Understanding how cold brew coffee filling machines work
Cold brew coffee consumption reaches new highs year after year. Alongside other cold coffee beverages, it now accounts for 75% of sales for leading brands like Starbucks, a significant jump from 13% in 2013.
Cold brew coffee filling machines help roasters make better cold brew products, achieve goals, and streamline operations, but there is a lot to learn about this type of specialist equipment.
A growing number of coffee brands are tapping into the lucrative cold brew coffee market, but what many may not realise is that it’s driven by several factors, one of which is highly efficient cold brew operations. When each step, from brewing to packaging, is optimised, companies can minimise waste, reduce production costs, and use resources more efficiently, leading to greater profitability.
Read on as Brian Kenny, the owner of Silverskin Coffee Roasters, shares his experience using these machines and how it has impacted cold brew offerings.
How do commercial cold brew coffee filling machines work?
Cold brew recipes often sound simple: grind the beans, place the grounds in a container, add water, and leave to steep for 12 to 24 hours. But as consumers demand more quality-focused cold brew experiences, businesses need to invest in more sophisticated production setups to meet expectations.
Filling machines can package cold brew products – including pouch, bag, bottle, and bag-in-box (BiB) – in ways that manual fill-and-seal processes cannot, increasing efficiency, precision, and productivity.
“We currently use a Wild Goose Canning Gosling machine,“ Brian says. Starting from a small kiosk in Ballsbridge, Dublin, Silverskin Coffee Roasters is an award-winning company that sources high-quality coffee from a number of origins.
“We have an automated canning line which doses coffee infused with nitrogen and then applies liquid nitrogen (LN2) via a cryogenic arm,” he explains. He adds that this process enables quick and precise dosing, followed by quickly securing a lid to minimise exposure to oxygen and preserve freshness.
This machine is fed by a brewer’s hose connected to a nitrogen tank where the beverage rests after brewing. Its operations can be configured via a smartphone, tablet, or computer, and according to Wild Goose, the Gosling delivers the same level of consistency as its higher-speed models.
That said, Brian acknowledges that using these machines doesn’t come without its challenges: “The combination of coffee, nitrogen (gas), compressed air, and liquid nitrogen is a complicated and intricate process.”
The key benefits of using cold brew coffee filling machines
Cold brew is set for continued growth in the coming years. Fortune Business Insights predicts the global market will reach over US $16 billion by 2032 from its current value of more than US $3 billion.
However, the same market research also highlights the high cost of cold brew as a factor that could restrain its growth, mainly due to the expenses associated with the manufacturing process and packaging – both of which have driven the ongoing need for innovation.
At the same time, roasters and coffee businesses need to invest in commercial-grade equipment, like cold brew coffee filling machines, or risk selling a lower-quality product.
“True cold brew never uses hot water, so it’s more susceptible to spoiling and bacterial growth,” Brian explains. The discourse about cold brew food safety has never been more pertinent, meaning coffee brands must always prioritise safety measures during manufacturing and packaging.
As with many other areas of the coffee industry, automation is playing an increasingly important role. In regards to cold brew production specifically, leveraging automated filling machines can be one of the most effective ways to streamline operations, from production speed to accuracy to food safety.
“You can’t accurately fill a cold brew can and maintain beverage freshness any other way,” Brian says.
Understandably, the investment required to purchase or hire cold brew coffee filling machines can be out of reach for many coffee businesses, particularly smaller operations. In response, equipment manufacturers are downsizing filling machines for brands with lower sales volumes that can package up to 12 cans per minute.
Choosing the right cold brew coffee filling machine for your business
It’s one thing to have a cold brew coffee filling machine and another to have the right configuration for your business. Research has proven that poor decision-making is detrimental to your bottom line, so investing in a filling machine needs careful consideration.
To begin with, Brian insists that your packaging must be compatible with filling machines.
“The entire process requires a constantly clean environment,” he explains. “Most importantly, though, is the final packaging and its effect on the quality of the finished products.”
Using the right sealing mechanism is also essential. Once filled, cold brew products require immediate hermetic sealing, guaranteeing safety, freshness, and quality preservation over time.
Secondly, factor in your demand and production volume. This will help accurately determine which size filling machine you need, potentially reducing costs.
Spare parts, maintenance, and cleaning also shouldn’t be overlooked, as Brian points out.
“A reputable supplier will ensure inevitable breakdowns or replacement parts are available,” he says.
At Cold Brew Pak, we aim to simplify every step of your cold brew journey. Our cold brew coffee filling machines are tailored to meet your specific business requirements, whether it’s packaging type, budget, or operational preferences.
For more information on how we can help you level up your cold brew business, visit our website or get in touch with us directly.
