Which cold drip devices work well, and which don't?

[MrFreddofrog]

Hi all

I'm looking for a cold drip under $400 (inc postage) so after real life experience from people who have actually used them.

My general criteria is below so if anyone has suitable recommendations I'd love to hear them.
- reasonably robust as it will moved around a fair bit (ie not sure how robust those swirly things are or can you just not use that part) Are any made from high quality tough plastic that still look good???
- larger capacity the better
- constant drip rate. I'd rather not have to continually re-adjust the tap to maintain a constant drip rate
- Has a lid for the top bowl. Do they all have this or none have it, I have no idea???
- Looks reasonably impressive (at the very minimum, should look better than my DIY one
- Easy to clean (again swirly thing looks difficult).
- tap/seals etc don't leak, replacement parts available, etc
- Anything else I should be aware off?

btw, if anyone is selling a secondhand one, I may be interested.

cya
ff

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

A couple of years back I bought my device of the 'bay. The same model seems to be available from a vendor in Sydney, under the descriptor 'Ice Dutch Brew Machine...' for under $130. It works very well for me, but is not a large capacity machine. I basically use about 45-47g of ground coffee and 450-500mls of water/ice. I put one filter paper below the grounds and one on top of the grounds. The top reservoir has a lid. You do need to adjust the drip rate a touch as the reservoir empties, but you don't need to be doing this constantly. It is very easy to clean, and has no swirly thing, though I can imagine that you wouldn't have to hit the glass that holds the coffee too hard to crack it. Aesthetically, it looks fine, without making a fashion statement.

Obviously, you can spend a lot more...

[MrFreddofrog]

Hi Paul

The Rocket is out of budget but for the Bamboo, does it come pre assembled? If not then I'll need some type of box/case to transport it as I'm too lazy to dismantle it every time.

Also, how robust is it, especially the glassware. Is it like fine elegant crystal or more like sturdy lab glassware? Can I get replacement parts if/when I break something?

[dan77]

Under $400 it will just come down to style. I have a Tiamo tower with the coil, I think I picked that up for $280. Most of the glass however is quite delicate but you can get replacements albeit expensive. In your price range unless I'm mistaken they all produce the same and it will come down to teniquie and practice.

Have a look on the sponsors websites at what setup appeals to you and go for it.

[Javaphile]

Freddo, may I ask why you have eliminated the immersion process from consideration? You can easily make 8l at a time using virtually unbreakable equipment which can be had for ~$100.


Java "Immersed for near 50 years and still loving it" phile

[artman]

The Bruer is good and versatile. If you keep the packing box you can easily safely transport it. Quite compact too.

What's your method and recipe Java?

Cheers

[MrFreddofrog]

Hmm, i'd probably prefer a ss Rocket version but having to wait till Jan is a big bummer. hmmmm decisions decisions.

Java I've tried quite a number of commercial immersion brews and even done a few myself but TBH, they all tasted woeful, especially compared to my diy drip brew. It's like these guys have just jumped on the cold brew band wagon and thrown coffee into a pillowcase and drowned it in a bucket. Arghhhh!!! And invariably they are all quite cloudy in appearance which I personally don't find appealing. They really should be doing some additional filtering but whatever, each to their own.

[Javaphile]

The Bruer is good and versatile. If you keep the packing box you can easily safely transport it. Quite compact too.

What's your method and recipe Java?

Cheers

Rather than take this thread off topic I've posted my equipment/method here: http://coffeesnobs.com.au/brewing-eq...tml#post594852

Hmm, i'd probably prefer a ss Rocket version but having to wait till Jan is a big bummer. hmmmm decisions decisions.

Java I've tried quite a number of commercial immersion brews and even done a few myself but TBH, they all tasted woeful, especially compared to my diy drip brew. It's like these guys have just jumped on the cold brew band wagon and thrown coffee into a pillowcase and drowned it in a bucket. Arghhhh!!! And invariably they are all quite cloudy in appearance which I personally don't find appealing. They really should be doing some additional filtering but whatever, each to their own.

Remember that when the soak is taken full term immersion makes a concentrate, not a cup of coffee as drip brewers do. If you don't want the concentrate you can adjust the soak time as well as the beans to water ratio. Immersion also typically requires a coarser grind. To get that coarser grind without a ton of fines can often require a better grinder than many have at home. Personally I use a Grindmaster 875 for doing my CP grinds. My espresso grinder, a Mazzer Super Jolly, doesn't really like it when I put 2 or 3kg's of beans through it all at once.

A common mistake people make when doing immersion brews is to stir the grounds after wetting them. Don't. This leads to clogged filters and cloudy brews. Wet the beans thoroughly with how you pour the water over the grounds.

Freddo, if you play with the variables you can probably find an immersion brew that is right for you. But if you don't care to do the needed fiddling or whatever then as you say, to each their own.


Java "Drink that which you enjoy!" phile

[MrFreddofrog]

Hi again ff,
....The Rocket is a stainless steel version of this.

Hey Paul, don't supposed you have a photo of the new one? It might make my decision easier if I saw it.