Coffee Gator Cold Brew Coffee Maker – 47 oz Iced Tea and Iced Coffee Maker and Pitcher w/ Glass Carafe, Filter, Funnel & Measuring Scoop – Black

I just started making cold brew coffee and I’m still learning how to use. But this is easy to use.

This does the job, if you like cold brew it sort of makes it easy. There are two problems I have with it, one is by design and the other is sort of my problem.

Design: There is no tamper or plunger to stop the coffee grounds floating above the water. It isn’t too much of a big deal but the coffee chamber is higher than the reasonable water level could be so there will always be 5-10g of coffee floating unsubmerged. I solve this problem by a combination of thing, first I pour the water in through the beans which helps get them wet and weight them down, and then I sort of tamper them down with the back of a wooden spoon. Does okay, but with a small design chance I think the scoop they shipped with could do this job perfectly.

2: It is quite tall, taller than I had really expected. So my pesky apartment fridged had to be rearranged to give the maximum possible height in the door shelves to put it one of them. Not too big a deal, but it means I know have to buy shorter condiments.

I was pleasantly surprised at the quality build when I opened the box.
For one. It has a glass container. That is the most important part. I don’t want a plastic container as in time it will scratch and the coffee would etch into the surface. Not to mention, the container would not look so classy after being all scratched up.
The filter element is a good gauge as it seems to allow much of the flavor (oils) from the bean to seep threw without the grounds coming threw. If you wash it gently, it should last for many years of use. The filter element can be easily removed from the lid for easy cleaning. And perhaps a side benefit if it ever gets damaged, a person could just get it replaced instead of having to replace the whole unit.
Some I wishes. But not a big deal. If you are a person who likes to grind their coffee more on the fine side, then some might enter into the water. So if there were an extra screen on the lid, perhaps, that might allow us to strain that last drop of cold-coffee-goodness. 🙂
I’ve been so impressed with the results, that I’ve shared my brew with friends and family. And they agree it’s a better coffee.
My success for a better brew is still in the works. However. If you would like to try a batch the way I’ve been doing it. I hope you would agree, it’s tasty too. So read on if you are interested.
_1_The FINEST bean and water. If you can not grind your own, go to the store to have it done. If you use pre-ground coffee, get it fresh and try to keep the rest as fresh as possible. I find a deep/dark roast as the best coffee because you will not get any bitterness from it like you would if you were brewing it hot, but it will turn out full bodied in flavor and aroma. Use bottled water if you are trying to impress. But if you are fortunate to live in a town that provides pretty good tap water, then all you have to do is pour it into your favorite water purifier for that very refreshing taste. While bottled water is nice; the manufacturer adds minerals in the water for taste. This may change your outcome and if you are not satisfied, try different water as opposed to new coffee grounds.
_2_ Use water that is cold (45deg.) and pour half of your amount into the brew canister.
_3_ I’ve found that a fine ground is nice but some will get threw the screen. If you are ok with that, and later filter that out while you pour, then go to it. However, DO NOT USE a paper filter if you do this. That will filter all your hard work and tastiest oils right out. Use a stainless steel pour over filter, if you do this. Otherwise. Just use a coarser grind.
_4_ The amount and type of coffee grounds to use is, and will be, with much debate. However, this type of brewing typically uses about twice as much ground coffee than a hot brew. According to the instructions. It recommends about 75 grams to 1100ml of water. But for us American drinkers, we are a little baffled by the metric system. Now correct me if I’m wrong here. So our measured needs will vary depending on how moist and how fine the ground coffee turns out… It comes with a handy SS scoop. This is a 1/8 cup (30ml) scoop. I think this translates to about … ~16 grams? And 1100 ml is about 4 cups.
_4.5_ I use 4 cups of water with 4 1/2 scoops of medium/coarse coffee grind.
_5_ After the canister is half full of water, I lower the lid with the filter in place, then screw down. Then dump all the coffee grounds in the filter.
_6_ Next I use the second (last) half of water. (In this case the second, 2cups of water) and SLOWLY pour it threw the coffee grounds. This will get the grounds fully moist, but not disturb them to much so that the element of time as it steeps does it’s job.
_7_ I happened to discover that a small, glass seasoning jar works well to lower into and fit snugly into the filter. This way I can press the grounds just about a half inch below the water level so that ALL the grounds are submerged.
_8_ Then I place it in a cooler. Yes. A cooler. Why, you ask? Well. While a cold brew in a fridge is the conventional way, it also takes longer. I’m only so patient and I believe a little more heat can allow for quicker, but perhaps, a better brew as well… So I regulate the temp in the cooler to about 60 degrees Fahrenheit . As opposed to the 45 degrees in the fridge. A “room temp” might work well. I just haven’t tried that yet. And this might all change as to what type of coffee bean you are using in the first place.
_9_ Now. The time element. Have patience. A 24hr brew is awesome!!! But if you want a quicker brew, use more grounds and a warmer temp. But that may be less like a cold brew benefit, perhaps? I let it brew from 12-24 hrs. Now after it’s brewed…
_10_ Just when you are about to enjoy, make sure that it’s mixed. In the middle of the brew time I will very slowly pour one cup worth out and then pour it back in to the canister. Because, even after a full steep time, the top half may be still mostly water. This way I can mix it without agitating the grounds to much and letting out some of the fine grounds into the mix. Yet it allows for a more uniform color from top to bottom.
_11_ Now. Just pull out the filter. Put the top back on and lid. Then chill in the fridge for 30-40minutes or just pour over ice and enjoy. If you do not want a watered down drink, use some of your brewed coffee to freeze into ice cubes for your next time.. 😉
_11.5_ You might be like me and want a slightly sweeter taste. I love sweet things. But as you sample your personal favorite mix, try your best to go easy on the sweetener. I found it is not needed as much as you might think. Give yourself a chance to just enjoy the coffee with less or no sugar. And you will discover and enjoy more of the pleasant, mild, but rich aroma and flavor that comes with cold brew by itself. It may be an easy flavor to like. But an acquired taste to love.
You are all welcome to comment on my post. This is just my findings. But I hope that you will enjoy as well.
Cheers!

I love cold brew but never made it at home, thought it would require a bit more effort, apparently not so bought this kit.

I use the grinder from my Barrista Express so that means I can just use the same beans for my normal usage.

Ultimately the kit is just a massive glass jug with a lid and a filter mesh, it’s not exactly revolutionary and the price is quite expensive.

After the first use the white plastic filter and measure becomes permanently stained. The mesh is my biggest concern, once the mesh splits which I’m sure will happen at some point the product is literally just a glass jug that needs a paper filter.

However, I have been making cold brew non stop for a month since I bought it. A splash of oat milk and it is really tasty for a morning commute.

I would recommend it but if you aren’t too fussed about things looking perfect, you could just use a jug and paper filter to strain out the grinds.

**Edit**

about a month or so later we have lost the white screw cap for the filter after cleaning it. This product now becomes a glass jug, suddenly you realise the product is quite expensive but their customer service has been brilliant.

Very nice product and great price. This is a nice thick glass cold brew maker. My other cold brew makers had an issue that you had to take the grounds out before you tried to pour, this one has a pour spout that prevents you from pouring the grounds out while not having to remove them. Added bonus of the funnel and measuring scoop that I appreciate. It fits very nicely in my fridge without taking up too much space or being awkward. I also do not agree with some reviews saying the handle is flimsy. Very nice product that I would buy again. It is also very easy to clean and easy to use.