Cold Coffee Maker
To provide you the best and simplest cold brew at home, we tested a variety of devices using a comprehensive set of criteria (described below) over the course of several weeks. We measured, dripped, steeped, waited patiently, and poured our way through a 5-pound bag of Stone Street Coffee’s cold brew reserve grind, which yielded a dense, nutty, chocolatey concentration. We sampled each brew on its own straight from the carafe, over ice, and with as many different milks as we could store in our refrigerator; when we ran out of space, we distributed carafes to neighbors for their input. We consumed an enormous amount of cold brew and became converts.
This device exemplifies the beauty of cold brew coffee, as it resides at the intersection of function, style, and affordability. And the system could not be easier to operate, even for those who have never made cold brew before.
The Mizudashi is packaged in a slender, unadorned cardboard rectangle, which is a wonderful portent of the space-saving, efficient experience to follow. There are basic but exact instructions with helpful pictures, but if you’re more spontaneous with your coffee, simply fill the filter to the top of the mesh with coffee grounds, insert the filter back into the carafe, and slowly pour filtered water over the grounds until the carafe is filled. Even with a slow pour, the duration of this process is roughly 60 to 90 seconds.
A mark on the filter must be aligned with a mark on the spout of the carafe when the lid is replaced to prevent the filter from falling out when the lid is removed. When the lid is on, place the entire container in the refrigerator and wait approximately eight hours, to your preferred cold brew strength, and you’ll have 1 liter of liquid magic: roasty, chocolaty, nutty, and smoky, but smoother than any coffee we’d previously experienced. The benefits of cold brew coffee are evident in this tiny delivery device.
The tall, slender carafe, which can be proudly exhibited on any table and fits unobtrusively on kitchen countertops and in the majority of cupboards, will appeal to design enthusiasts from the moment it is removed from its packaging. The filter is made from a lightweight mesh and plastic. The lid and handle, made of robust plastic that screws on and off easily during brewing and cleanup, make the entire glass arrangement safer for clumsy individuals.
A plastic cover retains both the filter and the residual liquid in the carafe once the filter has been removed following infusion. The bottom of the mesh filter unscrews for convenient disposal of old grinds, making cleanup simple.
This pitcher reliably made robust coffee while looking excellent (in one of three colors: black, brown, or red).
How we evaluated
The testing process for these cold brewers lasted over five weeks and was extensive. We evaluated each gadget based on user-centric criteria, including functionality, durability, and aesthetics. Each device was tested at least twice with the same Stone Street pre-ground coffee.
We documented each brewer’s unboxing, assembly, and use using photographs and a spreadsheet, noting everything from how they felt in our hands and how much counter space they required to how they appeared during the brewing process and the liquid they ultimately generated. We got fascinated with a number of these brewers and their end product: the exquisite cold brew that became our summer morning objective.
Yes, we drank gallons of cold brew and pondered the advantages and disadvantages of each of these devices while lying awake at night. Following are our evaluation criteria and their respective breakdowns.
The testing process for these cold brewers lasted over five weeks and was extensive. We evaluated each gadget based on user-centric criteria, including functionality, durability, and aesthetics. Each device was tested at least twice with the same Stone Street pre-ground coffee. We documented each brewer’s unboxing, assembly, and use using photographs and a spreadsheet, noting everything from how they felt in our hands and how much counter space they required to how they appeared during the brewing process and the liquid they ultimately generated. We got fascinated with a number of these brewers and their end product: the exquisite cold brew that became our summer morning objective.
Yes, we drank gallons of cold brew and pondered the advantages and disadvantages of each of these devices while lying awake at night. Following are our evaluation criteria and their respective breakdowns.
Brew operation
We tested the cold brew from each device immediately following the completion of the specified brewing cycle, on its own, with ice, with added cold water, with several types of milks, and a day later to determine the optimal flavor. We evaluated each brewer according to the flavor and perceived acidity of its cold brew.
User-friendliness: We evaluated the user-friendliness of each brewer, both for those who have never had cold brew before and for those who consume it frequently. We took note of how simple it was to build each brewer, how carefully each set of instructions required to be read (if at all), whether the marks on each device are straightforward to read and follow, and whether each device is intuitive or difficult to operate. Overall, we assessed how simple it was to prepare a batch of cold brew with each device, from the initial opening of the brewer box until the first sip.
Volume yield: We recorded how many ounces or liters each device can brew and evaluated how that capacity would affect the overall user experience of that brewer — e.g., some users want larger batches, whereas others may be content to make less in a single use.
Durability: Everyday durability/signs of damage: For this category, we examined how each brewer felt during setup, whether the parts felt stable or flimsy, and whether any of the parts could be readily destroyed during a typical brewing cycle.
Glass, plastic/silicon, and metal are the materials from which each brewer is constructed, as well as the feel of each material and component in the user’s hands.
We evaluated the ease of opening and disassembling each of the brewers in the event that the device required servicing or replacement parts.
Installation and teardown
We recorded how long it took to unpack each device, how many minutes it took to assemble, and whether there was any additional preparation beyond washing the components with warm soapy water.
We measured how much space each device required on the counter during coffee preparation, during the eight to twenty-four hour brewing process, and in the refrigerator once the cold brew was complete.
After each cold brew process, we recorded the effort required to clean the filter or brew basket, the carafe, and any additional parts, as well as the storage space required for the non-used parts.
Aesthetic First Impression: We recorded our first impression of each brewer, noting whether it had an appealing design and whether we would place it on a breakfast table or keep it in the refrigerator for daily viewing.
Multiple color options: We investigated whether each brewer was available in colors other than the conventional black. We examined the number of years of coverage for each device’s warranty.