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- Verified Buyer
I am really impressed with this coffee grinder. I previously owned a Cuisinart Burr Grinder but became very annoyed at having to clean it after each load of beans. If you use a mild roast, this is less of an issue but with dark roasts that have an oily finish, the Cuisinart jams all of the time, and is difficult to clean.The OXO is very expensive and so my expectations were very high, and so far they've been met. The idea of using a scale to arrive at the right amount of coffee is a no-brainer. Using a timer, like most other burr grinders, almost always gives you the wrong amount of coffee, especially if the opening is partially blocked with accumulated grinds.If you have a postal scale, try this test with your existing burr grinder. Grind enough beans with your existing grinder for 8 cups of coffee. It should equal about 64 grams, approximately 8 grams of ground coffee per cup. My guess is if you do this test, you'll see that you're using the wrong amount of coffee. That's what I suspected when I found that brewing dark roast coffees didn't give me the strong, robust flavor I got when I went to Starbucks or other coffee house. I thought I was doing the right thing by using a burr grinder and a Bonavita brewer, but the results were still not what I expected.I finally decided to spring for the OXO. (I'm turning 70 this year, so I decided what the heck. Anyone reading this review can personally tell my grandkids "He spent it all on coffee appliances!") I am very glad I made the plunge! The OXO has a built-in scale that grinds coffee according to weight, not by time. The difference is pretty amazing, and the burr grind is top notch. After my first pot of coffee, I tasted what I had been missing for all this time!Unlike the Cuisinart, which is difficult to clean, the OXO is a snap. Even better, it doesn't clog as much because it has a better overall design that prevents clogs from happening in the first place. The containers are a snap to rinse clean, although they almost never need it. (NEVER use soap to clean any coffee maker or grinder. It will affect the taste of the coffee with a soapy residue.)The OXO motor is very strong and the conical burr blades are very efficient and give a consistent grind, important for extracting the maximum amount of flavor from the beans. I think it is simple to operate, although I would caution technophobes to look elsewhere. This is a well-designed electronic instrument and it requires some input from you, especially when it first comes out of the box. While I found the instructions clear and easy to follow, I know my wife would never have the patience for this equipment and would rather crush the beans with a veal pounder than play with the OXO. Lucky for her she's got me and the OXO is set up for her to simply dial in the amount of coffee she wants and the grinder does the rest.I completely understand coffee drinkers who will eschew the OXO based on price alone, but honestly, it's in a class by itself. Every other grinder uses a timer to grind your coffee beans. The OXO is the only one that uses the system of weight, and it is by far the better way to prepare your coffee for maximum flavor. My morning pot of coffee is a ritual I savor, and good coffee makes it even more pleasurable. If you've taken the time to buy a good brewer, like a Bonavita, then treat yourself to the OXO Burr Grinder. You will be very pleased you did.
