In this article, you’ll learn:
- What a nitro cold brew coffee maker is
- Why factors like speed and efficiency are so important
- How this equipment can improve your workflows
Nitro cold brew is no longer a premium menu item – now, it’s an expectation for specialty coffee consumers. Thanks to its creamy mouthfeel, visually distinctive appearance, and perceived low sugar, it’s become a favourite with health-conscious demographics. As such, all foodservice businesses, from coffee shops to bars and restaurants, can benefit from a nitro cold brew coffee maker.
However, finding the right equipment for your needs can be a challenge. You need a system that prepares and serves nitro cold brew at scale without compromising on quality, consistency, and presentation. It’s a difficult balance to strike, but one that sets you up for efficient, profitable nitro cold brew service.
To learn more about what to look for in a nitro cold brew maker, I spoke to Ian McCluskey. He is the founder of December Yaupon, a yaupon nitro cold brew business based in Austin, Texas. Read on for his insight.
Why is a nitro cold brew coffee maker important?
A nitro cold brew coffee maker is a vital system because it allows you to serve an in-demand, high-margin drink with ease.
Nitro cold brew is rising in popularity because of its distinction from other cold coffee formats, like still cold brew and iced coffee. Its cascading appearance, foamy mouthfeel, and natural sweetness have made it especially popular with younger demographics looking for drinks that align with their healthy lifestyle. As the demand for nitro cold brew grows, having a system already installed helps you adjust to these trends.
A nitro cold brew coffee maker is also important because of the profit opportunities it presents. Nitro cold brew is perceived as a high-value, premium drink by customers, which they’re willing to pay more for. Especially when brewed in-house, you can reduce your ingredient and formulation costs and drive a lot more profit with nitro cold brew.
Taking these factors into account, a nitro cold brew coffee maker can be incredibly beneficial. “One of the biggest decisions for new companies like December Yaupon sourcing equipment is whether to buy in the US or import,” Ian tells me. “Most modern key features can be found in either market, so in my opinion, the decision comes down to the team. We like Hardtank because of their commitment to innovation and quality.”
Sourcing from equipment manufacturers who share your values is essential, particularly for businesses producing unique versions of nitro cold brew. “As we prepare to scale up and purchase our first full set of equipment, collaboration is key,” he says. “Attention to detail is vital.”
The key features to look for in a nitro cold brew coffee maker
As the demand for nitro cold brew coffee grows, your equipment needs to be scalable and reliable. This means choosing a nitro cold brew coffee maker that is efficient, produces drinks consistently, and can adjust based on your production volume.
Extraction speed is one major factor for your nitro cold brew coffee maker. Traditionally, it takes between 12 to 24 hours to prepare a batch of cold brew, which significantly limits your daily output. In contrast, the Baby Hardtank uses patented recirculation technology to produce five litres of cold brew in under an hour, depending on recipe and brew parameters. This speed allows you to meet demand without overproducing or running out on a particularly busy day.
Another important factor is nitrogen infusion. This is what sets nitro cold brew apart from still cold brew – but often, it’s a process that is expensive and inefficient. Most setups require manual nitrogen infusion using external kegs, which are cumbersome and take up vital storage space.
Therefore, you should look for a nitro cold brew coffee maker like the Hardtap, which offers atmospheric nitrogen infusion. This uses atmospheric nitrogen separation rather than external nitrogen tanks, reducing storage needs and ongoing gas costs. It does so while preserving the creamy texture that makes nitro cold brew so distinctive to consumers.
Hygiene is another significant area to consider. Since cold brew is prepared at room temperature, it’s more susceptible to microbial growth than hot coffee. That’s why your nitro cold brew coffee maker should come with built-in cleaning and sanitation modes, and be made from food-grade materials like stainless steel. These features minimise human error from cleaning and ensure your nitro cold brew complies with food safety standards.
Ian has some additional recommendations. “In terms of specific features, temperature control, batch size flexibility, and ease of use are the most important for us as we grow and iterate our recipes,” he says. “We need a consistent brew baseline with the ability to quickly move from recipe to recipe.” Systems like the Hardtank feature programmable brew profiles to easily replicate and swap between recipes.
How important is consistency in a nitro cold brew coffee maker?
Consistent production and dispensing are the single most important factors to look for in a nitro cold brew coffee maker. From visual appearance to texture and taste, every detail contributes to the customer’s perception of quality, and may influence whether they visit your business again.
For first-time consumers especially, the experience must be flawless. “Since we’re making the first ready-to-drink beverage with traditional yaupon ever, consistency is incredibly important,” Ian says. “Many of our customers have never tasted yaupon before, so the first impression is a make-or-break moment.”
To ensure repeatability, Hardtank systems allow you to save and replicate precise extraction recipes, while the Hardtap dispenser has automatic portion control. This means you can deliver your ideal profile and serving volume – whether for nitro cold brew coffee, yaupon, or a cascara blend – every time, across locations and teams. “Precision controls and programming for repeatability have helped us a lot with this, and our customers are happy with the results,” he adds.
The operational consistency afforded by a nitro cold brew coffee maker also improves your efficiency. For instance, with Hardtank’s fast extraction, automatic cleaning, and one-touch dispensing, your team can focus on service rather than troubleshooting or maintenance. As you scale, you can also look to larger-volume equipment like the Hardtank 1T and 2T, which can produce up to 250 litres of nitro cold brew a day and dispense it accordingly.
Evidently, choosing the best nitro cold brew coffee maker is a significant decision that requires plenty of consideration. You should choose equipment that delivers consistent results, is easy to use, and aligns with hygiene requirements.
“This is an exciting time for cold brew coffee, tea, and yaupon in the market,” Ian concludes. “Customers want consistent value, clean ingredients, low sugar, and excellent taste. Gone are the days of winging each batch and hoping for the best. Attention to detail is going to determine winners and losers.”
Nitro cold brew coffee maker: Key takeaways
- The best nitro cold brew coffee maker maintains quality, consistency, and efficiency.
- It should quickly prepare cold brew using accelerated extraction technology to speed up production times.
- You should also choose a nitro cold brew coffee maker that has programmable brew profiles to ensure consistent results across locations and staff experience levels.
Ready to invest in a specialised nitro cold brew coffee maker? Explore Hardtank’s equipment here or contact a member of the team to learn more.
Nitro cold brew coffee maker FAQ
Is nitro cold brew more profitable than regular cold brew?
Yes, because nitro cold brew is often considered a more premium product due to its creamy texture and cascading appearance. As such, you can charge more for nitro cold brew and improve your profit margins.
Do I need nitrogen tanks to serve cold brew?
Not necessarily, because some nitro cold brew coffee makers use atmospheric nitrogen infusion to pull gas from the air. This process saves on storage space and reduces ongoing equipment costs.
How important is consistency when serving nitro cold brew?
Consistent service is important because any variation in taste, appearance, or texture can negatively impact the customer experience. As such, choosing a nitro cold brew coffee maker with programmable brewing profiles and digital dosing for dispensing is vital.
Want to learn more about our nitro cold brew coffee maker?
- See the Hardtap in action: Watch our product demonstration.
- Explore our cold brew technology: Learn more about the Baby Hardtank.
- Speak to an equipment specialist: Contact a member of the Hardtank team.
