Move over iced coffee, there’s a new reigning supreme this summer. Cold brew coffee is facing somewhat of a resurgence of popularity once again and all we can say is that it’s been a long time coming.
Cold-brew is superior to iced coffee in every way possible: it tastes much better, lasts longer, and is way stronger and more caffeinated.
And what does this call for? A brewer that is specially designed to make coffee without any heat!
While there are loads of cold brewers out there, most of them are made for commercial use and are too large to fit inside a regular fridge at home.
Not surprisingly, KitchenAid has come to the rescue with a cold brewer that is the right size for home use. While this company’s reputation is well known when it comes to range and quality, we were still curious about the cold brew and how well it worked.
So we did loads of research and examined the brewer from every possible angle to come up with this KitchenAid Cold Brew review.
At this point, we can give a masterclass on this cold brewer unit. And if you want to find out what we’ve discovered, keep reading along!
KitchenAid Cold Brew Coffee Maker Review
[amazon box=”B06XNVZDC7″]
Here we will talk about how the KitchenAid cold brewer functions, how it holds up when brewing, and the features that really caught our attention.
Appearance and Design:
Like we said earlier, this unit was meant to be used at home. Because of this, it is reasonably compact and won’t take up much space on your kitchen counter or inside your fridge. It is mainly made from glass and brushed stainless steel, so it is sleek and absolutely gorgeous!
The clean and modern design will make it blend in well with almost any kind of kitchen décor. We also really liked how the brewer felt sturdy and substantial, so you don’t have to worry about the glass shattering or the stainless-steel components corroding.
Another thing we found impressive was that the brewer also has a stainless-steel steeping basket that can be cleaned and reused.
This removes the need for using disposable paper filters and cuts down on costs and is better for the planet. It also means that you won’t have to worry about running out of filters.
The brewer also has a built-in dispenser which makes it really easy to pour out the coffee concentrate. Just twist the nozzle on the top of the tap, and out comes the coffee.
The spout is placed at the very bottom of the tank so there won’t be any coffee left behind. It also uses up less space, making the overall design very efficient.
Handle:
Carrying a sizable brewer filled with water and coffee grounds to your fridge can be nerve-wracking. One wrong step and your cold brew are all over your kitchen floor and you need to spend the rest of the day mopping your floors.
But the KitchenAid brewer has a large and strong that makes it pretty easy to carry to and from your fridge. It also folds when not in use and you can kind of tuck it away to save space. The handle is reliable and durable and won’t break out of the blue and cause a mess in your kitchen.
Capacity:
The KitchenAid brew, like other similar ones, are designed to brew a large batch of coffee and store it for a couple of days. The glass container keeps your coffee fresh and won’t alter the flavor at all. It has a 28-ounce capacity which is great for home use.
Since the cold-brewed coffee is extremely strong and meant to be used as a concentrate, you will need to add water, milk, or even ice to dilute it. All things considered; this brewer makes enough coffee for just over 14 servings!
Brewing Method:
The KitchenAid cold brew uses the immersion method of brewing where the coffee grounds are soaked in water for 8-24 hours to extract the coffee from the beans. This is quite different from the Cold Bruer drip coffee maker which dribbles iced water over the grounds very slowly.
This immersion brewing results in a very strong and concentrated coffee that needs to be diluted with milk or water. On the other hand, a slow drip cold brew coffee maker produces coffee that can be drunk straight away.
The KitchenAid is much easier to use as the immersion brewing doesn’t really need instructions and we found that the coffee had a richer and more intense flavor.
Taste:
At the end of the day, we just want our coffee to taste good. While hot coffee tastes wonderful and comforting, the heat releases acidic oils from the coffee beans that give coffee its acrid, sometimes bitter taste. But cold-brewed coffees don’t require heat, which gives them a more mellow flavor.
While the taste of your coffee depends on the quality and type of coffee beans used, there is no way the KitchenAid will disappoint your tastebuds. Like all cold brews, the coffee is strong but has a much smoother and sweeter flavor.
Your drink will be full-bodied and strong without any of the bitterness to mar the flavor profile. The coffee grounds bloom very well and this gives the coffee that strength and intensity that caffeine addicts love.
Furthermore, the streamlined glass tank does a great job of preserving the taste of the cold brew.
Instruction Manual:
The machine is excellent for beginners and novice brewers because KitchenAid provides comprehensive directions for its use.
If you’ve never tried cold brewing coffee before, it can be a little intimidating to make the switch. After all, if you make a mistake, you end up with 28 ounces of coffee that you can’t really drink.
Lucky for you, KitchenAid has you covered. Their user’s guide covers everything you need to know and features detailed instructions for everything from brewing to cleaning.
And while cold brewing using this unit is pretty straightforward, it’s nice to have some extra guidance.
Product Details:
- Dimensions: 8 x 7 x 6.9 inches
- Weight: 5.5 pounds
- Manufacturer: KitchenAid
Pros:
- Compact and small design; fits nicely in the fridge or on your counter.
- Convenient built-in tap that uses up less space.
- Easy to use and suitable for beginners as it comes with an instruction manual.
- Ultra-fine stainless-steel filter is washable and reusable.
- Sturdy and durable, and keeps coffee tasting fresh.
- The handle makes it easy to carry and transport.
- Versatile and can be used to cold brew teas as well.
Cons:
- Some coffee grounds can slip through the filter and end up in your drink.
- The unit can be too small for some people’s liking.
Why We Recommend It:
[amazon box=”B06XNVZDC7″]
This is a great brewer for people who love cold brews but don’t have lots of space in their fridge for a larger, more conventional unit. The compact glass design looks attractive and keeps your coffee’s taste and aroma intact.
Besides that, the unit is fairly sturdy and you will feel like the brewer is high quality and not all that different from something used by professionals.
The stainless-steel filter is great because it removes the need for using disposable paper filters which can end up saving you a decent amount of money in the long run.
All in all, we were sold by the KitchenAid cold brewer and we’re sure you will too!
What You Need to Consider Before Getting the KitchenAid Cold Brew Coffee Maker
If you’ve seen the KitchenAid cold brew coffee maker review we’ve put together, you might be tempted to order one as soon as humanly possible.
But before you go ahead and make your purchase, there are a few things you need to factor in that will make sure you can get the most out of your unit.
Flavor:
Cold brew coffee has a distinct flavor. It is different from iced coffee which is hot brewed coffee poured over ice. Cold brew is coffee grounds added to cold water and left to brew for anywhere from 12-24 hours.
This removes the acidic element from the coffee, giving it a smoother, sweeter flavor while being a lot stronger.
This makes cold brew coffee much more refreshing and is great for people with heartburn or delicate stomachs. However, bear in mind that it is much stronger and more concentrated than regular coffee, so it might give you sleeping issues if you aren’t used to too much coffee.
Size:
If you’ve seen other cold brew coffee makers reviews, you will know that size is the most important factor when choosing a cold brew coffee maker. You have to make sure that the unit will fit inside your fridge properly.
The brewer should also be able to fit on your kitchen table or counter comfortably. It is a good idea to measure the inside of your fridge and make sure it lines up with the dimensions of the cold brewer.
Home Use:
This cold brew coffee maker is made to be used at home and this is reflected in its streamlined and compact size. It is meant to have a much smaller footprint so that it can easily fit into any fridge or kitchen.
The 28-ounce capacity makes it great for personal and home use, but it won’t be enough to cover commercial use.
Material:
The unit is made from glass and stainless steel, so make sure you are okay with the construction of the unit. The spout, lid, and filter are made from stainless steel, while the tank or reservoir is made of glass.
While this shouldn’t be a problem for most people, some people are a little wary of glass containers as they are fragile.
Ease of Use:
The KitchenAid cold brew coffee maker has been designed to be easy for everyone to use. Whether you are a beginner at brewing, or you’ve been doing this for ages, you will find the unit straightforward and easy to work with.
And if you run into any difficulties, the user manual is always there to help you out.
Immersion Brewing:
This coffee maker brews coffee by immersing the grounds in water. If you want a cold brew drip coffee maker, then you should steer clear of the KitchenAid cold brew coffee maker. This is because immersion brewed coffee tends to be much stronger than drip coffee.
Using the KitchenAid Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Not sure how to work your way around the unit? We’ll tell you exactly what to do. And if you’ve still got issues afterward, the user manual will instruct you in detail on what you’re supposed to do.
- Before using the brewer, clean the unit properly with warm water and detergent.
- Then turn the tap to the left to make sure the dispenser is closed.
- After that, assemble the brewer by placing the outer lid over the brew tank. Add the steeper and make sure the steeper handle is lying flat.
- Add your coffee or tea into the steeper. This will depend on how strong you want your drink. You can also refer to the manual for the amounts needed.
- Slowly and steadily pour 1L of cold water over the coffee grounds in a circular motion. Wait a minute or two to let the grounds absorb the water. Then, pour an extra 250ml of water over the grounds again.
- Next, press down the grounds and make sure they are totally covered by the water. Cover it with the lid and let the coffee brew for at least 12 hours or up to a day.
- Once the brewing has finished, use the handle to remove the steeper. Hold it at an angle to drain the extra water.
- Replace the lid on the tank and keep it in your fridge or counter. To dispense the coffee, turn the tap to the right.
How to Clean and Maintain Your KitchenAid Cold Coffee Maker
Keeping your coffee brewer clean will make sure that your coffee tastes fresh and great every single time. Throw out any coffee that you won’t drink after a couple of days so that it won’t go bad. Clean the unit after every use and you should be good to go.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Discard any coffee ground from the steeper and separate the steeper altogether. Drain out the excess coffee from the jar as well.
- Clean all the different components of the KitchenAid Cold Brewer by hand only.
- Rinse the coffee residue from each part using a sponge or dish towel.
- Wash the different parts with warm, soapy water. Then, open the tap and run warm water through until the tube and tap are clean.
- Dry each component with a dry and soft cloth, or let it air dry in a sunny spot.
- Make sure the unit has dried completely before brewing coffee in it again.
Where You Can Buy Your KitchenAid Cold Brew Coffee Maker
The KitchenAid cold brew unit is available in many places, making it easy to find. For instance, you can order it straight from the KitchenAid website or from Amazon.
The cold brew coffee maker can also be found in places like Bed Bath and Beyond and Walmart as well. Long story short, the unit is very accessible and you can find it in many stores, both online and in physical shops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still got questions about the KitchenAid cold brew coffee maker? We answer questions people often have about the brewing unit and tell you how you can handle these issues.
01. What is the Best Coffee for Making Cold Brew Coffee?
You can use medium, light, or dark roast beans for cold brew coffee. However, if you’ve ever tried to make cold brew concentrate before but didn’t like how it tasted, it may because of the grind and the length of time you brewed them for.
It’s important to remember that cold brew coffee is best made with a coarser grind of coffee.
02. How Long Should I Steep My Cold Brew Coffee?
Brew times may vary but for the best results, steep your coffee grounds for 12 to 18 hours. This will ensure a strong brew with a smooth and sweet flavor.
Anything less than this will taste flat and under-extracted. However, if you brew the coffee for over 24 hours, it will taste bitter and overpowering.
03. What is the Best Ratio of Coffee to Water When Cold Brewing?
While this can depend on the kind of coffee you use, and how strong you prefer for your coffee, it’s good to have a general idea of how much coffee you will need for your cold brew. A good rule of thumb is to grind 3/4 cup beans for 4 cups or a liter of cold.
You can also double this and use 1.5 cups of beans for 8 cups of water—or even triple the amount based on the size of your container.
04. Can I Reuse My Coffee Grounds?
While you can reuse coffee grounds for cold brews, this will not produce the same depth and intensity of flavor as a freshly ground batch will. However, using them can still result in a good cup of coffee.
This is especially true if you like adding milk, syrups, and other flavorings to your coffee. It is also a great choice if you like whipped or blended drinks with ice and crushed fruit, like frappes or Starbuck’s style frappuccinos.
05. Why Does My KitchenAid Coffee Maker Leak?
If water leaks from the top of the unit, then you are overfilling the tank. Make sure you do not fill it past the ‘Max’ line.
However, if there is coffee leaking from the bottom of the brewer, contact the manufacturer or take it to an authorized repair store.
06. Do I Need to Let My Cold Brew Coffee Steep in the Fridge?
If you don’t have much space in your fridge at the moment, you can always let your coffee brew on your kitchen counter at room temperature. This won’t affect the taste in any way.
However, make sure you move it to the fridge as soon as you can so the coffee is nice and chilled.
07. Can I Use My Cold Brewer for Other Purposes?
You can also use your cold brew coffee maker to steep cold teas as well. This is another smoother-tasting alternative to iced teas.
You also need to remember that cold brews have multiple uses as well. They can be diluted with hot water or milk to make a hot coffee, used to make coffee-based mocktails and cocktails, and also used to make milkshakes for grownups.
08. How Long Does Cold Brew Last in The Fridge After Making It?
Cold brew coffee concentrate stays fresh for 7-10 days when refrigerated. Keep an eye on how your coffee looks, tastes, and smells.
If it starts to smell or taste funny, it’s time to get rid of it. But that doesn’t mean you have to pour it down the drain!
You can always dilute it with some water and give it to your plants, as they do well in slightly acidic conditions.
In Short
Cold brew coffee is an amazing drink that’s better than other kinds of coffee (to us at least). And the KitchenAid brewer does a spectacular job of letting you cold-brew your coffee if you’ve got limited space.
This KitchenAid cold brew review has shown you how easy it is to brew coffee cold even if you’ve never done it before. With a little time and patience, you too can end up with the coldest, smoothest, and sweetest coffee that will make it impossible to go back to regular iced coffees.
Well, what do you think? Are you going to add the KitchenAid cold brew coffee maker to your wish-list next?
More Related Product Reviews: