurig retired the K carafe pods in 2018, so there are no fresh carafe pods available. It is possible to find some at a random retailer, but they’re unlikely to be fresh.
Though K cups can last reasonably long beyond their “use by” date, it’s been too long since they were discontinued. You’re unlikely to get a K carafe pod that can reasonably be expected to brew good coffee. It might even be unsafe to drink.
While reputable stores won’t sell such pods, there’s always some unscrupulous person trying to make a quick buck. Don’t fall for it.
If you have a Keurig 2.0 machine and need a carafe pod, go for the reusable option.
If you’re wondering where to buy the reusable K carafe pods, purchasing them online is a good choice. Some brick and mortar stores near you might also be selling these pods, but there’s a good chance that you’ll have to search through a few stores before you find one that still stocks these.
Is The K Carafe Pod Coming Back?
The chances of the K Carafe pod returning are slim to none at the moment. Keurig seems to have given up on the carafe pods and no newer models show a hint of accepting pods. Even the newer Keurig coffee makers capable of brewing a pot of coffee show no interest in using K carafe pods.
Keurig K Duo, for example, leaves carafe brewing completely to the conventional drip coffee method. No pods, just the classic combo of ground coffee and filter. The machine works wonderfully with K cups, but carafe pods clearly aren’t anywhere on its priority list.
Filters, Grind Size, And Coffee Quality
Reusable K carafe pods inadvertently use metal filters. Well, you could perhaps find some with a plastic filter, but why bother with an inferior material like that? Stainless steel is an excellent material for reusable coffee filter, but it will allow some coffee grounds to seep through into your cup.
It won’t be much, but you will find some coffee residue in your cup. If you have no problem with that, everything’s just fine. However, those who prefer a cleaner cup might want to layer a paper filter into their reusable coffee pods. Paper filters do a much better job at holding back those coffee grinds.
They’ll also absorb some coffee oils, but that’s usually not a problem. In fact, the oil absorption might be a desirable feature for people who have trouble with cholesterol.
As for grind size, choose a medium or medium-fine grind. A classic grind suited for drip coffee will do just fine. Going for a finer grind with just the permanent filter will lead to more coffee grounds in your cup. If you’re going for a finer grind, make sure you use the right paper filter to catch the coffee grounds.
Finding The Carafe Pod Companion To Your Keurig 2.0 Coffee Maker
While Keurig has moved away from the carafe pods, many users still find them very useful. If you have a Keurig 2.0 or Plus Series brewer that accepts carafe pods, getting reusable filters is a great option. These fill in the gap left by K carafe pods and make it possible to brew your choice of coffee in your Keurig machine.
Our top suggestions for this category are the DI ORO – MaxBrew 24K Gold Reusable K-Carafe Filter and the Perfect Pod ECO-Carafe Reusable Filter. Good construction quality and reliable brewing make these excellent picks.