Cold-brew Coffee maker

admin

WARNING LONG, LATE NIGHT CAFFEINE POWERED POST       Poor grammar, punctuation, and spelling may be present!My story begins and ends with an insatiable desire for a small berry discovered by a goat farmer known as "coffee". Yea, I may have a few wires crossed. Anyway, in my pursuit of coffee perfection I stumbled across an ancient method of brewing coffee that originated in japan from Indonesian based Dutch traders. This method involves either soaking coarsely ground coffee beans in cold water or slowly dripping the water through the coffee . It takes about 12-16 hours (depending on personal preference) with the immersion or soaking method and around 3-12 hours with the drip method. The resulting coffee, called cold-brew,  is a concentrate that is then diluted with water or milk(hot or cold) and is exceptionally smooth and balanced and tastes much sweeter due to having about 67% less acid than conventional brewed coffee. While I have not studied in depth the health benefits, it seems to be much better for you than hot brewed coffee... More on that another time perhaps. (:Now, having experimented a little bit with the immersion/soaking method in a french press I was immediately hooked. As I continued to research(and drink cold brew!) I found that the drip method was supposed to produce a much better cold brew. The machines, however, that produced such delicious dark, liquid cost several hundred dollars for an entry level machine! That just wouldn't do, my body craved more caffeinated goodness! So I set out to build the cold-brew maker to end all other cold-brew makers... My caffeine fueled mind raced with designs and ideas. As my overly energetic fingers pounded the keys researching, I realized there was not much out there and I would have to create my own machine from scratch. I drew upon my background in chemistry to obtain the three main vessels: the water dripper thing, the coffee holder filter thing and the cold-brew coffee collection thing. Those are all technical terms guys.  With those purchased I began work on the stand. As the last of the caffeine coursed through my veins I twisted some 3/8" round bar for the main support.  Some pieces of 1/4" and 3/32" round bar were quickly formed as holding rings and stabilizers the vessels. A large 3/8" thick plate with rubber washers for feet made a nice heavy base to secure everything to. A few feet of twisted wire cable and miscellaneous hardware added to the industrial look as well as the sturdiness. It was complete. Just in time too, my body was in the beginning stages of caffeine withdraw... With this machine in no time I was able to begin drinking the mysterious, caffeinated, brown bean extract.For now my desire for coffee has been satiated. For now. But the pursuit of coffee perfection is far from over, soon I am sure it will rear its head again and off I will go searching again. But whatever dark and aromatic path this road has for me, I am ready, powered by caffeine and armed with delicious cold-brew. Well, I hope that made you laugh a little and maybe even learn something! Attached Images
Reply:More pictures of the stand... Attached Images
Reply:A few more pictures... Attached Images
Reply:Been a french press guy for 10 years or so. You have taken this to a completely new level. It's 10: 05 pm, and now i sure could go for a fresh cup of brew.
Reply:Originally Posted by DeogBeen a french press guy for 10 years or so. You have taken this to a completely new level. It's 10: 05 pm, and now i sure could go for a fresh cup of brew.
Reply:That's beautiful! I would consider adding a lid with a small hole to go on the middle glass vessel, to keep dust from collecting in it during brewing. And I gather the top vessel needs to be manually adjusted to drip water at the right rate to prevent overflow? Is there any way to prevent that? If not, you could put a clear pot or basin under the bottom vessel to catch overflow.
Reply:thats one way to do it.  heres a simpler one: https://toddycafe.com/ growing up, cold drip is all my parents drank. down here you can buy it, which is nice for the lazier of usthe way my mother always made it was she threw a brick of cdm(coffee brand that might be local down here, i forget ) in what was basically a bucket with a feet, a filter at the bottom and a drain hole with a stopper in it. let it soak overnight, then set it on whatever container, pulled the plug, and it was enough for a week or so
Reply:Never had cold brew but your set up is nice simple and clean, I like it.Ranger 250 thick stuffHobart Handler 140 not thick stuffthe pane and oxy setup
Reply:Nice work! I've never had or even heard of cold-brewing coffee until your post. I must try! I've always been under the impression that heat unlocks all the goodness. I temp test all our new coffee makers cause some just aren't hot enough. 182°, please
Reply:Ever watch Breaking Bad?Reminds me of Gayle's setup.Nice job.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:MAD Scientist meets Starbucks , Who will win ,the battle is brewing!!!!!
Reply:Originally Posted by piojoThat's beautiful! I would consider adding a lid with a small hole to go on the middle glass vessel, to keep dust from collecting in it during brewing . And I gather the top vessel needs to be manually adjusted to drip water at the right rate to prevent overflow? Is there any way to prevent that? If not, you could put a clear pot or basin under the bottom vessel to catch overflow.
Reply:ok where did you buy the viles. What are they sized as.  How much coffe do you concentrate at once. Do you store your Concentrate in mason jars. I leave mine at work and Home in them.  Only way i can drink it now.. Cold Brew is my "SH!T"..I like Jittery Johns Alot But only sold on West Coast.Miller Bobcat 250Miller Maxstar 140strLongevity 140 migSnapon Muscle Mig/tigHypertherm Powermax 30
Reply:What kind of coffee do you like to cold brew? I may have to try this...Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:Originally Posted by BadFitUpok where did you buy the viles. What are they sized as.  How much coffe do you concentrate at once. Do you store your Concentrate in mason jars. I leave mine at work and Home in them.  Only way i can drink it now.. Cold Brew is my "SH!T"..I like Jittery Johns Alot But only sold on West Coast.
Reply:Oh well here's something else to add to the Bucket List ,(long and the coffee is not processed through a cat)
Reply:Civets aren't technically cats.  Oh, and ewwwwwwww.
Reply:Originally Posted by Sheyda36A few more pictures...
Reply:I've tried cold brewing methods.There was zero acidity and to me tasted like instant coffee.  Not a fan.MillerMatic 252, HTP 221 w/cooler, Hypertherm PM45, Lincoln IdealArc 250 AC/DC"I'd like to believe as many true things and as few false things as possible"
Reply:Looks awesome!! Relatively easy project, it looks like anyway. Redneck, GEARHEAD, fabricator, are just a few of my "specialties"....Bubba says it all!!
Reply:I copied gales setup. Vacuum pot coffees pretty damn good too. You can buy a copy of the breaking bad set up for.like $200. I made one for 25.Doesn't the drip from the separatory flask (Chem guy too) just run through the middle of the coffee ? Maybe if I looked at all the pics closer I could answer that but I gotta run to class.Awesome stand tho you write like a hipster trying to be nominated for a "best of craigslist". Hahaha. Jk.
Reply:Originally Posted by gxbxcOh well here's something else to add to the Bucket List ,(long and the coffee is not processed through a cat)
Reply:I don't know if you can see it here but it's really simple. 1000ml erlenmeyer flask with a Rubber stopper with a 5 6 or 7 mm hole in it. You run 5 6 or 7mm glass tubing to the bottom of the flask, then up and over ending in a thistle (upside down glass funnel)  into a large Mason jar. I used a cloth tea filter bag or something from Williams Sonoma. You put the grinds in the Mason jar, fill the flask with water, and apply heat to the flask. Before the water boils and kills the flavor of the coffee  the pressure forces the hot water up and over in to the Mason jar.. let it sit for 3 minutes and remove flask from heat. In a few minutes as the flask cools it will pull the coffee through the filter and back into the flask. Done.A lot of pressure and air comes over and will violently mix your coffee so use a mason jar that can home 1250 or 1500 ml's. You'll see the coffee bloom too which is cool. Cost me like $20-30.The major cost of the breaking bad copy is the buns en burner, stand and clamps.. but I have a heating source. My frickin stove. I didn't see the need to go through all that and it works great.Last edited by MechTek; 10-04-2014 at 02:14 AM.
Reply:I LOVE coffee, I need to try this. I am basically worthless without coffee. This process sounds sooo wonderful and good, gonna try it soon.Quality work is never Cheap, and Cheap work is never Quality!!If it's broke, and you're not, we can fix it!!  Lincoln Idealarc sp200Century 230amp ac/dcSmith O/A TorchesHuth Hyd. Pipe Benderother misc "cool" tools
Reply:I just got my first batch going. Large coffee filters and some tiny rubber bands. About 6 tablespoons ground coffee in each bag, I made 2. Not sure how it's going to work out, I'll let you know tomorrow.Thermal arc 211iCk flex-loc 150 & 130Clamps, saws & grindersHarbor freight 80 amp inverterOriginally Posted by MechTekAttachment 861861 I don't know if you can see it here but it's really simple. 1000ml erlenmeyer flask with a Rubber stopper with a 5 6 or 7 mm hole in it. You run 5 6 or 7mm glass tubing to the bottom of the flask, then up and over ending in a thistle (upside down glass funnel)  into a large Mason jar. I used a cloth tea filter bag or something from Williams Sonoma. You put the grinds in the Mason jar, fill the flask with water, and apply heat to the flask. Before the water boils and kills the flavor of the coffee  the pressure forces the hot water up and over in to the Mason jar.. let it sit for 3 minutes and remove flask from heat. In a few minutes as the flask cools it will pull the coffee through the filter and back into the flask. Done.A lot of pressure and air comes over and will violently mix your coffee so use a mason jar that can home 1250 or 1500 ml's. You'll see the coffee bloom too which is cool. Cost me like $20-30.The major cost of the breaking bad copy is the buns en burner, stand and clamps.. but I have a heating source. My frickin stove. I didn't see the need to go through all that and it works great.
Reply:Agh. You're right. I realized my mistakes later with the flasks but this damn tapatalk app is horrible. Thank you for the corrections. I was just trying to bang out a quick explanation before work and overlooked a ton of details. In my first post I referred to a separatory flask as well of which I don't think there is one. It's a sep funnel. But I think it was almost clear enough for someone to duplicate with some assistance from google. Bending the glass rod is easy, but watching a few videos will help.Also NEVER boil any glass flask until dry. It will crack. And there goes 90% of.your investment. Hahaha. But for someone who seems like they're more knowledgable in lab practice than I am it's sad that you think it's Ok to throw around meth lab references. Meths not funny. Especially to honest hard working people who enjoy the other 99.9% of chemistry.Last edited by MechTek; 10-05-2014 at 04:04 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by MechTekAgh. You're right. I realized my mistakes later with the flasks but this damn tapatalk app is horrible. Thank you for the corrections. I was just trying to bang out a quick explanation before work and overlooked a ton of details. In my first post I referred to a separatory flask as well of which I don't think there is one. It's a sep funnel. But I think it was almost clear enough for someone to duplicate with some assistance from google. Bending the glass rod is easy, but watching a few videos will help.Also NEVER boil any glass flask until dry. It will crack. And there goes 90% of.your investment. Hahaha. But for someone who seems like they're more knowledgable in lab practice than I am it's sad that you think it's Ok to throw around meth lab references. Meths not funny. Especially to honest hard working people who enjoy the other 99.9% of chemistry.
Reply:When I was a kid we used to have one of the vacuum coffee makers ,only it was all aluminum . I used to love it  until my sister (evil older sister) melted the pot running it dry. I see the all glass one's from time to time in antique shops