OXO Cold Brew Review – A Hassle-free Coffee Maker

Would you like an alternative to buying cold brew from your local coffee shop? Then you’re in luck. That’s because making cold brew coffee isn’t nearly as difficult as you might think, especially if you own a high-quality cold brew coffee maker.

The OXO Cold Brew coffee maker is one such product. It provides a straightforward way to produce cold brew without the hassle or mess. If you enjoy cold brew regularly, this review will detail why the OXO Cold Brew coffee maker could be a worthwhile investment. And you’ll know why we picked it as the best cold brew coffee maker in our round-up.

OXO Cold Brew Coffee Maker Review

OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker Summary

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Things we like:

1. Great user experience, provide a convenient way to make cold brew at home
2. Support both metal strainer and paper filters
3. Glass carafe with a stopper for easy storage

Room for improvements:

1. The price is higher than other cold brew coffee makers

Design Of The OXO Cold Brew

The OXO Cold Brew coffee maker benefits from a straightforward design and simple construction. The product is built in the shape of an hourglass consisting of three main sections. As a drip coffee maker, at the top is a brewing chamber where you add ground coffee beans for steeping. From there, a perforated lid, or “rainmaker,” evenly scatters cold water over the ground coffee bed. A glass carafe stands at the bottom to hold the coffee liquid after it has gone through the stainless steel mesh filter.

In keeping with its simplistic design aesthetic, the OXO Cold Brew has just one brew-release switch, which you use for draining the coffee into the glass carafe once the brewing process is complete.

With measurements of 9.5″ x 9.5″ x 14.7″ and a weight of 4.4 lbs, the coffee maker is relatively large. However, if you’re a big cold brew enthusiast, we believe this product is worth the space you’ll need on your kitchen counter.

The main part of the device is made from BPA-free plastic, while the carafe is constructed of borosilicate glass. Put together, the device doesn’t have the premium look of a high-end coffee maker. However, it will be a talking point for anyone who sees it and offers ample proof that you’re serious about good coffee.

Ease Of Use

When you first set the coffee maker up, you’ll probably need several minutes to figure it all out. However, because it only contains three main parts, this shouldn’t be too complicated a process.

Once you’ve completed the initial setup, there are only three things you need to do to make cold brew coffee. First, you have to grind your beans and add the grounds to the container. Next, add some water to the rainmaker. Finally, you need to press the switch.

We love the brew-release switch as it makes the OXO Cold Brew stand apart from other coffee makers with its ease of use. Ordinarily, you’d need something like a cheesecloth, a mason jar, or another potentially messy means of filtering the brewed coffee. However, the OXO Cold Brew cuts out that part of the process with a switch, which allows the coffee to drain, and can be stopped afterward without any dripping.

There is also a stopper for you to properly seal the glass carafe and keep it in the fridge. Then, whenever you need a drink, you can measure 2oz of cold brew concentrate using the stopper, which has measurement markings. The company really focuses on details when they designed their products.

Once you’ve brewed your coffee, the carafe and brewer will need a quick cleanup, ready for making a coffee in just one or two minutes whenever you feel like it. Overall, it’s super easy to use and guarantees you the best user experience.

Quality Of The Cold Brewed Coffee

Making cold brew coffee naturally requires low extraction, meaning it will contain less bitterness and acidity than coffee brewed with hot water. This means that you’ll end up with a cup of joe that is both smooth and has a fruitier flavor profile.

The primary area to consider is the filtration of the coffee grounds. That’s because you should avoid fine particles of coffee reaching your cup, which leave an unpleasant taste. OXO solves this problem with a stainless steel filter designed to ensure those grounds don’t get that far.

If you’re particularly concerned about this issue or are only satisfied with a completely particle-free cup of coffee, additional paper filters are also available.  Simply place a paper filter over the mesh filter and then screw on the filter cap. There is a drawback with using a paper filter, though – they filter out any fine grounds and the oils, which can inhibit the flavor of the coffee and increase the time needed to drain it.

Generally, though, rest assured that the OXO Cold Brew coffee maker does an excellent job of making beautiful and hassle-free cold coffee.

Capacity

Whenever you start cold brewing, you’ll have to be prepared to give it the time and patience it requires. However, waiting up to a day for a couple of cups of good cold brew is not ideal. Therefore, it’s a good idea to make a big batch of cold brew concentrate that can then be used in several cups of coffee.

One of the biggest problems with all cold brewing methods is that the grounds hold a significant amount of water through absorption, and the OXO is the same. It provides only 20-28oz of cold brew concentrate for every 40oz of water. Another issue is that the carafe’s capacity is only 32oz. You should end up with between 10 and 13 cups of 8oz coffee if you go with a ratio of 1:3 coffee to water or milk.

While this will only give you a few days of caffeine drinks if you drink two or three cups a day, the OXO has less capacity than some other cold brew coffee makers on the market, such as the Toddy and Filtron.

Is It Worth The Money?

There are plenty of cold brew systems and products on the market. The OXO Cold Brew coffee maker’s cost is at the higher end of the price range. And it seems even more pricey when you consider that you can also make high-quality cold brew coffee using a mason jar or French press, which are far cheaper. With paper filters and a pour-over dripper, you can expect a cold brew of equally good quality without the need to spend a lot of money.

However, if your main concerns are convenience and mess-free brewing, and you don’t have budget constraints, the OXO Cold Brewer is one of your best options.

Another consideration is how regularly you drink cold brew coffee. If you’re used to buying it in a coffee shop every day, the cost will soon add up. An investment in the OXO Good Grips Cold Brewer will save you money in the long run if you use it as an alternative. However, if you’re not a regular cold brew drinker, you’re probably better off using a French press, which can make either cold or hot coffee and is significantly cheaper.

How To Use The OXO Cold Brew Coffee Maker

Step-By-Step Instructions For Using The OXO Cold Brew Coffee Maker

1. Place 10oz coarsely ground coffee in the brewing container.
2. Cover with the rainmaker lid and pour over 40oz of cold or room temperature water circularly.
3. Allow it to brew for between 12 and 24 hours.
4. Ensure the carafe is positioned beneath the container and press the brew release switch.
5. Allow the coffee to go into the carafe. Dilute the coffee with a ratio of 1:2 or 3 milk or water, and enjoy!
6. Attach the stopper to the carafe and store the remainder of the cold brew concentrate in the fridge.

OXO Cold Brew Replacement Parts

If the glass carafe breaks, you can replace it via a platform such as Amazon or OXO’s official website.

However, because the stainless steel filter is attached to the brewing container, the only option, if it breaks, is to replace the brewer. Therefore, care when using the coffee maker, cleaning it, or storing it is needed to avoid that scenario.

Alternatives To The OXO Cold Brew Coffee Maker

A Less Expensive Option

As we’ve already pointed out, the device is quite expensive. However, there is a smaller version available which is cheaper. However, the capacity is significantly reduced, with a yield of just 16oz of coffee.

Another cheaper alternative is the Toddy Cold Brew System. This product has a simple design, much like the OXO. However, it also has a larger capacity meaning you can make more coffee per batch.

Ready-To-Drink Option

If you’re an occasional cold brew coffee drinker, the Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Coffee Maker is a good, compact option. Check out our hands-on review of Hario Cold Brew.

This cold brew coffee maker is even more straightforward to use than the OXO. It’ll produce coffee that’s ready to drink as opposed to coffee concentrate. The device can also be kept in the fridge thanks to the compact size. Not only that, but it can brew tea as well.

Our Verdict

If you are looking for an excellent cold brewing machine, the OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker is one of the best gadgets that offer great functionality, performance, and everything you’ll need.

It is both hassle-free and reliable and makes excellent cold brew coffee without any fuss. The addition of the brew switch also means that you won’t need to concern yourself with cork stoppers, cheesecloth or sieves – just flick the switch and leave it to do the rest.

The biggest drawback is the price, so the most significant thing to consider is how much you’re willing to pay for the convenience rather than alternative ways of making cold brew coffee.