Yama Cold Brew Tower vs Hario Cold Dripper

Recommendations for buyers and upgraders from the site's members.
bigbad
Posts: 233
Joined: 14 years ago

#1: Post by bigbad »

Wondering which way to go.

At first glance, I like the Hario version better, due to its simplicity and minimalistic approach. The Yama version has some unnecessary features, like the spiral thing. It also has an ancient hourglass look that I'm not big on. It's also slightly bulkier.

I'm surprised none of these companies have decided to make a version for home users, 'cause I don't really need a 32 oz behemoth coffee brewer taking up space... nor do I care to experiment with monster doses of coffee.

So other than the price - Hario is $50 more expensive - they appear to accomplish the same thing.

My main concern is the filters. The Yama comes with a ceramic filter, and the Hario comes with a steel mesh filter similar to a steel mesh siphon filter. I'm pretty sure neither are gonna do a good job of yielding a super clean cup.

Non-paper filters yield coffee that's just too inky/dark for me. If the steel mesh filter for the Hario comes apart like the siphon filters, I'd insert a paper filter in between...

dustin360
Posts: 825
Joined: 13 years ago

#2: Post by dustin360 »

The ceramic filter makes as clean of a cup as you can get, zero sediment on a full 325 grams coffee to 4000 grams water. Ive never used the steal mesh before. These things are the hidden secrete of the coffee world. They make absolutely mind blowing cups of coffee(assuming your putting a mind blowing coffee in the contraption). We are currently using the Ethiopian Kochere from shub, and its the best iced coffee ive ever had in my life.

bigbad (original poster)
Posts: 233
Joined: 14 years ago

#3: Post by bigbad (original poster) replying to dustin360 »

No doubt.

I've been researching this method for a while, since I had the best iced coffee from one at Coffee Fest Chicago. Coincidentally, the coffee was Ethiopia Kochere but from Kuma. I know the word "bomb" is used a little loosely these days, but if this wasn't a black currant/plum bomb... it also had a very distinct winey profile to it that was very pleasing.

I'm gonna have to experiment with grind size, but I tend to go finer than most, so I'm pretty sure I won't get a perfectly clean cup. We'll see.

Thanks, gonna go ahead and pull the trigger on the Yama.

PS: What are your brewing parameters for this method?

Nuprin
Posts: 171
Joined: 14 years ago

#4: Post by Nuprin »

bigbad wrote: The Yama version has some unnecessary features, like the spiral thing.
I have two (one 32oz, one 125oz) of these at my shop. I believe the purpose is to introduce air into the liquid but how much of an impact it makes on the taste is something I'm not sure of. Maybe Jim or someone else with a chemistry background can answer this question. I've been using Haru from Counter Culture and after about 10 days in the refrigerator, it's pretty awesome.

chang00
Posts: 638
Joined: 16 years ago

#5: Post by chang00 »

As I mentioned in another thread, Tiamo makes a home version that does not occupy too much space. Orphanespresso now carries it. I have seen it at the Tiamo retail store in Taiwan and it is quite sturdily made and elegant. Orphanespresso's picture showed the blue protective film on the stainless steel, which is to be peeled off by the end user.

http://www.orphanespresso.com/Tiamo-Slo ... _4740.html

bigbad (original poster)
Posts: 233
Joined: 14 years ago

#6: Post by bigbad (original poster) replying to chang00 »

I love that it's a 5-cup model, but I wish there was more info on it. All the sites that feature it, keep specs to a minimum, and there also aren't many pics of it.

The Hario Cold Dripper and Yama Cold Brew Tower have videos available on the internet.

Also, it says on Orphan that it comes with cloth filters, which I hate. If I am to take this route, I guess I can improvise and use Yama paper filters? But I don't know if the filter sizes will be interchangeable, or I'll have to cut Yama filters because they're larger? A lot of unknowns, due to the lack of info available on the Tiamo version.

Another thing, is that you can't see the coffee grounds, because the chamber is stainless steel... I like to see the extraction, just to keep an eye on dry pockets and such.

I really like the fact that the Tiamo is more practical in size.

dustin360
Posts: 825
Joined: 13 years ago

#7: Post by dustin360 »

bigbad wrote:No doubt.

I've been researching this method for a while, since I had the best iced coffee from one at Coffee Fest Chicago. Coincidentally, the coffee was Ethiopia Kochere but from Kuma. I know the word "bomb" is used a little loosely these days, but if this wasn't a black currant/plum bomb... it also had a very distinct winey profile to it that was very pleasing.

I'm gonna have to experiment with grind size, but I tend to go finer than most, so I'm pretty sure I won't get a perfectly clean cup. We'll see.

Thanks, gonna go ahead and pull the trigger on the Yama.

PS: What are your brewing parameters for this method?
Great glad to hear you have experienced the amazing cups of coffee these things can produce!!! We sell a ton of this at my shop, so we load the thing to the very max(which as I said before was 325 grams coffee, 4000 grams water). We use the same grind as we use for the v60's, about a "normal" drip grind (maybe a tad finer). 12 hour brew. The flow rate is based on both a ball valve and the pressure of the water above, so a normal brew time varies from 10 to 15 hours. But this doesn't seem to affect the flavor in a negative way. And like I said before Ive never seen any grinds/sludge in the brew... but of course "your mileage will vary".

chang00
Posts: 638
Joined: 16 years ago

#8: Post by chang00 »

bigbad wrote:I love that it's a 5-cup model, but I wish there was more info on it. All the sites that feature it, keep specs to a minimum, and there also aren't many pics of it.

The Hario Cold Dripper and Yama Cold Brew Tower have videos available on the internet.

Also, it says on Orphan that it comes with cloth filters, which I hate. If I am to take this route, I guess I can improvise and use Yama paper filters? But I don't know if the filter sizes will be interchangeable, or I'll have to cut Yama filters because they're larger? A lot of unknowns, due to the lack of info available on the Tiamo version.

Another thing, is that you can't see the coffee grounds, because the chamber is stainless steel... I like to see the extraction, just to keep an eye on dry pockets and such.

I really like the fact that the Tiamo is more practical in size.
In addition to the Hario cold drip tower, Hario also makes a miniature version called "Pota". Google "Hario Pota" should yield several results.

Here is the Tiamo Taiwan website with dimension in centimeters and short youtube video at end of page, in Chinese though. Just use round paper filter. Fiskars and others sell various round paper punches to make own paper filter in different diameters, which can be used in this case, and for siphon, too. The round #3 Tiamo filter measures 56mm, by the way.

http://web.tiamo-cafe.com.tw/ec99/eshop ... _id=HG2597

bigbad (original poster)
Posts: 233
Joined: 14 years ago

#9: Post by bigbad (original poster) replying to chang00 »

Thank you so much Chang, I'm gonna go with this Tiamo after all.

Do I just get Hario 02 filters and punch 'em? What's the usual protocol for those taking this avenue?

Also, do they have 57 and/or 58 mm punches too? I noticed in the video that the 56 mm isn't an exact fit like the Yama filters that fit pretty snug.

chang00
Posts: 638
Joined: 16 years ago

#10: Post by chang00 »

Most round paper punches are 2in and 2.25in, which is in between 56mm, and around $10-20 dollars. For example:

http://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-Squeeze-P ... ound+punch

http://www.amazon.com/Uchida-LV-SJCP40- ... ound+punch

Or 2.25in, which appears to fit better:
http://www.amazon.com/EK-Success-Tools- ... d_sim_ac_1

One may have to obtain the Tiamo unit first, then measure what size will fit. The bulk Costco paper filters for ~$5 will be suitable; each pack lasts me two years.

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