Websites using Kold

Okay, let s break down Kold, focusing on its overview, revenue (or lack thereof), alternatives, pricing (if applicable), and customer care. Kold refers to Keurig Kold, a discontinued at-home soda and beverage maker.

Overview of Keurig Kold

• What it Was: Keurig Kold was an attempt by Keurig (of coffee pod fame) to disrupt the at-home soda and beverage market. It was a machine that used single-serving pods to create chilled carbonated drinks. The machine used Kold pods to produce a range of sodas, flavored waters, and other beverages at home.
• Key Features:
  • On-Demand Beverages: Promised fresh, chilled carbonated drinks at the push of a button.
  • Pod System: Similar to Keurig coffee, used proprietary pods containing syrup and carbonation technology.
  • No CO2 Canister: Used a unique Kold technology for carbonation, eliminating the need for external CO2 tanks.
  • Variety of Flavors: Offered a range of soda flavors (Coca-Cola brands, Dr. Pepper brands), flavored waters, and iced teas.
• Why It Failed (Discontinued in 2016):
  • High Price: The machine itself was expensive (around $300-$370).
  • Expensive Pods: The pods were also pricey, making the cost per drink significantly higher than buying soda in stores.
  • Large Footprint: The machine was relatively bulky and took up considerable counter space.
  • Slow Cooling: The machine took a long time to cool down initially and between drinks.
  • Limited Availability: Distribution was limited, making it hard to find replacement pods.
  • Taste Issues: Some users complained about the taste not matching the real soda.
  • Complex Technology: Over-engineered and prone to malfunctions.

Revenue

• No Current Revenue: Since the Keurig Kold was discontinued in June 2016, it generates no revenue for Keurig Dr Pepper.
• Historical Revenue (Pre-Discontinuation): While exact figures aren t publicly available, the product was widely considered a commercial failure. Sales were significantly below expectations, leading to its rapid demise. Keurig took a large financial hit when they discontinued the product and wrote off the inventory.

Alternatives (For At-Home Carbonated Beverages)

Here are some current alternatives to the Keurig Kold that are still viable:

• SodaStream: Probably the most well-known alternative. It uses CO2 canisters to carbonate water, and you add flavored syrups to create soda.
  • Pros: More affordable than Kold was, wider variety of flavors (including licensed brands), refillable CO2 canisters, smaller footprint.
  • Cons: Requires CO2 canister refills.
• Aarke Carbonator: A premium, stylish CO2-based carbonator. Known for its design.
  • Pros: Sleek design, durable construction.
  • Cons: Higher price point, requires CO2 canister refills.
• DrinkMate: Another CO2-based carbonator that can carbonate more than just water (juices, wine, etc.).
  • Pros: Versatile, can carbonate various liquids.
  • Cons: Requires CO2 canister refills.
• Spärkel Beverage System: Uses carbonation packets (citric acid and sodium bicarbonate) instead of CO2 tanks.
  • Pros: No CO2 tanks needed.
  • Cons: Requires purchasing proprietary carbonation packets, may not achieve the same level of carbonation as CO2 systems.
• Flavored Sparkling Water (e.g., La Croix, Bubly): A simple alternative - buy pre-made flavored sparkling water from the store.
  • Pros: Convenient, no machine required.
  • Cons: Limited flavor options compared to making your own.
• DIY with CO2 Chargers/Siphons: You can find vintage or modern seltzer bottles and CO2 chargers.
  • Pros: Can be cheaper initially.
  • Cons: More manual effort, requires purchasing chargers.

Pricing (Keurig Kold - Historical)

• Machine: Originally around $300-$370. Discounts were offered later in an attempt to boost sales.
• Pods: A 4-pack of pods typically cost $4.99, making each drink about $1.25. This was substantially more expensive than buying a can or bottle of soda.

Customer Care (Keurig Kold - Historical)

• Past Support: Keurig offered customer support for the Kold machine while it was still being sold. This included troubleshooting, warranty support (limited), and returns.
• Current Support: Since the product is discontinued, Keurig no longer provides active support for the Kold. You might find some information in their online knowledge base, but replacement parts and repairs are generally unavailable.

In Summary:

The Keurig Kold was an ambitious but ultimately failed product. Its high cost, complex technology, and limited availability led to its discontinuation. If you re looking for an at-home carbonation solution, consider one of the alternatives listed above, which offer a better balance of price, convenience, and performance.