Fast cold brew coffee makers have transformed the production of cold brew into a commercially viable process for even the smallest operators by leveraging new technologies.

Traditionally, cold brewing is a time-consuming process – producing a batch with a basic bucket and filter can take up to 24 hours. Larger companies with the space and resources have been able to brew at scale, but for those with limited capacities, production has come with disruptive catches. 

Fast cold brew coffee makers allow coffee roasters to keep up with fluctuating demand, whether selling directly to consumers or to business customers, improve their safety and hygiene standards, increase the overall quality of their cold brew products, and offer a more diverse range of beverages. 

We spoke to Greg Dawson, co-founder of the Egg Consultancy, to learn more. 

How do fast cold brew coffee makers work?

The clue is in the name: Fast cold brew coffee makers speed up the extraction process of cold brew, shrinking the time required from upwards of 24 hours down to less than one. With certain technology and equipment, coffee roasters can prepare a commercial batch in under 45 minutes. 

Cold brew preparation dates back to 1600s Japan; Kyoto-style coffee is the earliest record of the beverage. One theory is that Dutch traders introduced the method as an optimised way of carrying coffee on their ships. 

Although exact methods may have varied slightly over the years, the base principle of steeping coffee grounds in cold water for an extended period has remained largely unchanged until very recently, with the introduction of fast cold brew coffee makers. 

In hot coffee preparation – like espresso or filter coffee – pressure, heat, or a combination of the two is used as a catalyst for extraction. Hot water interacts with coffee grounds, extracting the desired flavour compounds before being filtered through a plunger, portafilter, or filter paper for consumption. 

Cold brew lacks heat or pressure, so extraction takes far longer. However, fast cold brew coffee makers use novel technologies to optimise this process: recirculation and agitation are two such examples. 

Traditional cold brewing uses simple immersion – coffee grounds sitting in still, unmoving water. Without heat or movement, the process is not only longer but also more imprecise and prone to under- or over-extraction. 

Hardtank fast cold brew coffee makers use a patented form of recirculation, which constantly recirculates the water within the brewing chamber. This increases the rate of interaction between the coffee grounds and water, thus increasing the potential for flavours and aromas to be imparted.

Why is faster cold brew better?

For any customer-facing coffee business, roaster, cafè, or coffee shop, managing workflows and service speed while maintaining the highest levels of quality and safety is a constant balancing act. Busy day-parts, fluctuation in product demand, and menu innovation can become unmanageable without the right equipment. 

“Speed plays a pivotal role in shaping the consumer experience,” says Greg. 

“A quick, seamless service can create strong first impressions, cater to time-sensitive customers, especially during peak hours, enhance operation efficiency and boost revenue, and differentiate a cafe in a competitive market.

For fast-casual or grab-and-go cafés, where professionals, commuters, and customers are looking for fast, takeaway options, speed is paramount. Cafés in high-volume locations like malls or transit hubs need quick service to manage demand effectively.”

Given its extended brewing time, managing cold brew supply and demand is notoriously tricky. Without a fast cold brew coffee maker, businesses have to predict cold brew demand ahead of time, an inaccurate and potentially wasteful exercise. Unless demand is predicted perfectly, surplus cold brew will be wasted, or a roaster or cafe will miss out on sales. 

Cold brew makers like the Baby Hardtank or Hardtank 20 can prepare a batch in under an hour which helps coffee roasters be more agile in response to demand and never miss a potential cold brew sale. In an increasingly competitive coffee market, customer loyalty can be fickle, and being out-of-stock is sure to alienate shoppers. 

Faster cold brew coffee makers don’t just offer better demand forecasting and service speed. Hardtank’s machines, for example, drastically improve overall cold brew quality and safety, help businesses cut product and labour costs, and also add different beverage types to their menus. 

“Regardless of the setting, it’s all about striking a balance,” Greg adds. 

“Speed should never come at the expense of quality or customer interaction. Well-trained teams, efficient workflows, and the right tools can help balance speed with excellence.

“Ultimately, a great café experience hinges on understanding your audience. For some, fast service is a must; for others, a relaxed ambience and impeccable quality are the true priorities.” 

Which fast cold brew coffee maker should you choose?

For a smaller cafe or roastery, the Baby Hardtank is an ideal option. It boasts a small 30 cm x 30 cm footprint that easily fits on a countertop. It can prepare a variety of different beverages, including alcoholic or non-alcoholic cocktails and cascara, and features a user-friendly interface that makes programming a simple, one-person job. 

A coffee roaster can expect a return on investment in less than two months if it serves just twenty 200 ml cold brew portions per day with a Baby Hardtank machine. Compared to the traditional cold brew preparation method, Baby Hardtank cuts the cost per portion almost in half, ensuring the maximum value from the coffee beans used for your cold brew. 

The Hardtank 20 is perfectly suited for larger coffee roasters with a strong B2B wholesale business or those considering a retail line of RTD cold brew in higher quantities. The Hardtank 20 fast cold brew coffee maker can produce over 1,000 200 ml portions per day, all of which are funnelled directly to a built-in reservoir for safe post-production storage. However, just 90 portions a day for only 39 days will cover your start-up costs.

Hardtank 20 can optionally be fitted with one or two nitrogen taps for direct, convenient nitro coffee dispensing. This allows owners to broaden their menu and capitalise on the growing demand for nitro-infused coffee beverages. 

From a safety and quality perspective, both the Hardtank 20 and Baby Hardtank have been designed and built by our BRCGS-certified company, the highest standard in international food safety. Both have automated self-cleaning and sanitation programmes with automatic drainage systems and have been built with the highest-quality food-grade materials for enduring performance over decades. 

Attaining a Grade A certificate demonstrates to our customers just how seriously we take health and safety procedures at Hardtank. We have optimised our entire company, from manufacturing commercial cold brew equipment to private label cold brew coffee services, to reflect these values. 

To learn more about Hardtank’s fast cold brew coffee makers, visit our website or get in touch with our team directly. 

If you missed our recent cold brew masterclass, you can still view a recording here. 

Fast cold brew coffee maker