When a new coffee product appears, it seems to sooner or later take over coffee menus across the globe. Cold brew was once one of these new products and the trend doesn’t seem to be disappearing any time soon. This is going to be an Ovalware Cold Brew review to discover whether you’ll be able to achieve coffee shop standard cold brew in the comfort of your own kitchen.

Ovalware is a brand dedicated to coffee. You’d think this means their products are always going to be top of the range and faultless right? Well, that’s what I’m here to discuss.

So, back to the item we’re interested in: the Ovalware Cold Brew Maker. I’m going to go over the pros and cons of this product, describe the features, and really get into the nitty gritty to ultimately conclude whether or not it’s worth buying.

What to Consider When Buying a Cold Brew Maker

There are many factors that need to be taken into consideration when you’re thinking of purchasing a cold brew maker:

  • Cost
  • Capacity
  • Ease of use
  • Appearance
  • Ease of cleaning

The main one for me personally is cost. If I’m going to be making coffee at home, it needs to save me money in the long run. I don’t want to spend loads on an expensive cold brew maker if I could save money heading to the coffee shop every day instead.

The second is capacity. I’m the only one in my household who enjoys cold brew, so I don’t need a machine that’s going to make me a vat of cold brew. Maybe this is different for you, but size does matter.

Next is ease of use. I’m not a barista so I can’t create fancy-looking coffee at home. But while I don’t mind how my coffee looks, the taste is very important and I need to be able to create that great taste with ease, instead of getting annoyed at an overcomplicated machine.

Appearance is also on my list of considerations. While the brew itself doesn’t have to look like anything special, how a gadget looks in a kitchen is important.

Finally, how easy is it to clean? I don’t mind handwashing something if it’s worth using, but a product being dishwasher safe is a big plus for me. Anything to make life easier.

The Ovalware Cold Brew Maker

ovalware Airtight Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker Pitcher and Tea Infuser with Spout - 1.0L / 34oz RJ3 Brewing Glass Carafe with Removable Stainless Steel Filter

The Ovalware Cold Brew Maker claims to help you make cold brew concentrate in two simple steps. The airtight seal and ergonomic handle are designed to fit inside a refrigerator with ease, and it promises to deliver quality taste to busy individuals. It also boasts about its laser-cut filter, which should keep grounds from entering the brew while it steeps.

If you want recommendations on the best at-home coffee grinders for cold brew, this article should help you decide. You might as well go all in if you want the experience of creating cold brew at home!

My Ovalware Cold Brew Review

Cost

When you buy a cold brew from a coffee shop, it can easily set you back $5 a pop. If you’re making that same purchase five days a week, that’s costing $25 a week, which is almost daylight robbery when you think about it.

The Ovalware Cold Brew Maker costs less than $40. By the second week of using it you’ll have actually saved money. With the rise in living costs, going to the coffee shop daily could become outdated as people prioritize other items and bills.

The fact that purchasing this cold brew maker could save you money overall is a good thing and should be remembered if you’re considering buying one.

Capacity

This Ovalware gadget comes in a choice of two sizes: one liter and 1.5 liters. This is an excellent feature as I’m the only one in my family who drinks cold brew. I’ve seen other products that are designed to make larger batches of cold brew concentrate and I know a lot would go to waste in my home.

The choice of two sizes was enough to make me look into this gadget even more and decide to buy it. Inclusivity of single people, as well as larger families, is a great benefit and more products should offer assorted sizes.

Ease of Use

On the Ovalware website, they claim that cold brew can be created using this product in “two easy steps: simply mix and pour.” At first glance, this seems ideal. If I’m buying a gadget to create quality coffee at home, it needs to be simple to operate.

Another benefit is that it can also be used to create tea as well as cold brew. It works with either loose leaf tea, which would go in the same filter as the coffee grounds, or with a teabag, depending on your preferred method of making tea.

Appearance

When you first look at the Ovalware gadget, you might have a flashback to your high school chemistry classes. The glass carafe has a scientific laboratory beaker look to it, which—and, this is very clever—is a subtle reminder that brewing delicious coffee is a science.

Their website also claims that this product is rust-free. Both the filter and the cap are made from quality stainless steel, which backs up this claim and gives the cold brew maker even more of a scientific feel.

The sizing has also been carefully thought out. This compact gadget fits comfortably inside a refrigerator or on a countertop without the need to move anything around. You don’t even have to worry about the ergonomic handle being awkward and preventing you from closing the fridge door.

Ease of Cleaning

One of the things I hate about making coffee at home is how messy it can be. Wet coffee grounds can be so difficult to clean, especially from the depths of a machine.

Thanks to the “high-quality hand-blown borosilicate glass,” the carafe is dishwasher safe as is the filter. This makes cleaning out the entire gadget simple, although obviously it can be hand-washed too if this is your preference.

cold brew

My Opinion

What I Like

The best thing about this product is how easy it is to use. Whether it’s cold brew, tea or another beverage, there’s really no room for user error when it comes to this gadget.

It can be placed in the dishwasher, which makes cleaning it out so easy. I used to be put off making my own cold brew because of the mess involved, but this gadget has alleviated those concerns.

The size and design of this product is also a big plus. Not only does it look great sitting out on the counter if you choose to brew at room temperature, but both sizes fit nicely in the fridge. Many cold brew makers are bulky because they’re designed to make cold brew in larger batches, but not this one from Ovalware.

I also like the airtight seal as it keeps the brew fresh in the fridge for around two weeks, and I don’t have to worry about mess when I’m pouring myself a cup of cold brew.

What I Don’t Like

While Ovalware claims that the carafe is made from high-quality glass, it is fragile. While reading other reviews for this product, many of the negative ones contained complaints that the carafe would shatter at the slightest bump or scrape.

While I can’t confirm that this is the case, the product does now come with a non-slip protective rubber base, which is a new addition. I assume Ovalware has added this feature in to address some of the concerns around the longevity of the carafe.

General User Impressions

While I was doing my own research before purchasing this product, I found that the general consensus was that this cold brew maker is worth the money. Like me, people liked the cost of it and found it easy to use. The taste of the cold brew it produces, which obviously depends on the beans that are used, is full-bodied and less acidic than coffee made with the hot water steeping method.

However, the main issue other buyers had, as I mentioned above, is that the glass carafe is very fragile. It seems, though, that a lot of the reviews I read could have been slightly exaggerated, but do exercise common sense when making cold brew in this gadget. Don’t use boiling water in it, set it down gently, and be mindful when using it; as you would with any other delicate item.

There also seem to be issues with the airtight lid. Sometimes when it’s in use, the lid comes loose and the brew spills out. This could be due to a batch of defective lids or slight user error, like not screwing it on tightly enough. Before you pour your drink, simply double check that the lid is on as tight as you can get it to avoid unnecessary spills.

About the Ovalware Brand

If you haven’t heard of Ovalware, they’re a brand that was established in 2015 and they’re dedicated to coffee. The simple joy of sharing a cup of coffee with friends and family is at the heart of their business, and they strive to bring that joy to everyone by providing the tools to create delicious coffee at home.

In 2021, Ovalware decided to focus on eco-friendly packaging. Everyone needs to do their part in order to reduce waste, even more so after the pandemic, so it’s refreshing to see a company address these issues. Seeing this from a company would definitely sway me toward buying from them over a less environmentally conscious company.

Ovalware Cold Brew Review Summary

Pros

  • Costs less than $40, even if the bigger size is purchased
  • The taste of the cold brew it produces is delicious
  • Easy to use and doesn’t take up a lot of time
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Rust-proof thanks to the stainless steel cap and filter
  • Aesthetically pleasing design
  • Compact enough to fit nicely in the fridge

Cons

  • The glass carafe is very fragile if it’s not used carefully
  • The airtight lid can come loose and cause spills
  • Coffee grounds can seep through into the brew

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I use the Ovalware Cold Brew Maker?

Just make the cold brew the way you normally do. The Ovalware cold brew maker just makes it more seamless.

  1. Add grounds to the filter
  2. Pour room temperature water over the coffee grounds, up to the max line
  3. Stir to begin the process
  4.  Leave it in the fridge for between 12 to 18 hours, stirring occasionally to extract the most flavor

Can I use any beans in this gadget?

Yes, the choice of coffee bean is up to you and your palette. There are recommendations out there, and if you’re open to trying something new, look at the beans we recommend for the best at-home cold brew.

Is cold brew better than hot brew?

Again, this depends on the flavor you like to get from your coffee. Hot brewed coffee tends to produce an acidic and tangy flavor, the kind you’d typically associate with coffee. Whereas cold brew draws out a sweeter taste, one that is more well-rounded and fruity. Try them both and see which one you prefer.

Final Thoughts

Cold brew is everywhere and it can be expensive to buy from a coffee shop. The fact that you could create your own cold brew at home using this gadget from Ovalware and save yourself money over a short amount of time is a big plus.

It’s simple to use, easy to clean, and looks great too. As long as you’re careful with it and don’t slam it down in a pre-caffeine morning rage, this Ovalware Cold Brew Maker is definitely worth buying.