How often do people rush into cafés during the warmer months, paying day after day for the perfect cold brew iced coffee? Instead of pouring money out daily, many coffee-lovers are turning toward homemade brews. One of the main reasons is that it’s simple to make and ensures you can receive your cold brew anytime you want without leaving the comfort of your home.
The following information goes over seven top-selling cold brew coffee makers to help you find the best one for your needs. Beforehand, there is an extensive guide to allow you to learn more about these types of coffee makers and what to look for before you buy.
Cold Brew Coffee Makers – Buying Guide
There is no shortage of cold brew coffee makers on the market right now considering the popularity of iced coffee. So, it’s important to understand what you’re getting into if you have never done home brewing before.
Size
An important feature about a cold brew system is its size, and not just concerning how many cups of coffee you can get out of it. A cold brew must sit in your refrigerator for an extended period of time. The best cold brew coffee makers have a relatively compact footprint so that they fit just as well in your refrigerator as a juice carton.
Now, as for the volume, this truly comes down to personal preference. Some will appreciate a coffee maker that can create enough drink to last them every day of the week, while others will be content with one that makes two or so cups. Be sure to pay attention to the volume prior to purchasing any coffee maker so that you know you can make exactly how much you need.
Components
A cold brew coffee maker, to put it simply, is mainly a brewing container with a filter, and a carafe. The materials used in the components are what make the best cold brew coffee makers stand out among the rest.
When it comes to filters, there are many materials that can be used from paper to cloth. However, mesh filters tend to be sought after more considering they are easy to clean and do a great job at keeping coffee grounds out of the coffee.
As for the rest of the coffee maker, the durability of the carafe depends largely on the type of materials the manufacturer used. You will find most cold brew coffee makers using glass that’s heat-resistant, shatterproof, etc. Finding one that is dishwasher safe is always a bonus as it’s a testament to how easy you can clean up afterwards.
Cold Brew Coffee Makers Reviews
1. Takeya Deluxe Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker
Takeya incorporates a system that helps release the natural flavors of your coffee whether you are brewing hot or cold. Fresh flavors are locked in thanks to the airtight, leak-proof lid. To help prevent coffee grounds from slipping into your drink, Takeya uses a fine mesh filter. With that said, there is still a chance of some coffee grounds, even those with a coarse grind, getting into the coffee.
This maker is available in either a 1-quart or a 2-quart size. However, there are some complaints about it still not making a good amount of fluid for multiple drinks. You may need to brew it more often. Even so, it is designed to be user-friendly, so repeating the brewing process is not much of a hassle.
A cold brew can take overnight or up to 36 hours, and once completed, the concentrated coffee can remain for up to two weeks. To help you handle it better, this maker features a silicone handle that provides a no-slip grip. In addition, it is a good enough size for easy storage in your refrigerator.
For cleaning purposes, the pitcher is designed to be odor and stain-proof, and it is dishwasher safe. As for durability and safety, it’s made from high-quality BPA-free Tritan.
2. Country Line Kitchen Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Country Line Kitchen takes a unique approach to home brewing with this mason jar coffee maker. The jar has easy-to-read measurements, and it’s heavy-duty and designed to properly endure the canning process. Though there are some reports of it arriving with hairline fractures, Country Line Kitchen appears to respond well as the jar can easily be replaced.
What does have great longevity is the heavy gauge stainless steel filter. The company claims they can stack 100lbs on the filter and it won’t break. To prevent any sharp edges, it features a folded seam.
For brewing, this maker has a super fine filter to keep coffee grounds out of the coffee. Although it indicates the need of coffee grounds with a coarse grind, a finer grind tends to work better. For the sake of safety, the components of this coffee maker are made BPA-free with no plastics. It also uses FDA-compliant glass.
Available in a 1-quart or 2-quart, the largest is capable of making enough to last a week. It’s stored with ease in the refrigerator, and it can last up to two weeks without losing flavor. The brewer comes with a stainless steel lid with a silicone seal to lock in freshness.
3. Ovalware RJ3 Cold Brew Maker
The Ovalware RJ3 Cold Brewer comes in a 1L or a 1.5L container. Some everyday coffee drinkers may still find the sizes too small, but for the average consumer, they appear to produce just enough. Though this has a strong selling point as a cold brew coffee maker, it’s capable of producing hot beverages and tea as well (though if tea is your thing, make sure to check out our page on electric tea kettles for optimum tea brewing experiences). With the BPA-free silicone seal, your cold brew can remain fresh for up to two weeks in the refrigerator.
In terms of longevity, the RJ3 boasts a lasting shelf life. It is made from durable glass that not only keeps it safe, but also allows it to properly maintain its temperature. As for the filter and cap, both are made from stainless steel that fights off the development of rust. If there is any downside to the filter, it is that it can have a rather sharp edge to it.
Even with that, this cold brew maker is simple to use. It has an easy-access handle for smoother pouring, and the glass has measurement labels that are straightforward to read. The product fits seamlessly into the refrigerator, and though you can wash it by hand, it is dishwasher-safe.
4. Bean Envy Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Bean Envy crafted a stylish cold brew maker that can effortlessly blend into your décor whether you have it on your countertop or inside your refrigerator. It comes in a 32oz carafe made from borosilicate glass. There are some concerns about the durability of the glass, however, as it can feel fragile. To help minimize the chance of slipping or sliding, there’s a silicone sleeve on the bottom of the carafe.
As for the rest of the design, this cold brew maker uses a stainless steel cap with silicone rings to help lock in freshness so your brew has lasting flavor. To further assist with that, Bean Envy includes an extra silicone tight-fitting cap that can also ensure freshness.
When creating your brew, the volume markings are clearly apparent so you can get precise measurements every time. The filter is laser cut to provide better steeping. An important thing to note though is that the rubber gasket on the filter tends to be loose, so it’s best to take some caution with it, especially when cleaning.
5. Toddy Cold Brew System
The Toddy Cold Brew System takes a basic approach to making your own homemade brew. It has a glass decanter while the brewing container is plastic. However, it doesn’t have a plastic taste. Instead, it creates a smooth flavor, one that can even be beneficial to those with a sensitive stomach. If there is any downside to be said about the plastic brewing container is that the handle appears to be weaker than the rest of it.
In spite of that, the Toddy Cold Brew System is enjoyed for its simplicity. It has a spongy filter that performs a good job of keeping coffee grounds out of your coffee, and beyond the slightly awkward position of the rubber stopper, cleaning this system takes little time.
When you purchase this, it comes with everything you need plus more. Beyond the container and glass decanter, you also receive two reusable filters, a recipe book, and instructions. The glass decanter comes with a lid to seal in freshness once your brew is completed, but the brewing container doesn’t have a cover.
6. Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Coffee Pot
The Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Coffee Pot comes in either a 1000ml or a 600ml size. A fun note about this is that you can choose from three different colors (brown, black, and red) to better personalize your coffee maker to your home. Using this to your liking may require a small breaking in period, but once you have, you should be able to get consistent, flavorful coffee every time.
It is relatively easy enough to pour as well, so there is little risk of you making any sort of mess. Also, this size is most ideal for those who want a few cups of coffee now and then. It can fit rather well in the refrigerator, possibly taking up less room than your other beverages.
Many of the components in this coffee pot are made with quality material. The filter and handle are remarkably sturdy; the handle in particular holds its own well under pressure. However, there are some concerns about the glass. It comes across as delicate, but even without bumping it, it may develop a crack. Caution should be taken when using and cleaning. Hand-washing may be best for this coffee pot over dishwashing in spite of the glass being heat-resistant.
7. Willow & Everett Airtight Cold Brew Coffee Maker
This Cold Brew Coffee Maker from Willow & Everett is perhaps one of the easiest systems you will use in terms of brewing and cleaning. It features an 18/8 stainless steel filter with dual filter technology to combat any coffee grounds entering the coffee. Meanwhile, the cylinder filter has a mesh for the inner layer and a wider laser-cut mesh for the outer layer to aid in keeping coffee grounds where they belong.
To touch more on the cylinder filter, it is easy enough to remove after brewing and for washing. The filter is also dishwasher-safe for a quicker clean-up. Do keep in mind that the glass carafe is not dishwasher safe. Washing by hand is the better option as the glass itself does feel thin as though it can easily crack or break under too much heavy use.
This coffee maker comes in 1-quart or a 1.5-quart size. It easily steeps overnight, and generally you are able to get smooth tasting coffee that should taste the same a week after you originally brewed it. However, though it features a BPA-free silicone seal, there are some noticeable gaps that counteract the “airtight” seal it’s supposed to have.
Conclusions
There are many traits that go into making the best cold brew coffee maker. Convenience is at the top of the list next to reliability and actually making flavorful, smooth coffee. If you are in the market for a cold brew system, the products reviewed above should give you an idea. The Takeya Deluxe Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker in particular is a go-to option for its durability, ease of use in terms of brewing and cleaning, and for the way it seamlessly fits into your refrigerator. No matter the selection you make, you’ll come away with a high-quality cold brew system to create the perfect mood during those warmer times of the year.
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