OXO Rapid Brewer Coffee Maker Review Portable French Press for Hot and Cold Brew

  • Brews rich, concentrated coffee in just 5 minutes or less, perfect for quick caffeine fixes anywhere.
  • The built-in stainless steel filter eliminates the need for paper filters, making cleanup easy and eco-friendly.
  • Compact and lightweight, it slips effortlessly into a backpack or purse, ideal for travel or office use.
  • Versatile design lets you customize your coffee strength and create a variety of drinks, from Americanos to cold brews.
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Description

Strengths of the OXO Brew Rapid Brewer

Using the OXO Brew Rapid Brewer 8722500 has been quite the experience, especially for anyone who needs fresh, rich coffee without fuss. The compact design, roughly the size of a thermos, made it incredibly easy to carry around, whether in my backpack or purse. This portability is a huge win for those like me who often find themselves craving a quality cup on the go. The built-in stainless steel filter is a standout, eliminating the need for paper filters and reducing waste, which I appreciated as an eco-conscious user.

The brewer’s ability to produce hot concentrated coffee in just 2 minutes, or cold brew in 5 minutes is impressive. The rainmaker showerhead truly lives up to its name by evenly distributing water over the coffee grounds, which guarantees a more consistent and flavorful extraction. I enjoyed tweaking the coffee-to-water ratio—usually between 1:2 and 1:3—to get the perfect strength, and the included tamper helped me press the grounds evenly for better flavor.

  • Compact, lightweight, and travel-friendly
  • Quick brewing times for both hot and cold coffee
  • Built-in reusable stainless steel filter
  • Adjustable coffee concentration for personalized taste

Limitations to Keep in Mind

Not everything is perfect with this manual coffee maker. The pump mechanism, while clever and secure for transport, took some getting used to. Unlocking it with a quarter turn and then pumping out the concentrate felt a bit awkward at first, especially if you’re in a hurry or have shaky hands. Cleaning is mostly easy since everything except the pump is dishwasher safe, but that pump needs a careful manual rinse, which can be a minor annoyance.

Adjusting the coffee grind size is crucial; I found that coarser grounds didn’t extract as well, leading to weaker coffee. The manual operation means it’s not the best fit for someone who wants a push-button, hands-off experience. Since it requires hot or cold water input, you’ll need access to water at the right temperature, which limits its use if you’re truly off the grid.

  • Pump mechanism can be tricky to operate
  • Requires manual cleaning of the pump
  • Best results need finely ground coffee
  • Dependent on access to hot or cold water

Compact Design and Portability

The brewer’s dimensions—3” deep, 3” wide, and 10.5” tall—make it surprisingly easy to stash virtually anywhere without feeling bulky. I found it fit snugly in my work bag alongside my laptop and lunchbox, which was a pleasant surprise. Unlike bulky electric coffee makers, this one is completely manual with no plugs or charging required, making it a reliable companion for travel, camping, or office use.

The Tritan™ Renew material used for the water chamber and carafe includes 50% recycled content, which adds a subtle but appreciated eco-friendly touch. It’s lightweight at just over a pound, so it doesn’t add much heft either. For anyone who hates carrying around heavy coffee gear, this brewer is a solid choice.

Brewing Performance and Flavor Control

Flavor-wise, this brewer delivers a concentrated coffee that’s rich and smooth, especially when diluted properly with water or milk. I experimented with various ratios and water temperatures, and it’s clear that the flexibility to adjust coffee grounds, water volume, and temperature is a key feature. Whether I wanted a strong Americano or a refreshing cold brew, the versatility was there.

The rainmaker showerhead really enhances the brewing process by saturating the grounds evenly, which I found leads to a deeper, more balanced flavor than traditional French press methods. The included tamper also makes a big difference in leveling the coffee bed, which helps avoid under-extraction and bitterness. This brewer provides a consistent experience that can match your mood or coffee preference.

User Experience and Practicality

Using the brewer is straightforward once you get the hang of it. Adding the coffee to the fill line, tamping, then adding water to the next fill line is simple, but the waiting time for cold brew (around 5 minutes) might feel a bit long if you’re used to instant coffee. Still, it’s way faster than traditional cold brew methods, which take hours.

I shared this device with a few coworkers and family members. The reactions varied: some appreciated the ritual of manual brewing, while others found the pumping action unusual or slightly inconvenient. However, everyone agreed that the coffee quality was excellent compared to instant or office drip coffee.

Cleanup is mostly painless, and the dishwasher-safe parts save time. The pump’s manual cleaning requires patience but isn’t a dealbreaker. Overall, the brewer’s ease of use and portability make it a handy tool for coffee lovers who value quality on the go.

Product Comparisons and Market Rivals

Compared to other portable coffee makers like AeroPress or handheld cold brew devices, the Rapid Brewer holds its own with its ability to deliver both hot and cold concentrated coffee quickly. AeroPress, for instance, excels in speed and ease but requires paper filters and doesn’t produce cold brew as effectively. On the flip side, some electric portable brewers offer convenience but at the cost of bulk and the need for power sources.

The built-in stainless steel filter sets this brewer apart from many competitors that rely on disposable filters, making it more eco-friendly and cost-effective in the long run. However, the manual pump might be less intuitive than the simple plungers found on other models.

If you compare it to traditional French press makers, this one is notably more compact and designed for on-the-go use, though the price point might be higher than some basic models. Its versatility in coffee styles—from hot brews to Vietnamese-style cold brew and affogato—makes it a unique offering in a crowded market.

Value for Money

In terms of value, this brewer strikes a balance between quality and affordability. Considering the durability of Tritan™ materials, the reusable filter, and the ability to make multiple coffee styles, it feels like a smart investment for anyone serious about their coffee outside the home.

The absence of pods or paper filters saves money over time, and the ability to customize every element of the brew means you’re less likely to waste coffee or settle for subpar cups. While it may not be the cheapest portable coffee maker, its features and build quality justify the cost for those who want a premium, versatile manual coffee experience.

Drawbacks and Areas for Improvement

Despite its many advantages, the brewer isn’t without flaws. The manual pumping can feel cumbersome, especially if you want a swift pour. Also, the learning curve for dialing in the perfect grind size and tamp pressure means it might not be beginner-friendly for everyone.

The reliance on external water sources—hot or cold—limits its standalone use. It’s not a magic bullet for remote camping without access to heated water. The pump’s cleaning process is fiddly and might discourage some users from regular maintenance, which could affect long-term performance.

  • Pump operation can be unintuitive and slow
  • Requires access to hot or cold water
  • Needs precise grind size for best results
  • Pump cleaning requires extra care

Despite these minor issues, the brewer delivers excellent coffee quality and portability that many will find worth the effort.

Additional information

Brand

OXO

Color

Black

Product Dimensions

3"D x 3"W x 10.5"H

Special Feature

Dishwasher Safe — All parts, except the pump, are dishwasher safe.

Coffee Maker Type

French Press

Style

Rapid Brewer

Specific Uses For Product

Hot Coffee, Cold Brew

Included Components

Carafe

Operation Mode

Manual

Model Name

Rapid Brewer

Number of Items

1

Unit Count

1.0 Count

Manufacturer

OXO

UPC

840097786186

Item Weight

1.06 pounds

Country of Origin

China

Item model number

8722500

Date First Available

September 16, 2024

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