This Easy-to-Use Cold Brew Maker Is 10x Better Than Concentrate and It Saves Me So Much Money

Over the past year, I haven’t been in a hot coffee mood. Partially it’s because I don’t feel like turning on my drip coffee machine — I’d much rather go to my local grocery store pick up one of the cold brew concentrates and make cold brew in less than 30 seconds at home. But I’ve noticed over the past few months that I really haven’t liked the taste of any cold brew concentrate that I’ve tried and that buying a $20+ cold brew concentrate 1-2 times a week is not really economical. I might as well be going to my local shop instead.

So I decided that if I like cold brew so much I should start making it myself. Because I’ve tested a lot of home and kitchen products in my career, I’ve gotten picky about what I decide to try out. I was intrigued by the Mueller QuickBrew Cold Brew Coffee and Tea Maker on Amazon, which costs $25. My colleague, senior commerce editor Ian, is also raving about pour-over-style coffee, so I thought this might be a good way to dip my toes in.

The Mueller QuickBrew coffee maker comes with four different parts: The Borosilicate glass carafe, stainless steel filter, water chamber, and lid. It allows you to whip up some cold brew in three easy steps. First, you put your filter into the top of the carafe and put in your favorite coffee grounds. Next, add ice (I recommend filling up your ice tray the night before so you have enough) and cold water. Finally, you adjust the flow tab for how quickly you want your cold brew to process — it can take anywhere from 5 to 75 minutes. The result is a cold brew concentrate, so you just add one part concentrate and one part water together to get your cold brew. This maker can make up to six cups of concentrate at one time.

It took a bit of time to figure out exactly how to get the adjustable flow tab to my desired pour speed. My first few attempts were very pale cold brew concentrate that wasn’t drinkable, but after I decided to embrace a slower drip process (I brew my cold brew for about an hour and then I’m set for the next four days), this coffee maker replaced my cold brew concentrate. Because I get to use my preferred coffee grounds, it tastes so much richer and less chemical — some cold brew concentrates left an odd aftertaste in my mouth.

If you’re trying to kick cold brew concentrates to the curb like I was, I definitely recommend this $25 find, though I recommend being a bit patient because it might take a bit of trial and error.

Buy: Mueller QuickBrew Smooth Cold Brew Coffee and Tea Maker, $25