Oxo Compact vs Primula Burke Side-by-Side Comparison
OXO Compact cold brew coffee maker vs Primula Burke. Discover good brewing fundamentals and a truly flawed design best avoided.
Specifications
Design
We unboxed the OXO Compact cold coffee brewer to see what came in such a neat and small package. The initial impression was a product that delights and excites.
The Primula cold brew coffee maker boasts a couple of design features to really appreciate. One is the plastic jacket which also includes a base cushion, the other is the practical lid design. The height is comparatively low which allows you to brew easily on a refrigerator shelf, or in the door.
On the other hand, the 1.6 qt size and the thick glass make it a bit heavy when full. Additionally, even though the filter is high quality, our testing revealed it lacks sufficient permeability to make a good cold brew coffee.
Usability Comparison
The OXO Compact is one of the easiest cold brew coffee makers to use. You simply measure your ingredients using the markings on its brew vessel and decanter. Decanting was fast and effortless, and cleaning straightward. It also stored very neatly, adding to its compact appeal. The only thing to be careful of is the sensitive decanting spring valve.
The Primula certainly can’t be faulted for its easy-to-use design. Parts are minimal, with only a couple of silicone gaskets to keep an eye on. They fit well, are high quality, and the double lid design is an excellent feature. You can easily remove the inner lid to stir the contents, and also close the spout by turning it.
Brew Quality
Overall, the OXO Compact produced a smooth and full-bodied brew. It was very satisfying to drink with a simple dilution. However, the brew tended to lack sweeter flavor subtleties and the complexity one would expect from a cold brew.
With its unique and practical design, the Primula was a pleasure to brew with. As such, we expected better results. However, the Primula failed to deliver a worthy cold brew coffee concentrate even when compared to brewers using a similar brew ratio. The design of the filter is fundamentally flawed, and the brew quality ranks as one of the lowest we have tested.
Overall Scores
Pros & Cons
- Compact design
- Quality packaging
- Aesthetic decanter
- Easy measuring
- Pours very smoothly
- Detachable filter base
- Protective plastic jacket
- Lid design
- Easy to clean
- Thick glass
- Stopper doesn’t fit tightly
- Sensitive decanter valve
- Brew not so complex
- No measurement markings
- A little heavy
- Weak brew strength
Conclusion
The Primula Burke is an immersion filter brewer. While not our favorite brewing style, the Primula Burke is too focused on convenience at the expense of actually making a worthwhile cold brew coffee. The ultra-fine filter produces very little sediment, but at the same time, it doesn’t allow enough cross-flow for a good brew to develop.
The Primula Burke is well thought out in terms of how the lid works and the filter attaches. With a plastic and nylon filter, however, it’s not the most ideal for repurposing.
The OXO is one of the easiest free-style brewers to work with and the cold brew concentrate decants effortlessly via the bottom valve. The filter is a reusable stainless steel mesh, so no additional purchases are necessary. The brew ratio recommended by the measurement markings works really well, although you can adapt it as you please.
Behind the Comparison
Roger Shitaki is a writer, author, and editor. His niches are household appliances, health & wellness, and travel. He’s a freelance contributor to a Tokyo lifestyle website and a leading ophthalmology magazine in Asia.
