Oxo

The Baratza Dilemma: When Your Grinder Can’t Deliver

The Baratza Dilemma: When Your Grinder Can’t Deliver

The verdict is in: a $200 grinder isn’t magic. For years, a user made decent coffee with an Oxo and Moccamaster, relying on Peet’s Big Bang and precise grind settings. Then the Oxo broke, replaced by a Baratza Virtuoso+—a machine marketed as superior. But the results? Bland, sour, and unremarkable. The user tried everything: adjusting grind settings from 20 to 12, tweaking bean weights, and even replacing the grinder under warranty. Still, the coffee felt flat, like hot water with a hint of bitterness. The issue isn’t the beans or the brewer. It’s the grind. Baratza’s recommended settings for drip…
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The Oxo Setup That’s Revolutionizing My Brews

The Oxo Setup That’s Revolutionizing My Brews

Listen up: this isn’t your average coffee machine. The Oxo’s design lets you dial in variables without sacrificing speed, and after a few days of testing, I’m convinced it’s redefining what’s possible in a home brew. I’ve settled on a 16g grind to 50g water ratio, a balance that delivers clarity without over-extraction. Tamping the grounds evenly is non-negotiable—any uneven surface and the shot turns sour. At 93C, the water hits the grinds just right, neither too hot to scorch the coffee nor too cool to extract properly. The key? Let the water do the work. I let the machine’s…
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