How To Make Your Own Coffee Pods

November 10th, 2006 · 37 Comments

The other day as I was browsing online, I read about some wonderful coffee. As I remember it, this brand of coffee is roasted just before being shipped to you so that it is at its premium, instead of getting stale sitting on the store shelves waiting for you to buy it. And it’s organic, too (although that may be wishful thinking ).

But the only appliance we have for making coffee in our house is a [tag]Senseo Coffee Pod System[/tag], just like the one you see above. My husband particularly loves the Senseo, and he’s the one in charge of making [tag]coffee[/tag] because of it. It’s actually super easy to use - put the pod in the top, put the water in the back, put the cup under the spout and press a button. I think the ease of use is why my husband likes it so much, and why he always jumps up to make a cup.

Senseo offers quite a variety of flavors and roasts (mild, medium, dark, decaf, etc.) - my husband is really glad they came out with the Senseo [tag]Cappuccinos[/tag] and that’s all he’ll drink now. They are kind of pricey, though, so we don’t by them often.

Still, because of the way the system works, we can’t buy [tag]fresh roasted coffee beans[/tag] or grounds, so I sadly dismissed the idea of buying some of that other coffee. I just don’t like being limited that way.

Until now, that is!

One of my favorite sites - popgadget - posted about the [tag]Perfect Pod Maker[/tag] recently, and I knew it was the answer to my problem.

Here’s a description from the [tag]CoffeeGIANT[/tag] site:

With CoffeeGIANT’s new electric [tag]Gourmet Pod Maker[/tag] you can now enjoy any of your favorite coffee flavors such as Starbucks rather than just the few choices that are available for your brand of pod coffee maker! Your choices will be unlimited and you can even blend flavors or vary the strength of your coffee or make tea pods as well! No more messy attempts at “do it yourself” pods either. This new machine heat seals your pod and allows you to make either one pod at a time or several to be ready for future [tag]brewing[/tag]. Makes pods for most brands, including Senseo, Melitta, Simple Human, Juan Valdez, Bunn Home Cafe, Bunn-o-matic, Mr. Coffee, Hamilton Beach, and more.

Not that we had ever tried “diy” pods; I hadn’t even considered it as a possibility (how uncreative of me :oops . But knowing that I have the choice to buy the coffee I want to drink, instead of having to go with the coffee pot brand’s pods by default, makes me a happy woman.

Furthermore, not only can we choose our coffee and creatively blend our own flavors, we can [tag]save money[/tag] in the process.

I wonder if it comes with recipes.

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Written by Barb Lattin - Visit This Author Elsewhere

Tags: Appliances · Kitchen

37 responses so far ↓

1 Jonathan Williamson // Nov 13, 2006 at 9:53 am

I LOVE the Senseo - yes its easy but sealing the top when you make it so theres no coffee freshly brewed on the counter is the hard part!!
fresh coffe would be a GREAT thing for a GREAT coffee maker - Who is the Manufacturer of the Perfect Pod Maker??
2 Barb // Nov 13, 2006 at 11:04 am

Jonathan,
Hmmmm, I’ve never had the problem of easy sealing the top of the pot - unless we were trying to put a too-large pod (from another brand) into the pot. Ours closes very easily. And my husband is very prone to spilling - anything, so this has me wondering if your pot has a problem.

As for the manufacturer of the Perfect Pod Maker, I think it’s CoffeeGIANT - the site I linked to above. Before completing my post I searched for a manufacturer, and all I could find is this on their site: “With CoffeeGIANT’s new electric Gourmet Pod Maker”.

If it’s not theirs, I’d love to know who manufactures it.
3 Jason // Jan 5, 2007 at 12:56 pm

WOW, this thing is awesome. Check out CoffeeGIANT.com’s Perfect Pod Maker video on You-Tube. Just search for Perfect Pod Maker. I have got my whole family ordering one of these. Why someone didn’t think of this before is beyond me.
4 Barb // Jan 5, 2007 at 1:29 pm

Thanks for the heads up on the video, Jason! Here’s the link until I get my own pod maker and get some video up on the site: the Perfect Pod Maker on YouTube
5 Jonathan Williamson // Jan 5, 2007 at 1:52 pm

I got a Perfect Pod for Christmas!! WORKS EASILY AND WONDERFULLY!!! Any Ideas on how to make a cappucchino pod? ( similar to Senseo’s {dehydrated skim milw. etc, etc})
6 Barb // Jan 5, 2007 at 2:16 pm

So it didn’t come with recipes? Too bad. I can’t find any recipes online with a quick search. If you come up with recipes that you love, please post them here for future reference!

And glad to hear you love your machine!
7 Jonathan Williamson // Jan 5, 2007 at 2:36 pm

Post me a link to a cappuchino pod recipe please!
8 Beth // Jan 15, 2007 at 3:28 pm

The Perfect Pod Maker is exclusive to CoffeeGIANT, but is created by Vincci.
9 Barb // Jan 15, 2007 at 3:54 pm

Beth,
Thanks for letting us know! Could you tell us if it comes with recipes? Or if maybe there’s a recipe book in the works?

If not… Jonathan - there’s an ebook idea for you.
10 Penny // Jan 19, 2007 at 11:15 am

The manufacturer is Vincci. I don’t know about saving money, the pod refills are about $5 for 40 of them. I’d imagine sloppy filling could lead to ruined pods. I think it’s a great solution to fresh and custom blends, but I’m not sure the savings are there.
I was browsing a 1 cup coffee forum earlier, and saw some rather nasty & unprofessional comments from this Vincci guy. Now I’m rethinking my purchase options. At the very least, it’s put the pod maker purchase I was considering on hold.
11 Barb // Jan 19, 2007 at 11:56 am

Penny,
Thank you for your input. I didn’t know there were one cup coffee forums out there! Does the Vincci company have their own website? I’ve done a search and haven’t been able to find one. Do you think you could send me a personal email with the link to the comment? You could send it through my contact page here.
12 Jonathan Williamson // Jan 19, 2007 at 1:46 pm

I’ve found “pod paper” at coffee giant’s site - 4.00 shipping for a 5.00 set!!! the bag is only made of “tea bag paper” ( it heat seals together) where can I get this kind of paper to REALLY make my own pods???
13 Barb // Jan 19, 2007 at 1:59 pm

Jonathan,
If you’re brave, you might try:
http://www.ineedcoffee.com/04/coffeepods/

But I just found these reusable (I’m all about the environment!) pods you should check out:
http://www.taylorgifts.com/prodetail~itemNo~26541.asp

Looks like that waon’t be available ’til March; let us know how your diy pods turn out!
14 Jonathan Williamson // Jan 23, 2007 at 7:18 pm

CoffeGiant does NOT carry the refill pod paper anymore!!!! now I’m stuck with a machine I CAN NOT USE!!!! HELP ME FIND THE PAPER REFILLS !!!!!!!!! hypergraphics@comcast.net
15 Barb // Jan 23, 2007 at 7:55 pm
16 Jonathan Williamson // Jan 23, 2007 at 8:58 pm

PROBLEM SOLVED!!! I called Vincci {(88 735-3621 and spoke with Adrian (he’s a coffee lover!! he said coffe giant bought all his stock ! and that Linnens and things should be carring his Perfect Pod and paper in about 2- 3 months!!! right noe coffegiant.com has ALL the paper stock!!
17 Barb // Jan 23, 2007 at 10:16 pm

Jonathan,
Glad to hear the problem’s solved.

If you’re going to wait 2-3 months, though, check out my post that didn’t originally go through… it’s right above your first post from today. There’s a reusable filter that will be available at about that same time. Who knows, you may be able to find it elsewhere available now.
18 Terry // Jan 28, 2007 at 5:21 pm

I’m so happy to hear about the linen and things! I have been buying the pods through CoffeeGiant and just HATE the shipping costs. I have been purchasing heat sealing tea bags at a cost of $20.80 for 200 including shipping at bestOMD.com I buy the 4×4 tea bags that are sealed on 3 sides, cut off two of the sides and go from there. It’s kinda a pain and if you arent compulsive like me it may not be for you. But it’s cheaper and for me it was a challenge. I hate being victim to overcharging for shipping.
19 Barb // Jan 28, 2007 at 6:16 pm

Wow, Terry, that sounds like a lot of work! But I know what you mean about not wanting to pay exorbitant shipping prices. I wouldn’t either.
20 Mike // Feb 9, 2007 at 12:02 am

Ordered my Perfect Pod Maker from CoffeeGIANT.com & received it today. Works perfectly. I then went back on coffeeGiants website to order the Paper Refills only to find out they are no longer offered. OUCH!!!! Affraid I bought this little nifty device too soon!
21 Adrian // Feb 9, 2007 at 5:44 am

CoffeeGiant.com should have plenty of paper. If you cannot get it call me at 888-735-3621 and I will resolve it for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
22 Terry // Feb 9, 2007 at 10:54 am

Here is a conversation I had with the live operator at CoffeeGiant.com this morning. I would sure love to find an alternative…
[Taylor] How can I help you?
[Visitor] do you carry pod filters for the perfect pod maker machine?
[Taylor] Yes, we carry refills
[Visitor] well they are no longer listed on your website
[Visitor] at least I cannot find them
[Taylor] For 40 refills it is 4.99
[Visitor] and what is the shipping cost on that?
[Taylor] We offer free shipping for orders over 50 dollars and if not then for UPS ground it will be 6.85
[Visitor] ok…and how would I order them online? is there a number or something that I would put in a search?
[Taylor] One moment
[Visitor] ok well I can’t imagine spending $7 dollars on shipping for a $5 item that weighs 2 oz. - that sounds crazy
[Taylor] Alright. Well I apologize.
[Visitor] so then in order for me to receive free shipping I would have to buy 11 of these items?
[Taylor] Yes.
[Visitor] ok well I thought maybe I would only have to buy 10 and coffeegiant would bend on that extra penny
[Visitor] but ok
[Taylor] I apologize.
[Visitor] I would be able to order these with what catalog number?
[Taylor] One moment
[Visitor] seems you are the only game in town at the moment
[Visitor] you meaning CoffeeGiant
[Visitor] not you personally. lol
[Taylor] Actually we are out of stock at the moment and we will have some in approx. 2 weeks
[Visitor] ok then guess I will check back in a couple of weeks. Meanwhile I will look for an alternative
[Taylor] Have a nice day
[Visitor] you too
[Taylor] thanks

Send Message:
23 Barb // Feb 9, 2007 at 1:31 pm

I hope you’re all calling Adrian at the number above. If I’m right, he’s the Adrian at Vincci that Jonathan mentioned above.

Please be sure to let us know what happens!
24 Terry // Feb 9, 2007 at 1:52 pm

I spoke with Adrian this morning. He is actually the inventor of the pod maker. He was very helpful and called CoffeeGiant on my behalf and made some pods available for me. I am currently waiting for CoffeeGiant to call me back. He is very appreciative of any feedback that you give him. And is working hard to make these pod filters more affordable and more available. thanks all for the tips!!

Terry
25 Barb // Feb 9, 2007 at 3:52 pm

Thanks for the update, Terry!
26 teasacs // Apr 23, 2007 at 5:40 am

Tea Sacs do work, you can save yourself some money. They are sealable in the podmaker.
27 Justin // May 8, 2007 at 5:42 am

Wow, did anyone notice the cost of papers has been reduced? They now offer a BULK PACK which saves money :-)
28 Justin // May 8, 2007 at 5:43 am

I also noticed they are offering some start-up specials on CoffeeGIANT.com that include additonal FREE paper and FREE Caribou coffee for the same price, sweet!
29 Barb // May 8, 2007 at 7:43 am

Justin,
Thanks for sharing this!
30 Kevin // Aug 3, 2007 at 2:03 am

After reading all this, I purchased the pod maker and an extra set of pods. I have had it less than a week and the pods are easy to fill and seal. They fit perfectly in my senseo machine. I just wish I found this sooner. What a difference in having my choice of flavored coffee that are not available in retail pods! Thanks.
31 Barb // Aug 3, 2007 at 8:57 pm

Kevin,
I am SO glad to hear this works so well for you! Especially with your Senseo, as that’s what we have. Thanks for sharing your experience!
32 Stephen Rosenthal // Aug 22, 2007 at 12:18 pm

Please let me know the website that pod filters for a Senseo may be purchased.

Thank you in advance.
33 Jonathan Williamson // Aug 22, 2007 at 1:37 pm

Perfect Pod - Paper Refills here:
http://coffeegiant.com/product_info.php?products_id=918
34 Bill // Nov 25, 2007 at 5:55 pm

Sam’s Club online has the pod maker for $34.88.
35 Gina // Jan 16, 2008 at 9:25 am

Here is a link to recipes.

http://perfectpodmaker.com/recipes.html
36 Barb // Jan 17, 2008 at 12:38 pm

Thanks for sharing that, Gina!
37 Ron // Jan 16, 2009 at 1:50 pm

Stop being a cheap skate! Pod coffee only costs about 25 cents a cup. If you can’t afford it or if you simply can not bring yourself to pay for it then you are better off to buy a small 4-cup coffee maker. No mess no fuss.

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