Oxo On Barista Brain 9 Cup Programmable Coffee Maker Review 2022

Anyone can enjoy the wonders of a good coffee maker, given enough working knowledge in its mechanics. It is seldom for this kind of machine to do a very good job while dazzling users with its aesthetic and functions, however.  

If you combine unique beauty and straightforward practical convenience in one caffeine-dispensing machine, what you will have is pretty much the OXO On Barista Brain 9 Cup Programmable Coffee Maker. Enjoying your early morning or all-nighter Cup of Joe has never looked this classy!  

Design and Construction

Among the many aspects that define this machine, the design and construction help the OXO On 9 Cup Coffee Maker stand out in the kitchen appliances section. Putting together the control, reservoir, brewer, and carafe–this entire machine looks like two neatly joined cylinders.

What makes this coffee maker looks so fascinating is that anyone can follow its direct circular brewing process by merely looking at it. The procedure begins with the single button controls, heating the water in its transparent reservoir above it, draining the prescribed volume into the brewer basket. Then, the distilled ground coffee is dispensed into the carafe below.         

Size

This coffee maker is what you can accurately describe as large and lightweight. This machine only weighs 7.7 pounds. Setting this gadget up in your kitchen would not be a sweat. While it is not a burden to set this machine in place, the same could not be said about the space required. 

The OXO On Barista Brain 9 Cup Coffee Maker measures 8x15x17.2 inches. If your kitchen is a bit cramped, this machine may not have enough room to sit on. 

Material

As far as material composition goes, the OXO Barista Brain combines the best of plastic and metal. The carafe is made of two-walled steel, insulated to maintain the lovely temperature of the freshly brewed coffee. The outer base of the suspended brewer basket is lined with the same metallic material.  

The base control panel is made of smooth polymer painted in sleek jet black. It also has a black screen that displays the time, brewing status, and level of freshness in cool blue LED – the basic information you need to remind yourself that you are going to have a very pleasant day. 

The water reservoir that rests above the control panel resembles a laboratory beaker. Its vertical volume metric helps you gauge how many cups you will be using. This part of the coffee maker’s overall anatomy represents ‘scientific practicality’ at its finest.

The perfect assembly of steel in two polished shades of black and the union of opaque transparent polymers make this coffee maker look presentable at 360 degrees rotation. It is easy to forget that this machine has a front side at all. 

Safety Features

Like most premium machines, the OXO On 9 Cup Coffee Maker does not fall behind the safety standards. For one thing, the carafe is made of double-walled steel and the risk of dropping it out of carelessness does not result in serious injuries often associated with handling glass coffee pots. However, the safety advantage does not stop there.

Another clever feature worth mentioning about this coffee maker is that the dispenser at the bottom of the brew basket has a drip-stop valve. When you remove the carafe from under the brew basket, you will not accidentally spill scalding brew on (or around) you. The brewer will pause for 60 seconds and it will terminate its task if the carafe is not returned to its proper place within the countdown.     

Accessories Included

The steel carafe has been mentioned numerous times and for a good reason. This primary accessory is not only safe from the potential danger of breaking apart when it is accidentally dropped. It also sports a soft non-slip handle, making sure that the only way for you drop it is to do it intentionally. 

When you purchase the OXO On Barista Brain 9 Cup Coffee Maker, it already includes one coffee scoop and 10 coffee filters. Keep in mind that if you want a reusable type of coffee filter, this machine preferably accepts a No. 4 cone filter.

Brew Time

According to Emma Sage, the Coffee Science Manager of SCAA, hot water should be in contact with the coffee between 4 to 6 minutes (1). As it happens, the OXO Barista Brain fits into that ideal brewing period. In 6 minutes, your Cup of Joe is ready to energize you. Unlike other types of coffee makers, the brewing time with this appliance is something that you cannot control.

Brew Quality 

It is worth knowing that the brew temperature is also instrumental to the coffee’s excellent taste. In 6 minutes, the OXO On Barista Brain 9 Cup Coffee Maker generates around 197.6 to 204.8 Fahrenheit. When it comes to the quality of the coffee, many connoisseurs would usually end up complaining about the lack of balance in terms of flavor. 

Luckily, this coffee maker eliminates that excuse to nitpick. The Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) certifies it for a very good reason. The silicone water bridge hoses the water from the boiling reservoir to the brew basket and washes every angle of the ground coffee via its 5-holed ‘rainmaker’ showerhead.

Ease of Use

The OXO On 9 Cup Coffee Maker has a unique set of controls that are located in one area of the machine. However, it is important to understand that operating this coffee maker is not as easy as it looks. In fact, it takes a steep learning curve to get a hang with the LED monitor, the button and the analog dial knob around it.

Since the water reservoir is not removable, you will also have to manually fill the tank and gauge it according to the see-through metric scale. This could be a little hectic when you run out of water to feed the 9-cup brew setting.

Clean-Up

Cleaning up this coffee maker is not as difficult compared with other machines since most of the removable components are safe when placed in a top-rack dishwasher. While washing away residue from the OXO Barista Brain 9 Cup is fairly easy, the same cannot be said about the ‘descaling’ process. In fact, you will have to operate it systematically in almost the same way as the brewing process. Descaling happens every 90 cycles, as strongly notified by the coffee maker itself. 

Brand & Customer Service

OXO was established in 1990 and is one of the most popular producers of kitchen products and home tools in the United States. This company has over 97 headquarters in the country and 127 worldwide – each of them mandated by the global HQ in New York City, New York.  

As far as customer service is concerned, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) has given an A- rating for this company. Not a bad assessment considering that OXO is not accredited by their organization. You can reach them by phone around 6 to 8 PM weekdays (Eastern Time) at 800-545-4411 or email them at [email protected] Check out the contact page (2) for more details. 

Value for Money

Given the superior SCAA certification (3) attached to this product, you can expect this machine to fetch a slightly luxurious cost. Such is the price of a delicious brewed coffee at your immediate reach. You are paying for the superb technology used, from the entire first-class brewing process to the reservoir and on to your cup.

If there is another reason to justify what seems to be an expensive price, the OXO Barista Brain 9 Cup has two years of limited warranty. Yes, you heard it right! Most coffee makers can only afford a service contract for a year or even just 6 months. This is so much better.  

Downsides

One of the obvious downsides of the OXO Barista Brain 9 Cup is that it has a relatively complex operating system. With only one button and an analog dial, you will have to go through multiple steps of programming just to start the brewing process. 

If the operating system is hard enough, imagine how dreadfully complicated it is to go through the troubleshooting process. It is so complicated that oftentimes customers would end up demanding a refund when the coffee maker no longer functions effectively. 

It all comes down to how much you love a good coffee, however. If you’re a huge fan, you will know your appliance comprehensively and take better care of it. 

Who Should Buy this Coffee Maker? 

 

The OXO On Barista Brain 9 Cup Programmable Coffee Maker works best for anyone who aspires to run their own small pastry or cafe business. You simply cannot go wrong with a machine that serves possibly the best cup of Joe in the neighborhood. 

As it happens, the sophisticated programming needed to get the brewing process done correctly is another working knowledge that could cement your reputation as a barista/cafe manager. 

However, you do not need to dream of owning a business just to appreciate the excellent brewed coffee taste. Anyone who is passionate about rejecting subpar quality appliance would love to have this item in their kitchen.

Oxo On Barista Brain 9 Cup Programmable Coffee Maker Video Review

Final Verdict

When it comes down to choosing the best coffee maker, a determining factor would be its ability to make the best coffee there is. Since any coffee connoisseur who is worth a grain of salt would simply take the SCAA’s word seriously, there is no doubt that this machine would have to be at the top of your wish list.

For this review, I am granting this coffee maker a 4.2/5 rating. It is an impressive piece of a machine but not without flaws. 

Is this coffee maker worth it? Yes, indeed. In fact, it is the kind of machine that you can easily brag to your visitors in terms of performance and flavor.

Specifications

Oxo On Barista Brain 9 Cup Programmable Coffee Maker Specifications
Brand	OXO
Model	Barista Brain
Material	Stainless Steel
Brew Type	Drip
Cup Capacity	9 Cups
Warranty	2 Years
Price	$

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1. https://scanews.coffee/2014/12/11/a-coffee-maker-for-everyone-accessibility-in-the-age-of-specialty-coffee/
2. https://www.oxo.com/contact-us
3. https://sca.coffee/certified-home-brewer