A nitro cold brew dispenser is a refrigerated cabinet that holds kegs of cold brew coffee, infuses that coffee with nitrogen, and pours it through a special faucet so it comes out creamy with a cascading head. Most units also pour still (non nitro) cold brew from a second tap. Below: how they work, how to size one, and how the units we carry compare.
What nitro cold brew is
Nitro cold brew is ordinary cold brew, chilled in a keg, infused with nitrogen and poured through a stout style faucet. According to Keg Outlet’s guide to cold brew taps versus nitro taps, the stout (nitro) faucet has a restrictor plate that standard faucets lack; as the coffee passes through it, the plate agitates the gas and creates the micro bubbles behind the “nitro pour” and cascade effect.
How a nitro cold brew dispenser works
The refrigerated cabinet
The lower cabinet is a small keg refrigerator. On the units we carry, digital touch pad controls set a temperature range of 34°F to 60°F, and convection cooling holds it steady. A dispensing tower on top carries the faucets, and tubing runs from each keg up to its tap.
Nitro coffee keg and nitrogen source
Coffee sits in a nitro coffee keg, usually a Cornelius style ball lock keg of 2.5, 3 or 5 gallons. Nitrogen comes from one of two places:
- Nitrogen tank. A cylinder of food grade nitrogen sits inside the cabinet and feeds a regulator. The U-Line HDE215 installation manual calls for food grade nitrogen from a local gas supplier, a starting setting of 25 PSI on the regulator and 7 PSI at the infuser regulator, and says never to exceed 60 PSI. Every dispenser in this guide uses a tank.
- Built in nitrogen generator. Some countertop units make nitrogen from room air. Pro Coffee Gear’s listing for the Enhanced Beverage Solutions WatNitro, for example, says its built in atmospheric nitrogen generator removes the need for external gas tanks.
Faucet types
A nitro tap is the stout faucet with the restrictor described above. A still tap is a standard faucet that pours cold brew without the cascade.
Cold brew on tap: tap count and keg size
One nitro tap and one still tap covers most homes and small offices. A cafe pouring two nitro roasts, or nitro coffee next to beer or wine, needs three or four taps. Keg size sets how often you change over: a 2.5 gallon keg suits light home use, while 5 gallon kegs make more sense when you pour all day.
Who needs one
- Cafes and coffee bars. Multi tap units run nitro and still cold brew side by side.
- Offices and corporate dining. Cold brew on tap replaces cans and bottles.
- Home bars. A 15 inch two tap unit fits a kitchen run or wet bar.
- Bars and venues. A combination unit can pour nitro coffee, still coffee, beer and wine from one footprint.
Undercounter vs countertop vs tower
Undercounter cabinets are the most common style and include all the complete dispensers we carry. They fit under a counter or stand alone. Countertop units sit on the counter and work well when there is no room below. Tower only setups put the faucets on the counter and the kegs in a separate cooler below; the JoeTap JT-NIT-2NC Nitro Tower, 2 Faucet ($1,809.97) is a replacement tower that Parts Town lists for JoeTap’s compact nitro coffee system, not a standalone dispenser.
Comparing our nitro cold brew dispensers
| Model | Taps | Keg capacity | Nitrogen | Width | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U-Line HDE215 Nitro Infused Cold Coffee Dispenser | 1 nitro, 1 still | Two 2.5, 3 or 5 gallon kegs (one 2.5 gallon keg included) | Tank, regulator included | 15 in | $4,559 |
| Viking VCDE224-SSE3A 3 Tap | 2 nitro, 1 still | Three 5 gallon Cornelius kegs | 10 lb tank | 23 5/8 in | $5,868 |
| Viking VCDE224-SSF3A 4 Tap | 2 nitro, 2 still | Confirm with us | Confirm with us | 24 in class | $6,210 |
| Viking VCDE224-SSG3A 4 Tap Coffee, Beer and Wine | 1 nitro coffee, 1 still coffee, 1 wine, 1 beer | Confirm with us | Confirm with us | 23 5/8 in | $6,900 |
The U-Line HDE215 includes the cabinet, a two tap tower, one 2.5 gallon keg, a nitrogen regulator, tubing and a drip tray, holds 3.6 cu ft, and measures 15 in wide, 34 1/2 in high and 25 3/4 in deep. It draws 1.2 A at 115 V. The three Viking units are powered by JoeTap, built in or freestanding, and list 34°F to 60°F digital control. U-Line’s Viking Commercial pages give the VCDE224 cabinet as 34 1/2 in high, 23 5/8 in wide and 23 1/8 in deep with 6.3 cu ft inside and NSF/ANSI Standard 7 compliance. Keg and tank layouts for the two 4 tap models differ between our listings and the manufacturer’s pages, so call us to confirm before you plan your keg program. Browse the full Viking lineup for related beverage equipment.
Utilities and installation
Power. The HDE215 manual calls for a grounded, polarized 115 VAC, 60 Hz, 15 A supply, recommends an individual branch circuit, and says never to use an extension cord. Our Viking listings do not state voltage, so confirm with us. The HDE215 vents through the front grille (keep it clear) and is for indoor use only. Drain. The units we carry use a drip tray; if you want the tray plumbed to a drain, plan it with your installer. Nitrogen supply. Line up a gas supplier for food grade nitrogen refills before opening day. A licensed electrician and plumber, along with your local code and health department, have the final word on any installation.
Cleaning the lines
Follow the manual for your specific unit. The HDE215 manual says to clean the system each time you change the coffee keg and before long periods of non use: depressurize, remove the faucet nose cone and soak it in cleaning solution for at least five minutes, then run solution through each tap and let it sit before dispensing the rest. Parts Town’s JoeTap cleaning guide describes a weekly routine that includes unscrewing and rinsing the nitro faucet tip, a soak of at least 15 minutes, and flushing until a pH test strip shows no cleaner remains. For keg and gas basics that overlap with beer, see our outdoor kegerator guide, which covers CO2 tanks and beer line cleaning in depth.
Making cold brew to fill your kegs
The Ss Brewtech Cold Brew Bucket Kit ($149.95) is a 304 stainless steel and silicone system designed for a 7 gallon vessel. It handles up to 5 lb of coffee grounds and yields up to 3.5 gallons of concentrate, and includes 10 filter bags. It is built to pair with Ss Brewtech’s 7 gallon Brew Bucket, so ask us whether you need the bucket as well. Replacement Ss Brewtech Cold Brew Coffee Filters come in 10 packs from $11.95 and 50 packs, in high strength synthetic mesh.
Nitrogen also shows up in wine service. The Marvel Wine Double Tap Kit with Nitro Tank ($1,249) adds a double wine tap and a 5 lb nitro tank to a dispenser cabinet or kegerator. It is a wine kit, not a nitro coffee system.
Frequently asked questions
What size nitro coffee keg do I need?
For home use, a 2.5 or 3 gallon keg keeps coffee turning over. Busy cafes usually prefer 5 gallon kegs.
Can I serve cold brew on tap without nitrogen?
Yes. Still cold brew pours from a standard faucet, and most units here include at least one still tap alongside the nitro tap.
How often should I clean the lines?
Follow your manual. U-Line says to clean the HDE215 at every keg change, and Parts Town’s JoeTap guide describes a weekly routine.
Where do I put a dispenser in a commercial space?
Most go under the counter at the coffee or bar station. For planning the rest of the line, see our commercial kitchen equipment guide and our back bar cooler buying guide.
Need help matching taps, kegs and installation to your space? Call us at 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST. We offer free freight shipping on orders of $999 or more, with a $200 flat rate below that. Review our return and refund policy before you order.
