The Filtron Cold Brew Coffee Maker Review
Are you looking for the best way to make cold brew coffee at home? We discovered that the Filtron Cold Water Coffee Concentrate Brewer yields a fantastic cup of coffee. Itstwo-filter systemputs it among one of the best brewers out there.
Read on for all the details and find out if Filtron’s ultra-smooth cold brew is right for you.
The Filtron ‘In a Nutshell’
“I have used this system for 42 years now and just love it. The ease of having the syrup in my fridge, always ready for a quick cup, as well as the smooth, rich taste sold me.”
The Filtronis an easy to use brewer that will change your perception of cold brew coffee.
It usestwo filterswhere the typical cold brewer only uses one: awool filter as well as a paper filter, which creates one of the best cups of cold brew around.
It’s also quick and easy to set up a brew. With the water bowl attachment on the top, you can quickly pour your water into it while it is slowly distributed over the coffee grounds.
The Filtron produces a coffee concentrate, which you dilute before drinking. You can either dilute the concentrate with boiling water, for a smooth cup of hot coffee, or with ice water for a refreshing cup of iced coffee.
Before Buying a Cold Brew Coffee Maker, Consider…
An important factor to consider:is it easy enoughfor someone like me to use? I don’t want a science project.
How long does it take to start the brew?Is there a lot of cleaning involved once I’m finished brewing (1)?
”The Filtron Cold Water Brewer is a simple way to make several cups of cold brew concentrate. Cold brewing takes between 12 – 24 hours (we recommend 16) but the payoff is huge.”
Does it make a lot of coffee?If I’m going to take the time to make a batch of cold brew, I want it to last at least a week, if not more.
Let’s see if the FIltron has what it takes to be your brewer of choice.
The Filtron Cold Brew Review
Ease of Use 4.5/5
The Filtron brewer is simple to set up, and the actual brewing process involves ignoring it for a day or so.
It comes with a bottom container for brewing and a water bowl that fits on top of it. To brew, you place the moistened filter into the bottom of the brewing container (don’t forget the plug!), then add 12 oz. of coarsely ground coffee (about the consistency of bread crumbs). Place the coffee guard (a disc with holes designed to keep the coffee bed flat) on top of the grounds, then place the water bowl on top of the brewing container. Pour about 56 oz. (1-¾ quarts) of water into the bowl.
You can fill the water bowl to the ¾ mark line if you’re filling it over the sink, but be sure to plug the hole on the bottom!
Then you wait from 12 to 24 hours (with 16 a common recommendation). Once that time is up, you’re ready to decant.
Set the Filtron on top of a 1.5-liter decanter and carefully remove the stopper at the bottom of the brewing chamber. It takes about 45 minutes for the coffee concentrate to drain. To drink, you need to dilute it. Filtron recommends a 1:2 ratio of coffee concentrate to water; you can use boiling water for a hot cup first thing in the morning, or you can use cold water for a refreshing iced beverage.
Compared with other cold brew makers like the Toddy, this is super simple: add all the water at once after assembling the parts and then it’s just a matter of waiting. Compared with a true DIY method like steeping in a Mason jar and then filtering out the grounds (we used our trusty Chemex), assembling all the bits is just a touch more involved. We deducted half a point for this.
Quality of Brew 5/5
No points deducted here: the Filtron brews up a smooth, satisfying concentrate that you can dilute with hot or cold water. Yes, it’s true: cold brew coffee works as a quick way of making a cup of hot java on a frosty morning. That’s especially convenient if you have one of those hot-water dispensers right in the sink – no waiting, just measure out your concentrate and add piping-hot water. As quick and easy as instant, and soooo much better.
Most people, though, like the crisp but deep flavor of cold brew mixed with cold water on a hot day.
If that sounds like what you’re after, and you like your coffee sweet, consider making a little simple syrup (2). It lives up to its name: add equal parts sugar and water in a small saucepan, heat to dissolve the sugar, then decant and keep it in the fridge for up to a month. No stirring, no sugar crystals at the bottom of the glass – just pour, sip, and enjoy.
Capacity 4.5/5
The decanter that comes with the Filtron lets you brew up to 1.5 liters of concentrate, enough to make about 4.5 liters of coffee (iced or hot) at the recommended 1:2 coffee-to-water ratio. For comparison, the Hario Mizudashi andthe Oxo Good Gripscan hold 1 liter of coffee, although the the former does not produce a coffee concentrate.
On the other hand,the Toddy cold brew systemlets you brew up to 2L, and recommend their concentrate be mixed 1:3 – a whopping 6 liters of coffee as served. (Don’t forget: a 1:2 coffee-to-water ratio doesn’t double the output of the concentrate, it triples it – one cup of coffee plus two cups of water makes three cups in each… well, cup.)
So if serving a crowd is something you do often, the Filtron is good, but it can be surpassed.
Price 4/5
Considering all you get with the Filtron – it’s really an all-inclusive kit – the price isn’t that bad. But it’s higher than several of its competitors, many of which are also all-inclusive. All things considered, we deducted a point for this. Plus, although the wool felt filters are reusable a number of times, they are good for about 2-3 months before needing to be replaced. (The paper filters are single-use, as with pretty much every other paper filter.)
Don’t Buy the filtron if…
You don’t like the idea of replacing the filters every once in a while——Hario酿造咖啡壶是gr Mizudashi冷eat alternative. It’s minimal design makes setup and cleanup as easy as it can possibly be. The brewer has only 3 pieces; the carafe, the permanent mesh filter, and a lid. We reviewed the Hario cold brewerin detail in this post.
You are a true coffee connoisseur– If so,Yama Cold Drip Maker可能是你的啤酒。它带有一个嗨gh price tag, but the aesthetic alone might be worth it. Bring the beauty of this glassware into your kitchen and your friends will think you are a chemistry wizard.
If this is your first coffee brewer– Get aFrench press. You probably already have one at home. It’s a super easy process that’s great for beginners (3). Just be aware that the French press filter (typically a fine stainless steel mesh) isn’t designed to produce awesome cold brew. It works, but having a dedicated cold brewer makes a big difference.
The Verdict
It’shard to beatFiltron cold brew.With high-quality results and ease of use, this brewer is a great solution to your cold brew needs at home.
The wool and paper filter combination and the water bowl that slowly distributes the water make this brewer one of a kind, even though it looks just like another brewer.
If you think the Filtron Cold Water Coffee Concentrate Brewer is right for you,check it out here.
If you’re not sold on the Filtron (maybe you don’t need to batch brew cold brew) check out one of the other cold brew coffee makers we coveredin this ‘best of the best’ cold brewer list.
References
- Brew with Filtron. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.stumptowncoffee.com/brew-guides/filtron
- Simple Syrup. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/simple-syrup
- Thomson, J. R. (2017, December 7). How To Make Cold Brew Coffee With Your French Press. Retrieved from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/french-press-cold-brew-coffee_n_7639176
