If you don't mind spending a little extra for style and convenience, the OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker is the ideal brewer for your kitchen.
There are a few features that set the OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker apart from the coffee makers we've looked at so far. First, there is a unique perforated "rainmaker" top that helps distribute the water evenly over the coffee grounds, which is key for optimal flavor extraction. Also, rather than using a stopper or plug at the bottom of the coffee bowl, there is a valve that is easy to turn on and off.
The OXO cold-brew maker features a fine, stainless steel mesh filter that you can reuse, though you may still want to use a paper filter for easier cleanup. The carafe is made of borosilicate glass, which is quite resilient since it does not expand or contract like normal glass. The carafe is shaped like an Erlenmeyer flask, which is sure to appeal to chemists. Lastly, this OXO gadget can produce up to 32 ounces of cold brew at a time.
Insider Picks Senior Editor Malarie Gokey uses the OXO cold-brew maker in her own kitchen every day during the hot summer months when hot coffee just isn't appealing. It's incredibly easy to use because you don't have to worry about any filters or small parts.
The simple design is incredibly smart. You just ensure that the release valve is locked, add the amount of coffee you want to use, pop the rainmaker top on, and pour the right amount of water over the grounds in a circular motion. The water will rain down on the grounds and get brewing.
In our tests, we let it brew for 12 to 24 hours, depending on the flavor we wanted. When it's done brewing, you just flip the release valve and watch the coffee pour down into the carafe. Perhaps best fo all, OXO includes a secure stopper for the top of the carafe, so you can just pop it on and put the entire carafe in the fridge.
The machine turned out excellent cold-brew every time we used it. It does take some trial and error to get the flavor you want, but OXO's guidelines give you a good idea of where to get started. We recommend experimenting with different kinds of coffee to see which flavors and strengths you like. We were particularly fond of a fruity Colombian blend a family friend gifted us because it almost tasted like chocolate milk when we made cold-brew with it.
The machine is remarkably easy to clean after, too. You just scoop the grounds into the trash and rinse it out. The OXO cold-brew machine makes brewing coffee an incredibly simple and effortless experience.
Other expert reviewers also rate the OXO machine highly. Wired, CNET, and The Wirecutter all recommend it. About 74% of the customer who reviewed the OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker on Amazon gave it 4 or 5. stars.
One Amazon customer compared the OXO to the Toddy, which he used for a decade before trying out the OXO. Overall, he found the OXO brewer is superior because of the pouring valve, which allows him to pull a cup and let it brew a little bit longer. With the stopper of the Toddy, it's hard to "recork" it. Plus, you could potentially lose the stopper.
Pros: Stylish design, easy to store, uses a valve for pouring
Cons: Relatively expensive
Buy the OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker with 10 Paper Filters on Amazon for $39.99 (originally $49.99)