Update: Hamilton Beach 2-Way Flexbrew Coffee Maker

[@michelj.gaudet5048]

I realize this is a rather harsh comment. I am almost 70. All of my life, I have MARVELED at how dense some people can be about the simple things in life. I HAVE met some VERY LITERAL folks, and have learned that with such people, I have to be careful how I couch my words with them... God bless them all. Regarding this unit, the manual is very explicit on how to use the thing. And yet, some of the folks have difficulty just reading the manual and following the directions. They are some fortunate to have such a patient and wonderful guy like this up-loader to come to their rescue. WTG, Mr. Giles!

[@ChelseaBlossom]

4:02 I didn't bring my whole coffee maker to the sink I just switched it to the pot side and ran it to drain the water 💦 😊😋

[@erintaylor4228]

My Flexbrew makes amazing coffee! I noticed a small puddle of water forming under the unit whenever I brewed on the single serve side..... decided to take it apart to see what was going on. After unplugging it I turned it upside down and removed all screws from the bottom of the unit. after lifting the bottom off I saw that one of the silicone rubber hoses were broken. replaced both of them and now working good as new again!

[@DSC800]

That's exactly what happened with mine. The rubber hose inside that goes to the top came loose. Hard to get in there to get it back on, but did it and now it is working without leaking again. Really didn't want to spend money on a new one after just two years.

[@hhkkuu123]

Kendall, I have had this machine for two years also. There is one part of your review where you state that when brewing a pot of coffee you pour the water into the area where you put the coffee grounds!!! All in All I thought you did a great job outlining its faults. I must admit however that I was not aware that the heating element came on when brewing a single cup.

[@allenhorak2622]

Love the video. Leak problem is caused by a hose not properly installed, the hose clamp is not seated properly and the water pressure causes a leak and may force the hose loose from the fitting. (Been there done that).The hot plate has to be on to create a state of thermo-siphon (Hot water rises) which is how the water moves from the reservoir to coffee basket.

[@andreeblomfield3857]

Thank You So Much!! My husband had a issue about water overflowing the machine. He must remember to use the right amount of water to each cup or carafe and to remember to flip the bottom on top. You video has help him so much.

[@andibean85]

I made my first batch tonight and for both I put the water in the hole above the single serve area. It worked because of the setting it has to be on! There is only one place to add water...that little square you opened...like I said I did it and it worked to brew the full 8 cups of coffee in the pitcher!

[@teresapassafume8676]

After digging out my sales receipt and finding out Kmart doesn't have any in stock, plus making coffee in the big pot vs my single serve, came across your post and I'LL BE DARN YOU ARE RIGHT! IT WORKED! THANKS A BUNCH!!

[@cmjsterling]

Thank you so much for showing how to get the kcup holder into the machine....very much appreciated, now I can enjoy some kcups. I always used the Keurig however I have had 2 different models and had problems. This time when I went to replace it, there was another new model and there was no place to make regular coffee, which my husband likes. So until they come out with another model next year I told them they would be losing a lot of customers....cheers

[@river_dance_500]

the water goes on one side only for both the single and carafe. the other side is where the coffee grinds go for brewing a carafe with a paper filter.

[@vickiejohnson2451]

Thank you for telling me how to use the K-cup. I couldn't figure it out. The good news is that I have the newer version of this coffee maker, so there are no problems with my coffee maker. Apparently they watched your video. :) You did a great job explaining every detail. Maybe Hamilton Beach should hire you and leave an insert in their boxes to watch you on youtube instead of handing out those books of details that are easily lost. :) They need to get with the future. :)

[@DSC800]

When you open up the unit from the bottom you can see the hose runs from the top reservoir down to the hot plate heating element, then back up to the coffee drip side. So one element does all the work. Could be considered cheap to do it this way, but actually an efficient design.

[@denakrailo2182]

I really appreciate your video. I could not figure out the K Cup tray after almost a year and I didn't know that you could turn the little tray over for shorter cups. I really love this machine though!

[@jaytrefethen3558]

Surprised you didn't address the clogged nozzle problem, as it seems to be fairly common. This can be solved by stuffing a paper clip up the k-cup nozzle, as described in a review by Ronald Kretz.

[@jaytrefethen3558]

Hey Don, glad I could help.

[@Chinita_yay]

Jay Trefethen I did exactly what you did but it didn't work and all it's doing is boiling water but nothing comes out on either side, idk what to do now.

[@revbest77]

Thank you so much for your video, I bought mine with my Birthday Money, in November 2015, but I could not put the K-Cup in.The instruction book did not help me a bit. I bought this type, because my son, likes his coffee really strong and I don't. I used 2 different coffee pots in my small kitchen space. Well, I used the regular coffee, but I had K-Cups that I wasn't able to use. Son got me a Keurig, but I didn't like it since you have to have a certain amount of water in it and I kept wasting water that I buy in bottles, since water can brew bacteria when standing too long, I didn't like the Keurig. Decided to go back to the Hamilton Beach and went back to the instruction book, but it didn't help. I went on KZbin and saw your video. Thank You! I was able to get the K-Cup going. Also, I didn't know the burner got hot when the single cup was brewing. But I want to tell you how I solved the problem of too much water in the single cup brewer. When the Error message comes on, I just switch the the knob to the regular brewer and watch the water level until it goes to the correct level, usually, it is just a little bit, and doesn't take long. Again, Thank You. I had my K-Cup this morning. Blessings!

[@kimmakarewicz2836]

Hi, I'm having trouble with thr K-Cup blade putting a large hole in to the K-Cup, therefore I get a cup of grounds, yukk! how do i not get grounds? Love the helpful video...Thanks

[@MONICAANICA]

when is too much water instead of going to the sink switch to full carafe and press on to allow the machine to boil the excess water / like making a coffee without coffee. thank you for info in general very helpful. ;-)

[@troyarthur829]

Water goes into same side of machine, does not matter that you are brewing one cup or a carafe. It also says on inside of reservoir lid that the hot plate will operate no matter what side you run. Simply remove carafe when you brew a single cup.

[@shannellerenea]

I plan on getting this for my mom this christmas, it looks pretty cool, thanks for reviewing it!

[@florhernandez3511]

Thank you! I always have issues making my coffee ☕️

[@AnthonyT50]

I've had this coffee pot for 3 years and my only issue has been that when doing a pot of coffee, I have to let the pot sit for 30 minutes on the warming element before it is sufficiently hot to drink. For K cups it works well.

[@lorenabrown9311]

AnthonyT50 i am having the same problem, when new worked great, but now the hot plate is rusty.

[@TiffanieGoodwin]

We have the opposite issue. It gets my coffee too hot and tastes and smells burnt.

[@chichicg56]

Kendall, that was a awesome tutorial. Very informative and interesting. I just bought one of these coffee makers so I will follow your instructions. Thx!!

[@Zoliswrestling]

Bought this because of this video and from a friend recommended this machine thanks so much Kendall Giles I use main side more than k cup side

[@jamesharper8373]

Great video. However, whether using kcup or full pot, water can be added to the same reservoir. Been doing it this way for years.

[@msminmichigan]

James Harper the manual that came with mine said not to put water in the karafe side and always put it on the kcup side.

[@ashleybourgeois7640]

James Harper tgghhyuu

[@REVKOEHLER]

Two issues we have had with this coffee maker. First the dang thing stops working. I put the K-cup in, put the water in and then it just makes a ton of noise and steams the lid open. Any fluid that comes out, comes out on the carafe side. We did the vinegar cleanse and when that did not fix the problem, we had the unit replaced. So, the new machine was used maybe twice and both times our coffee had a plastic taste to it. When we tried to use the unit a 3rd time and the original problem began again. This machine absolutely positively sucks!

[@JasonGlisson]

Our keurig has a terrible plastic taste right now. I was considering this machine, but I guess not. Most machines I've been researching, people say there is a plastic taste in the coffee eventually. I'm curious if you've found a good machine.

[@aarongreen4358]

I refuse to use ours because of the plastic taste. My wife just uses it for the basket filter side. What a waste of money. I thought that it would go away with time but it doesn't seem to be going anywhere.

[@betspath]

I just got this today. There's no way the water for carafe goes anywhere but in the reservoir on top, near the cup measurement seen on the single cup side.

[@lindawheat7784]

yep. all water goes in same side..that's why the water level indicator shows water levels for everything.

[@hsidorsky]

thanks for the Fix.... I was about to get a new FlexBrew. Your fix was very easy... Again, thanks...

[@KendallGiles]

+Howard Sidorsky Great!

[@rosieflo2]

You are amazing! Thank you so much for the way you described the k cup insert!!!

[@vaxinator27]

I'm looking for a replacement lid, mine has warped and bent upward. The lid is the large one that is over the basket. I can find a lot of replacement parts on the web, but not this one. Model #49983, looks just like the one you have.

[@lorenabrown9311]

Jared Jakubowski after 2 years mine starts bending the same way, steams scapes really badly, did you find a replacement?..

[@sidingman4]

My ppt is new, this is the second one. I sent the first one back. I was sent another and I am having the same problem. When i use the k-cup side with a k-cup it does not allow water out. if i take a pin and put it up the shaft that pokes a whole in the top of the k-cup. water then comes out. its new and both did the same thing. all kind of coffee grinds come out when the water comes out like its getting clogged up. not sure whats going on. very disappointed in this machine. any ideas?

[@ryannarivera8120]

GOD BLESS YOU..... I started to have a heart attack..... this fixed the problem no fuss no muss

[@arreola891]

Thanks for the heads up on the hot plate.

[@blznwolf2586]

to help some of you guys out with the weird taste, your suppose to clean your coffee maker anywhere from once a week to month with a little bit of white vinegar and water. if you wait months like I did because you forgot, it's to late. if you want to save money, your going to have to take it apart and clean it. you will see a lot of white calcium and other stuff clogging it. once you clean it out, run it a few times, should be good to go! mine works like a charm again.

[@2500grit]

I have a keurig coffee maker I use bottled water (nestle) and I have no problems with weird tasting coffee. or cleaning I clean the maker annually or bi annually

[@fierylatina1]

joshua lund thank you

[@r00zTa]

My problem is getting the k-cups to brew correctly. It either doesn't brew or overfills. It's crazy.

[@lilak7536]

Thank you so much for both videos. They have been incredibly helpful!

[@savannahunter2013]

Thank God for this video. Thank you for the demo. I knew I was doing something wrong! Haha thanks a million!

[@carolinebrewer4329]

When brewing a single cup, after it beeps indicating that the brewing has finished, it continues to drip coffee. what am I doing wrong?

[@stephaniemanson913]

You don't need to take the macho e and dump out extra water if you've over filled when brewing a single cup....Just turn the dial to carafe and brew out the water then start over by filling the resivoir to 1 cups worth of water

[@2500grit]

I have a keurig coffee maker I use bottled water (nestle) and I have no problems with weird tasting coffee. or cleaning I clean the maker annually or bi annually. I have had the maker for about five years the only problem I have is the k-cups are rather expensive as I tend to drink a lot of coffee

[@Ann__333]

Super helpful video. Thanks! I love this coffee maker.

[@mrslcakes]

may be helpful but he is wrong. there is only one place to put water

[@sharonlatour6230]

You don't put water in the part where you put the grounds for a full pot of coffee!! That's what you said Kendall. You switch the silver thing to pot.

[@a.righteousindignation2838]

Here is the reason for the water leakage: bad pouring! :)....Great vid.

[@amarisleitch8548]

Our K cups used to slide out normally and now they shrink down and have a rounded bottom, about half the size of the original K-cup. The lids are also melting off and the coffee grounds frequently spill out now. The Kcups were our go to for the past year and not any different that our normal. Just curious if this is the machine having issues that I don't know of. I know how to fix the clogged 'spout' to clean it. Anything else I missed?

[@davidnobert3312]

Great video, I didn't know the bottom flipped around for short mugs. We have owned this model for over 2 years and we love it. our only issue is the lid on the full pot size does not stay shut any longer and hot steam when brewing comes out the front of the lid. I think the issue is the plastic lid warps from the heat because it is to thin. I scotch tape it shut because the steam was taking off the finish on the cabinet above it. Has anyone else had this issue and is there a fix ?

[@joygomes8940]

+David Nobert I've had that problem before with the lid warping and steam escaping. I bought a new one and set the unit up in a place that was not under a cabinet and never had that problem again.

[@JeanCuillerier]

Universal Soft Pods in hamilton beach two way brewer...soft bottom pods don't work ?

[@betspath]

Well, today I had major water leaks on my one year old Hamilton Beach brewer. What to do...

[@skittlez1974]

What about an Er 07 message ? I got this message today when plugged in it says Er 07 and doesn't turn on .. I tried the paper clip thing and nothing .. and water won't drain out because unit won't turn on

[@tracyrausch9044]

Got this coffee maker and like the 12 cup carafe side but hate the kcup side. when inserting the kcup into the holder it's as if the cutter doesn't cut right .grounds from the kcup immediately start coming out before the unit is even placed back into the maker and the press down that punctures the top of the cup makes it even worse so you have grounds and a mess everywhere before you even start the brewing. Is this a defect or am I doing something wrong?

[@michelj.gaudet5048]

There are NOW (July, 2017) several versions of this unit available, depending on WHERE you purchase. And there have been a TON of angry customers who really thought the shown travel mug comes with the unit ... NOT SO. HB will point out where this is mentioned in the advertisement, but many of us believe that the nice looking mug should not be displayed if not included. Regarding the 'K-cup' unit, just be sure to ASK THE SELLER if the one you are buying has this feature. Also, the device I got has the MUG side on the left, NOT the right side... and no 'K-cup'. But I did get the attachment for some sort of coffee POD use, which I have never seen, much less used. And the unit I have DOES NOT turn on the hot-plate any more when using the mug side - YEA HB! I received MY unit as a GIFT from a company I receive coffee from by way of the mail. I have no idea where THEY got it from, but Hamilton Beach STILL does show it on their web site... WITH that damn nice looking aluminum or stainless steel travel mug.

[@dmackeyrose]

Well done-Thanks!

[@ashleybrown7509]

Hi we just bought this machine about 2 weeks ago and the k-cup part isn't getting any water and it sounds like it's having a hard time I don't know what is wrong with it

[@robertawilliams5787]

im on my third machine. not one has lasted a year.

[@antoniolly]

+Ashley Brown Same thing happened to me. Had to call them and they're gong to send me another model ($10 cheaper one) and I had to pay $11 for shipping.

[@heabsarmywife]

Great review!

[@keithlivingston6979]

Yo Pen and Teller, get back to Vegas and perform magic please!!!!! HAHAHAH

[@mrslcakes]

there is only one place to put water for both.

[@susanpretz3902]

My flex brew stopped brewing the k-cup side?? why please help

[@amritpalmarok5578]

hi Susan take a paper clip and clear the hole way, where the coffee come out from on k cup side.

[@biggdstheone]

thanks it was very helpful

[@donnaten2]

thanks so much! very helpful video :)

[@fierylatina1]

Thank you you saved my day!

[@maryfox008fox3]

I CAN BREW COFFEE BUT CANT USE K CUP SIDE IT ALWAYS ERROR

[@r00zTa]

Had our machine about two weeks now and I am having trouble with k-cups also. Main thing is don't overfill reservoir past max markings.

[@swampholler]

Hi Kendall! Great review! You convinced me to buy this machine and I adore it! The one thing I didn't like was having to be so accurate about the single serve water level. Also didn't like how little water you could use. In Amazon reviews, J Buddenborg found a fix. Hamilton Beach Single Serve Coffee Brewer and Full Pot Coffee Maker, FlexBrew (49983A) www.amazon.com/dp/B00IWOJSAY/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_53ofxbF5JGX25 You take something water resistant, like a drinking straw or bamboo skewer. I used a sturdy straw. In the water reservoir, there's a tube sticking up about an inch with two slots. That's the water level sensor. You stick the straw/skewer in a slot and gently push down. I then bent the sticking up end of the straw so that it was also supported by the reservoir wall. Just leave the straw in, keeping the sensor float down, and you can put as much water in as you like. One warning, mine now gives the finished signal before it's finished. Also, of course, make sure you only put in what your cup can hold.

[@TheOtherrr]

And of course, make..... A sandwich? I already did, thanks.

[@mrslcakes]

If you want to make more than 14oz travel mug, you should be making a pot anyway.

[@yoshwii8938]

Pati Wolfgang He convinced me not go get it... I'm so glad I saw this review! I will stick with my keurig!

[@marquittawinfree5206]

Seriously, Dude, perhaps you should use it thoroughly before you review it. You don't pour the water into anywhere other than the water reservoir, which is what you're calling the "single serving" reservoir! 😜😂 But hey, if it works for you... We've been using this for years and the only problem is that the lid over the carafe side is warped. Yes, they weren't using their heads as far as the heating plate is considered and the thin plastic lids - just keep water in the carafe or leave it clean and empty sitting on the plate. Ours has t shattered, yet! Run hot water through it a few times while you're washing dishes once a week- never had a problem; but, I use only great filtered water! I also believe they have a quality control issue...😉 Green Mtn is the BEST!

[@carltorjusen558]

wow..! groovey

[@x3HikaruPikaGirlx3]

thank you so much felt like a total idiot!!!!!

[@stephenmartinez1]

How incompetent is the average person that can't figure out how to put the single serve insert and the outer container together, that they actually messaged you asking how it's done? Double incompetence for not reading the instructions. I just got this machine today- it's definitely expensive, at $100 at target. The pot brew was actually very good coffee, the single cup was very watery on my first attempt. I'll try it again. It definitely beats what I have been doing for the past year or two: boiling water, pouring into a French press, waiting 4 minutes, and having the coffee get cold. Or using my espresso machine, tamping the coffee after grinding, and boiling more water to mix with the espresso.

[@msminmichigan]

I assume most watched this video and commented before purchasing the coffee maker. The k-cup insert is pretty easy. I rarely use mine for k-cups because I find they make crap coffee, though? when used in non keruig brand coffee makers. I love the mini filter for making one cup at a time with grounds.

[@Youtoosin]

thanks , error problem solved!!! ahahha

[@TheDelaneyCurry]

It's too bad about the plastic taste, a year later and our k-cups still come out super plastic tasting. Too late to return it.

[@Coffee-cq1jx]

Too many problems, I will purchase something else.

[@shawn8054]

Instructions unclear, now Im a single pregnant father.

[@leo00370037]

Good info bro but you talk too much about nothing. Nobody is blaming you for hamilton beach or the toyota you're driving...geesh!!

[@stevenmoeun4086]

lol

[@billmurby1366]

crap machine i got it today and it will not make k cups it just gurgles and spits heated water back in the reservoir. the carafe side works even though the wayer passes through the same tube as the single serve and no its brand new i dont think its clogged. i got refunded and company told me to throw it out or donate it. thats quality right there telling a customer to throw it out with full refund. i bought a hand k cup maker at least it wont break unless my hand brakes. product os crap dont buy it.