Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I have used a Toddy for about 10 years, so almost all of my review is in comparison to it. A few weeks ago, my 2nd oldest son used a knife to remove the filter while doing dishes ruining it (just like my oldest son did about 5 years ago with my first one). I saw this brewer and thought I would get it to compare. Overall, I like this one way better. If you are new to cold brewing and trying to decide whether to try it, I will say that it makes the best coffee, in my opinion. It brings out a lot of flavor, without the bitterness. The biggest con to cold brew in general, is when you forget to make it... Things that are better on this vs the Toddy: This one has a valve instead of a cork to drain the coffee, which is not only easier in general; but, I usually get the first cup early in the morning, and then let it brew a few more hours for my wife to drain when she gets up. With the Toddy, I have to pull the cork, get what I want, then reinsert the cork, leaving a few ounces on the counter and my scale to clean up. This one, I can just close the valve, with no mess. Another benefit is that there is no separate cork to be lost. I like the mesh filter better than the felt ones of the Toddy, and I like how it is held in place, so my kids cannot loose it when they dump the grinds into the compost. It also never needs replaced. We are using the paper filters which are as good as the felt one of the Toddy at keeping the grit out. I like the stand this one has better than balancing the brewer on the carafe to drain it. The directions for this one are way easier. You could really make the coffee either way, with either maker. While this one's directions are easier, the Toddy's method drains quicker. Things that are not as good: This does not make as much as the Toddy does at a time. Following the directions, we get 24 oz of concentrate (10 oz coffee grinds and 40 oz water). But, there is a lot of head space in this one to increase the amount you make if you do not use the rainmaker. As long as you stick with the 1 ounce coffee grinds to 4 ounce water, you can make more or less. With my last batch I did 12 oz of coffee grinds with 48 oz water; which is what the current directions with the Toddy calls for (28 oz of concentrate); but believe I could do 14 oz of coffee and 56 oz of water if I fill it to the brim (33 oz concentrate). With the Toddy, we followed the old directions and used 16 oz of coffee grinds and 64 oz water (38 oz concentrate). In conclusion, the Toddy can make 2 1/2 more servings than this one can. I doubt anyone will find this math as interesting as I do, but though I should include it for completeness. This brewer drains slower, but I am pretty sure it is due to stiring the coffee/water mixture, per the directions. When I stired the mixture in the Toddy it took longer to drain also. So, I guess regardless of which brewer you use, if you want quick draining, use Toddy's method; and if you want fewer steps in making it, use this one's method. I can live with the longer draining, because we have always just leave it sitting on the counter for a few hours until we remember it is there anyway. The paper filter has to be replaced with each brew versus the felt filter of the Toddy's needing replaced every... however long it lasts. I do not know which would be cheaper in the long run, but the paper filter is optional. I have been using the paper filters, but will try my next batch without it, to see how much of a difference it makes. If I think of anything else I will update this.