Guides/Gear guide
Gear guideToddy Cold Brew: The 60-Year-Old System Behind Smooth Cold Brew
By The Killer Coffee team
The story
The Toddy is older than most coffee machines on the market. Its inventor, Todd Simpson, was a chemical engineering graduate who, so the story goes, tasted cold-brewed coffee extract on a trip to Peru in the early 1960s. He worked out how to make it at home, and patented his system in 1964.
The idea hasn't needed to change much since. Coarse coffee sits in cold water for the best part of a day, then drains through a filter into a glass decanter. Time does the job that heat normally does. Toddy is still based in Colorado, and its system has become the standard for cold brew at home and in cafes.
Why we rate it
- Smooth, rich coffee. Cold brewing pulls the coffee out slowly, without heat, so it tastes rounder and less sharp than hot-brewed coffee.
- Brew once, drink all week. One batch of concentrate keeps up to 2 weeks in the fridge. Morning coffee becomes a 10-second job.
- Simple and tough. A container, a filter and a decanter. There's nothing to break and nothing to program.
Is it right for you?
Great if you…
- drink iced coffee, or want coffee ready to go every morning
- like a smoother, rounder cup
- want one bit of prep a week, not one a day
Think twice if…
- you want a coffee in the next five minutes. Plan a day ahead.
- you'd rather skip brewing altogether. Killer Concentrate is ready-made.
How to use it
- Set up. Stopper in, damp filter in.
- Two rounds. Add 1 cup of water and 170g of coarse coffee, then 3 cups of water. Wait 5 minutes, then add another 170g of coffee and the last 3 cups of water. Don't stir.
- Steep. Leave it 12–24 hours at room temperature.
- Drain and mix. Drain into the decanter, then mix 1 part concentrate with about 3 parts water or milk.
The full step-by-step: How to Make Cold Brew Coffee (Toddy Method).
Cold Brew System or Essential Brewer?
Both make the same style of concentrate.
- Toddy Cold Brew System: the original. It uses a reusable felt filter (2 included, each lasting about 10–12 brews or 3 months) and drains into a glass decanter.
- Toddy Essential Brewer: newer. It has a lever that makes draining almost hands-free, uses paper filter bags, makes up to 1.1L of concentrate, and is dishwasher-safe.
Which Killer coffee
Industrial Strength
Strong, with deep caramel notes. Ground Plunger.
Darkerside
Deeper and more chocolatey. Ground Plunger.
Medium Roast
The smoothest cold brew. Ground Plunger.
Killer Concentrate Coffee 1.5L
No time to brew? It's ready-made, with no steeping.
Get the gear
Toddy Cold Brew Coffee Maker
The original, with 2 reusable felt filters.
Toddy Essential Brewer - Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Lever drain, paper filter bags, dishwasher-safe.
Toddy Cold Brew Filters 2-Pack
Replacement felt filters.
Toddy Domestic Filters - 20 Pack
Paper filter bags for less cleaning.
FAQ
Who invented the Toddy?
Todd Simpson, a chemical engineering graduate, who developed it in the early 1960s and patented it in 1964.
Is cold brew less acidic?
It tastes smoother and less sharp. One university study found cold and hot brew have about the same pH, but hot brew has more acids overall, which is likely why cold brew tastes softer.
How long does Toddy concentrate last?
Up to 2 weeks in the fridge.
How strong is Toddy cold brew?
The concentrate is strong. Mixed about 1 to 3 with water or milk, it's about the strength of a regular coffee. Use less water for more kick.
Can I drink it hot?
Yes. Add hot water to the concentrate.
How often should I replace the felt filter?
Every 10–12 brews or 3 months. Rinse it after each use and keep it in water in the fridge.
