Cold Brew Coffee Maker Alternatives Using Gear You Already Own

Key takeaways

• You can make excellent cold brew with simple gear like a French press, mason jar, jug, or even a bowl plus a fine strainer and paper filter.
• For most DIY methods, a starting point of about 1:8 coffee to water by weight and a steep time of 12–18 hours in the fridge gives smooth, balanced results.
• Using a French press makes brewing and plunging easy, but you may need to pour through a paper filter for a clearer, less gritty cup.
• A dedicated jug-style cold brew maker such as a 64 oz brewer with a stainless mesh filter can make brewing tidier and pouring easier, especially for larger households; for example, the 64 oz cold brew jug with mesh filter is designed specifically for this style of brewing.
• Upgrade to a dedicated cold brew maker if you regularly brew for several people, want cleaner, clearer coffee with less mess, or value having a single, easy-to-store container.

What is cold brew and how is it different?

Cold brew is made by steeping ground coffee in cold or room-temperature water for several hours, then filtering out the grounds. Unlike iced coffee, which is usually brewed hot and then cooled, cold brew uses time instead of heat to extract flavour.

This slow, cool extraction tends to produce coffee that tastes smoother, less acidic and often slightly sweeter, with a heavier body. You can brew it as a ready-to-drink strength or as a concentrate to dilute with water, milk or ice. Because it is brewed without heat, it is also forgiving: you do not have to worry about precise water temperature or split-second timing.

Can you make cold brew without a machine?

Yes, you absolutely can make cold brew without a specialist machine. In essence, all you need is:

• A container for steeping (jar, jug, French press, or even a bowl)
• Ground coffee (medium-coarse or coarse is ideal)
• Cold, clean water
• Some way to filter out the grounds (mesh strainer, French press plunger, cloth or paper filter)

Dedicated cold brew makers simply combine these elements into one convenient device with built-in filters and a pouring jug. They can make things easier and less messy, but they are not essential for good results.

The core of cold brew is simple: coffee, water, time and a way to filter. Everything else is about convenience and clarity.

Basic cold brew ratio and steep time

Before diving into the DIY methods, it helps to have a basic recipe you can reuse, whatever container you choose.

A good starting point for ready-to-drink cold brew is:

• Ratio: 1:8 coffee to water by weight (for example, 80 g coffee to 640 g water)
• Grind size: Similar to French press – medium-coarse to coarse
• Steep time: 12–18 hours in the fridge, or at cool room temperature if your kitchen is not warm

If you prefer to brew a concentrate that you will later dilute with water or milk, use a stronger ratio such as 1:4 to 1:5 coffee to water by weight, then dilute to taste when serving.

How to make cold brew with a French press

Using a French press is one of the easiest ways to make cold brew with gear you already own. The built-in plunger acts as a coarse filter, and the carafe is perfect for steeping.

Step-by-step method

1. Measure your coffee and water. For a 1-litre French press, use about 100 g of coarse ground coffee and 800 g (or ml) of cold water for a ready-to-drink brew.
2. Add coffee to the press. Place the grounds in the empty carafe.
3. Pour in water. Slowly add the cold water, stirring gently to make sure all grounds are saturated.
4. Cover and steep. Put the plunger lid on but do not press down. Leave the press in the fridge for 12–18 hours.
5. Plunge gently. When brewing is done, press the plunger down slowly to separate the grounds.
6. Decant. For best clarity, pour the coffee into another jug, leaving the last centimetre above the grounds in the press.

Flavour and clarity versus dedicated cold brew makers

A French press cold brew is usually full-bodied, rich and slightly heavier on sediment. The built-in metal filter is relatively coarse, so you may notice some fine particles in the cup. Some drinkers enjoy this rustic texture; others prefer a cleaner brew.

Dedicated immersion cold brew makers that use finer stainless steel mesh or even paper filters usually produce a clearer, lighter-bodied coffee, with less sludge at the bottom of your glass. In practice, you can mimic this by pouring your French press brew through a paper filter or a very fine mesh sieve into a clean container. This extra step narrows the gap between a DIY French press setup and a specialist brewer.

Cold brew in a mason jar or jug with a strainer

If you do not have a French press, a simple jar or jug works extremely well. The principle is the same: steep coarse grounds in cold water, then filter.

Step-by-step jar method

1. Choose your container. A 1-litre mason jar or jug with a lid is ideal. Make sure it is clean and odour-free.
2. Measure coffee and water. Use your preferred ratio, such as 80 g coffee to 640 g cold water for around 700 ml of ready-to-drink cold brew.
3. Combine in the jar. Add the coffee, pour in the water and stir to remove dry pockets.
4. Seal and steep. Close the lid and place the jar in the fridge for 12–18 hours.
5. Filter the brew. Place a fine mesh strainer over another jug or bowl. For clearer coffee, line the strainer with a paper filter or a clean cloth. Pour the cold brew slowly, letting gravity do its job. You may need to do this in batches.
6. Store and serve. Transfer the filtered coffee to a clean bottle or jar and keep it in the fridge. It should taste good for several days.

Flavour and clarity compared with a cold brew maker

Jar-method cold brew can be impressively good. If you use a fine mesh plus paper filter, the clarity can match or even exceed some jug-style cold brew makers that rely solely on medium mesh filters. The main trade-offs are convenience and tidiness: you are handling separate jars, filters and strainers, which can feel a bit fiddly, especially when brewing larger batches.

By comparison, a dedicated jug such as a 64 oz cold brew coffee maker with stainless mesh filter combines steeping, filtering and serving in one container. You add coffee to the central filter, fill with water, steep in the fridge and then pour straight from the jug, which reduces mess and makes it simpler for daily use.

Other DIY cold brew setups using common kitchen gear

If you like to experiment, there are several other ways to make cold brew with typical kitchen items. Each has slightly different pros and cons for flavour, clarity and convenience.

Bowl or pot plus strainer

For large batches, you can use a big bowl or pot as your steeping vessel. Add your coffee and water, stir well, cover, and let it sit in the fridge. When it is ready, pour through a lined sieve into bottles or jugs.

This method is ideal if you regularly brew for several people or want a week’s worth of concentrate in one go. The downside is that transferring large volumes can be messy, and there is more surface area exposed during steeping, so be sure to cover the bowl well to avoid absorbing fridge odours.

Reusable cloth or nut milk bag

If you own a nut milk bag or a fine cloth bag, you can use it as a large teabag for cold brew. Put the coffee grounds in the bag, place it in your jar or jug, add water and steep. When done, lift out the bag and squeeze gently to extract the last of the brew.

This setup is convenient because the grounds stay contained, making clean-up easier. Just be sure to rinse the bag thoroughly and let it dry between uses to avoid any stale flavours.

Using an espresso machine with a cold brew function

Some modern machines now include a cold brew setting that controls water flow and contact time for cooler extraction. For example, a compact machine like the Cuisinart Slim Espresso Machine with cold brew mode is designed to create chilled coffee drinks alongside espresso and Americanos.

These functions are not quite the same as traditional 12–18 hour immersion cold brew, but they can provide a shorter-path, cool-extracted coffee suitable for iced drinks. If you already own a machine with such a feature, it is worth experimenting to see whether you like the flavour compared to your jar or French press brew.

What kind of filter or mesh is best for DIY cold brew?

One of the most common questions about homemade cold brew is what type of filter to use. The main options you are likely to have at home are:

• French press metal filter: Coarse, quick to use, but lets more sediment through.
• Fine mesh sieve: Good for catching larger particles; often used together with paper or cloth for extra clarity.
• Paper coffee filters: Excellent clarity, very little sediment, but slower to drain, especially with large batches.
• Reusable cloth (cheesecloth, nut milk bag): Good middle ground – reusable and fairly fine, though flavour can be affected if not cleaned properly.

For the cleanest, brightest cup, a paper filter tends to win. For everyday practicality, many people like a combination: first strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove most grounds quickly, then filter the remainder through paper for a polished final result.

Dedicated cold brew jugs typically use a removable stainless steel mesh filter inside a pitcher. A brewer such as the Sivaphe 64 oz iced coffee and tea maker offers a lightweight jug with a reusable mesh filter in the centre. This makes brewing neat and keeps the grounds contained, while still delivering a reasonably clean cup.

Food safety and storage for homemade cold brew

Cold brew is relatively low risk if you follow basic food safety principles, but there are still a few points to keep in mind when using DIY setups:

• Use fresh, clean water. Tap water that tastes good to drink is fine; filtered water can improve flavour.
• Keep it chilled. Brew in the fridge where possible, or at least move the brew to the fridge as soon as practical after steeping at room temperature.
• Use clean equipment. Wash jars, jugs, strainers and cloths thoroughly between batches, and allow them to dry completely.
• Store in a sealed container. Keep your finished cold brew in a bottle or jar with a tight lid to avoid absorbing fridge odours.

Most people find that cold brew tastes best within a few days of brewing. Over time, flavours can flatten or take on a slightly woody note, especially with concentrate. Make smaller batches more often if you prefer a fresher taste.

DIY methods versus dedicated immersion cold brew brewers

It helps to think of DIY cold brew methods and dedicated brewers as points along a spectrum of convenience and control. The core brewing principle is identical, but the user experience and consistency can differ.

DIY methods (French press, jars, strainers) excel in flexibility and cost-effectiveness. You probably already own the kit, and with a little practice you can dial in excellent flavour. The trade-offs are usually more mess, extra steps to filter and decant, and a little more guesswork in repeating the exact same brew every time.

Dedicated immersion brewers package everything into one neat container with a built-in filter and pouring spout. A jug-style brewer like a 2-quart cold brew maker is designed for brewing, storing and serving from the same vessel. This makes it easier to maintain a routine, reduce cleaning and minimise spills, which can be especially helpful if you drink cold brew daily or brew for several people.

In terms of flavour, both approaches can produce smooth, sweet coffee. Clarity and texture differences mostly come down to filter fineness and how carefully you decant. Many people are surprised by how close their DIY jar brew can come to the flavour from a specialist cold brew jug once they fine-tune their grind, ratio and filtering steps.

When is it worth upgrading to a cold brew coffee maker?

If you are happily making cold brew in a French press or jar, you might be unsure whether buying a dedicated cold brew maker is necessary. In many cases, you can stay with DIY methods indefinitely. However, there are a few signs that an upgrade could genuinely improve your daily coffee routine:

• You brew frequently. If you are making cold brew several times a week, a jug with an integrated filter can significantly cut down on mess and time spent straining and decanting.
• You brew large batches. For households that get through a lot of cold brew, moving from a single jar or French press to a purpose-made 1.9–2 litre jug streamlines storage and serving.
• You want consistent clarity. If you dislike sludge or cloudiness, a dedicated brewer with a well-designed mesh filter can offer a repeatable level of clarity without having to double-filter.
• You value fridge organisation. A tall, slim cold brew pitcher is often easier to fit on a fridge shelf than a collection of jars or bowls.

It can also make sense to upgrade if you are already investing in other coffee gear and want a neat, purpose-built solution. For example, pairing an all-in-one machine like the Cuisinart Slim Espresso Machine for hot espresso drinks with a dedicated cold brew jug covers both ends of your coffee habit without much extra effort.

Are cold brew maker alternatives cost-effective?

Using gear you already own is the most budget-friendly way to explore cold brew. There is no upfront cost beyond coffee and water, and if you already have a French press or jars, you are ready to go. For many people, this is more than enough to enjoy cold brew regularly without spending on extra equipment.

Over time, you might find that a small investment in a dedicated jug, especially if it comes with a durable filter and a sturdy pitcher, pays off in convenience and time saved. A leak-proof, fridge-friendly pitcher such as the Sivaphe 64 oz cold brew maker or a heavy-duty 2-quart jug can cut down on disposable filters if you currently rely on paper, and simplify storage.

Ultimately, the most cost-effective approach is usually to start with DIY methods, then only move to a dedicated brewer if you find yourself brewing often enough that the convenience would genuinely make a difference.

Practical tips for better DIY cold brew

• Adjust your grind. If your cold brew tastes bitter or harsh, try a coarser grind. If it tastes weak or sour, grind slightly finer or extend the steep time.
• Taste as you go. You can start tasting after about 10–12 hours. If it is already strong enough, strain it; if not, give it more time.
• Label your jars. Note the ratio and steep time on a piece of tape on the jar so you can repeat successful batches.
• Experiment with concentrate. Brewing stronger and then diluting can give you more flexibility, especially if different people in your household like different strengths.
• Try different beans. Medium and light roasts often shine in cold brew, showing fruity or chocolatey notes without harsh acidity.