Most Stylish
Takeya Cold Brew Coffee Maker
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If you're a coffee lover seeking a light, flavorful, and healthier alternative to hot
brews, cold brew coffee is your new best friend. Renowned for its rich,
low-acidity taste and natural sweetness, cold brew is perfect for hot summer
days or a refreshing pick-me-up anytime. Join us as we explore the
top-rated cold brew coffee makers of 2024, starting with this option from County Line Kitchen. It is our best overall pick thanks to its Mason jar design and durable filter. All of our options are ready to serve up a delicious cup of cold brew, so check them out!
A Buyer's Guide to Cold Brew Coffee Makers
As a coffee-lover, you know that nothing can quite compare to the pleasurable experience of a good, cold brew. The subtle sweetness, the perfect hint of acidity: it's like the platonic ideal of coffee. However, buying a cold-brew coffee maker to make this delicious concoction can be a daunting task. To make it easier for you, we've prepared a handy guide that'll help you pick the right product with ease. Let's take a look!
Factors to Consider Before Buying a Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Material of brewer
The material of the brewer matters in more ways than one. Firstly, it determines the quality of your cold brew and how long it will last. Additionally, the material will also determine how easy or hard it is to clean your brewer. The most common materials used in making brewers are steel, glass, and plastic. Plastic brewers are often leakproof and lightweight but will influence the taste of your beverage. Glass brewers are very easy to clean but can be fragile if mishandled or dropped on the floor accidentally. Steel brewers are sturdy and long-lasting but cannot handle drastic temperature fluctuations. If you want a durable brewer with amazing insulation properties, opt for one made of borosilicate glass. Borosilicate glass is known for its lightweight and heat-resistant properties. It can handle both hot and cold temperatures without getting damaged. This means that you can use it to make hot brews as well as iced coffees with ease.
Capacity
The capacity of the cold brew maker will depend on the number of people who drink coffee in your home and their consumption frequency. If you only plan on making 1-2 cups of cold brew a day, then an immersion brewer or individual serving pitcher might be the best option for you. But if your whole family loves this concoction and you find yourself brewing gallon after gallon all summer long, you should opt for one with a generous 64 oz capacity that allows you to make more than 5 cups at a time.
Filters
If you want to enjoy great quality coffee, then the type of filter matters a lot. Conventional filters have tiny holes through which water passes slowly, making the whole brewing process a chore. Paper filters have larger holes and make brewing faster but also leave lots of residue in your cup that interferes with the taste. The reusable fine mesh filters are the best option because they do not leave any residue behind, and you get crystal-clear coffee without any impurities or acidity.
Are Cold Brew Coffee Makers Costly?
Cold-brew machines are not cheap, but the price is often offset by the difference in quality you can achieve with a cold-brew system. The most basic and affordable type of cold brew machine is a pitcher or jug with a built-in filter that can strain out the coffee grounds after steeping. Some machines even come with alligator clips that let you customize their usage according to your needs. On average, these machines cost between $20–$50 and will serve their purpose well without burning a hole in your pocket. On the other end of the spectrum are industrial-sized commercial cold brewers that cost upwards of $1,000 or more. These systems include specialized equipment like refrigeration units or tanks for storage, pumps, and hoses for transferring coffee concentrate. These brewers are designed for high-volume production and often aren't ideal for home use.
How to Keep Your Cold Brew Coffee Maker in Pristine Condition
Cold-brew coffee machines are the best way to prepare a delicious, super-caffeinated cup of joe that you can enjoy any time of day. However, without regular cleaning, you'll find that your cold brew maker fails to function as well as it used to and might even start producing coffee with an odd taste. To prevent this from happening, clean your cold brew maker immediately after each use. This way, you'll never have to deal with coffee buildup or stale beans making their way into a new batch of coffee. Follow these steps to keep it in optimal condition:
- Before you begin the cleaning process, make sure that you've removed the filter basket and emptied the grounds from inside of it.
- Add water to the pitcher and turn on the machine for 15 seconds to clear out any remaining coffee grounds through the pour spout.
- Mix up a solution of warm water and dish soap or vinegar—about 1/4 cup should be plenty for a standard-sized pitcher—and pour it inside your cold brew maker's vessel until it reaches about a third of the way up.
- Turn on your machine again for around 20 seconds to agitate the mixture before turning it off and letting it soak overnight (or at least 6 hours).
- In the morning, rinse out your pitcher thoroughly. Be sure not to leave any soap residue behind!
This may seem like a lengthy process but trust us when we say that taking extra care when cleaning your cold brew machine will go a long way toward ensuring that you enjoy its benefits for many batches of delicious, iced coffees in years to come.
Top Picks
- Most Stylish: Takeya Cold Brew Coffee Maker
- Runner Up: County Line Kitchen Cold Brew Coffee Maker
- Most User-Friendly: Ovalware Cold Brew Coffee Maker
- Best Design: Primula Cold Brew Coffee Maker
- Best Overall: County Line Kitchen Mason Jar Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Reviews
Runner Up
County Line Kitchen Cold Brew Coffee Maker
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Most User-Friendly
Ovalware Cold Brew Coffee Maker
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Best Design
Primula Cold Brew Coffee Maker
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Best Overall
County Line Kitchen Mason Jar Cold Brew Coffee Maker
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FAQs
How does a cold brew coffee maker work?
Cold-brew machines work by steeping ground coffee in water and using a mesh filter to separate the grinds from the liquid. The steeped liquid, called concentrate, can be used on its own or diluted with water or milk for serving. The filtration process can be done manually, but most modern cold brew machines are self-contained and do it automatically.
What is a cold brew tower?
Tower refers to the double-chamber system through which the coffee flows. The upper chamber holds the coffee grounds, which steep overnight, and the lower chamber holds cold water. The coffee drips from the upper chamber into the lower chamber, where it's stored until you're ready to enjoy it.
Will I have to use different ingredients while using a cold-brew coffee maker?
You can use the same coffee beans or grounds you usually use when making cold-brew coffee. However, because the hot water extraction process is eliminated with this method, the taste will be much more distinct so you may want to consider switching beans if you're not satisfied with the result of your first batch.