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How to Use OXO Cold Brew Coffee Maker (2026)
Use 10 oz / 284 g coarse coffee and 40 fl oz / 1,200 ml water, steep for 12–24 hours, then drain and dilute. Seat the filter and close the release switch before filling.
Unsure about the format? Our Best Cold Brew Coffee Maker (2026): 7 Smart Picks compares OXO concentrate brewing, ready-to-pour pitchers, large-batch jars, and slow-drip towers.
Your first OXO batch
Prepare tonight, drain tomorrow, dilute before drinking
Step 1 Set up and fill
- Seat filter; close switch
- Add coarse coffee and water
Step 2 Cover and steep
- Wet every patch of grounds
- Leave at room temperature
Step 3 Drain and serve
- Position carafe before release
- Refrigerate; dilute each serving
Result
A batch of concentrate you can mix with water or milk.
Quick answer
Keep the switch off while the coffee steeps, then put the carafe underneath before releasing it. This guide follows OXO’s official instructions for the full-size brewer, not the Compact model. The result is concentrate: strong coffee meant to be mixed with water or milk.
What you’ll need
Gather the full-size OXO, coarse grounds, water, a scale, and a spoon. Check that the mesh filter and filter cap are present before starting. This 3.7-pound brewer has a 32 oz concentrate carafe made from borosilicate glass and a reusable stainless steel mesh filter.
- Coffee: 10 oz / 284 g, ground coarse rather than powdery like table salt.
- Water: 40 fl oz / 1,200 ml, cold or room temperature.
- For serving: water or milk, plus ice if you like.
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Step-by-step: fill, steep, and release
Assemble the filter first, add the measured coffee and water, and let time do the brewing. OXO’s recipe below uses the Rainmaker to distribute water. Pay special attention to saturation before the soak and carafe placement afterward: those are the two moments worth slowing down for.
1. Install the filter and close the switch
Seat the reusable mesh filter flat in the brewing container and secure the filter cap underneath. Set the container on its stand. Check that the brew-release switch is off before adding anything.
2. Add coffee, fit the Rainmaker, and pour
Add 10 oz / 284 g coarse grounds. Position the perforated Rainmaker on top, then pour 40 fl oz / 1,200 ml water over it in a circular motion. Measure the water separately; the smaller carafe capacity describes collected concentrate, not water input.
3. Wet every patch and steep
Check for pale, dry islands of grounds and gently stir to wet them, as OXO directs. Put the brewing container’s cover on and steep at room temperature for 12–24 hours. Write down your start time so tomorrow’s batch isn’t a guessing game.
4. Position the carafe, then release
Place the empty carafe directly beneath the outlet, then open the brew-release switch. Let the concentrate drain. Close the switch before removing the carafe, and don’t walk away if the liquid approaches its capacity.
5. Seal, refrigerate, and dilute
Seal the carafe and refrigerate the concentrate. OXO suggests one part concentrate with two or three parts water or milk. For example, mix 2 fl oz concentrate with 4–6 fl oz water, then taste before adding more.
Cleanup: don’t put every part in the dishwasher
Empty the grounds and clean the brewer after draining, rather than leaving the wet bed sitting inside. OXO lists the reusable mesh filter and borosilicate glass carafe as dishwasher safe on its product page. Hand wash the other parts, rinse well, and let everything dry before reassembly.
Troubleshooting: match the symptom to one fix
Check the recipe before changing several things at once. OXO’s measured dose, full saturation, and steeping window give you a repeatable starting point. For strength problems, taste a diluted serving first; concentrate alone isn’t the finished drink. Use the matching correction below for your next batch or glass.
- Weak concentrate: restore OXO’s full 284 g coffee dose if you used less.
- Bitter or overly strong drink: add more water or milk to the serving, following OXO’s dilution guidance.
- Dry patches: gently stir those patches into the water before covering.
- Gritty sediment: return to OXO’s coarse-grind recommendation rather than using fine grounds.
- Spill during release: close the switch immediately, then center the carafe beneath the outlet before reopening.
Need fewer powdery fines in your coarse grounds? Best Coffee Grinder for French Press (2026): 7 Top Picks compares grinder choices for immersion brewing.
Would hot-brew equipment suit you better?
Choose hot drip if you want a batch without an overnight wait. Best Drip Coffee Maker Under $100 (2026): 8 Smart Picks compares hot-brew machines. For one appliance that grinds fresh beans and brews hot coffee, Best Coffee Maker with Grinder (2026): 7 Top Picks covers broader fresh-bean automation options.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best cold brew coffee maker?
OXO is our top pick for controlled concentrate brewing in our cold-brew roundup. Its Rainmaker and release switch separate soaking from draining. A refrigerator pitcher suits a grab-and-pour routine, while a slow-drip tower suits readers who want that distinct brewing format.
Is a cold brew coffee maker worth it?
Yes, if you want a repeatable overnight routine and concentrate you can mix differently each morning. You still need to empty wet grounds and clean the filter. For occasional iced coffee, a dedicated brewer is unnecessary; you can chill hot-brewed coffee instead.
How long does cold brew take in a coffee maker?
OXO recommends 12–24 hours of steeping at room temperature in its official guide. Draining happens afterward, so leave extra time before you need to serve it. Opening the release switch starts draining; it does not replace the overnight soak.
What is the best cold brew maker for concentrate?
OXO is our choice for concentrate because its workflow lets you soak the grounds, then release the finished coffee into a separate carafe. Dilute before serving. OXO suggests one part concentrate to two or three parts water or milk as a starting point.
What size cold brew coffee maker should I buy?
Choose around how much finished coffee your household drinks, not just the container size. OXO has a 32 oz concentrate carafe, and dilution stretches each serving. Larger brewers suit shared batches; fridge-door pitchers suit readers who value compact storage and ready-to-pour coffee.
Can you leave cold brew in the maker?
Leave the coffee and grounds together only for the planned steep. Afterward, release the liquid into the carafe, seal it, and refrigerate it, following OXO’s workflow. Empty and clean the brewer rather than treating the chamber of wet grounds as long-term storage.