Coffee Gator vs Willow & Everett Side-by-Side Comparison
Coffee Gator cold brew coffee maker vs Willow & Everett mason jar. Attention to detail and a brewer that just brews good coffee.
Specifications
Design
The overall design of the Coffee Gator is simple and practical. The way the lid works is particularly nice, but the handle needs rethinking. The stainless steel measuring spoon and silicone funnel are also quite versatile in and of themselves.
Although the Willow & Everett looks neat and handy, the build quality and design didn’t quite match our expectations. The lid and filter, in particular, are poorly made and the tap mechanism is not well thought out. Cleaning is straightforward, and as long as you handle the jar carefully, you may be perfectly happy with this product.
Usability Comparison
Coffee Gator is exceptionally easy to use because of the included measuring spoon and silicone pouring funnel. The filter attaches securely and effortlessly, and the lid design is most practical. Hand cleaning is also no issue.
Brewing with the Willow & Everett is very straightforward, as is cleaning and storage. Unfortunately, the design makes decanting somewhat cumbersome. The tap does not work so well and leaves about 20% of the liquid behind. That means you must decant it into a smaller vessel, largely negating the value of a tap in the first place.
Brew Quality
The brew quality of the Coffee Gator was fairly average and much in line with other immersion brewers with a similar ratio. The brew lacked complexity overall but was drinkable enough without dilution. Hot blooming may be an option, but many people prefer a stainless steel filter for this.
The Willow & Everett produced a relatively strong and delicious brew. In fact, it was one of the best brews we got out of any immersion-filter cold brew coffee maker. Overall, the taste was defined by a deep roasted flavor and an almost bitter aftertaste. If you enjoy a strong coffee, or are looking for a quality cold brew concentrate to mix into something else, this is one of the better choices.
Overall Scores
Pros & Cons
- Quality of glass carafe
- Additional spoon and funnel
- Neat and clever lid
- Twist to pour lid
- Personalized extras
- Funky design
- Brew ratio
- Brew quality
- Tap dispenser
- Grip and length of handle
- Brew rather average
- Lid design
- Weak glass around tap
- Tap is temperamental
- No literature
Conclusion
Coffee Gator is a little different from other cold brew coffee makers because it’s a combination of glass and plastic. The slender glass carafe fits easily into any refrigerator door. The filter, however, is made of plastic and nylon. The plastic lid has an easy twist-open design for pouring. With a brew ratio of 1:14, the quality and strength of the brew is a little below par. However, the brewer comes with a stainless steel measuring spoon and a very useful silicone funnel.
The Willow & Everett, apart from a shape and size that only fits a refrigerator shelf, is made completely of glass with a gauze type filer. Along with making one of the best quality cold brews for an immersion filter, it is also ideal for hot brewed teas. The one gallon is particularly suitable for serving summer favorites like lemonade or whole fruit teas.
While Coffee Gator is easy to use all round, the Willow & Everett can be somewhat cumbersome. The filter works well, but the tap doesn’t always pour smoothly. For the smaller size, in particular, you have to be careful of the fragile glass around the tapping point. Additionally, you still have to pour out around 20% of leftover brew from the top of the vessel.
Behind the Comparison
Roger Shitaki is a writer, author, and editor. His niches are household appliances, health & wellness, and travel. He’s a freelance contributor to a Tokyo lifestyle website and a leading ophthalmology magazine in Asia.
