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Cold Brew Timer
Tap a steep time and press Start when the water goes onto the coffee. The timer shows the clock time it will be ready.
16 hours
Spacestart / pauseRresetFfull screen+ −add or remove a minute0–9type a time
12 hours: the short end. Works at room temperature; in the fridge it tends to come out weak.
16 hours: the middle of the usual range, at room temperature or in the fridge.
18 hours: the long end of the usual range. Stronger and heavier.
24 hours: for the fridge only. About the limit before the coffee turns woody and bitter.
Cold brew steep time: 12 to 24 hours
| Steep time | Where | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 12 hours | Room temperature | Lightest; in the fridge this is usually too short |
| 16 hours | Room temperature or fridge | The middle of the range and the default here |
| 18 hours | Room temperature or fridge | Stronger and fuller |
| 24 hours | Fridge | Strongest; longer than this tends to taste woody and bitter |
For coarse-ground coffee at 1:8 by weight for a concentrate or about 1:15 to drink straight. Room temperature extracts faster (12–16 hours) than the fridge (16–24 hours). Beans and grind change the result, so taste and adjust the next batch.
How to use it
- Grind the coffee coarse and weigh it into a jar or pitcher: 1 part coffee to 8 parts water for a concentrate, or about 1 to 15 to drink as it is.
- Pour in cold water, stir so that all the grounds are wet, and cover the jar.
- Tap 12, 16, 18 or 24 hours and press Start. The “Ends at” time under the countdown tells you when to strain it.
- When the alarm sounds, strain the coffee through a fine sieve, then through a paper filter to catch the silt.
- Keep it in the fridge. Dilute concentrate about 1:1 with water or milk when you pour a glass.
Why cold brew takes hours
Hot water pulls flavor out of coffee in minutes. Cold water does the same job very slowly, so time replaces heat: 12 to 18 hours is the usual range, and up to about 24 in the fridge. The grind is coarse because the grounds sit in the water for so long, and because coarse grounds are much easier to strain out afterwards.
Temperature still matters within “cold”. A jar on the counter extracts faster than one in the fridge, so the same strength takes about 12 to 16 hours at room temperature and 16 to 24 hours chilled. Pick the place first, then the time.
Cold brew 12 or 24 hours: how to choose
Longer is stronger, up to a point. A 12-hour room-temperature steep gives a lighter drink. Sixteen to 18 hours gives more body and is where most recipes land. Past about 24 hours the coffee stops getting better and starts to taste woody and bitter, so there is nothing gained by leaving it for two days.
The easiest way to choose is to work back from when you want it. Sixteen hours fits an evening start: mix it at 6 pm and it is ready at 10 am. Twelve hours suits 8 pm to 8 am on the counter. If the result is too strong, dilute it; if it is too weak, steep the next batch longer or use more coffee.
Common mistakes
- Using a fine grind. It over-extracts over many hours and clogs the filter when you strain.
- Not wetting all the grounds. Dry clumps floating on top add nothing; stir once at the start.
- Drinking 1:8 concentrate undiluted and finding it harsh. It is made to be cut about 1:1.
- Leaving the grounds in after the timer ends. The coffee keeps extracting until you strain it.
- Squeezing the filter to speed things up. That pushes fine sediment and bitter liquid into the batch.
Questions people ask
How long should I steep cold brew?
Between 12 and 18 hours is the usual range, and up to about 24 hours in the fridge. Sixteen hours is a good first try for either place.
Is it better to steep cold brew in the fridge or at room temperature?
Both work. Room temperature extracts faster, about 12 to 16 hours, and the fridge takes about 16 to 24 hours. Whichever you choose, move the strained coffee to the fridge.
What is the cold brew ratio?
For a concentrate, 1:8 coffee to water by weight, for example 100 g of coffee to 800 g of water, diluted about 1:1 when served. For a ready-to-drink brew, use about 1:15.
Can you steep cold brew for too long?
Yes. Beyond about 24 hours it tends to turn woody and bitter instead of stronger. Strain it when the timer ends even if you are not going to drink it yet.
How long does cold brew keep?
About a week in a sealed container in the fridge for concentrate. Brew that has already been diluted is best used sooner.
Does the timer keep running if I close the page?
Yes. The end time is saved when you press Start, so a 16-hour countdown is still correct when you open the page the next morning. Leave the page open if you want to hear the alarm.