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8 Vessels To Use To Make Cold Brew
Have you tried making cold brew at home? What vessel do you use? Here is a list of containers you can use for cold-brewing!
Published March 8, 2022
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Joachim Estal
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
Cold brew is probably one of the most popular drinks on the planet! And most of us spend dollars in coffee shops to experience its quenching flavor and kick. However, do you know that making your own cold brew coffee at home is pretty easy?
All you need is your coffee, brewing water, a filter, and a container where all the magic happens. As for the brewing vessel, no need for all the fancy brewers and equipment. In fact, a simple bottle or glass jar will already do–you may even find an ideal container in the convenience of your own kitchen!
In this article, we are going to talk about different vessels you can use to brew your own cold brew coffee at home.
French Press
If you have a French press at home, you’re lucky. You don’t only get to make a boldly delicious hot coffee, but cold brew as well. It’s actually one of the simplest and most effective ways, especially since it already has a built-in metal filter. All you have to do is scoop your coffee inside the vessel, add water, and let it steep for several hours. After the required brewing time is done, you can just push the plunger down and pour the coffee into a glass of ice. Simple, right?
Mason Jars
Of course, a mason jar deep enough to hold your coffee proportions makes an ideal cold brew jug or vessel. Not only are they convenient, but they’re durable and aesthetically lovely too. In addition, most mason jars come with a lid which will allow the coffee to be more secure when it’s time to store it inside the fridge. Finally, mason jars are incredibly cheap, and you can find and buy them anywhere. What an affordable way to make yourself some fancy caffeinated drink!
A Teapot
Apparently, teapots are not only for steeping tea bags but also for brewing coffee. If you have your own teapot at home, that means you can also make your own cold brew. Can you use a tea strainer for coffee? Well, if your teapot has its designated infuser, then that’s even better–you don’t have to use a filter anymore. Just make sure you clean the teapot very carefully after each use.
Can you make tea in a coffee maker? That’s another story.
Cooking Pan
Since you may be doing all your coffee brewing sessions inside your kitchen, it’s great to know you could use the tools you can find there as well. A cooking pan or pot may not be the best container for your cold brew coffee, but it does a pretty decent job. Plus, you can make large batches with their larger sizes!
Water Tumbler
If you have your personal water tumbler, you can also use it as your personal brewer. Reusable water tumblers are durable and handy. They can fit in the fridge, and they come with a lid. However, it’s better to just have this vessel intended for brewing itself. If you’re still planning to use it to hold your drinking water, make sure you clean it properly!
Aeropress
Just like the French press, here’s another brewer you can use if you want to make some cold brew–the Aeropress. Using the inverted method, you can brew a very small batch size, usually just for a single person. Also, filtering the grounds would not require utilizing filter papers as they usually come with their own built-in filter. The only downside is it can be quite difficult (and messy) to do since plunging the Aeropress can become tricky. Just make sure to be careful when it’s time to do this step.
Soda Bottle
Soda bottles are not the neatest cold brew vessels on the list. But if you’re feeling adventurous or don’t really have any other choice, you can give it a try. These bottles are spacious and can brew a big batch of coffee. However, you may need to use a funnel to put your coffee and pour your water into its tiny opening. On the bright side, you can quickly seal them with a bottle cap or a plastic wrap to make sure it doesn’t spill. The best part about soda bottles is that you can use them as the actual drinking vessel after brewing. You can easily drink from it, and it looks pretty, like an actual read-to-drink product.
Plastic Ziplock Bag
Let’s say you’re brewing away from home, in a place where you don’t have access to the other container options above–you can use a plastic zip-lock bag. Using the same cold brew coffee making instructions and procedure, you’d probably still make a delicious cup of cold brew. Just make sure to be careful when it’s time to pour the coffee out–don’t make a mess, and don’t waste good coffee!
Final Thoughts
Who would’ve thought brewing coffee could be made using the tools we’ve shared above. To our surprise, cold-brewing is somehow a flexible venture. While you can utilize almost any container to brew this fantastic coffee favorite, we suggest sticking with the easiest to use–a French press or a mason jar. Good luck on your next cold-brewing endeavor!
About the author
Joachim Estal
8-year barista for a world-class coffee chain from the Philippines. Passionate writer and coffee champion. "Coffee has always been one of my biggest love interests in life. And I am here to share it with all of you through this platform."
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