Making Pod Coffee without a Machine

It took multiple experiments, but I determined how to make coffee from a pod without a single-serve coffee machine. A communal single-serve coffee maker was in the breakroom at my last job. I had purchased a case of coffee pods, and when I decided to leave the position, I took my pods with me despite the fact I do not have a single-serve machine at home. Determined to use the remaining 40+ pods, I experimented to determine how to prepare single-serve coffee pods without a single-serve machine.

Attempt 1 – Vietnamese Coffee Press

In this attempt, I emptied the contents of one coffee pod and poured it into a Vietnamese coffee press. I placed the plunger on top of the grinds. I heated water in an electric kettle and poured some water into the coffee press to bloom the grinds. Then, I poured the rest of the water into the press. The result was a gritty cup of coffee. The fine grind of the pod coffee made it through the metal filter.

Attempt 2 – Vietnamese Coffee Press with Pod inside

In this attempt, I carefully punctured the bottom of the pod so as not to damage the internal filter. I removed the foil top and placed the pod inside the coffee press. I did not use the plunger but did attempt to bloom the grounds. The process was so slow I eventually abandoned the method.

Quasi Attempt 3 – French Press

We have a French coffee press that I have never used. I researched the internet to understand how it works. Once I knew how it worked, I looked at the filter screen and thought it would be too big for the grind from the pods. I deserted the French press.

Attempts 3 and Beyond – Drip Coffee Maker

Ultimately, I emptied the pod’s contents into a coffee filter and placed them in my drip coffee maker. I tried four pods with water poured to the eight “cup” mark on my Mr. Coffee, and the coffee was too strong. The next brew was three pods with eight “cups” of water, which was too weak. I settled on four pods and ten “cups” of water. One day I will need to determine what a “cup” of coffee is on the Mr. Coffee scale. I think one “cup” is five ounces.

Have you ever been stymied by a malfunctioning single-serve machine? Have you ever tried making pod coffee without a machine? Share your experience below in the comments.