Asobu Cold Brew Coffee Maker Review

Asobu Cold Brew Coffee Maker Review Summary

Typically, I’m more critical of high-end coffee makers because their price often isn’t justified. That’s not the case with the Asobu Cold Brew Coffee Maker, though, this brewer is just cool (pun fully intended).

Asobu is a Japanese-inspired Canadian manufacturer dedicated to three things: the environment, simplicity, and beautiful aesthetics. This cold brewer is a prime example of how well the company upholds its standards.

Let’s start with its build and design; the Asobu cold brew coffee maker is made from Tritan plastic, meaning it’s BPA free, durable, and eco-friendly. In fact, Asobu is the first Canadian company to produce Tritan drinkware, so it earns bonus points for being green and a few more points for innovation. 

It includes a rust-proof stainless steel fine mesh filter as an added touch of class. As for its look, this Asobu coffee maker is aesthetically pleasing with a sleek, modern design and a choice of five colours: black, white, wood, copper, and silver.

Looking good is one thing, but what about its functionality? Truth be told, it’s just as excellent. 

For one, its brewing process is extra-simple. Add your grinds, pour water over (in a circular motion), stir three times as per manufacturer recommendations, and leave it to steep overnight. There’s nothing more to it.

Then there’s its versatility. As a 2-in-1 brewer, once your cold brew is ready it is easily released into the portable mug for convenience. It’s spill-proof, so won’t make a mess when you carry it with you, and it brews iced tea too. And let’s not forget that the insulation works both ways — keep your cold drinks cold, and your hot drinks hot.

The Asobu Cold Brew Coffee Maker’s six cup capacity won’t disappoint coffee drinkers with larger appetites for the bean, nor will it let down larger families or households full of coffee drinkers; a perk few cold brewers can boast.

Still, it’s not a chunky brewer. It stands at 12.25 inches tall when fully assembled, and is 4.75 inches at its widest. It fits in most fridges and won’t take up much room on your counters, shelves, or desk. Don’t forget that it’s airtight, so you can store it on its side if you like. Plus, the brewer keeps your joe fresh for up to two weeks.

The Asobu Cold Brew Coffee Maker is in a league of its own and there’s little to criticize. It does what it promises, and this device is a great example of the adage “you get what you pay for.” But it may not be for everyone. While it’s an excellent cold brewer, the price could make it unappealing to some. Its maintenance could be better too, but that’s not a deal-breaker.

All this said, this is a highly sophisticated cold brewer that will change how you make and consume your coffee, be it warm or iced. It’s highly recommended, so if you can invest in an Asobu, do.

Features and Benefits of the Asobu Cold Brew Coffee Maker

High-end coffee makers are nice to look at, but is the Asobu Cold Brew Coffee Maker worth investing in? Absolutely. Here’s why it’s money well spent if you choose to buy one.

Vacuum Insulation

It’s the first of its kind and, as far as I can see, the only one of its kind. Where most cold brewers rely on refrigeration to keep your cold brew, well, cold, the Asobu coffee maker is so sophisticated it even includes the cold!

While you will still have to refrigerate your coffee while it’s brewing, once it’s prepared, the included portable mug will keep it cold. This is thanks to its double-walled copper vacuum insulation that locks the cold in.

Or, if you prefer something warm, it enables the opposite by keeping your hot coffee heated. Either way, the insulation will keep your coffee at the desired temperature for hours.

This is, without a doubt, the Asobu cold brewer’s ace.

Amazing Quality

Many, if not most manufacturers boast high quality and durability but it isn’t always true. The Asobu coffee maker is a prime example of a manufacturer meaning what it says and keeping its promises.

This cold brewer is built from Tritan plastic. Yes, “plastic” and “quality” don’t usually go together when it comes to coffee makers, but the emphasis here is on the Tritan.

Without getting into the science of it, Tritan is specially built to be durable. It’s shatterproof and stronger than glass and most other plastics and synthetics. It won’t warp in your dishwasher, won’t dent and is unlikely to deteriorate, and it’s BPA-free.

Eco-Friendly

Speaking of Tritan plastic, it’s preferred when it comes to the environment, largely because it’s inherently BPA-free. Asobu prides itself on being innovative and committed to the environment, and its products back this up.

Not only is Tritan plastic cleaner to produce, but because it’s so strong, you’re unlikely to discard it before its time. It’s the plastic of choice for reusable water bottles (or coffee carafes) because of how durable it is. Plus, it can be recycled.

Coffee, as an industry, has a bit of a reputation for destroying the environment. But with the Asobu Cold Brew Coffee Maker, you can make your coffee with the environment in mind.

Saves Space

The cold brewer stands at 12.25 inches tall, which is not big at all. But it goes a step further by being dismantlable to save more space. The brewer fully disconnects from the portable mug, which is great news on two accounts.

First, you won’t have to haul the entire coffee maker if you’d like to carry it with you. Almost all other brewers that claim portability have overlooked this, no matter how compact they are. Second, if you need to store your brewer, you won’t struggle to squeeze it in your cupboards, shelves, or even drawers.

Larger Capacity

Because cold brewers place so much emphasis on compactness for refrigeration, most compromise capacity. The Asobu Cold Brew Coffee Maker found a way around this. It’s a six-cup brewer so you get more out of it, but it’s still compact (and can be taken apart as explained above).

If you drink a lot of coffee, or if you live with a few other people and simply need a coffee maker that can handle higher volumes, the Asobu may just be your best bet!

Great Aesthetic

Finally, the Asobu coffee maker has an excellent design. It’s sleek and modern — but not overly so — and it looks like a high-end coffee maker. Often, you can see the plastic in a coffee maker a mile away, but not here — and the whole thing is plastic so that’s saying a lot.

As a nice dollop of cream on top, you have a range of colors to choose from. The black and white are minimalistic, silver and copper are snazzy, and the wood has a rustic, quirky feel to it. That’s a ton of variety, and you’re sure to find one that suits your tastes (and kitchen).

Asobu Cold Brew Coffee Maker FAQs

How Do You Use the Asobu Cold Brew Coffee Maker?

For best results, it’s recommended that you pour 3.5 ounces of water over every 6 grams of coffee grounds (for a full brew, add 30 ounces of water to every quarter cup of coffee). Close your brewer with the included lid and leave your grounds to steep for 12 to 24 hours. Once your brew is ready, simply push the button to release your coffee from the brewer into the portable mug.

How Do I Clean My Asobu Cold Brew Coffee Maker? Can I Wash It In My Dishwasher?

Unfortunately, the Asobu Cold Brew Coffee Maker is not dishwasher safe, so you’ll have to hand wash it.

Does the Asobu Cold Brew Coffee Maker Function as a Pour Over Coffee Maker?

Yes, it can! However, you’ll have to remember to press and hold the release button while brewing, otherwise, you’ll flood your grounds.

Note that cold brewing doesn’t have to be for iced coffee only. Once you’ve cold brewed using your Asobu, you can heat your coffee and enjoy it warm. It’ll taste just as great!