Cumulus Coffee Machine Review

About a month ago, Cumulus reached out, offering to send me their iced coffee machine. I was intrigued but a little skeptical. I already have my beloved Miele machine (review of that here)! I don’t like to have a lot of stuff on my counter. If I want iced coffee, I pour my Americano over ice, or make it the night before and stick it in the fridge.

The thing that got me was when I saw that it had a nitro setting. Nitro cold brew is heaven! I still remember the first time I ever had nitro cold brew (at La Colombe back when I lived in New York). I absolutely loved it. The thick foamy “head,” like a Guinness. The velvety flavor. I got curious, and excited about it as I haven’t found anywhere in Charleston besides Starbucks (at least on the Peninsula, within walking distance!) that serves up nitro cold brew.

This product was gifted, but I wasn’t obligated to write this post: I wanted to! We also have a code. You can use GRACE100 for $100 off if you purchase directly from their website.

Cumulus Coffee Machine Review

The Cumulus Cold Coffee Machine is a high-end, single-serve coffee maker designed for cold coffee enthusiasts. It was developed by former Starbucks executive Mesh Gelman and offers a quick and convenient way to enjoy café-quality cold beverages at home.

The Cumulus Machine

This machine has three settings: you can make nitro cold brew (my personal favorite), standard cold brew, or espresso. Nine times out of ten, I use it to make nitro cold brew, but it’s nice to have other options. The espresso setting is really fun for martinis and iced lattes.

What is Nitro Cold Brew!?

Nitro cold brew is a type of cold coffee that is infused with nitrogen gas to give it a smooth, creamy texture and a frothy top—kind of like a stout beer (as I mentioned above, think Guinness).

Cold brew is made by steeping coffee grounds in cold water for an extended period (usually 12–24 hours). It’s naturally smoother and less acidic than regular hot-brewed coffee.

Nitro cold brew takes that cold brew and infuses it with nitrogen gas under pressure. The result is a coffee that is:

• Creamier and silkier, even without milk
• Slightly sweet-tasting, despite having no sugar
• Topped with a foamy head, like beer

Pros:

• I love cold brew! The nitro setting is amazing, and it is fun to be able to make cold espresso for martinis. Making real cold brew at home is time-consuming (the lengthy soaking process!). I love how convenient it is.
• It’s relatively compact. The slim profile measures 19” x 6” x 16”, and is designed to fit comfortably on kitchen countertops. It tucks into the corner of my counter and does not take up much space.
• Sustainable Capsules: This is so much easier than other capsule machines I’ve had (like Nespresso for example). These aluminum capsules can go out with my regular recycling; no need to mail in.
• No external gas canisters: Its patent-pending technology eliminates the need for separate nitrogen cartridges by extracting nitrogen directly from the air.

Cons:

• It’s expensive. The machine clocks in at $700, and the capsules are around $27 for ten. That is $2.70 a pop, which is less expensive than going out for coffee, but still a pretty penny.
• Proprietary capsules. Right now, it currently supports only the proprietary capsules available through the company’s website. I hope as the company grows, this will change (less $ capsules would be a gamechanger!)
• Another countertop machine! I know a lot of you have small kitchens, too. I will say that it has a more narrow profile than my Miele. It really doesn’t take up that much space.

How the cumulus coffee machine works

Unlike traditional coffee machines that brew hot coffee, the Cumulus uses recyclable aluminum capsules filled with a super-concentrated liquid coffee extract. When a capsule is inserted and the machine is activated, it reconstitutes the concentrate with chilled water, delivering a cold beverage in about 75 seconds. The machine’s internal compressor cools the water to approximately 34°F, ensuring that the drink is served cold without ice, which can dilute the flavor.

Beverage Options

The Cumulus offers three distinct cold coffee styles at the touch of a button:

• Cold Brew: A smooth, full-bodied coffee that’s less acidic than traditional hot brews.
• Nitro Cold Brew: Infused with nitrogen gas extracted from the ambient air, this option delivers a creamy, effervescent texture with a frothy head, similar to a stout beer.
• Cold Espresso: A concentrated shot of cold coffee with a rich crema, suitable for sipping or mixing into beverages like espresso martinis .

How To Use the cumulus coffee machine

This machine is super easy to use. I recommend keeping the water tank filled ahead of time (it chills the water over time so that it can make your drinks on demand).

1. Insert Coffee Capsule:
   • Press the Cumulus logo to open the capsule holder.
   • Insert a capsule with the tab side down, sliding it in from the side until it clicks into place.
   • Push the capsule holder down to lock it. The brew button light ring will pulse white, indicating readiness.
2. Select Beverage Type:
   • Rotate the beverage selector dial on top of the machine to choose your desired drink:
     • Still: Cold Brew
     • Nitro: Nitro Cold Brew
     • Espresso: Cold Espresso
3. Place Your Glass: Position your glass on the drip tray beneath the spout.
4. Start Brewing: Press the brew button. The machine will begin the brewing process, delivering your selected cold beverage in approximately 75 seconds.
5. Post-Brew:
   • Once brewing is complete, all lights will turn off, and the capsule holder will unlock.
   • Press down on the capsule holder to open it, remove the used capsule, and recycle it.
   • Close the capsule holder to prepare for the next use!

How To Clean Cumulus Coffee Machine

The machine is pretty easy to clean, and it takes about 15 minutes. The machine will prompt you for maintenance after approximately 150 brews by displaying an orange alert light. The cleaning process takes about 15 minutes and involves four key steps:

1. The purge cycle removes any residual water from the machine.
2. The cleaning cycle cleans and refreshes the internal components. You’ll need the blank cleaning capsule and Cumulus cleaning solution (both come with the machine).
3. The rinse cycle flushes out any remaining cleaning solution.
4. And then, you’ll replace the water filter. Easy peasy.

My Honest Review Of The cumulus coffee machine

I love my Cumulus. This is definitely not something I would have bought myself, but now that I have it and have experienced it, I absolutely would spend my own money on it. I use mine every day and like it a lot. But this is more of a luxury item than a need! It’s perfect for coffee snobs or anyone who prefers cold coffee over hot (I am both things!).

Where to buy the Cumulus Cold Coffee Machine?

You can buy it from Williams-Sonoma, or the Cumulus website. If you buy it from Cumulus, use GRACE100 for $100 off.

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