It is a machine that comes in different sizes. The large ones have a reservoir so you can make 10 or more cups. Basically, on my machine you set the machine for cup size (mine does 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 oz cups). The cup size will affect the strength of the coffee, and you can set it so that it fits your cup. You open the lid and insert a K-cup. These are little vacuum sealed plastic cups filled with coffee. When you close the lid on the machine, it punches a hole in the bottom of the cup and in the top. When you hit the brew button, it sends hot water under pressure into the cup and it dispenses into your cup sitting on the base. You will now have a perfectly brewed cup of coffee.
You can see pictures of the K-cups and some of the machines at KEURIG.COM. At home, we use one of the larger machines with a reservoir because both my wife and I drink coffee together. When you first turn on the machine, it has to heat up some water. Once the water is heated up it brews the coffee in 30 seconds or less. While it does that, it heats up more water so the next person can make a cup right after. Ours has a timer so you can set it to come on and turn off at specific times. That way, you can have it ready to brew when you get up.
They also make teas that be brewed with the Keurig. I have a heart arrhythmia and cannot drink a lot of caffeine. I make decaf in the Keurig and at night, I sometime drink decaffeinated teas like the Lemon Zinger you drink (they make that in a K-Cup). I also drink their Sleepytime Teas in the evening. I also like a lemon ginger tea for upset stomach that I think is by Bigelow.
You actually sound like someone who could use one. Unless your wife is going to drink an entire pot of coffee, it seems like a lot of trouble to make one. And even if you do drink the whole pot, it gets more burnt and bitter as the hours go by. However, every K-cup is like the first cup. It does cost more for K-cup coffee, but I feel it is worth it because every cup is fresh and I only make one when I want one. Lots of grocery stores and stores like Bed Bath and Beyond sell the cups, and you can order them online. Some experimentation is needed to fins the right flavor.My wife and I like strong coffee, and our go-to brands are Peet's Major Dickason, Pacific Bold from Costco (best price) and Barista Prima Italian Roast (this is our favorite decaf brand).
In my office at work, I have a small one-cup machine. It does not have a reservoir, so I have to wait for the water to heat up before it dispenses. However, they heat up water very fast, and I do not have to wait long, and it is far faster than waiting for a pot to brew or even a one-cup drip brewer to brew. You can also use them just as a quick water heater in case to want to use tea bags or a drink mix or a soup mix in a cup.
I find we drink less coffee since switching to Keurig. I think we used to feel obligated to keep drinking until we finished a pot. Now we just make what we want. They also make all kinds of flavored coffees, like French Vanilla, Hazelnut, etc. We keep some of those on hand during the holidays for guests who like those flavors. I don't care for flavored coffees myself, but it is nice to have an option.
She's also a spend thrift. We're both retired and live on a fixed income. She's had her old coffee pot for at least 30 years now. She won't replace it until it just doesn't work anymore, which I keep expecting to happen anytime now....for years.
We are in our 70s and are raising our two year old grand daughter who we've adapted. So there's just my wife who barely drinks coffee as it is. Some mornings it's just easier for her to make instant coffee because of time constraints. We're up early to get the little one dressed, fed and out the door to school.
The rest of our days are spent raising beef cattle on our farm, mending fences, repairing stock tanks, maintaining the tractors and other farm vehicles. We have a big garden, a fruit orchard and a greenhouse full of plants too. Always lots of chores to do and not enough time with raising the youngin' now to get it all done sometimes.
I will suggest this K machine to her when her old coffee maker finally goes kaput but if it is pricey, she won't be interested. Living out in the country at our age, we get very few visitors. No ones been here for Thanksgiving or Christmas in almost ten years now. We spend it alone. Except this year we'll have our grandchild. And she doesn't drink coffee either. 🙂
Thanks for sharing the information on the coffee machine. I didn't know what we were missing with all the stuff it will do.