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Cold Brew Maker I Ice Coffee Machine With Slow Drip Technology I Makes 6-8 cups (32oz), Large Capacity Cold Brew Coffee Tower, Black
Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | Yama Glass |
Color | Black |
Product Dimensions | 9"D x 12"W x 25.4"H |
Special Feature | Manual, Permanent Filter |
Coffee Maker Type | Drip Coffee Machine |
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About this item
- BETTER TASTE: Ice water reservoir paired with slow drip system delivers 6-8 cups of premium cold brew ensuring you are extracting the full profile from you coffee grounds more effectively than traditional brewing methods
- FASTER BREW TIME without sacrificing premium results. Our cold brew drip technology delivers the best cold brew in 3-4 hours compared to 16-24 hours with immersion style brewing
- PREMIUM and INNOVATIVE drip cold brew system ensures the richest, acidic free, full-bodied cold brew preferred by most over immersion style brewers, requires assembly.
- GO-TO BREWING METHOD FOR CAFES around the world delivering in the highest quality cold brew that your customers, friends and family will love
- PREMIUM hand crafted, hand blown Borosilicate Glass which is non-porous and does not absorb odors or chemicals ensuring each brew is as fresh and pure as intended. WOODEN TOWER is made from 100% real wood with a beautiful mid-century style perfect for any home, cafe or business. Assembly required.
Additional Details
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This Item Yama Glass Cold Brew Maker I Ice Coffee Machine With Slow Drip Technology I Makes 6-8 cups (32oz), Large Capacity Cold Brew Coffee Tower, Black | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
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Price | $280.00$280.00 | -18% $65.99$65.99 Typical: $79.99 | $50.99$50.99 | $35.99$35.99 | $104.99$104.99 | -11% $49.00$49.00 List: $54.95 |
Delivery | Get it Apr 3 - 10 | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 | — | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Flavor | 4.6 | — | — | — | 4.6 | 4.8 |
Giftable | 4.5 | — | — | — | 4.0 | 5.0 |
Easy to clean | 3.9 | — | — | — | 4.2 | 4.7 |
Sold By | Espresso Parts | LOEFF & LEE | Huimei Trade | New Value Group | Nispira | Toddy, LLC |
capacity | 32 fluid ounces | 600 milliliters | 6.7 ounces | 500 milliliters | 600 milliliters | 38 ounces |
material | Glass | Borosilicate Glass, Stainless Steel, Plastic, Rubber | Glass | Glass, Stainless Steel, Silicone | Wood | Plastic |
input interface | unknown | unknown | buttons | buttons | buttons | buttons |
wattage | 1100 watts | 1000 watts | 1000 watts | 0 watts | 0 watts | 800 watts |
model name | Cold Brew Maker I Ice Coffee Machine I Slow Drip Technology I | Loeff&Lee | Drip Coffee Maker | ICE-DRIPPER-SMALL | BD-7 | Toddy Cold Brew System |
weight | 9.8 pounds | — | 2.6 pounds | 1.9 pounds | 2 kilograms | 670 grams |
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From the manufacturer
Features & Benefits
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Simply Better Cold BrewOur intuitive and controlled drip cold brew system delivers smooth and acidic free coffee perfect for any coffee shop, cafe, home and office. We pride ourselves on the level of consistency and ease the Yama Cold Brew Tower offers |
Colder Cold BrewBy utilizing ice you are ensuring your coffee is extracted with cold temperatures resulting in a uniquely, acidic-free cold brew that is smoother and more controlled. |
Control the Boldness of Your BrewThe adjustable valve allows the user to set their preferred frequency of drip from 1 to 1.5 seconds (recommended) which will control the boldness of the brew. This brewing technique results in a full brew within 3-4 hours instead of 24hrs with immersion brewers |
Features and Benefits
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All About PrecisionThe spiral chamber creates an even flow of drip giving the coffee a nice little ride down to it's final resting place. Plus it looks pretty cool, too |
Included Decanter with lidBrew directly into the hand blown borosilicate glass decanter for quick and easy access. It also includes a lid so you can store your brew in the fridge for up to 2 weeks! |
True and Premium Cold BrewYou will enjoy a delicious, balanced cold brew that is served in affluential coffee shops all around that rely on Yama Cold Brew Towers to deliver the high quality cold brew to their customers |
Videos
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How to use YAMA Cold Brew Drip Tower
Espresso Parts
Product information
Brand | Yama Glass |
---|---|
Color | Black |
Product Dimensions | 9"D x 12"W x 25.4"H |
Special Feature | Manual, Permanent Filter |
Coffee Maker Type | Drip Coffee Machine |
Filter Type | Reusable |
Specific Uses For Product | Cold Brew |
Included Components | beakers, wood frame, filter, valve |
Operation Mode | Manual |
Model Name | Cold Brew Maker I Ice Coffee Machine I Slow Drip Technology I |
Number of Items | 1 |
Human Interface Input | Unknown |
Package Type | Frustration-Free Packaging |
Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
Item Weight | 9.8 pounds |
Manufacturer | YAMA |
ASIN | B004EBUZ1A |
Item model number | YAMCDM8SBK |
Customer Reviews |
4.4 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #510,336 in Home & Kitchen (See Top 100 in Home & Kitchen) #567 in Coffee Machines |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | November 30, 2010 |
Warranty & Support
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Product Description
The YAMA GLASS Cold Brew Tower is in a league of its own. Made from premium hand blown borosilicate glass by master glass blowers these towers ensure the highest quality and craftsmanship in every brew cycle. We didn’t skip any corners when it comes to the overall build quality and brewing experience. This is why coffee shops around the world trust the YAMA Cold Brew Tower to deliver cold brew to their customers. Here is how it works: Ice and water are placed in the top jar, and by regulating the dripping water through the valve in the center, coffee is steeped and ends up in the carafe at the bottom of the tower. Through a unique 3 hour brewing process using pure ice water, ice drip coffee produces a unique flavor not found in regular brewed coffee - it is acidic free and smooth as can be. Just put the water and coffee grounds into the brewer and you are ready to go. A permanent ceramic filter mechanism is included and is available in a brown stain finish. This coffee maker holds 32 oz. By slowly brewing your coffee with ice water, the harsher oils in your ground coffee are not brought out. The final brew is richer and smoother than what you would find in an immersion style cold brewer. Its unique and crafty design is the perfect conversation piece for any coffee shop, home or office.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the acidity of the coffee maker. They say it produces a low-acid, delicious brew. They also like the quality of the product, saying it makes great coffee that is deeply flavorful without any bitterness. Customers also like that it's easy to use, and appearance. However, some customers have reported issues with the drip rate and size of the machine. They mention that the valve wouldn't stop dripping, and the tube could be more narrow. Customers have different opinions on value, and ease of cleaning.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the quality of the coffee maker. They mention that it makes delicious coffee, with deep flavor and no bitterness. They also say that it's perfect for making ice coffee, and that the coil does enhance the coffee.
"...It looks way cooler. 2. I think the coil does enhance the coffee because it's helping aerate the brew before hitting the flask, just like you do..." Read more
"...Good ice coffee is no fad. This is a different (and SLOW) method to make really smooth and intense ice coffee with less than 2/3 the acid of hot-..." Read more
"This makes delicious coffee. Much more flavor than regular hot brewed coffee. A local café had this. The owner showed us how to make it...." Read more
"This drip system is a piece of art on the counter. Makes great iced coffee." Read more
Customers find the coffee maker to be a beautiful object that lasts. They also say it's a great conversation piece and a functional work of art. Customers also mention that the parts are beautifully hand blown and the tower looks awesome.
"...Again, two reasons: 1. It looks way cooler. 2...." Read more
"...This "8-Cup Yama Water Drip Coffee & Tea Maker" is aesthetically quite pleasing in the corner of our countertop and the coffee is fun to make...." Read more
"...The unit looks great in our kitchen. My wife cleans it and I haven't heard her complaining about it, so I guess it's OK to clean." Read more
"This drip system is a piece of art on the counter. Makes great iced coffee." Read more
Customers find the cold brew drip easy to use. They say it's a simple process, and the setup is effective. They mention that it takes very little working time, and that the idea is simple but ingenious. Customers also say that it'd be fun to watch the drip.
"...quite pleasing in the corner of our countertop and the coffee is fun to make. It is a little over 2 feet tall...." Read more
"...This takes some tinkering, but if you are inclined, it is fun to do, so good, and really a work of art in it's own right." Read more
"...For $35 you get a simple but effective setup that is basically a plastic bucket with a hole for a nylon plug filter, all fit over a simple glass..." Read more
"...If you are debating this, don’t. It’s absolutely awesome. Very simple to set up and begin brewing immediately...." Read more
Customers find the coffee maker's acid to be low. They say it's capable of making ultra-concentrated coffee with more distinct flavors.
"...all the detailed brewing tips you need are here to make a dense, low-acid, delicious brew - even better than any of the videos we watched!..." Read more
"...On the good side I have noticed the coffee is less acidic. Taste is good, not fantastic." Read more
"...it makes is different from hot water brewed coffee, the coffee is much less acidic and has more distinct flavors, you can taste individual flavors..." Read more
"This makes great coffee. I like the lower acid result of cold coffee extraction...." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the value of the coffee maker. Some find it worth the buy, while others say it's pretty expensive.
"...This takes some tinkering, but if you are inclined, it is fun to do, so good, and really a work of art in it's own right." Read more
"...I am so glad I did! Worth every penny!! The coffee is deeply flavorful without any bitterness. There are a couple things to know...." Read more
"I recommend this unit even though it is a little bit pricey...." Read more
"...I know the price seems steep but it is absolutely worth it." Read more
Customers are mixed about the ease of cleaning. Some mention that it makes great coffee and is easy to clean, while others say that it's pretty top heavy, hard to clean and very fragile.
"...All the glass and the ceramic filter easily rinse clean...." Read more
"...Moreover, the difficulties of the Yama remain: cost, fragility, hassle of cleanup, and slow brewing speed...." Read more
"...It makes my kitchen smell like coffee which I love and is very easy to clean afterwards. Highly recommend if you are cold brew person!!" Read more
"...It makes great coffee and is easy to clean. Lots of brew options out there and he is enjoying perfecting his brew." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the drip rate of the coffee maker. They mention that the valve wouldn't stop dripping, the water would stop leaking, and that they cannot control the drip. They say that the container changes, so the rate of dripped changes. They also say that it doesn't wet uniformly and the water started to make a little river out of itself on the filter. Customers say that they have to monitor the drip, because it slows down and they have adjust it.
"UPDATE: I noticed my valve wouldn't stop dripping even when "off."..." Read more
"...husband said was that they didn't wet uniformly and the water started to make a little river out of itself on the filter, he pressed the filter flat..." Read more
"...This knob needs to be adjusted because the water drip slows down. I have had many times where it has completely stopped...." Read more
"...at the top, A path is built through the coffee and creates a very week watery coffee, at the end, most of the coffee is still dry...." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the size of the coffee maker. They mention that it's not very large, the slide to slide the coffee grounds was tight, and the tube could be more narrow. That said, they say it takes up precious counter space.
"...(2) (and this is the big one) It's kinda one-size fits all. You don't have that much control over the brew...." Read more
"...Even if you like the look, it's yet another thing that takes up precious counter space..." Read more
"...I got a bamboo one. The part where you slide the coffee grounds was so tight (not cut wide enough) that the glass broke on me when sliding it in..." Read more
"Really REALLY great coffee and a cool piece of art. It's not very large...." Read more
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Ok, now back to the regularly scheduled review:
I researched a lot of different cold brew methods and did the "jar of grounds in the fridge" for a month to make sure cold brew wouldn't have the acid (I have a mild ulcer and a cup of coffee a day for about two weeks and it starts hurting all the time). After a month, I was ready to commit.
Then I started looking at all the cold brew methods out there. Honestly, I was planning to spend $50, maybe $75 for something nice for my "coffee ritual" and have a little show-off to my buddies.
Then I saw the Yama brew tower and couldn't get it out of my mind. North of $250 is a serious commitment for a cup of coffee. And it certainly fits the bill when it comes to show-off. When my friends asked my how much it cost, I just send them the link to this amazon page and tell them they should buy one for themselves.
On the show-off note - My wife told me she would make space for it in the kitchen, and I said "nothin' doin'." I had it setup on the counter in front of my bookshelf in my office, and besides looking amazing in my office, the smell is out of this world when I'm brewing.
Speaking of my wife, at first she scoffed about paying $270 for something to make coffee. She said "you'll play with it for a month and then never use it again." I figured she'd be biased enough to not really like the coffee. Now she comes in my office throughout the day for another cup. She absolutely loves it and can tell the difference between this and everything else we've ever used, which includes a $1,000 espresso machine, fridge-cold brew, and every latest thing that comes out of starbucks. This single stand easily replaces all of that stuff in hands-down amazing flaver.
I compared the reviews of folks who were in love with their setup and found folks that used the "Toddy Cold Brew" were just as fanatical about the taste of their coffee as folks who bought a Yama tower.
If you're like me, you're probably thinking "yeah, why not just spring for the $40 and buy the Toddy system?"
Two main things bugged me about the Toddy: (1) It's plastic. I'm just not a fan of my drink being in plastic. BPA or not, I'd just rather use glass. (2) (and this is the big one) It's kinda one-size fits all. You don't have that much control over the brew.
If you want the Toddy system, let me save you $40. I'll give you the $2 mason jar I fridge-brewed with. You'll get the same result.
I noticed there are other towers out there that don't have the cool looking stand or the science-experiment looking coil, etc.
So why the Yama instead of another coil-less tower?
Again, two reasons: 1. It looks way cooler. 2. I think the coil does enhance the coffee because it's helping aerate the brew before hitting the flask, just like you do with a fine wine.
As far as any other coffee you may have drank in your life - trust me. The Yama coffee tastes worlds different. I tell my friends it's like you can tell it's coffee, but at the same time, it's completely different.
There is no comparison in taste.
And yes, the coffee even ages. It will taste different each day it ages after the brew. Because of this I bought 2 more beakers, their caps, and even ceramic filters (I'm also going to cold brew lose leaf tea with this and want a separate ceramic filter for the tea).
I now brew a beaker and drink it over the next couple days, and every day that same coffee brew has a totally different flavor. I can tell it's coffee, but it's totally different than coffee.
I've never been the guy that could tell the difference in tastes enough to pair foods together, or wines, etc. But suddenly the age of the coffee tastes different with different foods. I can have the same breakfast two days in a row, and drink from the same brew and the second day the coffee tastes different and it brings out different flavors in the same breakfast than the day before. My coffee used to never bring out the flavor of anything I drank. Now it's like a central part of the meal.
Yes. No kidding.
So look, if you've read this far, I'm guessing you're going to buy it, so let me give you some tips for your best cup.
0. Don't drink your coffee. Taste it. You don't have to do like some silly mouth wash routine like you see people do when they taste wines, etc. But just take small sips and taste what it's like in your mouth, and then pay attention especially to the after taste. Trust me. It won't be like coffee.
After you've tasted it a bit, feel free to drink it.
1. Don't be afraid to experiment.
2. A brew you don't like today may taste better tomorrow, put it in a jar and let it sit on your shelf, taste it over the next couple days. I don't refrigerate mine, it sits right here next to the tower in my office.
3. Use a burr grinder. Trust me. I have the kitchenaid burr grinder (you can buy them here on amazon, search for KCG0702CS to see what I have). Why a burr? Because you can use the dial to get the exact granular size of your grind and it does make a difference. Same beans with a different grind setting, brewed exactly the same, will taste different.
I typically grind between 3.5 to 5 (not sure what that means anywhere else, but it's the settings on my grinder). A 1 is the coarsest grind, an 8 is the smallest. So this would be right around the middle setting of any other grinder you may use.
4. Be a scientist. When I brew, I write the date and time I start the brew, which beans I'm using, what the grind setting was, how much water I'm using, and whether it is with or without ice. I typically always keep the drip the same, but if I were going to play around with that, I'd write that on the note too. That note stays with the coffee. As I drink it over the next couple days I decide if I like that combo or not and think how I will adjust things next time to get a different brew.
5. Use different beans. Try them from all over. Never turn a bean down, you may be surprised how much you like the flavor. I say that, but I tend to stay away from dark roast because it's usually more "burnt" that "flavor". I've had my best luck with medium roasts, but I read that a lot of people love using a light roast with cold brew towers. Try a large variety and figure out which one(s) are your favorites. (come back and leave a comment with your experience, share your recipes, I will write you back.
When you try different beans, remember to try them at different grind settings. It will change the way the coffee tastes and you may like different grind setting depending on the bean.
What's the worst that can happen? You taste a bean/grind you don't like even after letting it sit for several days. It helps you appreciate the combinations you really like.
6. I pack my grounds down in the middle beaker and then loosen the top of the grounds a little and then put the paper filter on top. Check out the pictures to see what I mean. Why do this? You'll see the starting picture the grounds are lower in the beaker, and then after it's going for a little bit (maybe an hour or more), the grounds have risen up to the top. After that, they shrink back down. If you leave the grounds "as is" and don't pack them down, the water can find it's own little path through the grounds and not wet the entire beaker. But there's no mistake when the grounds have risen like you see in my pictures that all the grounds are completely saturated. Also, if the top of the grounds is a little uneven when they are packed, it's ok, when they rise they will even out.
Here's what happens:
For the first 45 min or so the grounds absorb water and begin to rise.
Then the first drops start coming through after the grounds are completely saturated. The smell is amazing. Put your nose down around the beaker opening, is almost a sweet smell. You've never smelled anything like that.
Those drops are thick and black, kind of like a lose syrup.
You'll notice the water is dripping in much faster than the coffee is dripping out. That's because the grounds are still "processing" the water. Once they've risen all the way up, it's almost like a soup. If you tap it, it will act kind of like jelly.
After the grounds have risen all the way up, it's like they reach this saturation point were suddenly they absorb the water and at the same time flush out everything and for the next couple hours the grounds will go down while the dark black drips out. The drip speed coming out of the middle beaker will be a lot faster now than the drip speed of your water because it's "catching up".
Once the grounds have shrunk almost all the way back down, you'll notice the drip coming out is now very very light brown, so light you can easily see through it. Now all the dense part of the coffee has been brewed out and the remaining flavor is being pulled out of the grind.
My process takes about 5-6 hours. Sometimes I do it at night where I can monitor it for the first 3-4 hours, because you do have to adjust the drip as it's going. It's just the nature of the silicone in the valve to shrink and expand as it heats and cools, causing the drip rate to change a little over time.
I really hope you've enjoyed this review, and hope if you buy the Yama tower you come back to this review and leave a comment about your experience. Not sure if this is allowed by amazon, but if you'd like to email me with your cold brew experiences, my email is my first name at my first name last name dot com.
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2020
Ok, now back to the regularly scheduled review:
I researched a lot of different cold brew methods and did the "jar of grounds in the fridge" for a month to make sure cold brew wouldn't have the acid (I have a mild ulcer and a cup of coffee a day for about two weeks and it starts hurting all the time). After a month, I was ready to commit.
Then I started looking at all the cold brew methods out there. Honestly, I was planning to spend $50, maybe $75 for something nice for my "coffee ritual" and have a little show-off to my buddies.
Then I saw the Yama brew tower and couldn't get it out of my mind. North of $250 is a serious commitment for a cup of coffee. And it certainly fits the bill when it comes to show-off. When my friends asked my how much it cost, I just send them the link to this amazon page and tell them they should buy one for themselves.
On the show-off note - My wife told me she would make space for it in the kitchen, and I said "nothin' doin'." I had it setup on the counter in front of my bookshelf in my office, and besides looking amazing in my office, the smell is out of this world when I'm brewing.
Speaking of my wife, at first she scoffed about paying $270 for something to make coffee. She said "you'll play with it for a month and then never use it again." I figured she'd be biased enough to not really like the coffee. Now she comes in my office throughout the day for another cup. She absolutely loves it and can tell the difference between this and everything else we've ever used, which includes a $1,000 espresso machine, fridge-cold brew, and every latest thing that comes out of starbucks. This single stand easily replaces all of that stuff in hands-down amazing flaver.
I compared the reviews of folks who were in love with their setup and found folks that used the "Toddy Cold Brew" were just as fanatical about the taste of their coffee as folks who bought a Yama tower.
If you're like me, you're probably thinking "yeah, why not just spring for the $40 and buy the Toddy system?"
Two main things bugged me about the Toddy: (1) It's plastic. I'm just not a fan of my drink being in plastic. BPA or not, I'd just rather use glass. (2) (and this is the big one) It's kinda one-size fits all. You don't have that much control over the brew.
If you want the Toddy system, let me save you $40. I'll give you the $2 mason jar I fridge-brewed with. You'll get the same result.
I noticed there are other towers out there that don't have the cool looking stand or the science-experiment looking coil, etc.
So why the Yama instead of another coil-less tower?
Again, two reasons: 1. It looks way cooler. 2. I think the coil does enhance the coffee because it's helping aerate the brew before hitting the flask, just like you do with a fine wine.
As far as any other coffee you may have drank in your life - trust me. The Yama coffee tastes worlds different. I tell my friends it's like you can tell it's coffee, but at the same time, it's completely different.
There is no comparison in taste.
And yes, the coffee even ages. It will taste different each day it ages after the brew. Because of this I bought 2 more beakers, their caps, and even ceramic filters (I'm also going to cold brew lose leaf tea with this and want a separate ceramic filter for the tea).
I now brew a beaker and drink it over the next couple days, and every day that same coffee brew has a totally different flavor. I can tell it's coffee, but it's totally different than coffee.
I've never been the guy that could tell the difference in tastes enough to pair foods together, or wines, etc. But suddenly the age of the coffee tastes different with different foods. I can have the same breakfast two days in a row, and drink from the same brew and the second day the coffee tastes different and it brings out different flavors in the same breakfast than the day before. My coffee used to never bring out the flavor of anything I drank. Now it's like a central part of the meal.
Yes. No kidding.
So look, if you've read this far, I'm guessing you're going to buy it, so let me give you some tips for your best cup.
0. Don't drink your coffee. Taste it. You don't have to do like some silly mouth wash routine like you see people do when they taste wines, etc. But just take small sips and taste what it's like in your mouth, and then pay attention especially to the after taste. Trust me. It won't be like coffee.
After you've tasted it a bit, feel free to drink it.
1. Don't be afraid to experiment.
2. A brew you don't like today may taste better tomorrow, put it in a jar and let it sit on your shelf, taste it over the next couple days. I don't refrigerate mine, it sits right here next to the tower in my office.
3. Use a burr grinder. Trust me. I have the kitchenaid burr grinder (you can buy them here on amazon, search for KCG0702CS to see what I have). Why a burr? Because you can use the dial to get the exact granular size of your grind and it does make a difference. Same beans with a different grind setting, brewed exactly the same, will taste different.
I typically grind between 3.5 to 5 (not sure what that means anywhere else, but it's the settings on my grinder). A 1 is the coarsest grind, an 8 is the smallest. So this would be right around the middle setting of any other grinder you may use.
4. Be a scientist. When I brew, I write the date and time I start the brew, which beans I'm using, what the grind setting was, how much water I'm using, and whether it is with or without ice. I typically always keep the drip the same, but if I were going to play around with that, I'd write that on the note too. That note stays with the coffee. As I drink it over the next couple days I decide if I like that combo or not and think how I will adjust things next time to get a different brew.
5. Use different beans. Try them from all over. Never turn a bean down, you may be surprised how much you like the flavor. I say that, but I tend to stay away from dark roast because it's usually more "burnt" that "flavor". I've had my best luck with medium roasts, but I read that a lot of people love using a light roast with cold brew towers. Try a large variety and figure out which one(s) are your favorites. (come back and leave a comment with your experience, share your recipes, I will write you back.
When you try different beans, remember to try them at different grind settings. It will change the way the coffee tastes and you may like different grind setting depending on the bean.
What's the worst that can happen? You taste a bean/grind you don't like even after letting it sit for several days. It helps you appreciate the combinations you really like.
6. I pack my grounds down in the middle beaker and then loosen the top of the grounds a little and then put the paper filter on top. Check out the pictures to see what I mean. Why do this? You'll see the starting picture the grounds are lower in the beaker, and then after it's going for a little bit (maybe an hour or more), the grounds have risen up to the top. After that, they shrink back down. If you leave the grounds "as is" and don't pack them down, the water can find it's own little path through the grounds and not wet the entire beaker. But there's no mistake when the grounds have risen like you see in my pictures that all the grounds are completely saturated. Also, if the top of the grounds is a little uneven when they are packed, it's ok, when they rise they will even out.
Here's what happens:
For the first 45 min or so the grounds absorb water and begin to rise.
Then the first drops start coming through after the grounds are completely saturated. The smell is amazing. Put your nose down around the beaker opening, is almost a sweet smell. You've never smelled anything like that.
Those drops are thick and black, kind of like a lose syrup.
You'll notice the water is dripping in much faster than the coffee is dripping out. That's because the grounds are still "processing" the water. Once they've risen all the way up, it's almost like a soup. If you tap it, it will act kind of like jelly.
After the grounds have risen all the way up, it's like they reach this saturation point were suddenly they absorb the water and at the same time flush out everything and for the next couple hours the grounds will go down while the dark black drips out. The drip speed coming out of the middle beaker will be a lot faster now than the drip speed of your water because it's "catching up".
Once the grounds have shrunk almost all the way back down, you'll notice the drip coming out is now very very light brown, so light you can easily see through it. Now all the dense part of the coffee has been brewed out and the remaining flavor is being pulled out of the grind.
My process takes about 5-6 hours. Sometimes I do it at night where I can monitor it for the first 3-4 hours, because you do have to adjust the drip as it's going. It's just the nature of the silicone in the valve to shrink and expand as it heats and cools, causing the drip rate to change a little over time.
I really hope you've enjoyed this review, and hope if you buy the Yama tower you come back to this review and leave a comment about your experience. Not sure if this is allowed by amazon, but if you'd like to email me with your cold brew experiences, my email is my first name at my first name last name dot com.
The unit arrived (via UPS) VERY well packed and unbroken. It took just a few minutes to put it together using the instruction sheet (see it here) [...] Be careful NOT to over tighten the 4 screw-in feet into the baseboard as it's easy to punch one thru the top of the baseboard as I did.
The included filters; one rinsable permanent ceramic filter which goes into the bottom of the coffee bowl to trap grounds, and some paper filters to place on top of the coffee. Use of the top paper filter is KEY to full flavor. The purpose of the filter is to SLOWLY distribute water EVENLY over the entire coffee bowl. Without the filter in the top, the drip will hit dead-center in the coffee bowl resulting in the water making it's way to the bottom of the coffee bowl too quickly without completely extracting all of the coffee. I use those cheap unbleached (brown) paper filters for drip machines by folding it inward into a circle and fitting into the top of the coffee bowl. Cheap and works great.
Without a scale to measure-out 80 grams, I will scoop 12 heaping tablespoons of coffee into the bowl for a full pot (quart). Works well. Experiment with different coffees for different flavors. Sumatran beans from World Market make a real flavorful brew. Make sure to grind medium to coarse. Fine grinds can result in bitterness.
With the top jar full of water it makes about a quart of CONCENTRATED coffee nectar that can be placed in a glass jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks...as if it's really going to last that long! Old 2-qt OJ jars make for good fridge storage. The bottom glass beaker that catches the fresh coffee comes with a glass cap for fridge storage. It takes 3.5 to 4 hours to make a pot if you're dripping at the recommended rate of 35-40 drips per minute. The petcock regulating waterflow works well enough. You can use cold water without the need to add ice. Either way is OK.
This "8-Cup Yama Water Drip Coffee & Tea Maker" is aesthetically quite pleasing in the corner of our countertop and the coffee is fun to make. It is a little over 2 feet tall. There are cheaper ways and methods to make Kyoto-style cold drip coffee but this method is not at all as messy as are some. All the glass and the ceramic filter easily rinse clean. And because the reviewer above stated that product support is solid if you break any of the 6 glass pieces, all the more reason to recommend.
However, the top bowl came with a slight "crack" on the top rim. Not really a problem just a little disappointing!
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2022
However, the top bowl came with a slight "crack" on the top rim. Not really a problem just a little disappointing!
Top reviews from other countries
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 4, 2022
Box was in good shape and all the parts clearly labeled, well packed and nothing broken. Feet are screw adjustable so you can get the whole thing level fairly easily.
Looks exactly as it should. Not like a cheap knock-off of what you hoped it would be. Just trying it now for first run and it looks like it is giving me what I asked for once you make sure you have all the grounds soaked well. Tasted wonderful (I sneaked a sample)
You get exactly what is offered and in good time. My Kitchen is cool, so getting a better yield with room temperature water, not ice water.
Still testing it out but as far as purchase satisfaction is, very happy that it is intact and exactly as seen in the photos.
The only thing I would change would be to have stronger glass, glass components feel little delicate