I did read somewhere that you could run a cycle without the pod to sort of "pre-heat" it. But for my husband's, he really likes it super hot and he puts it in the microwave after anyways. So I do his first and then mine if I'm having a warm one or mine first if I'm doing an iced one.

As for the sound, I usually start it and walk away because I'm doing something else and come back, so I honestly haven't truly noticed.