Review: Hamilton Beach Flex Brew 2-way Coffee Maker | Is It Worth Buying?
Are you the type of person who wakes up on the aroma of freshly brewed coffee? If you are an avid coffee drinker and do not smell coffee brewing when you wake up, you just may need a new coffee maker—one that starts brewing before your alarm goes off.
Hamilton Beach is known for producing dependable products, which is a must when shopping for appliances. In fact, when it comes to coffee machines, the most sought-after attributes are dependability, longevity, and simply superb coffee.
Their FlexBrew, as the name implies, is a versatile brew station that eliminates the need for two different pots. This means you can select between using pods or grinds to brew your coffee.
Who Is This Product For?
Anyone who likes coffee will enjoy the FlexBrew. You can experiment with your tastes by making a different coffee each time.
Because you may change wait durations for the various sorts of coffee you can brew, for example, this diversity is quite enjoyable. The FlexBrew is an excellent coffee machine for any home or business kitchen.
The most common reviews are summarized below…
“Coffee is hot, but it must be consumed quickly!”
The ability to make hot coffee is one of the most commonly mentioned advantages of the Hamilton Beach Two Way Brewer. One of the most common complaints about this coffee maker, ironically, is that the coffee it produces isn't hot enough.
So here's our take: your results will differ depending on whether you brew your coffee in a single-serve or 12-cup setting. The general impression on this coffee maker is that no matter which side you brew on, the coffee comes out boiling hot. However, because there is no hot plate on the single-serve side, the coffee will cool down much faster.
“Finally, there will be no spills.”
You’re most likely aware of the mess that comes with owning a coffee maker if you have ever owned one. A spill or drip onto the counter is always around the corner, no matter how gently or swiftly you pour your coffee from the carafe.
Fortunately, that is not the case with this coffee maker. The folks at Hamilton Beach did a great job with the carafe, and this is one of the most highly cited benefits of this coffee maker.
Why Should You Consider The Hamilton Beach Flexbrew 2-way coffee maker?
First and foremost, the coffee maker is adaptable. It enables the barista to produce coffee in a carafe for single-serve as well as large-serve coffee. For example, if you couldn't imagine starting your day without a cup of coffee, you can prepare it in a cup or a travel mug.
The Hamilton Beach 2-way FlexBrew coffee maker is a better choice if you're seeking a coffee maker for the whole family.
Furthermore, the coffee machine is adaptable. If you don't like K-cups, you can use a pod to brew coffee. To satisfy your preferences, choose from a selection of K-cups on the market.
Are you weary of having to get up every morning to make coffee? Your coffee maker is on your side. You may set it to prepare coffee before you get out of bed. Instead of an alarm clock, the smell of coffee awakens you up.
It is quite simple to use. The coffee machine is right there to keep you hydrated whenever you need caffeine or decaf. You don't have to drive to the cafe and stand in line for a cup of coffee.
The Hamilton Beach flexbrew 2-way coffee maker can be used at home or at the office.
Features
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Brew a single cup or a full pot
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Enjoy maximum brewing flexibility
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Use a single-serve pack or ground coffee
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Compatible with any K-Cup®* pack
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Single-serve side:
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Compatible with K-Cup®* Packs or ground coffee
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Brews up to 14oz from ground coffee in travel mug**
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Adjustable cup rest allows for standard-size cups or travel mugs
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Better coffee extraction than the leading competitor
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12-cup carafe:
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Brew a full pot of coffee
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Regular or bold brew strength
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Programmable timer with 2-hour automatic shutoff
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Automatic pause & serve to grab a cup before the brew cycle is done
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Durable, stainless-steel features and dishwasher safe, removable parts
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Equipped with a “Quick Start” Guide with simple, step-by-step brewing guidelines
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Customer service support available through a US toll-free number
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One-year warranty
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages?
Pros:
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BPA-free body
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Single-serve pack holder
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A 12-cup carafe with a "water window"
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Single-serve "water window"
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Separate water reservoirs
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Small K-cup storage under the drip tray
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2 strengths of the brew
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Removable basket for ground coffee
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Mesh filters available for purchase
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Warming plate
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Easy-to-navigate control panel
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Removable drip tray
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Removable cup holder
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Cord storage
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Auto-start function (for carafe side only)
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Auto-shutoff after 2 hours
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Ability to use paper cone filters
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Affordable
Cons:
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BPA-free body
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Single-serve pack holder
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A 12-cup carafe with a "water window"
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Single-serve "water window"
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Separate water reservoirs
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Small K-cup storage under the drip tray
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2 strengths of the brew
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Removable basket for ground coffee
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Mesh filters available for purchase
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Warming plate
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Easy-to-navigate control panel
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Removable drip tray
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Removable cup holder
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Cord storage
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Auto-start function (for carafe side only)
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Auto-shutoff after 2 hours
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Ability to use paper cone filters
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Affordable
How To Program Hamilton Beach Coffee Maker?
You can program your Hamilton Beach Flexbrew coffee maker, but only the carafe side. Here are the instructions:
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Press the SET TIME button to set the time (bear in mind the AM and PM hours)
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Set the hour and minutes by pulsing or holding the button.
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To program, press and hold the PROG button. 19:99 is the default time.
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While holding it, pulse the SET TIME button to the chosen brewing AM or PM hour.
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After three seconds, the minutes will flash; press the button one more to set the minutes.
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Press and release the PROG button to confirm the automated brewing time (the light will illuminate if you did it correctly), and here you go, the coffee will be ready for you the next time. You are welcome to sleep in.
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You may always tap and hold the PROG button to view the time you selected if you wish to double-check it.
Alternatives To Consider
Breville Precision Brew Station
Breville also makes another excellent coffee machine that offers a different kind of versatility. Instead of the option to choose between single and pot brewing, you can use their Breville Precision Brew Station to tailor your coffee to your needs and tastes. This customizability afforded by the Precision Brew Station is unmatched and enjoyed by many.
The Bottom Line
For its price, this is currently one of the best-rated coffee makers available. The Hamilton Beach Two Way Brewer has received overwhelmingly good reviews after only one year on the market. Even if you have reservations about the machine, I believe it is worthwhile to give it a shot.
The Hamilton Beach Flexbrew is a larger coffee maker, but it makes sense because you get two in one: single-serve coffees made from K-cups or ground coffee, as well as a complete pot of coffee (maximum 12 cups).
The ability to choose the strength of your brew, program your machine, and set automatic brewing are all significant pluses for me, and Hamilton also makes mesh reusable filters.
The only drawback is that this coffee maker is primarily made of plastic, the carafe is not thermal, and brewing takes longer (particularly on a stronger setting) than a Keurig coffee maker.
You can also only brew one side at a time, which is useful for cleaning.
Overall, if you plan on creating a complete pot or a single-serve, a single cup of coffee from a K-cup or fresh grounds, this Hamilton single-serve and carafe coffee maker is a solid buy for the price.