As an iced coffee lover, I can drink iced coffee any time of the day no matter what the weather is. Iced coffee has been a staple in many coffee shops and homes, and it definitely won’t go anywhere.
I’ve been making iced coffee by just doing the usual process of brewing coffee and pouring it over ice cubes but, nowadays, there are coffee makers that can brew over ice.
Having a coffee maker that has an iced option can definitely be a game-changer if you are an iced coffee lover. But, are Iced Coffee Keurigs worth it or are they just a waste of money?
In this article, I will be talking about some of the pros and cons of Keurig coffee makers that can make iced coffee. I will also talk about what Keurig coffee makers have the iced option in case you want to get your hands on one.
In this article:
- Convenience
- Taste and Quality
- Environmental Impact
- Cost
Convenience 
There’s no doubt that Keurig coffee makers are very convenient and having an “iced” or “brew over ice” option gives you the option to have iced coffee any time you want. Keurigs are also known for having a lot of options when it comes to K-Cup flavors.
Not only does Keurig have K-Cup pods that are brewed hot, but they also have iced coffee K-Cup pods in different flavors. From iced vanilla and caramel macchiato to pumpkin spice, you’ll have a wide selection of iced coffee flavors that can suit your taste buds.
Keurigs are also single-serve coffee makers so you won’t waste a whole pot of coffee if you are not able to drink multiple cups a day. We all know ice can dilute the coffee flavor and if you let your coffee sit over ice for too long, it won’t taste as good.
Taste and Quality
When it comes to the taste and quality of brewing coffee using a Keurig, people have different opinions about it. Some say that Keurig does not produce good coffee while others swear by the brand.
This will definitely come down to personal preferences as not everyone has the same taste. You might find that coffee brewed on a Keurig lacks the flavor profile that you get when using other brewing methods.
On the other hand, if you are all for convenience, then an iced coffee Keurig coffee maker can work for you, and you might still find the coffee flavors good.
Environmental Impact
While iced coffee Keurigs can be very convenient, they can still have disadvantages. As I mentioned earlier, Keurigs are single-serve coffee makers, and that goes for the ones that can brew over ice as well.
K-Cup pods can be very wasteful and will only end up in landfills. While Keurig coffee cups are made of recyclable plastic, the quality of plastic decreases each time it is recycled.
Plastic can take up to 20 to 500 years to decompose and if you are all for environmental sustainability, you might think twice about buying a Keurig.
There is, however, an option for you to reduce plastic waste coming from single-use coffee pods. Keurig has a universal reusable filter that fits all Keurig home coffee makers.
With a reusable filter, you won’t have to buy K-Cups all the time. Just make sure to use strong and darker roasts so that the ice won’t dilute the coffee flavors.
Cost
Keurigs are expensive, there’s no doubt about that. But, having a dedicated coffee maker that can brew both hot and over ice may save you money. With the iced option, you don’t have to buy a separate iced coffee maker just to have iced coffee.
However, I think if you already have other coffee makers at home, there might be no need to buy a new Keurig just for the iced option. You can just brew your coffee as normal and pour it over ice for your daily dose of iced coffee.
But, if you like the convenience of brewing over ice, then a Keurig iced coffee maker may be the right option for you.
Keurig Coffee Makers with the Iced Option
If you already have a Keurig and don’t see any “iced” button, don’t worry. You can actually brew iced coffee with any Keurig models, not just the ones with the iced option.
The downside to brewing iced coffee in regular Keurigs is that the coffee flavors might get diluted if you brew on a larger cup size. If your Keurig has a “strong” option, use that feature to brew a stronger coffee over the smallest cup size so you can still get that coffee flavor in your iced coffee.
But, if you are wondering what Keurig coffee makers for iced coffee are, here you go:
- K-Elite
- K-Iced line
- K-Supreme line
- K-Slim + Iced
- K-Cafe SMART
Do Keurig Iced Coffee Makers Brew Cold Coffee?
Iced coffee is always associated with a refreshing, ice-cold drink that has a caffeine kick. With this in mind, you might think that the coffee being dispensed in a Keurig iced coffee maker is already cold.
Unfortunately, that is not the case. A Keurig iced coffee maker still brews the coffee hot which is why you need to fill your plastic cup with ice before placing it on the drip tray. The coffee will gradually get cooler as it comes in contact with the ice.
Also, see that I mentioned a plastic cup. This is because the change in temperature from hot to cold can cause your glass to shatter. Keurig also recommends using plastic cups when using the brew-over-ice option.
Final Thoughts
So, are iced coffee Keurigs worth it? It can be if you are all for the convenience of having iced coffee in minutes. At the end of the day, the final decision will still be up to you. If you want to try a Keurig iced coffee maker, go ahead!
If you’re worried about the cost, you can buy the Keurig K-Slim + Iced or the K-Iced Singl Serve Coffee Maker. These are the least expensive out of the Keurig iced coffee makers.
So, will you be buying a Keurig iced coffee maker soon? Let me know your thoughts!
Related: How to Make Iced Coffee with a Keurig
