Despite cold brewing traditionally taking up to 24 hours, this model brews in just twenty minutes
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(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
T3 Verdict
Reasons to buy+Easy to use+Super fast brewing!+AffordableReasons to avoid-Instructions could be more accessible
Reasons to buy+Easy to use+Super fast brewing!+Affordable
Easy to use
Super fast brewing!
Affordable
Reasons to avoid-Instructions could be more accessible
Instructions could be more accessible
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Now that we’ve been graced with some stunning weather in the UK, it finally feels like summer is on its way. If you’re like me, you’ll be looking forward to hosting friends and family for delicious al fresco meals in the upcoming months, especially if temperatures keep rising.
There are many appliances out there designed to produce some gorgeous meals, including thebest barbecuesandbest pizza ovens. However, there’s not too many in the way of summer beverages and drinks. That’s when the newInstant Cold Brewer Coffee and Iced Tea Makerwalks in…
If you didn’t know, Instant Brands launched anew collectionof coffee makers last month. The four machines come with clever customisable features, making it easy to completely personalise brewing and grinding strengths to suit your preferences. The Instant Cold Brewer is included in this, and I’ve been personally testing it out in order to find out more.
Keep reading to find out my thoughts, and why this machine should be a non-negotiable for ice cold beverages this summer.
Instant Cold Brewer Coffee and Iced Tea Maker review: price and availability
The Instant Cold Brewer Coffee and Iced Tea Maker has an RRP of £79.99 and can be purchased from theInstant websiteorAmazon.
Instant’s Cold Brewer is part of a larger collection, also including theInstant Infusion Brew 12-Cup Coffee MakerandInstant Milk Frother Station.
Instant Cold Brewer Coffee and Iced Tea Maker review: unboxing and set up
The Instant Cold Brewer Coffee and Iced Tea Maker came in a medium sized box, and was extremely easy to put together. Inside was the Cold Brewer base, as well as the glass pitcher. I also came across the brewing basket and a small measuring scoop for the ground coffee.
There was also an instruction manual, but I didn’t find this to be particularly useful. It included a QR code which was linked to a set up video, but the rest of it just included safety instructions and T&Cs. I tried to follow a QR code which prompted downloading the Instant Connect app, but I soon discovered that app wasn’t able to pair with the Cold Brewer, which felt a little misleading.
That being said, the set up video was really easy to follow, and I felt ready to go once I’d watched it.
Image1of5Main box(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)Base(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)Glass pitcher(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)Brewing basket and measuring scoop(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)Instruction manual(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Image1of5Main box(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)Base(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)Glass pitcher(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)Brewing basket and measuring scoop(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)Instruction manual(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Image1of5
Main box(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)Base(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)Glass pitcher(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)Brewing basket and measuring scoop(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)Instruction manual(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Main box(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)Base(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)Glass pitcher(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)Brewing basket and measuring scoop(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)Instruction manual(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Main box(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Main box(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Main box(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Main box(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Main box(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Base(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Base(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Base(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Base(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Base(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Glass pitcher(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Glass pitcher(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Glass pitcher(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Glass pitcher(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Glass pitcher(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Brewing basket and measuring scoop(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Brewing basket and measuring scoop(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Brewing basket and measuring scoop(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Brewing basket and measuring scoop(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Brewing basket and measuring scoop(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Instruction manual(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Instruction manual(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Instruction manual(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Instruction manual(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Instruction manual(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
Instant Cold Brewer Coffee and Iced Tea Maker review: design and features
The best thing about the Instant Cold Brewer Coffee and Iced Tea Maker is the fact it’s able to brew a batch of coffee in about twenty minutes. If you’re a fan of cold brew, you’ll know that the process traditionally takes 24 hours. Now, this is quite a long time to wait when the sun’s out and you’re dying for a refreshment, so the Instant Cold Brewer is an ideal solution.
It uses specialised FlashExtract Technology which is designed to agitate the grounds or tea leaves to extract the maximum flavour in an impressively short amount of time. However, depending on how strong you like your brew to be, the time can be amended from 5 to 30 minutes. This is also perfect if you like being in control of your caffeine intake throughout the day.
(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
When it comes to the Cold Brewer’s design, it has a 950ml capacity which can make up to four normal servings. It also has a simple control interface and the components are all dishwasher safe.
Instant Cold Brewer Coffee and Iced Tea Maker review: performance
I then set the timer to about 15 minutes as I didn’t want to to be too strong, and then I let it do its thing. I noticed that the Cold Brewer often started and stopped whilst brewing, but I discovered that this was normal and would let the coffee infuse in between each extraction.
A short time later, my brew was ready. It’s as easy as that!
(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
I then poured the cold brew after a few ice cubes and added a shot of caramel syrup, and it was absolutely delicious. I then sat in the garden (excuse the washing - I’m making the most of the sun) and enjoyed my drink. I was sold.
(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
(Image credit: Lizzie Wilmot / T3)
A few days later, I also tried outbrewing some tea. I filled the pitcher with water and put a tablespoon of pomegranate loose leaf tea in the brewing basket. Instant recommends not using tea bags or loose leaf tea with larger pieces, so I made sure to steer clear of those.
I set the timer to 20 minutes this time as I wanted a slightly stronger infusion, and it was absolutely perfect. I poured the brew over some ice and few raspberries, and it was delightful. As I plan on hosting a lot this summer, I’ll definitely be dishing out a few of these to friends and family who come over.
Instant Cold Brewer Coffee and Iced Tea Maker review: verdict
Instant Cold Brewer Coffee and Iced Tea Maker review: alternatives to consider
It’s certainly alotmore expensive, but if you’re looking for a machine that does it all, we’d recommend theJura Z10. Coming in at £2,450, the Jura Z10 can make up to 30 speciality drinks, and that’s just with the cold brew method! Our reviewer said that the cold brew comes out slightly lukewarm, so a lot of ice is needed. However, there’s no denying the Jura Z10 is an extremely accomplished bit of kit.
Anther alternative to consider would be theBreville Iced, which you’ll be grateful to hear only costs £39.99. You do get what you pay for, but it’s a cheap and cheerful solution to staying cool during the summer with a nice brew. It’s also compact and lightweight enough to pack away when the weather changes, which is always a plus.
If you’re interested in more, find out what happened when I tested theInstant Brands Milk Frother Station against the ProCook Milk Frother.
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