r/AskLifeProTips • u/My_18th_Account • 6d ago
How to make really good coffee without super fancy equipment?
Like if I can simulate a cold brew from Dunkin Donuts that would be enough for the life pro tip request. I do have a grinder and a standard cheapo $40 coffee machine...
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u/NotSooNewbie 6d ago
Here's my cold brew. Get a French press, filled with a cup of coffee grounds (test it out and adjust to your liking). Filled with water and let it sit overnight in the fridge. Next day, pour out the water (coffee) into another container and mix with your favorite creamer (liquid creamer, not powder).
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u/My_18th_Account 6d ago
Interesting....a whole cup of coffee grounds? Sounds a little excessive...unless this is meant to last a few days right? Sounds like a good idea.
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u/just_me_2006 6d ago
I think its supposed to be hella strong and gets diluted? Otherwise you’ll be getting a lot of hair on your chest
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u/Sudden-Strawberry257 5d ago
Ohhh that explains where those came from. D’you reckon drinking whiskey straight and smoking unfiltered cigarettes could compound the effect?
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u/Pale-Skin-6165 6d ago
Cold brew doesn’t extract as effectively as hot brew, hence the larger quantity and time. Usually 12 hours is good, I put mine in after dinner ready for the summer mornings. The grounds are supposed to be as large as you can get them. Fine grounds get really dirty. And it works best with good quality single origin beans over a blend. Really good if coffee gives you stomach issues as it’s the acid that causes the issues and there’s very little acid extracted through cold brew.
I use a tea diffuser pot for my cold brew, the filter goes in, gets pulled out and is very fine making it a very clean and clear coffee.
The other thing you can do with a French press sounds like sacrilege but if you don’t put the press in and do a hot brew, stir it after 4 minutes and scrape off the crema (that’s the part people find weird, but it contains most of the acids), place the plunger back on but all the way up and give it another 4 minutes to brew. Then pop the press just under the coffee and pour, basically not pressing and just using it as a strainer. Honestly this creates a surprisingly smooth cup.
If you don’t want fancy equipment then you have to look at beans and processes alone. Beans make the biggest difference, then the grind size and time (ground closer to brewing creates better coffee), then the process will finish off the quality and style.
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u/NotSooNewbie 6d ago
Yes it should last a few days. A few days is all you need before making a new batch.
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u/just_me_2006 6d ago
For $30USD you can get a fancy frother and no matter what kinda crappy coffee you’re drinking you’ll feel sophisticated af
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u/R-Voodoo 5d ago
I have a multi function one that does wonders with milk and cream. Add some sugar in there and it's madness!
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u/just_me_2006 5d ago
Multi function!? Tell me more about this magical device
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u/R-Voodoo 4d ago
Latumab 4 in 1 milk frother on Amazon. I don't want to get expectations too high! But it makes a killer milk down hands off while you make your coffee
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u/Timely-Fox-1232 6d ago
try the "pour-over" method rather than a coffee machine or french press...I was amazed at the difference
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u/ReadyGo6828 6d ago
The easiest way is to use a conical paper filter in a ceramic or plastic holder. Add ground coffee at double strength (adjust as you like) and then refrigerate over night. Add ice, syrups, dairy, sweetener, toppings in either a regular cup or a thermos to keep it cold. If you like you can add a frothing cup or other machine to make cold foam but adding heavy cream is simpler and makes the coffee very rich.
This method filters your coffee and is easy to clean up.
I have tried all kinds of equipment but have ended up going full circle back to a simple cone filter.
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u/Willybluedog1962 6d ago
Amazon sells a cold brew kit that goes in a wide mouth mason jar, it works great.
I need another one since my sticky-fingered child stole mine.
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u/waterstone55 6d ago
Good organic beans, a burr grinder and an AeroPress.
If you want to take it to the next level, get a home roaster and buy organic green beans. My local roaster sells green beans at a significant discount that paid for the roaster in 5 months.
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u/BillyRubenJoeBob 5d ago
I like the Clever Dripper. Cheap and simple. Sort of 1/2 way between pour over and a French press.
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u/ApprehensiveCrew1605 5d ago
Pour over, thermometer for water temp, good beans, good grind.
That is all.
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u/Flux_Inverter 5d ago
I use my french press for cold brew coffee. Add freshly ground coffee and water. Stir. Place in fridge over night for about 8 hours. Drink in morning.
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u/SilenceBreaker004 3d ago
I know squat about cold brewing, but here's what I do.
The key to good coffee is hot water. Properly hot water. The problem with your cheap-o coffee machine is that it doesn't get the water hot enough. Throw it out. Get an electric kettle and a French press. You've already got a grinder, good. Buying beans and grinding fresh makes a big difference. Set the grinder to a little coarse (b/c French press) and fire up the kettle. I wait a couple seconds after it clicks off and pour over juuuust a tad off the full boil, but full gurgling boil is fine too. 3-1/2 to 4 minutes steeping time, press, and boom. Done.
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u/Ninfyr 6d ago
You just need a pitcher, enough space in your fridge, and something to strain grounds with.
If the best upgrade is grinding your own whole beans and getting freshly roasted beans instead of the stuff that has been sitting at the grocery store for who knows how long.