If you want to control your brew time, water temperature and volume, the three variables that can make or break a pot of coffee, Oxo Barista Brain 9-cup Brewing System is the right choice for you.
With the Oxo Barista Brain 9-cup ( SCA certified brewer ) you can wake up with a delicious cup of coffee every single morning!
Product analysis
Good coffee starts with fresh water. Where local water is of poor quality, you may wish to use bottled or filtered water. Distilled water is not recommended
When you make your first cup of coffee, you can twist the dial to adjust the amount of coffee that you’d like to make. You can do this in 2 cup increments, and you can make as little as 4 cups of coffee and as much as 9 cups of coffee. While you’re brewing coffee, you can also pull the carafe off of the burner mid-brew. The magnetic plates underneath will sense when the carafe is back and resume your brew.
Performance
The Oxo Barista brews a great tasting cup of coffee. It brews coffee between the optimal temperature points ( 197.6-204.8 degrees Fahrenheit ) and exposes your brew to water for the recommended time specified by the Specialty Coffee Association or the SCA – check out the full list of SCA certified coffee makers. This is a big win for OXO because competing brands like Keurig still haven’t mastered preparing coffee at the right temperature.
The Keurig stops just shy of the best temperature to brew your coffee.
Its excellent temperature control allows your favorite specialty coffees to flourish. You’ll be able to taste the subtle, smoky notes of the dark roast you’re drinking, or the bright, nutty and citrusy notes of the bright roast that you adore most. The Oxo Barista allows your coffee of choice to flourish because it’s brewed in the absolute best conditions.
If you buy large portions of coffee beans, separate them into one- or two-week portions and store them in tinted, airtight containers. Refrigeration is not recommended since condensation tends to form on beans whenever the container is opened.
Maintenance
This coffee maker is just as simple to clean as it is to use. The removable shower head and water delivery tubes are easy to clean, which is a critical component of making a long lasting coffee maker.
Design
- The Oxo Barista does look impressive yet overwhelming at first glance. It almost looks like a chemistry set, but it’s actually comprised of a water kettle, stainless steel thermal carafe with a rubber grip on the handle, and the brewer basket.
- The Oxo Barista is a full brewing system, so it’s going to appear larger than the average coffee machine. However, it’s serving more than one function compared to the number of things that a mid-grade brewer can do. It is 15.4 inches tall, 14.7 inches wide, 7.5 inches deep.
- You’ll have to carve out a respectable amount of counter space but it’ll still look less cluttered next to your other appliances than a standard coffee maker and even some of the other Keurig models.
A closer look
Details worth noticing.
Product detail views: Archived product photograph
Features
- A metal rod connects the hot water kettle and the carafe and brewer basket.
- Rainmaker showerhead in the brewer basket.
- A programmable timer.
- Backlit LED screen and dial.
- Cone shaped brewer basket.
- The brewer sits on a circularly shaped pedestal
Price
The Oxo Barista is pricier than most people are used to, even its competitor, Keurig, retails their newer models at a little under $200.
To judge which controls you would actually use, compare the one-button workflow in our Bonavita BV1900TS review, the always-hot tank in the BUNN BX Velocity Brew review, and the programming options in the Cuisinart DCC-3200 review. Each puts a different part of the morning routine first.
Other Uses
At $200, the average coffee lover might expect the Oxo Barista to do more than just brew coffee. In that regard, it definitely delivers. You can brew your favorite teas using the hot water kettle, and the perfect temperature can help you make sure that your tea flourishes.
The best cup of coffee comes from coffee beans that are properly ground just before brewing. Be sure to select a medium grind, which is ideal for automatic drip coffee makers. We recommend you to check our list of the best coffee grinders.
Additionally, you could use the hot water kettle to make meals like instant oatmeal, ramen noodles, and more, which is why it could be a good buy for the busy office worker, college student, or parent that needs to get their cup of coffee brewed and food on the table within five minutes.
About OXO
OXO was founded by Sam and John Farber (father and son), entrepreneurs in the housewares industry. Sam Farber pick the name “OXO” as an ambigram that renders the three letters regardless of their orientation, either vertically or horizontal.
In 1990, the first OXO kitchen tools were introduced to the U.S. market at an exhibition in San Francisco, California. Now, OXO offers over 1000 products including coffee makers.
Video
Getting to know the control panel
Removable silicone water bridge
Transports water from the reservoir to brew basket.
Removable Rainmaker™ showerhead
Water is evenly dispersed over coffee grounds for uniform saturation and full flavor extraction.
Cone-shaped brew basket
Basket shape ensures grounds bed is sized for full flavor extraction.
Removable silicone internal mixing tube
Coffee is blended thoroughly as it is brewed into the carafe so the last sip is as delicious as the first.
Soft, non-slip handle
Carafe provides a comfortable, non-slip grip for controlled, easy pouring.
Vacuum-insulated carafe with brew-through lid
Double-walled, stainless steel carafe with brew-through lid keeps your coffee hot and fresh.
Dial/oxo button
Single dial/button allows you to program the number of cups and 24-hour start timer.
Intuitive led interface
A backlit screen displays the Coffee Maker status and the freshness indicator.
Intelligent microprocessor
Barista Brain monitors all operations to achieve optimal results.
Precise temperature control
Water is heated and held at the perfect temperature for coffee (197.6-204.8°F).
Water reservoir
Capacity of 48 ounces when filled to the Max line
Single serve capability
Easily make one mug of delicious coffee using the 2-4 cup setting.
