This morning I brewed a cup of freshly roasted coffee in my Senseo. Instead of using a plastic
Ecopad, I used a Presto MyPod refillable coffee holder. The MyPod is designed to replace the Phillips Senseo pod holder. It comes with the refillable coffee holder, 100 coffee filters, a compacting cover and a coffee scoop.
The EcoPad is a plastic ‘pod’ that you fill with coffee grounds then put in your Senseo two pod holder. The MyPod is different because it replaces the pod holder not the pod.
The MyPod seems more sturdy than the EcoPad. The Ecopad is made of plastic and a thin filter that doesn’t inspire confidence. You’re supposed to pack the coffee inside tightly, but not too tight or the filter will tear or the lid will pop off. The MyPod is made of metal and black plastic. It looks much like the Senseo pod holders, though the plastic is more light weigh and a little sharp around the edges.
The MyPod is easier to use. Place the small round filter in the bottom of the holder. Fill the holder with coffee. Place the compacting cover inside the holder. Lock the MyPod holder in the Senseo and you’re ready to brew.
The Senseo pod holder has one small hole in the bottom of it. The pressure caused by this creates the “frothy coffee layer” that Senseo is so proud of. Since the EcoPad uses the Senseo pod holder, it produces some of the frothy stuff. The MyPod coffee holder has lots of little holes in the bottom of it which produce no happy frothy coffee layer. This is sad because frothy coffee is cool… it’s good because the cups are easier to clean.
Notes:
- MyPods for the Senseo and HomeCafe are available at Wal*Mart.
- Now you can buy a MyPod or filters at Amazon.
- Buy the ecopad at Amazon.
- SingleServeCoffee.com has linked to this post. You can read the comments there for more information.
- Hacking your Senseo
- The MyPods only work in the machine they are created for. HomeCafe or Senseo.
Two Months Later:
I’m still using a MyPod often. Here are a few notes:
- Get the MyPod a little wet before putting in the paper filter. The
filter will stay in place better. - The Senseo produces more coffee when you use the MyPod. [It
doesn't soak up as much water as a regular coffee pod does.] Make sure you
have a big enough cup before using the two cup button. - Unless you ‘like’ weak coffee… Ignore the included scoop, use as much coffee as the Mypod will hold.
A few people mentioned that the MyPod seems to use a lot more water than the
regular coffee pads. I don’t believe that’s accurate. I did a few
tests. Here are the results:
- Senseo single pod holder with no pad, pressing the ONE cup button:
Yields almost 6 oz of water. - Senseo single pod holder with no pad, pressing the TWO cup button:
Almost 11 oz of water. - Senseo single pod holder with one Senseo pod, pressing the ONE cup
button: 5 oz of coffee plus 1 oz foam. - Senseo double pod holder with two Senseo pods, pressing the TWO cup
button: 9.5 oz of coffee plus 1.5 oz foam. - Mypod with 1.5 scoops of coffee, pressing the ONE cup button: 6.5 oz of
coffee. - Mypod with 2 scoops of coffee (tight fit) pressing the TWO button: 11.5
oz of coffee.
***Conclusions***
- The MyPod produces more coffee than a pod because the coffee is packed
differently and there is no paper filter to absorb water. - The MyPod does not use more water than a regular Senseo pod holder and
pod. - The Mypod does hold enough coffee to make a good double.
***BONUS***
I tried the MyPod without a filter… It made coffee and didn’t explode…
but it did leak enough water for me to turn the machine off and decide never to
do that again.
Do you know a refillable pod for the Bunn My Cafe?
Comment by Howard — 10/25/2005 @ 3:39 am
There is a MyPod for the Black & Decker Home Cafe/Mr. Coffee Home Cafe that is for sale at local Wal*Marts in the Tidewater region.
The joys of having my flavoured coffees back again!
Comment by John — 10/25/2005 @ 8:18 am
Walmart carries the mypod, at least in Phoenix..both for the Home cafe and the Senseo.
Comment by Jane — 11/7/2005 @ 2:07 pm
Hi! My name is Charlie. I work at a test lab for the Nebraska Dept. of Roads.
I bought a “Mypod” for my new Senseo coffee maker, and I love it. I make coffee in it every day and even make cups of coffee for my fellow workers. The coffee tastes great and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else.
Comment by Charlie — 12/17/2005 @ 11:40 am
Does anyone know if either of the mypod for senso or black and decker will work in the gevalia? I hate sending all the paper from the pods to the landfill.
Comment by kathy mccormack — 12/29/2005 @ 7:05 pm
I don’t think that the mypods will work for the gevalia machine. I don’t know for sure though.
I read your last sentence wrong. I thought you were saying you hated to spend all that ‘paper’ to buy the pods… they are pricey.
Comment by Amy — 12/29/2005 @ 7:22 pm
Has anyone tried the MyPod using Gevalia coffee in the Senseo?
I don’t want to ruin my Senseo and it appears Gevalia is a finely ground which appears to be a NO NO.
Comment by Laura — 1/1/2006 @ 11:03 am
Laura,
I haven’t tried Gevalia in the Mypod. But I will go grind some coffee as fine as possible and see how it handles it…
It filled the mypod to the top with finely ground coffee. It worked just fine. I haven’t had Gevalia for a long time, but I ground the coffee as fine as what I remember the Gevalia being.
If you were to use to finely ground coffee, I don’t think it would ruin your Senseo. Just watch it carefully the first time. Turn it off if it looks like it isn’t putting out the coffee right, or if water is spewing out the sides. You might have to clean up a mess, but you shouldn’t have to buy a new Senseo… and if I’m wrong, I’ll sell you mine.
Comment by Amy — 1/1/2006 @ 2:03 pm
I wish I had the same results. I find it releases way too much water and I get very diluted coffee. I called and they said they’ve had lots of complaints and that you have to watch and hit the off button when you think its getting diluted or before it overflows.
Comment by cindy — 1/8/2006 @ 8:20 am
I compensate for the extra water by filling the pod up to the top with coffee. It doesn’t work if you put as little coffee as the instructions say.
Comment by Amy — 1/8/2006 @ 8:55 am
Thanks, but I fill it right to the top and get 4 oz. (to me that’s half a cup) of just right strength coffee. I don’t know anyone who drinks just a four oz. cup.
Comment by cindy — 1/8/2006 @ 10:27 am
You’re so right about 4oz.
Comment by Amy — 1/8/2006 @ 12:39 pm
Just a quick update; neither of the “MyPod’s” will work in the Gevalia as the handle widths are too wide. If someone was exceptionally good with metal cutters I suppose they could make a ‘MyPod” fit as the base to hold the coffee fit perfectly, the handle was the problem. I purchased an Ecopad and it is doing nicely in the Gevalia. I run 6 oz of water thru before I brew, pack the coffee down tight in the pod and can brew a satisfying 8oz of coffee. I am fine with the regular grind but my daughter prefers a finer grind so I just buzz my regular coffee in the grinder for a few seconds. Wanted to prevent others from attempting the MyPod in the Gevalia.
Comment by kathy mccormack — 1/11/2006 @ 12:02 pm
Will the MyPod work in a Melitta 1:1 coffee maker?
Comment by Nancy — 1/24/2006 @ 5:40 pm
No. The MyPods only work in the machines they are made for. Senseo and HomeCafe.
Comment by Amy Maxwell — 1/24/2006 @ 5:48 pm
Amy, would Mypod fit in my new krups kp1010 Home cafe system? the handle seems too big for this model.
Comment by Carlos E Gonzalez — 2/21/2006 @ 5:41 pm
Amy, Thanks for being brave on trying MyPod out and letting us know what came of it. Have you try putting the filter on the bottom and the top? Sandwich the coffee grind between two filters. I thinking this may create more pressure(probably not) and easier cleanup since the top cover doesn’t get grinds on it. Let us know how it came out when you get a chance to try it. Thanks again.
Comment by jack — 3/23/2006 @ 11:42 pm
Jack,
I haven’t tried addign a filter on top… sounds a little messy. Of course I’ll have to try it as soon as possible. But my Senseo is 1,000 miles away right now. A friend is babysitting it while I’m away from home. I’ll let you know when I get it back and try your suggestion.
Comment by Amy — 3/23/2006 @ 11:45 pm
Do you know of any refillable pod/pad or holder that will work with the Grindmaster Precision Brew (the less expensive home model, not the $300 + model sold primarily to offices and very, very rich people)?
Comment by Enid Pearsons — 4/9/2006 @ 3:28 pm
dag! i got all excited about the my pod home cafe (my trips to walmart to find one are better left to the imagination) & it is for the OLD awful discontinued home cafe. crap! anybody know if they are making a new one?
Comment by susan blustein — 4/9/2006 @ 8:10 pm
Not sure if they’re making mypods for the new home cafe or if there is one that works with the Grindmaster. If I find anything I’ll let you know.
Comment by Amy — 4/9/2006 @ 9:29 pm
i know i’m adding to an old thread but the 2nd-to-last comment was wondering whether there was a mypod of the new b&d home cafe system. gopresto.com/products/products.php?stock=09403 says there is one for the GT300 but i can’t yet find it anywhere…not even in the online presto store! i found this thread searching the net for one for sale!
Comment by DyNama — 6/15/2006 @ 4:19 pm
Presto responded:
It will be back in the stores a little later this summer.
Carol
NPI Customer Service
Shipments made to U.S. or Canada only
Comment by DyNama — 6/16/2006 @ 5:19 pm
Is there any kind of refillable pod or filter for the Melitta One:One Cup Coffee Maker? Is there any way to make one’s own pods for this machine?
Comment by Ana Maria — 6/29/2006 @ 1:17 pm
Yes you can find the Mypods for the Homecafe GT300 at Walmarts now… $9.99 Says right on the box it is for the GT300. They also have the one for the older model Homecafe… I got mine there. It works great. I even tried it with loose tea and mixed with water and ice for a quick batch of iced tea.
Where’d my last comment go??? Too long??
Comment by James — 6/29/2006 @ 10:24 pm
well, james, after reading your post i head over to my walmart and walk straight to the mypod area…and not only are there no mypods at all, the whole fershluginner shelf is gone! i find the shelf nearby and there is a shelf tag for the 09403 but it is empty! so i’m hopeful that they’ll get some soon.
later i check out the clearance aisles…and there it is! the 09403 model goes straight to the clearance aisle…and $7.47 rather than $9.99!
i’ve tried it, works great, i’m enjoying some 1/2-decaf coffee right now. thanx all!
Comment by DyNama — 7/1/2006 @ 8:04 am
Awesome! Glad you found it.
Comment by Amy — 7/1/2006 @ 9:09 am
Looking for a refillable pod for the Bunn My Cafe?
Comment by Kay Tabor — 11/12/2006 @ 10:56 am
Desperately needing information on how to get a reusable filter for the Melitta One:One. We just got one of the pod machines for a gift, and like most coffee lovers, would like to control what beans and grinds go in…
Have looked online but have found NOTHING… Please help!
Comment by jon vooys — 11/20/2006 @ 3:22 pm
I too have a melitta one:one, and I feel your pain. The coffee pods are hard to find, and really aren’t that good. I tried to make my own pods, but it just doesn’t work. ***Trust me on this - give your melitta away and get a Senseo! The Senseo SOOO blows away the melitta (and the home cafe) it is no comparison! I use the ecopads with Starbucks Sumatra, and am in heaven! If you like great coffee, you will NEVER be happy with the melitta. Get rid of it
Comment by spo36 — 11/21/2006 @ 8:59 am
Hmm… I’ll sell you a barely used Senseo for cheap.
Comment by Amy — 11/21/2006 @ 9:56 am
ok there is a way to use the original pod holder and get the crema and use your own coffee! you have to buy the my pod refillable coffee holder for senseo and the most important things are the coffee filters that come with it and the mesh plastic thing that covers the coffee. you place the coffee filter in the original DOUBLE senseo pod holder and wet it down well (so that it sticks to the bottom and coffee cannot get thru to the outlet)then put your coffee in it f and fill it to the top. You need to take the plastic mesh top and actually sand it down a bit so that it fits properly in the original DOUBLE senseo pod holder (not too tall above the original pod holder so that the lid closes without too much pressure) and then hit brew, it makes a great espresso if you hit the 1 cup button and good coffee if you hit the 2 cup button…easy and I have been doing this for over 1 year now with only a couple of problems (I forgot to wet down the filter and coffee plugged up the outlet). I have not bought pods in over 1 year and I actually still have about 3 bags worth in my pantry.
Comment by joe — 1/9/2007 @ 8:29 pm
I have one of those Mr. Coffee Home Cafe machines and I love it. The Presto My Pod doesn’t quite fit so I am returning it to Walmart. I tried the Eco Pod but it is a pain to clean and doesn’t hold enough ground coffee for me. The best solution I’ve found so far to avoid the high cost of commercial pods and use my favorite ground coffee is to make my own pods. For the past 9 months I’ve been making my own pods using a method that’s quick and easy. I can load two heaping tablespoons of espresso grind coffee and make a robust 14 oz mug of brewed coffee using the double pod holder. It takes about 60 seconds to make a pod if the coffee is already ground. I use the specialty pod holder, a 3″ paper coffee filter and a “Farmers Horseradish” jar to form the pod. I load the pod with ground coffee and fan-fold the excess filter paper to seal in the grounds. Then I compact the ground coffee and “set” the folds by pressing down and twisting the jar. Dump the pod out of the specialty pod holder and put it in the double pod holder. Prewetting the pod and pressing it firmly around the sides of the pod holder helps prevent the steam/water from bypassing the pod during brewing.
Comment by Ferdie — 2/10/2007 @ 11:50 pm
I just got mine and I am getting much more water going through with Mypod, had to urn it off a few times while experimenting. Wonder if using more filters or using spacer will come close to the original coffee pods like leaking less water and having more foam. How does the Ecopads do? Does it leak less water and produces foam?
Comment by Milo — 2/19/2007 @ 10:27 pm
I have the latest Senseo model (the silver one) and the MyPod does not fit that. =( Any idea if Presto will be making one for that model? Or any other suggestions??
Comment by allyson — 4/25/2007 @ 12:53 pm
Try one of the suggestions at squidoo.com/senseo
Comment by Amy — 4/25/2007 @ 1:05 pm
I just got a Krups KP1010 Home Cafe for a steal, ($39.00, display model) and so far I love the machine, but don’t care much for the pods I’ve tried. Anyone else out there with a Krups have any pod alternative suggestions? Thanks, Jared StJames
Comment by Jared StJames — 5/18/2007 @ 6:32 pm
I use the Millstone Colombian Supremo, I have a 13oz travel cup and make up 2 pods on the 6oz setting
Comment by Marc — 5/21/2007 @ 11:12 am
Hi, I love my mypod but was wondering what is the best grind level to use:course, medium, fine, etc. Sometimes my coffee tastes watery and I was wondering if it is the way I grind my coffee. Any ideas?
Comment by Lauren — 10/31/2007 @ 9:10 am
I recently purchased a grindmaster precisionbrew commercial coffee pod machine and would also like to know what reuseable/refillable pod devices that I can use…any suggestiona?
Comment by Jan — 12/14/2007 @ 2:17 am
Looking for MyPod for a Home Cafe made by Black & Decker. I live in Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Comment by Mike Carbone — 2/7/2008 @ 12:31 pm
Saw a video on your site about how to make your own pods from regular filters. I can not find it, please advise where to look.
Thanks.
Comment by Mike Carbone — 2/27/2008 @ 5:23 pm
Help - I’m running out of the MyPod filters, and am searching in vain for a new source. Presto apparently doesn’t carry them anymore. Does anyone know how I can keep making good coffee with my Senseo maker?
Comment by Lin B — 3/25/2008 @ 11:31 am
I’m using ecopods and have not had problems. But, a suggestion, Target has some good coffee pods that work well in my Senseo and taste much better than the pods made for Senseo. Check them out!
Comment by Diane — 5/12/2008 @ 12:30 am
Good Morning and Happy 4th of July! Have you ever tried the Melitta pod filters? Little filters you fill yourself then use in your Senseo. I would like to order them instead of the MyPod but wanted to check with you first. This morning I tried making my own filter. It works OK but is a pain and I can’t get enough coffee in them to get a good cup. Thanks!
Comment by Lori — 7/4/2008 @ 8:01 am
I’ve never tried the Melitta pod filters… I kind of gave up on Senseo.
Comment by Amy — 7/7/2008 @ 11:29 am
Thanks, Amy. I am enjoying mine. I did end up ordering the mypod and ecofilters. They both work OK. Take care.
Comment by Lori — 7/27/2008 @ 12:21 pm