For coffee lovers wanting to upgrade from basic blade grinders without venturing into expensive commercial territory, the OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder offers a well-balanced solution. It delivers grind consistency, customizable settings, and an intuitive user experience—making it a solid choice for everyday coffee brewing at home.
In this review, we’ll dive into the product’s features, specifications, design, performance, pros and cons, and offer insight into who this grinder is best suited for.
🔍 Product Overview and Specifications
- Burr Type: 40 mm stainless steel conical burrs
- Grind Settings: 15 primary settings with micro-adjustments
- Bean Hopper Capacity: ~12 oz, UV-resistant plastic
- Grounds Container: Stainless steel, static-resistant
- Power: 100 watts
- Dimensions: Approximately 5.3 x 7.8 x 12.8 inches
- Weight: Around 6.6 lbs
- Timer: Built-in with memory function
- Use Case: Ideal for drip, French press, pour-over, and cold brew
🛠️ Design & Build Quality
The grinder’s clean and modern design allows it to blend effortlessly into most kitchens. The stainless steel and matte black plastic give it a sleek, professional look, while the build quality ensures it feels solid and durable.
Key design highlights:
- UV-blocking hopper protects coffee beans from sunlight exposure.
- Stainless steel grounds bin helps reduce static cling.
- Removable burr and hopper make cleaning and maintenance easy.
- Compact profile fits under standard kitchen cabinets.
The overall design prioritizes both function and form, delivering aesthetics with practicality.
⚙️ Performance and Grind Consistency
Grind Range and Quality
The 40 mm conical burrs provide a consistent grind, particularly at medium and coarse settings. This makes the grinder well-suited for drip coffee, French press, cold brew, and pour-over methods. It is capable of grinding fine enough for moka pots but may struggle with the level of precision needed for true espresso.
Grind Settings
There are 15 clearly marked grind settings, with the ability to fine-tune further using intermediate adjustments. This flexibility allows users to switch between brewing styles with ease.
Built-in Timer
The timer feature adds convenience by automatically dosing your desired amount. It remembers your last setting, so with one push of the button, you get consistent results every time. However, due to burr momentum, you may notice a variance of about 1 gram in the output.
Noise Level
This grinder isn’t whisper-quiet. It generates a noticeable whirring sound while in use, which is common for electric burr grinders. If you’re grinding early in the morning, it might be loud enough to wake light sleepers.
Static and Clumping
Despite the stainless steel grounds container, static electricity can still cause coffee grounds to cling to the sides, resulting in some mess. This can be reduced with regular cleaning or by lightly spritzing beans before grinding.
✅ Pros
- Consistent Grind: Excellent for pour-over, drip, French press, and cold brew.
- High-Quality Burrs: 40 mm stainless steel burrs ensure even grinding.
- Easy to Use: Simple dial and timer operation with memory function.
- Compact and Durable: Sturdy materials and space-saving footprint.
- Removable Parts: Hopper and burrs detach easily for cleaning.
- UV-Protected Hopper: Helps preserve bean freshness.
❌ Cons
- Not Ideal for Espresso: Doesn’t offer the fine-tuning needed for espresso machines.
- Noise Level: Can be loud during operation.
- Static Build-Up: Grounds may cling to the container.
- Slight Dosing Inaccuracy: Timer dosing may be off by a gram or so.
- Limited Grind Precision: Some competitive models offer finer control.
👤 Who Is This Grinder Best For?
This grinder is perfect for:
- Home brewers using drip, French press, or pour-over methods.
- Coffee lovers who want consistent, fresh grounds with minimal effort.
- Beginners looking for an easy-to-use burr grinder with a stylish design.
- Users who value durability and thoughtful features like the built-in timer and removable parts.
This grinder may not be the best fit for:
- Espresso enthusiasts who require ultra-fine and highly adjustable grinds.
- Those sensitive to noise.
- Users wanting ultra-clean dosing with zero static or clumping.
🧽 Maintenance Tips
Keeping your grinder clean ensures consistent performance and flavor:
- Clean burrs regularly using a brush or grinder cleaning pellets.
- Empty and wipe the hopper to avoid stale bean residue.
- Unplug before cleaning and avoid using water on metal parts.
- Run empty for a second or two after grinding to reduce leftover grinds.
🏁 Final Thoughts
The OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder delivers dependable performance for home coffee lovers. Its thoughtful features, reliable burr construction, and user-friendly design make it one of the best entry- to mid-level grinders on the market today.
While it’s not designed for high-end espresso grinding, it shines in nearly every other category. If you’re upgrading from a blade grinder or seeking your first burr grinder for everyday brewing methods, this model offers tremendous value and convenience.