Toddy Cold Brew Coffee Maker

[frigilux]

Was treated to an excellent iced coffee at a friend's house recently, and saw this device sitting on her kitchen counter. She raved about it. It is the $34.00 Toddy brand cold brew coffee maker (or 'system', as Toddy calls it). Trading hot water and a quick brew for cold water and a l-o-n-g brew, it makes a very smooth, low-in-acid coffee concentrate that you mix with milk or water (1 part coffee concentrate to 3 parts water/milk/whatever).

Naturally, I had to have one, and FedEx dropped it off yesterday.

It takes 12 ounces (by weight) of ground coffee and 7 cups of filtered water to make a pot. Oh, and 12 to 24 hours of brew time.

I normally use coffee beans from Bull Run Roasting Co. (Minneapolis), but decided to use a less expensive bean for the trial run---Members Mark French Roast from Sam's Club. It took my LaPavoni grinder 9.5 minutes to coarse-grind 12 ounces of beans, so wear your earplugs or purchase ground coffee. Made the first pot a few minutes ago, and now we wait...and wait.

Found this video on YouTube which explains it all well. Obviously, you can make a cold brew with nothing more than cheesecloth and a jar...but I couldn't turn down the opportunity to own yet another kitchen appliance!



[this post was last edited: 7/19/2013-06:40]

 

[frigilux]

Here's mine, loaded up and brewing. Looking forward to an iced coffee taste test between a cup brewed traditionally and one cold-brewed in the Toddy.

 

[petek]

My first experience seeing one of those harkens back to the summer of 1980 whence I made a bike trip down to SF from Vancouver.  A handsome young man by the name of Tim W. whom I'd met at the previous night soiree offered me a cup of coffee at his domecile the following morning. He utilized one of those and I was quite intrigued by it and him.  It was hot coffee though, just add some of the liquid to a cup of hot water and voila,, instant coffee that didn't taste like instant. 

 

[fido]

Sounds like a very expensive drink!

 

[rp2813]

I think my sister was the person who gave me one of these as a gift back in the 70's.  I used it a couple of times, and it did turn out a smooth concentrate.  I just couldn't get into the habit of using it on a regular basis.  It sat in a remote cabinet corner for probably 30 years and I think I finally got rid of it when we moved back in 2008.  I can see using the Toddy for iced coffee, but without an instant hot water dispenser at the sink like we had at the other house, it's not as convenient if you want to make a hot cup.

 

[mrb627]

Cold Brew

This is one of the best methods for brewing coffee. I need to start cold brewing again. Awesome during the hot months.

Malcolm

 

[mrb627]

Ordered...

I just ordered a Toddy as well.  Should be delivered by Amazon tomorrow.  What a great solution to a Keurig brewer!

 

 

Malcolm

 

[frigilux]

It's been 12 hours! I pulled the rubber stopper from the upper part and let it drip. The coffee is very, very smooth, yet strong. I followed orders and poured 3 parts whole milk to 1 part coffee concentrate and added about 1/2 teaspoon sugar. Delicious, but I may increase the coffee-to-milk ratio for the next glass. There is definitely a difference in taste compared to drinking iced coffee which has been traditionally brewed--no acidic bite. Smooth as velvet.

I think you're gonna like it a lot, Malcolm.

I'm going to let the next batch brew for 18 hours to see how that affects the finished product.

The concentrate keeps for 2 weeks in the fridge, so you can make a cup whenever the mood strikes. And I do love iced coffee in the summertime.

 

[frigilux]

Note to self: Super-concentrated coffee is also super-caffeinated. My god, how do the meth-heads do it?

 

[mrb627]

Stronger brew

The trick to a good brew is to agitate the mixture a few times during the steep cycle. And yes, it is the ultimate caffeine buzz!

Now go paint the house. LOL!

Malcolm

 

[frigilux]

Malcolm-- Agitation of the steeping grounds is strictly verboten per Toddy instructions; says it will clog the filter. The filter is unique--thick, and made of polyester. You rinse it out, drop it in a Ziploc® bag and store it in the freezer 'til the next use. Can be used 10 times. I purchased an extra 2-pack of filters along with the Toddy.

Will be more judicious with the potent brew henceforth. I was buzzing like a freakin' power line.

 

[mrb627]

Method

When I cold brewed a couple summers ago, I built my own system. Brewing took place in a gallon jug withal icon it. I would shake the jug a couple of times during brewing to strengthen the concentrate. Sounds like I may need to go back to my old way. We'll see.

Malcolm

 

[mrb627]

In Progress...

My Toddy arrived and we are in brew cycle. I used a 12 once bag of Eight o'clock coffee beans which I ground on the number 14 setting on my burr grinder. The house smells like a Starbucks coffee shop. We will let it steep for about 24 hours and see what happens.

$5.99 for the coffee beans beats hitting the coffee house on the way to work!

Malcolm.

 

[frigilux]

Awesome, Malcolm! Am awaiting your review of the final product, especially in light of your going the distance with a full 24-hour brew.

This was my first shot at cold brewing, but I was impressed. The lower acidity and sheer potency of the brew lends it an almost mocha-like flavor, at least with the Sam's Club French Roast beans I used.

Since the brewing container doesn't have to sit atop the glass decanter during the brewing process, I'm going to start a new batch and let it go for 24 hours. I set my brewing container inside a pan, just in case the little rubber stopper should accidentally pop out during the process.

I still prefer a traditional brew using the Technivorm Moccamaster first thing in the morning, but am loving the Toddy for iced coffee during the rest of the day.[this post was last edited: 7/20/2013-15:16]

 

[mrb627]

Another pot...

Another pot ready to help me get through the week!

Malcolm

 

[frigilux]

I've been doling out the concentrated cold brew to friends, all of whom love the stuff. I use the Toddy brew for iced coffee. Prefer a traditional brew for hot coffee.

So, you're liking it, Malcolm?[this post was last edited: 7/28/2013-19:52]

 

[mrb627]

Yeah

It is basically the same as I made on my own last summer. Just a more compact apparatus. I like that it is quite strong and just a simple shot of it can get you going in the morning. I just don't have the time in the morning to brew a pot of coffee during the week. I do use the Bunn on the weekends for a pot of java. This is just quick and high octane boost a 5 am.

Malcolm

 

[rp2813]

Damn.  You guys are making me regret having ditched mine!

 

In all honesty, the carafe and brewing assembly became separated at some point and just the latter remained.  Maybe the carafe broke.  If mine had remained complete I'd still have it, and probably would have dug it up as a result of this thread!

 

[washer111]

Oh Great

Why did I read this thread!? My stomach is going to punish me for this, that is for sure...

After reading, I was inspired to try Cold-Brew again with my French-Press (or "plunger"). It holds enough for 3 coffee cups or 1 mug of black coffee (I take it black, no sugar). I usually use 1 tablespoon of coffee, in order to make the "super-buzz" concentrate, I used 4 tablespoons (Technically meaning 1/8 of a cup of black coffee = 1 cup of "regular").
I went overboard this morning, and filled one of those giant Ice-Coffee cups we have half-full with coffee, then added a little sugar and topped it off with milk. Delicious. Its only been half an hour, but I can feel a good set of shakes coming on. I don't regularly drink this much coffee in one shot (although I do "chain" on some occasions when I want to feel the caffeine "buzz").

But like everyone else stated, the coffee is deliciously smooth, super strong and NOT bitter! Cold water doesn't extract the same flavour compounds as hot water, I'm led to believe.