Are you tired of the daily taste bud battle between the bitter and acidic notes in your coffee or having to brew for over 12 hours? It’s time to explore vacuum cold-brew coffee makers.
A vacuum cold brewer utilizes vacuum pressure and water to extract flavor from ground coffee. It’s a straightforward process that takes just a few minutes, resulting in a brew that’s rich in flavor and lower in acidity and bitterness.
But how do you choose the best machine to transform your daily caffeine fix into a delightful experience? This blog will guide you in picking the best coffee maker for your needs and discuss a few options for varying budgets. You’ll also learn how to get the best results from your vacuum cold brewer.
Why Is A Vacuum Coffee Maker Better?
We have an article on “What is a vacuum cold brew and how does it work?“, but the brief explanation of that article is this: vacuum cold brew is a method of extracting soluble solids from the coffee grounds at lower temperatures. Compared to traditional cold brew methods such as immersion, (Toddy, or French press cold brew), or cold drip, (Dutch cold brew), is very fast, while extracting perfectly.
The technology allows the brew to boil at room temperature, which speeds up the extraction, and increases solubility of the soluble matter in the coffee bean. What is interesting though, is that the solubility is selectively increased. This means you’ll get you cold brew taste that you are used to.
Compared to other fast cold brew methods, such as agitation, it tastes better.
Top 5 Vacuum Cold Brew Coffee Makers on the Market
There aren’t many vacuum cold brew coffee makers on the market. I am not sure why the technology is not widely adopted by coffee maker industry. There are a few failed projects, that looked promising at the time. This is the list with the best vacuum coffee makers ion the market right now.
If you want to know which is the best out of the bunch, the Dash Rapid Cold Brew Maker is the best, and part of the reason is that Dash was on the market for some time now. The product went through a few changes and it is now the more mature of all vacuum powered coffee makers.
DASH Rapid Cold Brew Maker Review
Fast, customizable, and sleek, Dash Rapid Cold Brewer is an ideal companion for coffee aficionados seeking to elevate their cold brew experience. It features VacuPress technology, allowing you to make a smooth and rich cold brew coffee in just nine minutes.
Dash Rapid’s glass carafe is stylish and functional, boasting a 40 oz capacity. And with a reusable mesh filter, you won’t have to waste money on disposable alternatives.
Cleaning this vacuum cold brew coffee maker is a breeze, thanks to its easily removable parts. And as a bonus, you get a booklet containing delightful recipes, so you experiment and expand your beverage repertoire.
Pros:
- Brews coffee in less than 10 minutes
- Offers several options for brew strength
- Doesn’t compromise the coffee taste
- Easy to assemble, use, and clean
- Reusable filter saves you money
- Stable on flat surfaces, thanks to the suction cups on its base
Cons:
- Not as affordable
- It can be noisier than expected
Over customer rating: 4.7/5
VacOne Coffee Air Brewer
If you’re looking for something cheaper than Dash Rapid but with added versatility, VacOne is an excellent choice. It’s compact but capable enough to make up to 200, 14-ounce servings on a single charge.
The 2-in-1 brewing capability is a welcome addition to this vacuum cold brew coffee maker. The manufacturer claims it can prepare cold brew in just 4 minutes. You, however, must boil water separately to make hot coffee. Despite this extra step, the brewing process is still relatively quick, taking only 30-60 seconds. With either type, you can always count on full-flavored coffee without excessive bitterness or acidity.
VacOne is easy to clean and incorporates a reusable metal mesh filter that saves money on paper filters while minimizing environmental waste.
Pros:
- More compact than most of its peers on this list
- Makes full-bodied coffee without the bitterness
- Suitable for hot and cold coffee brewing
- Easy to operate and clean
- Relatively sufficient capacity
Cons:
- Complaints about taste inconsistency
- Unsuitable for gatherings
Customer rating: 4.2/5
Shine Rapid Cold Brew Coffee Machine
Shine Rapid Cold Brew Coffee & Tea Machine offers various options to suit your taste. Its sleek and modern design complements any kitchen, while solid construction means a longer useful lifespan.
Four brew strength settings allow you to impress your guests or treat yourself to 3-5 cups of coffee in 10-45 minutes. Plus, it’s versatile enough for your tastes, whether you’re in the mood for cold coffee, herbal combos, iced tea, or lattes.
You’ll find it easy to operate this vacuum coffee maker. Simply pour coffee grounds into the top chamber, add water to the designated level, stir, seal the chamber, then press the brewing button. And even if you’re new to vacuum brewing, the included easy-to-follow guide should get you started.
Pros:
- Good-looking and solidly built
- Multiple brew strength settings
- Highly portable
- Brews over 100 servings on a single charge
- Hot and cold brewing in less than 4 minutes
- Intuitive, thanks to its one-button operation
- Clear and concise instructions
Cons:
- It has a larger footprint
- Cleaning can be cumbersome, slowing down subsequent batches
- It’s a bit loud
- It’s hard to replace the battery, and some customers would appreciate a battery indicator
Customer rating: 3.7/5
FrankOne Vacuum Coffee Brewer Review
FrankOne integrates a proprietary vacuum brewing tech, VacTec, that allows it to full-bodied better coffee in as little as four minutes. Taste-wise, this device hardly disappoints. You can expect a cold brew that’s incredibly smooth and full-bodied without the bitterness often associated with traditional cold brews.
I am not going to insist on this one too much, since this is a clone of VacOne, but only sold in Canada. If you are a Canadian trying to buy this, you might want to buy it on Amazon.com. It will be much cheaper, even with the extra shipping added.
Customer rating: 4.1/5
RAIN Tech Coffee Vacuum Brewer by Bkon
Thinking about large-scale cold brewing? Bkon’s RAIN coffee vacuum brewer might be right up your street.
Although the $13K price tag is steep, the results from this machine are remarkable for upscale commercial establishments seeking cutting-edge brewing.
At the heart of this brewing powerhouse is the revolutionary RAIN (Reverse Atmospheric Infusion) technology. It helps remove gases from natural ingredients in coffee and tea by controlling various parameters of vacuum pressure.
The RAIN model churns out over 40 cups of coffee in just an hour, and can simultaneously infuse natural tastes from dried fruits into your drink. Not to mention its brewing chamber is self-cleaning.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Vacuum Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Here are four key factors to consider when choosing the best vacuum cold brewer.
Capacity and Size
You want a coffee maker with a perfect balance between your brew size requirements and space in your kitchen. A larger capacity will suffice if you entertain often or have a large family. For users living alone, a compact, single-cup model will do the job. The typical capacity of products in this roundup is 14-20 fl. oz.
Materials Used and Durability
A solidly built coffee maker will withstand regular use and last longer.
Regarding carafes, the glass options are chemically inert but are more fragile. On the other hand, BPA-free plastic carafes are lightweight and less prone to breakage. Plus, they can offer better heat retention than glass, ensuring that your cold brew remains at the desired temperature for longer.
Filtration System
Brewers work with various types of filters, including metal mesh and paper. A fine mesh filter is the most effective choice for a vacuum coffee machine. It ensures your brew will be smooth and free of sediment, not to mention it’s reusable.
Ease of Use and Cleaning
Clear instructions, intuitive controls, and easy setup can significantly impact your overall experience with a vacuum cold brew coffee maker. The parts should be removable and waterproof for hassle-free cleaning.
Tips for Getting the Best Results with a Vacuum Cold Brew Coffee Maker
So, you’re wondering how to achieve the best results with a vacuum cold-brew coffee maker. Find below the factors that matter.
Grind Size and Coffee-to-Water Ratio
The recommended grind size for vacuum cold brew coffee is coarse. It allows for better water flow and prevents over-extraction. You can experiment with a medium-coarse, or even medium grind size
A higher coffee-to-water ratio will result in a stronger, more concentrated coffee, while a lower ratio will produce a milder brew. The expert recommendation for cold brews is a 1:8 ratio (8 grams of water for every gram of coffee).
Brewing Time and Temperature
The longer the brewing time, the more flavors you extract from the coffee grounds. However, be cautious not to over-extract, as this can lead to bitterness.
While cold brew coffee can be made at room temperature or with refrigerated water, each option produces slightly different results.
Generally, room temperature speeds up extraction, producing the same sweet, less acidic coffee. Refrigerated water, on the other hand, requires a longer extraction time.
Experimentation with Coffee Beans
Don’t hesitates to try different beans and roasts to discover the perfect flavor profile for your cold brew. Beans from coffee-dominated regions in Asia and South America come highly recommended for cold brews. You can always expect a smooth flavor from light-medium roast but never try cold brewing with instant coffee.
Adjust Your Expectations
If you are used with the immersion cold brew, (Hario Mizudashi, Oxo, Filtron, or the Mason Jar), you will have to tweak your brew to match that. The taste you get with the default settings will be a little different, though it’s still amazing.
Bottom Line
Thus far, we’ve explored various options and factors to consider when looking for the best vacuum cold brew coffee maker for your needs.
Making an informed decision won’t just save you time and effort. More importantly, it will also make a tangible difference in the flavor and quality of your cold brew coffee. So, take your time.