For coffee enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike, the quest for the perfect cup of coffee is never-ending. The right coffee maker can elevate your morning routine, offering not just convenience but also a consistently excellent brew. The OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker has emerged as a favorite among many, praised for its design, functionality, and performance. In this comprehensive review, we’ll explore why this coffee maker stands out, examining its features, performance, user experience, and more.
- Fits easily under kitchen cabinets and looks great on the counter.
- Keeps coffee hot for hours without a warming plate.
- Ensures even water distribution for consistent extraction.
- Maintains optimal brewing temperature and time, resulting in excellent coffee.
- Eco-friendly alternative to single-use pods.
- Removable parts are dishwasher safe, and the machine has a convenient cleaning reminder.
- Cannot be removed, requiring a separate vessel to fill.
- The basket doesn’t sit flat on countertops, making it tricky to fill with grounds.
- At around $170, it’s not the cheapest option, but it offers excellent value for its features and performance.
Design and Build Quality
Sleek and Modern Aesthetics
The OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker boasts a sleek, modern design that easily fits into any kitchen aesthetic. Its compact size makes it ideal for small kitchens or limited counter space. The stainless steel construction with black accents provides a sophisticated look that complements contemporary kitchen décor.
User-Friendly Interface
Simplicity is key with the OXO Brew 8-Cup. The machine features a minimalist interface with just four buttons and a sliding switch on the brew basket. This straightforward design makes it easy to operate, even for those who are not tech-savvy. Despite its simplicity, the coffee maker does not compromise on essential functionalities.
Key Features
Thermal Carafe
A standout feature of the OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker is its double-walled, vacuum-insulated thermal carafe. This carafe keeps coffee hot for hours without the need for a warming plate, which can often lead to overcooked coffee. The pour-through lid ensures minimal heat loss, maintaining the coffee’s optimal temperature from the first cup to the last.
Rainmaker Shower Head
The Rainmaker shower head is designed to evenly distribute water over the coffee grounds, ensuring a consistent extraction. This feature, combined with the integrated bloom cycle that pre-infuses the ground coffee, allows for the escape of carbon dioxide before brewing begins, enhancing the flavor profile of the coffee.
Precision Brewing
The OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker is Golden Cup-certified by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), which is a testament to its ability to brew coffee at the optimal temperature and time. The BetterBrew precision brewing technology controls water temperature, water volume, and brewing time, ensuring an even and consistent extraction every time.
Single-Serve Function
In addition to brewing a full pot, the OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker offers a single-serve function. This feature uses an insert that fits in the brew basket and mimics a pour-over dripper, allowing you to brew directly into a mug using Kalita Wave filters. This eco-friendly alternative reduces the reliance on single-use pods, aligning with sustainable practices.
Performance and Taste
Speed and Temperature Control
The OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker excels in brewing speed and temperature control. It can brew a full pot in approximately six minutes, maintaining a brewing temperature between 197°F and 205°F, the ideal range for coffee extraction. This precise control ensures that the coffee grounds are brewed to perfection, avoiding any bitterness or under-extraction.
Taste and Consistency
Users and reviewers alike praise the OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker for its ability to produce consistently excellent coffee. The coffee brewed with this machine is described as strong, complex, and balanced, with no hint of bitterness. Whether you prefer a mild cup or a bold, intense brew, this coffee maker can cater to your preferences by adjusting the coffee-to-water ratio.
Ease of Use
Intuitive Operation
Using the OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker is straightforward. The process involves filling the water reservoir, adding coffee grounds to the filter basket, and selecting the desired brew size. The machine takes care of the rest, delivering a perfect pot or single cup of coffee with minimal effort on the user’s part.
Easy to Clean
The OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker is designed with user convenience in mind, and this extends to its cleaning process. The removable parts are dishwasher safe, though handwashing with warm water and mild detergent is recommended for the thermal carafe and lid. The machine also features a “Clean” button that lights up after every 90 brew cycles, reminding you when it’s time to descale the machine.
Descaling Process
Descaling the OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker is straightforward. The manufacturer recommends using a descaling solution, but white vinegar or citric acid cleaner can also be used. Simply fill the water reservoir with the descaler and run a brew cycle, followed by a cycle with just water to rinse the machine.
User Experience
Positive Feedback
The OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from users. Many appreciate the machine’s ability to brew coffee that rivals that of manual pour-over methods. The thermal carafe is particularly praised for its effectiveness in keeping coffee hot without altering its flavor. Users also find the machine’s minimalist design both aesthetically pleasing and functional.
Areas for Improvement
While the OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker has many strengths, some users have pointed out areas for improvement. The fixed water reservoir can be inconvenient for those who prefer to fill their coffee maker directly from the tap. Additionally, the filter basket’s inability to sit flat on countertops can make it slightly cumbersome to fill with coffee grounds. However, these minor drawbacks do not significantly detract from the overall user experience.
Conclusion
The OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker is a top choice for coffee enthusiasts who value both design and functionality. Its sleek, compact design, precision brewing technology, and user-friendly features make it a standout option in the crowded coffee maker market. Despite a few minor drawbacks, its ability to consistently brew excellent coffee, whether a single cup or a full carafe, justifies its price tag.
If you’re in the market for a new coffee maker that combines modern aesthetics with superior brewing performance, the OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker is definitely worth considering. It’s an investment in your daily coffee ritual, promising to deliver a perfect cup every time.
