When it comes to crafting the perfect cold brew at home, the equipment you choose can make all the difference. Here is our take on cold brew systems. We sift cold brewers into three categories:
| Metal Filter Immersion |
Paper Filter Immersion |
Drip Cold Brewers |
| Coffee grounds are fully immersed in cold water for an extended period, typically 12-24 hours. After steeping, you pull/switch a plug to separate your brew from the grinds. This separation is done via a metal filter. Metal filters do not remove oils, which creates a smooth, rich cup with a profile between traditional paper filters and a french press. |
Coffee grounds are fully immersed in cold water for an extended period, typically 12-24 hours. After steeping, you pull/switch a plug to separate your brew from the grinds. This separation is done via a paper filter. Paper filters do remove oils, which creates a clean, bright cup. |
Water is slowly dripped over a bed of coffee grounds, and then the coffee drips down into a container. The process usually takes several hours, with water passing through the coffee at a controlled rate. Offers a more complex and nuanced flavor, often with a slightly higher acidity compared to immersion methods. |
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Examples 👇
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Examples 👇 |
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So what is the difference you ask? Well...
- The materials the brewer is made from. (Glass, Plastic, Etc.)
- How easy is it to separate grounds from the cold brew? (AKA Filter)
- How easy is it to clean the system?
- Does the system allow for complete saturation of the grounds or promote "dry clumps."
- Design aesthetics.
- Price & Value
With that in mind. Let's get analytical:
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| Materials | ✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
✅ |
❌ |
✅ |
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Filtering System |
❌ |
✅ |
❌ |
✅ |
✅ | ✅ |
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Cleaning |
❌ |
✅ |
❌ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
| Ground Saturation | ✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
✅ |
✅ | ✅ |
| Design Aesthetics | ✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
❌ |
❌ | ✅ |
| Price & Value | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Our choice? The Ovalware brewer! It is a great all around brewer. BUT there is a catch. If you prefer a light, crisp cold brew the Toddy brewer is your best choice due to the dual paper filtration. We get it! Personally, we prefer the bolder cold brew you get out of a metal filter and the sustainability aspect is a huge plus.