Oxo Brew Grinder

The OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder is one of the most popular entry-level electric grinders on the market, sitting right around $100. I bought one as a gift for my sister two years ago and ended up spending enough time with it to form a solid opinion. It does a lot of things right for the price, but it has some clear weaknesses that you should know about before buying.

If you're comparing the OXO Brew to the Baratza Encore, Capresso Infinity, or other grinders in the $80-130 range, this guide will help you figure out which one deserves your counter space. I'll also explain the difference between the standard OXO Brew and the upgraded OXO Brew with Scale model.

Design and Build

OXO has always been good at making kitchen products that feel well-designed, and this grinder follows that pattern. The hopper holds about 12 ounces (340 grams) of beans and has a simple twist-lock mechanism that lets you remove it without beans spilling everywhere. The grounds bin is a wide, low container that slides out from the front.

The overall footprint is compact. At about 7 inches wide and 15 inches tall, it takes up less counter space than most competitors. The body is a mix of stainless steel and BPA-free plastic, which keeps the weight manageable at around 4.5 pounds.

My favorite design detail is the one-touch start timer. You set the number of cups you want (2 through 12), press a single button, and the grinder runs for the appropriate amount of time and stops automatically. It's a small thing, but it saves you from standing there watching the grinder and hitting stop at the right moment.

The bean hopper includes a trap door that holds beans in place when you remove the hopper. This is surprisingly useful. If you want to switch beans without dumping the hopper contents into a bag, you just twist and lift.

Grind Quality and Consistency

The OXO Brew uses 40mm stainless steel conical burrs. For drip coffee, the grind consistency is solid. Particles are reasonably uniform, and the cup quality is a noticeable step up from any blade grinder. I brewed V60 pour-overs and Chemex with the OXO's medium setting and got acceptable results both times.

Where the grinder starts to show its limitations is at the extremes. The coarse settings produce a wider particle distribution than I'd like for French press. You'll get some fines mixed in, which can make French press coffee slightly muddy. The fine settings are okay for Moka pot but not precise enough for espresso.

There are 15 grind settings, which sounds like a lot but actually isn't. Many grinders in this price range offer 40 or more settings. Fewer settings mean bigger jumps between each one, so you have less control when dialing in your preferred grind size. For most drip coffee drinkers, the 15 settings are enough. For pour-over enthusiasts who obsess over drawdown times, it can feel limiting.

Retention

The OXO retains about 1 to 1.5 grams of grounds in the burr chamber after each use. This is average for the price range. It means stale grounds from yesterday's grind will mix with today's fresh grounds. For casual drinkers, this is a non-issue. For those who care about freshness, single-dose grinders are a better choice.

The OXO Brew vs. OXO Brew With Scale

OXO makes two versions of this grinder. The standard model uses a timed dosing system (you set the number of cups). The upgraded "with Scale" model has a built-in scale in the grounds bin that measures by weight instead of time.

The scale version costs about $50 more (around $150 total) and it's a meaningful upgrade. Here's why: grinding by time is inherently inconsistent. Different beans, different roast levels, and different ambient humidity all affect how quickly coffee grinds. A timer that works perfectly with one bag of beans might over-grind or under-grind the next.

The scale model eliminates this variable. You set your desired dose in grams, and the grinder stops when it hits that weight. Simple and accurate. If you're willing to spend $150, the scale model is the one to get.

OXO Brew vs. Baratza Encore

This is the comparison everyone wants. Both grinders cost roughly the same, both use conical burrs, and both target the same audience.

Grind quality: The Baratza Encore is slightly better. It has 40mm conical burrs (same size as OXO) but its stepped adjustment system offers 40 settings versus OXO's 15. More settings mean more control, and the Encore produces slightly more uniform particles across its range.

Ease of use: The OXO wins here. The one-touch timer and intuitive dial are simpler than the Encore's less intuitive pulse/continuous buttons. The OXO is the grinder I'd recommend for someone who doesn't want to think about their grinder.

Build quality: Roughly equal. Both will last 3-5 years with regular use. Neither feels premium, but neither feels cheap.

Noise: The OXO is slightly quieter than the Encore, though both are loud enough to wake up anyone sleeping in the next room.

Serviceability: The Encore wins by a mile. Baratza sells every single replacement part on their website, from burrs to switches to wiring harnesses. OXO doesn't offer the same level of parts support. When something breaks on a Baratza, you fix it. When something breaks on an OXO, you replace it.

For my money, the Baratza Encore is the better long-term purchase. But if ease of use is your top priority, the OXO is hard to beat. For more options in this range, take a look at our best grind and brew coffee maker roundup.

Common Issues and How to Fix Them

Static cling: Ground coffee sticks to the grounds bin and creates a mess. This is common with the OXO. Fix it by adding a single drop of water to your beans before grinding (the Ross Droplet Technique). It sounds weird, but it works. The water binds to the grounds and eliminates static.

Inconsistent dose amounts: If the timed dosing is giving you different amounts each time, your beans are probably changing. Oily, dark roasts grind slower than dry, light roasts. The scale model fixes this problem entirely.

Grinder won't start: The OXO has a safety interlock that prevents the motor from running if the hopper or grounds bin isn't seated properly. Remove both, reseat them firmly, and try again. This trips up a lot of new users.

Loud grinding noise: If the grinder suddenly gets louder, check for a small stone or piece of debris in the hopper. Coffee beans occasionally have foreign objects mixed in. Also check that the burrs aren't touching, as this happens when the grind setting is accidentally turned too fine.

Who Should Buy the OXO Brew Grinder?

The OXO Brew Conical Burr Grinder is best for people who drink drip coffee or basic pour-over and want a simple, reliable grinder that doesn't require any learning curve. It's a great first burr grinder for someone upgrading from pre-ground or a blade grinder.

It's not the right grinder for espresso drinkers, single-origin pour-over enthusiasts who need precise control, or anyone who wants to repair their grinder rather than replace it.

If you're looking for something with similar ease of use but more brewing flexibility, our best grind and brew single cup coffee maker guide has some interesting all-in-one options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the OXO Brew grinder do espresso?

Not well. The finest setting isn't fine enough for true espresso, and the 15-step adjustment doesn't give you the precision needed to dial in espresso grind size. If you want espresso capability in this price range, look at the Baratza Sette 30 instead.

How often should I clean the OXO Brew grinder?

Clean the burr chamber weekly if you grind daily. Remove the hopper, use the included brush to sweep out retained grounds, and wipe down the grounds bin. Once a month, run Grindz cleaning tablets or uncooked rice through the grinder to absorb oils.

Is the OXO Brew grinder loud?

It's moderate. I measured about 70-75 decibels during operation, which is roughly the volume of a normal conversation at close range. It's not whisper-quiet, but it's less jarring than many competitors. Grinding a full 12-cup dose takes about 25-30 seconds.

How long does the OXO Brew grinder last?

Expect 3 to 5 years with daily use. The burrs will eventually dull, and unlike Baratza, OXO doesn't sell replacement burrs separately. When the burrs go, the grinder goes. This is the biggest argument for spending a little more on a Baratza if longevity matters to you.

Bottom Line

The OXO Brew is a solid B+ grinder. It won't blow you away with grind quality, but it will reliably produce good coffee every morning with zero fuss. Get the scale version if your budget allows. Skip it if you want espresso or long-term repairability.