The quest for the perfect cup of coffee often begins long before the first drop hits your cup. It starts with choosing the right beans, the perfect roast, and most importantly, the right grinder. Enter the OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder with Integrated Scale, a grinder that promises not only precision but convenience for both novice and seasoned coffee drinkers alike. This grinder stands out with its built-in scale, which eliminates the need to guess or use external tools to measure your grounds accurately. But does it deliver on its promises, and is it worth the investment? Let’s take a deep dive into the grinder’s features, performance, and why it might be the perfect addition to your kitchen.
Precision Grinding with Built-in Scale: A Game Changer
One of the key selling points of the OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder is its integrated scale. Unlike many grinders that rely on timing to determine how much coffee to grind, the OXO Brew uses weight-based dosing, promising a more accurate and consistent result. The built-in scale allows users to set their preferred amount of coffee in grams or by the number of cups, ensuring that you get the correct amount of coffee grounds each time. This feature is particularly useful for people who want to skip the hassle of manually weighing their beans and ensures that the brew strength remains consistent over time.
In terms of accuracy, the scale is spot-on. However, like any machine, it is not without its quirks. During testing, the grinder tended to overshoot the set weight by about 1 gram, particularly when using coarser settings. This slight discrepancy can be a little frustrating for those seeking absolute precision but is not a deal-breaker for most users. The convenience of grinding by weight still beats the alternative of manually timing the grinder or eyeballing the amount of coffee, making this an attractive feature for most coffee drinkers.
Grind Consistency: Suitable for Most Brewing Methods
The OXO Brew boasts 45 grind settings, from fine to coarse, making it versatile enough for most brewing methods, from French press to drip coffee. When tested, the grinder performed well, producing consistent fine grinds suitable for brewing methods like espresso or pour-over. However, when set to its coarsest settings, the results were less consistent, with some chunks of uneven grounds appearing in the mix. For those using French press or other brewing methods requiring a coarse grind, this might be a slight downside.
That being said, the grinder still performs better than most in its price range when it comes to grind consistency. It’s particularly suited for brewed coffee like drip and French press, though it might struggle to produce the ultra-fine grind required for high-end espresso machines. If your primary method is a regular brewed coffee, this grinder will meet your needs effectively.
Noise, Static, and Build Quality
One aspect where the OXO Brew lags slightly is in its noise levels. Like many burr grinders, it operates at a high-pitched whine that can be a bit off-putting, especially if you’re making coffee early in the morning. The noise level hovers around 92-97 decibels, which is on the higher side compared to some competitors in the market. While it’s not a deal-breaker, if you value a quieter kitchen, you might want to consider this factor before purchasing.
In terms of build quality, the OXO Brew is a mixed bag. On the one hand, the grinder is aesthetically pleasing, with a clean design that fits well in most kitchens. Its size and design mean it can sit comfortably on your countertop without taking up too much space. However, its lightweight materials, particularly on the exterior, raise some concerns about its long-term durability. The plastic parts feel less robust compared to other premium grinders on the market, and some users have noted that the machine tends to feel “flimsy” over time. Still, this should not detract too much from its performance, as the grinder is functionally sound, and OXO products are generally known for their quality and reliability.
Static is another issue that often plagues burr grinders, and the OXO Brew is no exception. Particularly when grinding darker, more static-prone roasts, the machine has a tendency to leave a slight dusting of coffee grounds around the bin. This is a common issue with many grinders and can be managed with a bit of cleaning, but it’s worth noting for those who prefer a mess-free brewing process.
Ease of Use and Features
One of the standout aspects of the OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder is its user-friendly design. The intuitive dial makes it simple to adjust grind settings and control the number of cups to be brewed. The machine’s hopper, which can hold up to 16 ounces of beans, is tinted to protect beans from harmful UV rays, preserving their freshness for longer. The hopper also features a lock to prevent accidental spills when removing it, a thoughtful touch that enhances the user experience.
Another feature worth mentioning is the grinder’s ability to sense when the hopper is empty, preventing the machine from running without beans. This feature, along with the locking mechanism, ensures that the grinder won’t make a mess or waste your precious beans.
However, the scale sometimes needs to be tared, or reset, before grinding to ensure accurate results. This is a minor inconvenience, but it does require attention before each use to maintain precision.
Comparison with Competitors
At its price point, the OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder competes with other well-known models like the Breville Smart Grinder Pro. Both grinders offer advanced features, with the Breville relying on time-based grinding while the OXO focuses on weight. The OXO Brew is ideal for users who prefer weighing their coffee, a method known to be more accurate than grinding by time. On the other hand, the Breville Smart Grinder Pro offers a digital interface and slightly better consistency at its coarser settings, making it a good option for those who enjoy French press or cold brew.
Ultimately, the choice between these two machines comes down to user preference. If you prioritize precision and simplicity, the OXO Brew is the way to go. But if you prefer more control over the grind time and a slightly more consistent coarse grind, the Breville Smart Grinder Pro might be a better fit.
Conclusion: Is the OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder Worth It?
The OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder with Integrated Scale offers a great balance of convenience, precision, and ease of use. The built-in scale is a game-changer for anyone who wants to take the guesswork out of their coffee-making process, and the grinder’s wide range of settings makes it versatile enough for most brewing methods. While the coarsest settings could be more consistent, and the noise levels are a bit high, these issues are minor compared to the overall performance of the machine.
For those who are serious about coffee and are willing to invest in a grinder that simplifies the process while maintaining accuracy, the OXO Brew is an excellent choice. However, if budget is a concern, or if you primarily use coarser grinds, you may want to consider other options in a similar price range. Overall, the OXO Brew stands out as a smart, user-friendly machine that’s well worth the investment for coffee lovers.
